The First Night - About the Art - At the edge

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Asher

A retelling of the birth of Jesus, emphasizing the quiet time before the arrival of the shepherds, angels, and kings. The text includes a section describing the artistic process behind the book’s paintings, from selecting wood texture to applying gesso and using acrylics and carving tools for a weathered look. It then presents the opening scene: a field at the edge of an old, crowded town where shepherds and sheep watch the night sky as a star moves across it.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

About the Art

At the edge

The First Night100by B.C HennessySSYpaintiogs by Sieve Johnson with Lou Fancher The First Night by B.G.Hennessy paintings by Steve Johnson with Lou Fancher P'uffin Books PUFFIN BOKKSPublished by the Penguin Group Pengun Books USA Inc,375 Hudson Street.New York.New York 10014,U.5APenguin Books Lud,27 Wrights Lane,London W8 STZ,EnglandPenguin Bcxoks Australia Ld,Ringwood,Victoria,AustraliaPenguin Books Canada Ltd,10 Aleorn Aenue,Toronto,Ontario,Canada M+V3B2Penguin Books(N.Z)Ld,182-190 Wairau Road,Auckland 10,New Zealand Penguin Bcxoks Ltd,Registered Offices:Harmondsworth,Midlesex,England First published in the United Statesof America by Vikang,a division of Penguin Books USA Ine..193Published in Puffin Bocks,1996 3579108642 Text copyright ◎B.G.Hennessy;1993llustrations copyright O Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher,1993All rights reserved # THE LIBRARY OF CONGRFSS HAS CATALOGUED TIE VTKING EDITION AS FOLLOWs: Hennessy,B.G.(Barbara G.) The first night/by B.G.Hennesy;illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.p.cm. Summary:A simple retelling of the birth of Jesus wich emphasis on the quiet time before the arival of the shepherds,angels,and kings. ISBN 0-670-83026-7 1.Jesus Christ-Juvenile ficion.[1.Jesus Christ-Nauiviy-Fiction.] 1.Johnson,Steve,illII.Title PZ7.H3914Fi CIP AC i 1993 IE]—de2093-9659 Puffin Books ISBN 0-14-054178-0 Printed in China Set in Caslon Antique Except in the United Sates ofAmerica,this book is sold subjectto the condition that it shall not,by way of trade or otherwise,be lent,re-soldhiredout,or otherwise circulatedwithout thepublisher's prior consen in any form of binding or cower other thanthat in which it is published and without a similar condioion includingthis condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Design by Lou Fancher # About the Art In preparing the art for the book,butternut wood was chosen for its texture.The sketch for each painting was drawn on the wood and the lines cut in wich acarving tool,while the outer edge was shaped with a jigsaw:Two layers of gessowere applied—one white,one black—after which acrylic paints were used.Sandpaper and a carving tool were used to create a weathered edge.The art wasthen photographed and the color transparencies used for reproduction in the book. And the Word became flesh,and dwelt among us,and we beheld His glory,glory as of the only begotten from the Father,full of grace and truth. John 1:14 # At the edge of an old and crowded townthere was a field. In the fieldwere two shepherdsand their sheep. As the sheep slept,a star moved acrossthe night sky.

FAQs

What story does The First Night retell?

It retells the birth of Jesus, highlighting the quiet time before the shepherds, angels, and kings arrive.

How were the book’s paintings made?

Butternut wood was chosen for texture; sketches were drawn and carved, gesso layers were applied, acrylic paints were used, and a weathered edge was created before photographing for reproduction.

What happens in the opening scene?

Two shepherds and their sheep are in a field, and as the sheep sleep, a star moves across the night sky.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Asher