Line rhythm

The line in a drawing is like a dance, a rhythmic dance. It can be seen in it’s purity in a simple scribble line, except it can appear to some as something too simple and boring.

The beauty of the rhythm of the line is what makes a drawing (or the rhythm of the brush strokes in a painting) especially attractive. This line rhythm is unique in each artist.

The confidence of it, is it’s strength.

For example, when drawing a face it is natural to try to exaggerate or strengthen the shape or form of the features of the face in an “outline.”

A beautiful drawing, with gentle balance, something more appealing to a practised, appreciating eye, will let the outline detail almost disappear and allow the rhythm of the tonal “scribble” have full play, producing a confident scribble, somewhere between face and line rhythms.

The success of the line rhythm decides the visual satisfaction of the portrait sketch.

The Holy Spirit of God performs for God in a similar way. The seen image of life, the worldly reality we live in, is not what we are asked by God to look for, to “see.” We are asked by God, to keep our eyes on the unseen.

It seems to me that the unseen, the Spirit, is like the scribble line in terms of His freedom, His rhythm and the beauty and desirability of seeing this.

He is the one who establishes the true form of God.

To work with the seen image of the world, to work to please men, rather than work to glorify God, is to “over -work” and results in serving Satan.

To overwork a drawing causes the same unsatisfactory result. The work is not true. The subject and the creator are put down, not at all lifted up, to the things above that we all desperately need, as God knows. The end result of overworking a visual image is not, the fruit of the Spirit.

To work with the Spirit one must let go of the end result, have as little doubt as possible, have as little personal want, so that God can take control. So that His effort can be seen. So that God is Glorified, not the one who holds the pen.

Timing

Timing is also of great interest in a drawing. I believe it is shown in the form of what’s there and what’s not there.

We had been learning a lot, retaining a little, on the reproduction of songs, singing from a song book, lead by Ted Paull in our year at MSOBS. Timing was very important, pausing in the right place for the right amount of time, so that proper emphasis is given to the words that are being sung. That there is time for loving what we are saying about God, in the pauses provided, breathing easily, being content with what we have been given.

Timing is important when reading. Allowing slowness so that the peace of God comes into the words being spoken and heard.

The Holy Spirit produces in our lives God’s timing, if we work with Him internally, as He allows things to happen or not happen.

This is an appropriat time to think on the meaning of “unforced rhythm of grace.”