This first blog post of new series “Spiritual Painting and Technique” is about a painting method I’ve adopted that I call “Give and Take Away”. It’s both a technique for painting in layers and a spiritual exercise. This method is a form of therapy for peaceful letting go, and acceptance of what we cannot change. While releasing stress and anxiety, may we be willing to let go of the fretful need to control the people and events of our lives. It is only when we let go that new spiritual growth can thrive.
You can see many examples of what I mean in the time-lapse videos that are on this site. It’s easy to see it in those videos because the footage is sped up and it makes the process appear obvious. In real time though, the process is much more subtle and it may go unnoticed by a person who sees the progress spread out over time. The transition from how the painting looked after the first session to the third may end with a more detailed subject, but the phases in between (when parts of the painting are temporarily “gone”) may be missed if the observer isn’t watching me paint, and only sees the painting at the end of each session.
However, when every brush stroke is filmed and the viewer (you!) witnesses each phase of the session, it looks as if the subject of the painting has been erased for a time and then painted back in. I give the subject its form and then I take it away, thus “Give and Take Away”. I don’t take all parts of it away, and it really isn’t a taking away (it only looks like it). I’m painting OVER the top of what was there before. In this way, my first session gives me a template that I use to build up a new layer, which temporarily covers up what I originally painted.
Sometimes this is hard for me to do because I know that I might prefer the original form and be disappointed if the finished version doesn’t come through, but it’s important to paint with confidence and believe that the painting will turn out as it’s meant to. Think of the layers as “stacks”, like playing with toy blocks. Each stack covers the layer underneath because the goal is to create something as a whole. While the first layer might look amazing, it’s unfinished. We can’t build a house from one layer of bricks. So, when painting in layers to develop a composition that is built upon, I have to be willing to stack a new layer that covers my foundation and keep going in that way until I have built my house.
I usually paint about three layers before calling the painting done and moving on to the next project. Depending on how involved the subject is and the size of the canvas, this process varies, but in general I put down an initial layer that could be a finished painting if I was willing to leave it as a simple first draft. Then, the second layer is painted on top and sets the stage for topping off the final stack (or more) to build the completed version.
Here are two examples of “Give and Take Away”. In this first example, watch the video of “Lion of Judah” and you’ll see the lion’s eyes form, then they disappear slightly and come back again looking more finished (greater detail, vibrancy, texture and dimension). Of course the eyes didn’t really disappear. They were simply covered up for a time in the areas I was layering (building the next stack on top of).
In the second example, pay attention to the water puddle that I painted at my daughter’s feet. Watching the painting come together through time-lapse is fascinating because it gives the illusion that the water is moving. But what you’re seeing is my “Give and Take Away” method in action. The puddle is temporarily covered up so that I can build upon it with lights and shadows that create the detailed droplets and splashes of moving water. You can see how the puddle has formed around her feet due to the direction of the water, all done through a series of highlights and shadows layered in varying brush stroke weight and direction. While the puddle seemed to have slightly disappeared for a short while, it was briefly covered over before coming back in with white paint for details.
You can find many more examples of Give and Take Away on your own by exploring my other painting videos. So I encourage you to keep looking if you’re interested in seeing my painting method and techniques in action. But now it’s time for me to talk to you about the spiritual aspect of Give and Take Away.
I’m reminded of the lyrics of this song, one that might be familiar to you, but possibly not. I’ll sing highlights of it. If you want to hear the whole song, I’ll put the original artist’s name on the opening screen and you can look up the song on your favorite music platform. I’ll add lyrics also and alert you just before I sing the part that I’m talking about:
I think the song says it all, but I’ll share a few thoughts of my own. When painting is a ministry, a vocation, and a calling, all of my methods and techniques are intrinsically linked to my faith. In this case, the methodology of “Give and Take Away” layering of paint reminds me of how God gives and takes away throughout our lifetime. There are happy things given, happy things taken away. And we may believe at the time that the goodness of our life has disappeared, but it’s merely covered up by a new layer. When the finishing layers are added, parts of our happy past self will return, yet we’re forever different. We are built into new people through the process of “give and take away”.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we didn’t need layers, and never experienced “take away”? But grief is a part of life. I can’t do a layered painting in one day. It takes time to add each new phase. It’s a process that sometimes goes quickly and easily, and sometimes not. There are projects that turn out as I expected and others that don’t. But if I never give up and I focus on one brush stroke at a time, while also casting my hope on the bigger picture, at the right time I’ll see a finished work of art.
Painting is a language. Sometimes I feel as if my words are not enough. I encourage you to try painting as therapy. If you already have, why not start back up again? If you’re an active painter, then imagine a fresh perspective. Link the techniques and methods to spiritual truth that helps you heal from your losses and accept the things you cannot change, while also building up courage to change the things you can, and seeing joy in the blessings we have now, had before, and will again in the future. Let God layer your life with what you need to build a masterpiece.
Scroll back through the first part of this blog post that seems to speak only to the method and technique of “give and take away”. Now that you’ve read about the spiritual aspect, treat the painting lecture section as a faith metaphor. Next time you paint, let your heart link your brush strokes to healing thoughts.
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~~~ Stay tuned for the next installment of my new blog series, aiming to post every Friday. Until then, God bless and keep you, this day and always.
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