Motif Sketching: From Biblical to Post-Apocalyptic

(Above) Return of the Prodigal Son (Motif Sketch), graphite

Resuming my look at some classic Biblical and mythological subjects, I recently sketched the return of the prodigal son, a story so beautifully interpreted by Rembrandt.  I was thinking primarily of light as I worked up the drawing, using it to highlight the embrace of the father and son, and the jealously of the brother.

(above) Rembrandt, The Return of the Prodigal Son, 1661 - 1669

(Above) A Clear Path (Motif Sketch),graphite

Other recent motif sketches are original story inventions situated in a violent post-apocalyptic world.  For "A Clear Path", I wanted to use the vertical orientation of the pictorial space to lead the viewer through the story from the top, with a lead scout giving an "all clear", to the secondary man guarding some women who are tending to a child.