Padre Pio is a priest from southern Italy who had the stigmata. He is now a canonized saint in the catholic church.

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Stigmata, in Christianity, are the appearance of bodily wounds, scars and pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ, such as the hands, wrists and feet. An individual bearing the wounds of stigmata is a stigmatist or a stigmatic.
His wounds (despite critics) are scientifically proven to be real. After his death nail marks on his hands and feet disappeared. One of the greatest miracles in our time.

In his lifetime he is known to see souls, angels and was often attacked by demons, and in one instance he was dragged off of his bed. He had the ability to bilocate, read hearts and minds.
I even have an Italian friend who's great grandfather met Padre Pio and experienced a mini miracle and a funny encounter with him. But maybe I will tell the story next time before this post becomes even more theological.

My art is a scene I tried to depict where he asks people to pray for the suffering souls in purgatory.

Purgatory is a furnace, a state, where souls are further purified from imperfections before entering heaven being fully united to our Lord.

Key symbolisms:
Rosary, for prayer and meditation on the life and death of Christ, burning soul and in one picture the souls skin is dark and burnt as a more accurate description.

Process

I start with a sketch of my idea then I trace and improve digitally.
It's just layering of 2D shapes I just adjust color, border thickness and style and transparency. Then I adjust the layering.

Here are some process photos but so very few. Followed by the edits I've made.

I took four hours doing this which was an improvement since my last wolverine drawing which took 7 hours or so for less than a bust and this one is two almost full body persons.

I'm happy when I draw, I always push myself to achieve a bit more than the last as a discipline. I've been drawing more now which is good because I am being productive like I used to be after a long break or should I say distractions. Or being lazy. Hopefully I can finish up a lot of art that I haven't especially the hyper realism I do with colored pencils.

Thanks really for accepting me in this art group. More art Sharing to come!

Do you know padre Pio?
Let me know what you think!