We all heard of the saying,

It's better to give than to receive.

Do you give without expecting something in return or with conditions?

Last holiday, one of our art challenges on ArtPark was to illustrate the Art of Giving. Thinking of what to draw for this theme was challenging. I didn't feel like drawing humans, I wanted to draw things to symbolize the subject. As it was challenging, it took me until the presentation day until I was able to come up with an idea.

Be A Blessing To Someone

To represent the Art of Giving, I drew a sunflower laying on top of angel's feathers. So what do the sunflower and feathers have to do with the topic?

In the drawing, I drew iridescent angel feathers to symbolize the giver while the sunflower as the receiver. Has it occurred to you one time when someone just suddenly appear to give you something you really need at that moment? Or maybe you're sad and alone and someone just pops up to check how you are doing? Have you, at some point, thought of them as angels? Like they were sent by heaven to aide you with your situation? Because I do. And giving isn't only limited to the material stuff. It could also be a gift of friendship, love, understanding, laughter, loyalty, respect, etc.

The plenty feathers scattered around could also mean that there are lots of people out there willing to help you with pure and good intentions.

Meanwhile, I chose to represent the receiver as a sunflower because sunflowers emulate feelings of happiness. I believe this perfectly represents the feelings of the receiver when the giver appears in their lives.

I guess this is my first time to draw a sunflower and I think it's not that bad for a first time? Hmmm..

Now, returning to my question at the beginning.

"Do you give without expecting something in return or with conditions?"

When we give, it must be out of our willingness. We give because we wanted to give, not as a favor that the receiver will have to pay later on. Do it unconditionally without any hidden motives. That way, you have nothing to think of and for the receiver to worry about. Giving with conditions will just stress both parties and possibly a ticket to wreck your relationship in the future.

Drawing Process

Since it's not a portrait I am drawing, I was able to finish this drawing faster. For the angel's feathers, I only drew one feather then made tons of copies and scattered them around the flower. I also made use of colors pink and blue for its highlights and used the Glow Dodge blending option to make the feathers look iridescent.

Here's a step by step process of making this artwork.