I have painted numerous times, the Biblical scene of shepherds watching sheep and seeing the star over Bethlehem. The first time, an 8’ x 8’ backdrop for my church Christmas production, again for a children’s Paint Party, as well as one for adults.   Those particular ones came from my own imagination and several paintings have not been finished yet.

     I have a magazine photograph of a Palestinian shepherd watching his flock graze on a hillside which is near Bethlehem, in Israel.  I decided to use the layout in the photo (which is very similar to my previous attempts).  This 14” x 18” is done in graphite, on 60# paper.

     Why would I do a pencil drawing? Someone remarked that my drawings are better than my paintings, which I felt was an accurate assessment at the time.  I wanted to depict a night time scene, with a star in the sky bright enough to illuminate portions as though it were mid-day, or at least like a full moon.  I felt I could best achieve that with graphite.

     Pulling together a number of sources for sheep, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" became my most detailed drawing yet.  I figured that by the time I was done, I would know how to draw sheep from every angle.

     My art teacher asked, “How many are there?”  I did count them afterwards, but I will leave that to you.  I queried my mentor if she found the one sheep that is looking up at the star.

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