The purpose of this study is to identify the evolution of the artistic method and language of the specified author based on a comparative analysis of the works written by him on the gospel stories. In particular, the article draws attention to such works of his as “Storm on the Sea” and “Walking on the Waters”, as well as some sketches written on the specified topic or close to it, in different years and in different styles. During the study, the directions of the artist’s creative search are traced, and the means of expression used by A. M. Smirnov are identified. By comparing several works of fine art, the author shows the features of compositional, color, semantic solutions and approaches that contributed to the change in the aesthetic views of the artist in question. The article also touches upon the question of the relationship of these creative searches with the tradition of the Russian art school.