It's finished!
SEE PARTS 1,2,& 3
Click on the eye or on
the link below.


Tempt the Messiah
http://www.temptthemessiah-part1.blogspot.com/

Additional details on the art method of Tempt the Messiah - more than just a Jesus comic...

People have been interested in greater details in the art method. So, I have prepared a group of images that explains things better. These samples are from part 4 (about John the Baptist and the Baptism of Christ). I am working on this part now. This work you see here is unfinished and discarded - I changed how I wanted John the Baptist to look, as well as my plans on how to present the story. That is a photo of me dressed as the discarded version of John. So, I am merely using this to show the art method.

First, I took a photo. Then I printed the photo on graph paper and drew the image on blank graph paper. I used the grid drawing approach for the pencil work (you should be able to see the yellow lines in the graph paper, as well as my numbering - click the picture to enlarge). Then I did touch-up to the pencil work with black&white painting in my art program (Corel Paint). Finally, I paint it in color layers. The paint layers are above and below the pencil layer. Most of 'Tempt the Messiah' was done using this approach. But I don't use graph paper anymore.  Instead, I adopted a similar method but use a T-square instead of the graph paper. I sometimes give more technical details to people that ask at the art forums I frequent (I did not want to bore the casual reader with all that information).

Part 3, "Light from the Mountain" is up

Here is another sample of the pencil work. I scan them into my computer and touch-up the pencil work using black & white digital painting. When drawing I like to use one of those blending stumps on the pencil. Some artists discourage this and prefer to use the technique of cross hatching instead - that way you see all the pencil strokes. I guess I understand what they mean. Looking at this piece here, the pencil strokes in the prayer shawl are more interesting to see than the smudged shadows of the robe. (Click on picture to enlarge). Anyway, I think I like this pencil work of Christ better than the colored one in the comic. The eyes seem more piercing, or something.

I should point out that I use photos from the public domain to derive at the pictures of the "kingdoms" in Part 3. I apply effects/filters to the photos in an effort to integrate it with the pencil work (did this for the sheep as well). As a reminder, I also used photos as a foundation to make the desert from part 1 (but the process in part 1 was more involved - additional painting to the photo, etc.; and the same approach was used to make the mountains in Part 3). Also, I used photos of miniature models in all three parts, especially in the art of the Holy City in Part 2.

I take this approach because I like drawing people, but find backgrounds boring. But I like to take photos of things. So, I try to integrate the two. And, I suppose this process helps me overcome some...artistic inadequacies.

Part II, "Stone of the Temple" is now up

Part II of TEMPT THE MESSIAH is now up. For starters, I would like to pay respect to certain artists from the late 1800's and early 1900's. These artists created illustrations for sunday school lessons and such. I used some of their art as reference to make what I call the "history smoke". Their works are now part of the public domain. The picture of "Moses" was originally done by someone named Benjamin West; and "Star in the East" (the last thumbnail) was by Warren. None of the other works were signed. Though those artists have passed on, their works still honor God.

My favorite of these is David and Goliath. The artist of the orginal painting is unknown. I did it in pencil. This looks a little different from the one you see in the comic. This is what it looks like before I added more shading and adjusted the color using my art program.

Method to the art of Tempt the Messiah

Here is a photo of my folder of pencil drawings. That is a pencil drawing of me at the bottom on the left hand side, looking up from reading my Bible. (Click on photo to enlarge).

People have asked about my method. So I will give a few brief details. For this project, I used photos to draw all the pictures (some would say copy). My prefered way is to print the photo out on graph paper. Then duplicate it on blank graph paper in pencil (lines of the graph paper are yellow - you can barley see them in the photo above). Sometimes, I just trace the outlines and then draw in the rest. But the graph paper approach is better. I think that it helps me be precise, yet I am training myself to master the use of a pencil. Then, I scan my pencil work of the characters into the computer and color/paint them with an art program. Professional artists have pointed out to me that there are drawbacks in this approach, but it is the only way I can do something like this. From my perspective, I have overcome my shortcomings in artistic ability through innovation and determination.

The backgrounds usually have a photo foundation. There are no deserts here in Georgia, so I made one out of photos. I use my art program and edit out the things that should not be in the desert - trees, fences, power lines, vehicles, weeds, trash, etc. I paint whatever is needed on the photo - more ground, stones, mountains, horizon, etc. Then I adjust the color and texture, paint a sky, and integrate everything with the pencil drawing. Also, I like to use miniature models of things. I made the "Devil tree" out of a root (about 10 inches tall) that I dug up from the ground. I use miniature models a lot in part 2 of Tempt the Messiah, which I will post to the web page soon.

Again, I would like to thank all the artists out there that have helped me by giving me meaningful feedback at the forum.

A comic about Jesus Christ verses the Devil, good verses evil - with realistic, graphic novel style art

Here is another sample of some pencil work. I think this is my favorite.

I have presented part 1 of Tempt the Messiah to art forums and have received feedback from other artists on how to improve the work. Some of these artists do professional work, and I am grateful for their input. As a result, I have improved the comic. I thought that parts 2 and 3 were ready to publish to the web, but I am using what I have learned from other artists to improve the art first.

Tempt the Messiah - pencil work

Thanks for your interest in my comic about Jesus Christ and the Devil. I have presented the comic to some webcomic communities. I have received alot of helpful feedback from the members of those sites that should help me improve it.

People seem to like the pencil work that I show them. So, I will post some copies here and there on this blogspot.

If you have not seen it, go to www.temptthemessiah-part1.blogspot.com

reality

What do you think about this work in progress? So, do you really believe all that stuff in the Bible is real, or just myths? I believe it. Click below on the word "comments" and follow the steps to publish your thoughts.