Nice work. Keep at it!

Beautiful Tom, exceptionally beautiful. I get such a warm feeling when looking at this one. I like seeing your work in progress and it allows one to see what you have to go through in order to create the nice artwork you do. Great job! Richard

Tom, this is a wonderful painting that we are very privledge to see in the stages of completion! Nice little commentary as well

Bill stop bothering Tom!! Just kidding? tom this is a fantastic work of art I love it. My best you to and your Queen Angel

The colors are starting to come to life!!!!!

Its been a long day and I am beat. Can't think of much to say, except love it.

Keep up the great work!!!! Rob

A great work worthy of its master. I love the trees. However I am not satisfied before I see it realized in stained glass, a triptych in stained glass would be excellent thank you! About reading the Bible you mentioned Lewis, do you mean C.S. Lewis the author of the Chronicles of Narnia and friend to Tolkien? Have you read his "The Screwtape Letters", where he describes the correspondence of a worldly-wise old devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon... :) a masterpiece of satire and highly entertaining. I recommend it! It was Christianity that made civilization survive, hanging around 800-900 the church was the only place that could give a meaningful career to young ambitious men. All according to Kenneth Clark's excellent "Civilisation" an old BBC series of art history from that is still popular. Update: When I checked the internet for the Screwtape Letters I saw that Walden Media had bought the rights to turn the book into a film. So we have something to look forward too :)

getting ever better - looking forward to the finished one.

Well said AngelWeb58...:) Ok, I wasn't going to get into this, but as a long time member of Gideons International (placing Scripture in hotels/motels, prisons/jails, hospitals, etc. in more than 80 languages and 188 countries) I am authorized to say that we actually encourage theft...of copies of the Bible. We simply replace the missing copies and trust that the "stolen" copy is serving its' preordained purpose for God says in Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." So, the heat is completely off for vintorix who confesses to having "stolen" a copy of the Bible as a little boy. And Tom, if you wind up in jail for violating painters' rules, and if you have nothing else, chances are extremely high you'll have a Bible. What a dynamic you have going Tom...and if all our chatter helps you in some small way maybe we're all part of the same tapestry here :-)

That sky is gorgeous, Tom. I love the light that is beginning to come into your scene. I am happy to wait for your story to reach it's conclusion, and to see you ideas reach fulfillment. If I share my thoughts, they come with no expectations. Sometimes, it is interesting to know what others are thinking. I love Bill's comment about bible theft, and wholly support it. While I have studied scripture, I haven't put my head into theology for a long time. Everything took such a personal turn, more application than study. If I put my 2 cents in on scripture, it may stretch some peoples patience. The bible changes one in ways that are not expected. Two things I learned, it is about love and liberation. I think your centurion will discover that. I look forward to journeying with you.

Splendid composition and colors my friend

Klasse work,like it a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are a great master !!! Congrulation !

It's fantastic!!

Amazing work !

An amazing transformation. The thing that stands out most for me is the centurion's, (did they still have centurions by then?), shadow as it seems to be a connection/continuance between him & Christ. I've enjoyed the progression. & yes, I like the trees, & understand them, now. Lol. ;) ps... chocolate lawyers are still tasty, even when melted.

Absolutely amazing! Wonderful work!!

Really enjoying watching this painting come to life!! Superb work!!!

This is amazing!

i usualy have not much to say as well, but, like you, i ramble around far too often :) it puts a big smile on my face to see how it goes on and on with your image and to read your thoughts while you are working on it :) happy painting, tom! edit: yes you are right about the coloured pencils, very dry, almost like crayons, brilliant colour spectrum, wonderful light restistant. you can choose the grade you prefer, soft or hard, the set i have is from derwent, quite wonderful to work with!

Splendid composition and colours, dear Tom !!!! 5*

I love the colors you have chosen ..esp. the sky!!

How did you get so far ahead of me? Oh wait .. it's me that's behind. Okay then, I love what you've done with the sky, the clouds are fabulous. I like the way the trees are shaping up. It looks like there is sunlight hitting the closer trees, and that adds such drama against the dark and stormy skies. I've tried to get shots like this with my camera, but they don't turn out as well as this. Someone mentioned the centurion's shadow, and how it seems to continue into Jesus, that's a awesome. Was it intentional, or did it just turn out that way? Progress is wonderful.

This must mean that they let you go....after you signed a paper that you promised to paint the thing in real oils now...LOL... The sky looks amazing....