How I finally managed to do an advent art project
My church asked me to make some art, so I did. Plus a free printable for you!
Hi friends,
Every year when Christmas time approaches I think to myself, “I’m going to do an advent art project this year!” And every year I stay stuck in the thinking about it phase, so it doesn’t get done. But this year it was different.
This year one of the ministers at my church had an idea to ask several visual artists in the congregation to create an art piece to be used in the sermons and devotional materials leading up to Christmas. Each participant was given a theme, a passage of scripture, and creative license to make a work of art in whatever medium they chose. The art pieces would not only be used during advent, but would also be auctioned off as a fundraiser for a local nursing home.
It was a pretty neat project idea, and I was excited to participate. Finally I had the motivation to get an advent art project done before Christmas!
My theme for this project was “Angels’ Glory,” based on Luke 2: 10-14. I chose to focus primarily on verse 13, which is emphasized in bold text below:
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
The goal was to capture the arrival of the heavenly host, just before they begin praising God and saying, “Glory!” I also wanted to show the shepherds looking up at the sky, their faces illuminated by the angelic glow.
This was an illustration project like no other I’d tried before, and if I hadn’t been focusing on honing my skills as an illustrator recently I may have shied away from the challenge. But it was perfect timing, and I knew just what to do. A block print, of course! In this case, a reduction linoleum block print.
What is a reduction linoleum block print? I’m glad you asked, and I’ll be happy to explain. But before I potentially bore you with that explanation, I thought you might actually like to see the art I made!
It had been a few years since I’d done a reduction block print, so my skills in that regard are a little rusty, but I’m pleased with how this turned out, even with all of its imperfections. In fact, it’s partly because of the imperfections that I’m pleased with it. I made ten of these prints, and each one turned out a little bit different.
So, what is a reduction linoleum block print? Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up!1
A reduction linoleum block print, or reduction linocut, is a print that is made from multiple layers of ink printed from a single block of linoleum that has been progressively carved before each printing. Basically, the image on the block is gradually “reduced” with each printing.
I began with a design I created on Procreate, which I printed and then transferred to the linoleum block. Then the first carving session focused on all the areas that would remain white—the stars, the angels, and the glow around the angels. Here is an image showing some of the process:
This process (except for transferring the image) is repeated for each color layer. It’s a labor of love, especially if you don’t have a press. In my case, I use a tool called a baren, which is a hand-held tool used to press the ink onto the paper. To give you an idea of how much work goes into one of these prints, just the printing process alone for each layer took about one hour.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my creative process. Block printing has long been one of my favorite art forms, and some day I hope to have a book (or two or three) that I’ve illustrated using this technique. I’m building my portfolio and I have a lot of ideas for future projects.
If you’ve read this far you might be wondering how my art did at the auction. I’m happy to say that the final bid for my piece was $220. Not too bad! In all, the auction raised over $2000 which will be used bless the residents of that nursing home in a big way this Christmas season.
In honor of Advent, here are a few of my favorite Christmas books featuring the nativity:
The Christmas Fox by Anik McGrory
Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi, illustrated by Jane Chapman
This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Delana Bettoli
Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
A gift for you!
I made a coloring page version of my advent art! Feel free to download and print it for yourself or your kids or grandkids or Sunday School class or whatever!
One more thing:
My publisher, Bandersnatch Books, is offering free shipping now through December 24 for orders over $50. It’s a great time to grab a few of their great titles, including Mari in the Margins, for yourself or someone on your gift list! I read one of their new titles, Red Rex by Matthew Mellema, recently, and it was a fun read.
I can’t help but quote Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride whenever I say “let me explain.”
Sheeeesh that’s beautiful.
(I think I will have to watch a video to better understand the process. 😜)
And one for myself too haha