Samples:

I have started to do some painting samples to try out different styles and techniques. One is done using just paint brushes and acrylic paint and has quite a strong bold affect. I like this style, but I think that it is a little too bold as it is meant to symbolise air and wind it would ideally be a little softer.

Paint Brush Technique

The second sample I did using a small roller and a sponge to try and achieve a softer more subtle air like affect. I also like this technique and think it would work well on the final piece.

Roller Technique

I have also been experimenting with adding texture using polyfiller and surface filler to create a more interesting affect. This is a technique that I used during my work placement and found it really affective, especially from a distance. Another technique I used on work placement was using a spray gun, which is something I would like to try out on the third sample. The spray gun will create an even softer and subtle affect than the roller as the colours can be more seamlessly blended. As well as doing a sample I also have to do some research into portable spray guns, as I will be potentially painting on location at the church I would need to have access to an air compressor. However if this is not possible I will use the roller technique.

Texture

Designs:

Once I had produced some initial design ideas and chose the stylistic aspects I wanted in the final design I then started to consolidate my ideas. I decided to use a dove as the main christian symbol within the piece. I wanted the painting to suggest a dove tearing through the sky to earth. I decided upon quite a stylised dove as the whole piece is quite abstract, so a realistic dove would look out of place. The rest of the drawing I wanted to represent Gods Holy Spirit coming to earth like a dove. I am hoping to achieve a sense of movement and something ripping through the air like when a space shuttle re-enters the atmosphere. I am keeping the palette to blues and green as these are natural colours that work well together, also the walls of the church are painted a very pale green so it will work subtly with the whole colour scheme of the room. The church also has red chairs which will create a nice contrast.

 I produced a variety of drawings playing around mainly with the composition and positioning of the dove. Once the dove is in position then the rest of the drawing fits around where it is placed. I finally decided upon placing the dove in the bottom right corner so that the drawing filled the majority of space available. I made sure to draw the design in 1:12 scale so it will be simple to scale the drawing up for the final piece.

Final Design

Initial Design Ideas/ Concepts:

I have started by producing some basic design ideas to explore possible styles, techniques, colours and compositions. I have taken the majority of my influence from the work of Sister Mary Stephen CRSS, whose work I really like and admire. I want to try and emulate the way she suggests Christian theology, stories and God through her drawings. I often find the design process the most challenging part of a project, so this coupled with the fact that the piece has to be meaningful and thought provoking for the people who attend the church has meant that I need to take even more into consideration when designing. Also as this piece is not just for my own personal gain, but will be displayed for other people I want it to appeal to a wide range of people. I do not want the piece to just be a random semi religious picture, I want it to be able to be seen as an aid to worship and something people can use to inspire their own faith. I have also decided to make the piece quite abstract and modern, rather than a old style traditional painting so hopefully it will help bring the church into the 21st century.

Although I am unsure exactly what I want in the design I have given myself some parameters.  Despite being the most well known christian symbol I am not putting a cross in the design as Hurstpierpoint Methodist Church already has a cross on the communion table and on the wall at the front of the church, so I think for the mural to have a further cross would just be too much. Therefore I have been looking at designs that feature different religious symbols.

During the design process I was reminded of a painting I saw in the Methodist Art Collection which featured a dove, so I tried putting a dove into some of the pictures. I really liked how the dove worked within the piece, it is as though the dove (representing the holy spirit) is descending  upon the earth like when Jesus was baptised the Bible says that the spirit descended on him like a dove. I also tried a design with the dove ascending, although the composition of this looked good it did not speak of God or the holy spirit as it suggests that the spirit is leaving the earth.

Design Influences:

The Mural will be on a Christian theme, but also very modern. I am not planning on recreating anything in the Sistine Chapel style. I hope that I can create something modern and slick, but that also speaks to people of God and enhances their time spent in the church. I particularly like the work of Juliet Hemmingray who produces church textiles such as stoles, preaching scarfs, banners pulpit falls etc. Her designs are based on religious imagery and symbols that have been used for generations throughout worship.

Another artist I am really inspires by is Sister Mary Stephen CRSS, her work has had the greatest influence on my own designs. She creates drawings and images based on Bible verses and Christian ideas. I find them so moving and really beautiful, they covey the type of feelings and message I hope the create in my own work. I also like the pastel quality to her work and they movement they have, they are so simple but say so much.

Lindisfame-scriptorium.co.uk produce christian resources and materials that I am also taking inspiration from in my design work.

 I have also looked at some more cecular artists and some traditional and modern stained glass windows for possible ideas.