Gotta Love the Weekend

Life as a high school art teacher is never easy, and this week was extra monotonous. It's that time of year when teachers and students are just plain worn out. The sky is blue and everyone just wants to go out and play. Throw open house, and some meetings into the mix and you get one beat down teacher. By the time I got to friday my mind was wandering along with my students' and everyone was yawning.

There is always something magical about the last period bell on Friday. Even as a teacher I still get excited to hear it ring. It means two days of no school, it means two days of freedom. I can't wait for Summer. Is it wrong for a teacher to think that way?

In the spirit of Freedom here are some drawings of Pirates doing whatever the hell they please. Gotta love the weekend.

One thing leads to another

I have been a complete homebody this weekend. Just holed up in my studio drawing. I cut some branches from my Orange tree and brought them to my drafting table. Then I found a nice piece of cold press illustration board and started doodling the branches. Which lead to this girl's face, and then a wolf. It's funny, I wasn't thinking about little red riding hood but I guess that's the direction I ended up going. One thing leads to another.

It was nice doing a big drawing (20x30"). Just letting myself get lost in the scratching sound of the pencil, and letting my worries drift away. Next I added watered down acrylics for some soft color, and sealed the pencil with gloss.

I love what happened, I think it looks like a old faded photograph, yet it's not finished yet. Too bad my digital camera messed up the color balance.

Ugh, back to work tomorrow.

Life Drawing

To keep my skills keen I try and draw from life as much as possible. There is something about drawing people that helps keep your abilities sharp. So last night I went to the life drawing session at CSULB. Unfortunately it was "student night." Which means there isn't a professional model, and students are supposed to draw each other. I dislike student night for two reasons; firstly, because students suck at modeling, and secondly, everyone is expected to take a turn modeling.

To make matters worse I am not currently enrolled in a life drawing class at CSULB so I come off as a total creepy stranger because everyone knows everyone except for me. Whatever, I figured I dragged all my drawing stuff up campus so I might as well get some drawing in. And I shouldn't really complain, I was getting a chance to draw people for free. Yet, I am going to complain anyway (it's my blog after all).

Here is some of the drawings with commentary:

This girl looked as if she was constipated. I mean come on, can you look up a little? Or at least not as if you are about to be executed?

This girl chose a position of maximum comfort, which always makes for a boring pose (unless the model is gorgeous and naked). Furthermore, I should mention; girls who cut their hair short shouldn't come to student night because they are in serious danger of being drawn boyish.
This pose wasn't too bad, but she didn't keep her eyes open. Plus she was the hottest girl of the night, so when she was finished posing all the guys left (without taking their turn posing).
This is an example of the token older lady hanging out with all the college students. I guess I shouldn't talk because I already graduated, but hey at least I'm under 60. Again, an example of the maximum comfort pose with closed eyes and cropped hair.
This pose was okay, at least she kept her eyes slightly open. However, she does look like she is on her way to the firing squad.
Unfortunately, I do not have an example of myself posing. So I will describe to you in words how I posed: Instead of taking the maximum comfort pose, I made the effort and posed standing up in a contrapposto position with my eyes open. I mean if I am going to pose, I am going to look good. Not as if I am a prisoner of war.

I just don't know about these lazy art students. . .pssh what a waste of time.