Carpenters and Shepherds

I decided to change the focus of Bibleartist.com from being a blog that contains picture reference of everything Bible related, to a blog that contains purely Bible costume and figure reference. My reason for this is that there are already a number of good websites that contain a large collection of picture references relating to Bible times buildings, animals, plants, tools etc, but not many that contain good costume or figure references.

The following photos were taken by a relative of Bible artist Graeme Hewitson while visiting the 'Nazareth Village Project'. Many thanks again Graeme! The tools on the wall in the carpenters shop below are also very helpful for reference. You can usually tell which photos have been taken at the 'NVP' because of the two broad stripes down the front of the tunics. I have tried to get in touch with the costume designer at Nazareth Village to ask about this feature as it's not one that's recorded in any of my other Bible costume reference books.
No luck as yet though. Enjoy the photos! (Click on the photos to enlarge).

Remember, if you have any good photos of people in Bible costume that you would be happy to display on Bibleartist.com, send me an email. All your © details will be displayed.





Photos © Graeme Hewitson 2009

Nativity photo!

I was sent this photo last week by fellow Bible artist Graeme Hewitson. I think that you'll agree it's a superb photo, and very fitting for this time of year.
The photo is of Sam and Shereen Basha, Graeme's relatives (by marriage). Shereen had a baby girl shortly after this photo was taken! The photo was taken at the Nazareth Village Project, and would make an excellent Christmas card!. Speaking of Christmas cards, check out the new designs from the Nazareth Village Project. I love this website!
Many thanks again Graeme!

Photo © Nazareth Village Project / Graeme Hewitson 2008.

Bible figure reference photos.

Below are some samples from Bible artist Keith Neely's vast collection of reference photos taken for the Thomas Nelson Illustrated Bible, The pictures below are for the story of Samson. Keith took an amazing 27,479 figure reference photos for the Old Testament alone!
Although some might find the busy backgrounds in the photos a little distracting, a professional artist would not. You will notice also that Samson is wearing shorts. Again a professional artist would easily change these shorts into a loincloth. Usually just a rough indication of the clothing is enough to go on.





I converted the above photo into grayscale and replaced the busy background with a flat grey. (See below). This produces a more pleasing reference photo, but it would have been a time consuming and pointless exercise for Keith Neely to do.
When Keith and his team finish this Bible, they will have completed a staggering 7,600 Bible pictures!



I suggested to Keith that when he and his team finish the 7,600 illustrations needed for the Thomas Nelson Illustrated Bible, that he should upload the best of these reference photos onto the web, or maybe bring out a collection of them for sale on dvd!

Photos from Nazareth!

George Khalil, who is on the 'Nazareth Village' board, has very kindly sent the beautiful photos below. George is also administrator of 'Emmaus Bible School', and works as a Nazareth carpenter in the village, both occupations that help him identify with Jesus. Before I illustrate the boyhood of Jesus, I would like to interview George about the 'tools of the trade' for the Bible illustration blog.
In his spare time, George also runs Yesholyland.com which is a website where you can purchase gifts from the Holy Land.

The first photo shows a young lady hanging out the washing 'Nazareth style!' This photo also shows beautifully the stone work of the early 'Bible times' buildings. All the buildings in the Nazareth village project have been built using ancient traditional building methods from the Bible period.

The picture above shows a young lady weaving on a biblical loom.

Two beautiful Nazareth girls!

Photos © George Khalil 2008

Harvesting Grapes

Todd Bolen, who is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies in Jerusalem, very kindly sent me this photo to be displayed on BibleArtist.com. The photo is of his students dressed in Biblical clothing and harvesting grapes. Todd also runs the excellent website Bibleplaces.com.
Thanks Todd!
Photo © Todd Bolan/Bibleplaces.com 2008

Biblical Costume photos #2

I apologize for the delay in updating Bibleartist.com, but I've been waiting for photos that have been promised by various people. Some have now arrived so read on!

Another big thanks now goes to David Scott from CMJ for sending me some samples from their collection of Biblical costume photos. Some of the garments in the cmj collection go back 300 years! Although this is by no means ancient, apparently clothing styles changed very little in this part of the world in the intervening years.

David tells me that "The blue woman's costume (below) is a very old style of costume - going back some 4000 years" (according to a visitor from the Palestinian museum who was viewing the clothing collection).
David also commented, "Some of the costumes are 19th century garb and may have Ottoman stylistic features which are now more closely associated with Islamic/Palestinian costume".
The less elaborate costumes (below) are replicas from the 'Nazareth Village project' which is definitely worth a visit!
David tells me, "These costumes are based, I believe on murals from the Decapolis, and are therefore likely to be significantly Hellenised".
All images above are © cmj 2007

The final image below is from the 'Nazareth Village project' website. One of the things I like about the photos on this website is that the models who wear the clothes look authentic too! (not like software engineers at a toga party!)
above photo © Nazareth Village Project.

I've been promised more photos from cmj so please come back again!

Biblical Costume Photos

A very big thanks to Gary Marshall and the team at 'LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA'
(The Roman Living History Society) For kindly contributing the very first reference photos to BibleArtist.com.
All Bible artists have the kind permission of the copyright owners to use these photos as costume reference in their Bible illustrations. More photos to follow soon!
As a thank you, can I suggest that sample copies of illustrations done using these references, be sent to the copyright owners for use on their website.

This professional Roman reenactment society also provide school visits with exciting and informative lessons based around 'Key stages 1 & 2'.
Please visit the 'LEG II AVG' website for more information about the society.

Anyone who wishes to use the photos for any other purpose must seek permission from the copyright holders. (gary.s.marshall@btinternet.com)
All photos in this post are © LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA 2007

Click on photos for a bigger image.


© LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA 2007