Peter's Catch of Fish

Digital Peter's Catch of Fish: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

Colored Peter's Catch of Fish: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

Sketch Peter's Catch of Fish: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

This photo, Peter's catch of fish depicted in Luke's Gospel, has a rough sketch effect laced onto it as well as a number of enhancements that enabled the shadowed face and body. Christ, standing on the shore, is encouraging the man in shadow next to the multitude on his right. There is little to say about the character of Peter's expression, nor the decision to have his hand raised in dismissal. The honest truth is that this picture originally was meant to be Padre Pio, when it morphed an attempt on St. Benedict, when it in turn morphed into St. Peter after a failed attempt to draw a cross in his left hand; which you now see as rope. It goes to show you that you ought to make something out of what you originally thought was nothing, so that every piece of work finds significance.

Mary, Queen of Heaven

Digital Mary, Queen of Heaven: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

Colored Mary, Queen of Heaven: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

This photo was digitally enhanced with a pencil pain effect, and contrast was added so that the different patterns could emerge. The pattern is weak, and not the best I've done, but it was an effective step for learning how to combine various patterns with one another in a meaningful way. It is not the traditional viewing that we have come to expect of Mother Mary as Catholics-I believe that the image is somewhat matronly than it is motherly-nor do the clothing which Mary wears remind us of humility. Rather it is an attempt to show the wisdom and cunning of Mary as the Mother of God. Such a focus is not traditional, but not impossible. Regardless, it is hoped that the picture be for some an force of inspiration-if only in how various colors should probably not be mixed together.

The Holy Spirit, or Paraclete

Digital The Holy Spirit, or Paraclete: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

Colored The Holy Spirit, or Paraclete: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

Digital The Holy Spirit, or Paraclete: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

The original photo, while much more detailed, was less effective in color. The enhancements in this photo include a burnt effect at the top, which gives a blackened look, suggesting the darkness outside of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and emphasizing the splendor to be found within the presence of the Paraclete.

Gazing Off in Prayer

                                                                                           

Sketch Woman Gazing off in Prayer: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Colored Woman Gazing off in Prayer: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Digital Woman Gazing off in Prayer: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

This photo was originally a colorful mixture of green and orange. An attempt was made to shade the left portion of the face and body while emphasizing the right as if bathed in light. The enhanced image uses a pencil sketch and old photo effect mixed with various light mixtures added for emphasis on the nature of prayer as means to commune directly with God. In the presence of God then we are ablaze with his love, though we rarely realize the profound effect his love has upon us, too focused upon whatever our intention is to pay his presence enough attention.

Future Glory

Sketch Future Glory: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Colored Future Glory: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Digital Future Glory: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This photo is digitally enhanced so that while it was drawn by pen and colored by pencil it has the overlaying effect of pencil paint. The man and woman at the bottom of the picture are, for all intents and purposes, dating or engaged or on their way so to speak; they think little of what the future holds except of each other. The two individuals above are in fact the two bellow at a later stage in their lives. Somewhere in their lives they discerned a call to a vocation in religious ministry and sacrificed the intimacy of the married life for the intimacy shared between lovers of Christ. The object directly behind the arm of the Sister is the sacred heart of Jesus with a knife protruding from it; significant of the wounded state in which all find themselves when loving Christ in the here and the now awaiting the future glory of the Resurrection.

Father Comforts his Daughter

Sketch Father Comforts his Daughter: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

      

DigitalFather Comforts his Daughter: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Colored Father Comforts his Daughter: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Little or nothing was done tot his photo in order to enhance it outside of brightening the faces of both the father and of the daughter. The intention is to show the fathers steadfast determination in the face of his daughter's uncertainty. The daughter gazes off right with a few tears. What she is looking after we cannot know, but only speculate. The emphasis is upon the stability and resolute bearing of the father, who maintains his composure in the face of his children's difficulties; which, imaginably, tear at his insides as he desires the best for them.

Contemplating Christ

Colored Contemplating Jesus: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Digital Contemplating Jesus: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Contemplating Christ was one of the original pictures in a series of pictures that led to the idea of this blog. The original colors were dull and sparse, suggesting the idea of contemplating within the dark night of the soul, whereas the digital enhancement gives an aura of peace ad a sense of fulfillment withing the contemplating priest. The vestments are not entirely traditional, though the inclusion of the letters IHS helps to give some credibility to the otherwise fiery look.

At the Master's Feet

Sketch At the Masters Feet: (c) Luke Bennette

Colored At the Masters Feet: (c) Luke Bennette

Digital At the Masters Feet: (c) Luke Bennette

While it is true that the original concept of this picture remains the same throughout the course of time in which it was drawn the background was a bit of a stumbling block for me. Eventually I decided upon a stirring of clouds out of which you can see the sun shining down on the surrounding cliffs and into the valley bellow. The depth is not as convincing in this photo as I'd like it, hence the rocks in the background at the feet of the cross do not depict the drop off that I had intended them. The enhancements that were placed on this photo involve a darkening of the colors so that they blend nicely together. The shadows at the foot of the cross as well as the glare of sunlight are specially enhanced as well.

Adoration

Sketch Adoration: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Colored Adoration: April 2013: (c) Luke Bennette

Adoration: April 2013: Copyright, Luke Bennette

This image was first intended to be a cascade of layered, curtains, the one over the other. Later it became apparent that the concept was lacking and the development of a series of curtains being drawn back to reveal the Monstrance that holds the Eucharist developed. The pasterns drawn on the curtains are meant to convey the universe parting to reveal the glory of God. The moon is labeled, conveniently, with the Marian term, signifying Mary's important place as Mother of God but also her humility in parting for him. The pattern of green on the lowest portion of the curtains is meant to be symbolic of the earth, and contained underneath it is the monstrance, the people, and the altar on which the monstrance stands. The addition of the font of water underneath the monstrance as well as the flame like gem within the stock holding it up is purely for artistic effect; meant to communicate the light of Christ obtained in baptism by which we come to see Christ in the Eucharist.