Crucifixion : pencil sketches

My predecessor in the hospital I was working had banned TV in our hospital. It made sense in a way. The TV belonged to the hospital. We were all on-call 24X7. So if someone were to ‘enjoy’ TV, there is a possibility of compromise in patient care.

I had a different opinion but I followed the rule. When my predecessor left, I changed the rule slightly. We could watch movies in TV with a DVD player but not watch TV serials. The logic was:

1. The staff could watch a movie together and later discuss issues in the movie.
2. If there was a call from a patient, we could pause the movie and resume later without patient care being compromised.
3. Movies could be a weekly affair and not daily the way TV serials are.

In April 2009, during the lent season we screened the blockbuster “The Passion of The Christ” in our TV. I was inspired by it. I sketched the following from the stills in the picture.

These were done on paper with pencil. A black and white picture can communicate a lot through line, margin and value. It is very important to be conscious about the source of light. This way we can create highlights where light hits objects.

Shadows are important too. It is through the play of highlights and shadows that a third dimension is created in the viewer’s mind. One should be careful about the values of the darks he uses. If you look at the leather band in the helmet of soldier, you would notice that the shadow it creates is too dark. It is a mistake. It attracts undue attention due to heavier contrast between light and dark.

I chose an odd angle for the position of Jesus lying flat on a cross. I chose with a purpose to create a different effect. I feel that there are errors in the size. Lesson to be learnt is to be consistent to perspective even if it ‘feels’ wrong and not draw whatever you feel is right.

I gifted these to a nurse in our hospital Sis. Karabilata Curtis. She was an asset in our team. She cared a lot for staff and patients. She was young but was motherly. She reminded me of Mother Teresa. When she is asked how is it that she can love and care for everyone to the extent that does, she replies that it is nothing compared to love she has received from Lord Jesus Christ.