Chapter 16 Daniel #2
Excited, I look up the address and the times of the art sessions.
It’s not super far from here, and there is a session in just under an hour.
Prior booking isn’t required. If I remember correctly, he said it’s a small studio, so I don’t expect the group to be big either.
I’ve tried going to sessions before, but the number of people can be really distracting to me.
Decision made, I pack my things and head out.
The moment I walk into the small but cozy studio, I forget about everything else, feeling a sense of awe as I take in the bright interior with its cream walls and wooden floors and art supplies.
Six easels are arranged around an empty chair, and to the side of them, a replica of a marble statue stands vigil.
On the other side is a door, and next to it a tall potted plant, two desks with drawers as well as a movable whiteboard on wheels with anatomy drawings on it.
It feels like home.
“Good morning, are you here for the live drawing class?” Jesse says as he enters the room, his eyes locked on something on his tablet’s screen.
“We’ve got two free spaces if you a—” He cuts himself off when he looks up at me, frowning first, then smiling.
“Oh, hey, Daniel. I… wasn’t expecting you’d come. It’s been a while.”
I hold up his business card. “I couldn’t focus at home and was hoping you’d have spaces.”
He nods, crossing his arms as he leans his hip against one of the desks. He’s wearing a hoodie and jeans like me, both of which look more comfortable than fashionable. “We do. Want me to sign you up?”
Once I’ve paid him, I place my bag on one chair and follow him to the drawers near the whiteboard so I can pick my choice of tools. He has pencils, crayons, graphite, watercolors, acrylics and even oil paint.
“Are you joining in?” I ask him when he grabs graphite and a bunch of pencils.
He grins. “Yes, of course. I usually draw along with the class as well as offer guidance to whoever needs it. I think it’s more fun that way.”
I toss a look at my canvas bag. I was hoping to work a bit on the painting, but live-drawing might be fun, too. I haven’t done nearly enough of that. Plans adjusted, I pick some graphite, too. I mostly use oil paint and pencils, so this will be good for a change.
“I stopped by the gallery the other day,” he says, walking us back over to the easels. He settles on the one next to mine and places his tools in the supply storage below the canvas holder. “I saw your paintings. I’m even more impressed now than I was before. I loved your marina landscape.”
I fiddle with the clamps of my easel, adjusting the height. “Thank you. I’d love to see some more of your stuff too,” I say and mean it, my interest sparked now that I am in his studio. I give him a smile and add, “Your place is really nice.”
He focuses on my face as he stands up. “Glad you like it. I’ll be happy to show you some of my stuff. Come on.” He indicates the door. “We’ve got another ten minutes until the class starts.”
His works are done in various mediums. I like his style, it’s pretty and colorful. He does a lot of scenery, both from the real world as well as fantasy and sci-fi, and while he has a few pieces in darker tones, they are warm, depicting nights illuminated by red moons and orange clouds.
“I really like this one.” I point to a small house with a blooming garden where a cat lounges on a brick fence.
He hums, sparks dancing in his eyes. “I thought you might. I walked by this house after the gallery opening and”—he chuckles, sounding nervous—“for some reason it reminded me of you, so I decided to draw it. I finished it last week but haven’t shown it to anyone yet.”
“Why not? It’s really pretty.”
His eyes look even more alive when our gazes meet. “I don’t know… It’s silly, but I wanted you to see it first, even if I wasn’t sure you were ever going to stop by.”
I glance back at the painting. It would be a shame if it didn’t get to be seen just because I didn’t come to Jesse’s studio. “Well, I’m glad I decided to come today then. Now you don’t have to hide it anymore.”
The smile he offers me doesn’t exactly reach his eyes this time, but before I can ask him what’s wrong, a deep ‘Hello’ sounds from the other room, followed by more greetings.
“Guess the rest are here and we can make a start,” Jesse says and leads us back to the easels.
Once everyone is set up, the guy with the deep voice sits on the chair in the middle so we can draw him.
The three hours fly by quickly, all of us concentrated on our works with only little bouts of chatter every now and then.
It’s challenging but also fun, my brain focused entirely on the task.
I block in some shadows once I have the sketch down, but a hand tap interrupts me before I can start on the midtones.
“It’s looking great,” Jesse says with a smile, tilting his chin at my canvas. “But I’m afraid that’s it for today.”
I look around and realize we are the only two left, the model and the other artists already gone. “Oh. Sorry, I got carried away.”
“It’s no problem, and I’d let you draw more if I didn’t have to pop out.”
He helps me put away my stuff and then lets me see his own drawing. His angle looks just as challenging as mine and he’s done a great job on the form, better than me in fact. “You are really good.”
He rubs the back of his neck and smiles. “Listen, maybe you can stop by again? I watched you draw, and you have a really good sense of proportions, which is what I struggle with the most. Maybe you could give me a few pointers?”
I arch an eyebrow, because there is no way that’s true.
“Okay, I have my ways of brute forcing it, but it’s a lot of back and forth. Your ratios are way better and you spent less time, too. So, are you willing to help out a fellow artist?”
I think his request through for a few moments. I really enjoyed it here and the people were nice, not bothering me unnecessarily with too much small talk. “Sure, I can come again. It was fun.” I shrug. “There were a few things that I struggled with, so I think it will be good practice for me, too.”
He beams at me, tucking his hands in his pockets as we get to the front door.
“Great. And I had fun, too. I’m looking forward to another drawing session with you.
” He pauses and opens the door for me. “Maybe you can come earlier again, so we can chat for a bit? I’d love to know what you are currently working on. ”
Jesse’s really nice and I also find myself curious about his current work. I don’t have many friends other than Molly, and it would be nice to have someone to talk to about art. “Sure, but you have to tell me about your work-in-progress, too.”
“Deal.”
“Okay.” I catch his eyes again, that same intensity from earlier there again. “Well, thanks for today. I’ll see you next time.”
“See you next time,” he echoes back, waving at me as I head for the bus stop.
Today was a productive day. I’m glad that I got out of my apartment. I didn’t work on my painting, but I feel invigorated to once I’m back home. My skin covers with goosebumps. They are pleasant, but I fight them.
I won’t give in, at least not yet. I clap my cheeks. Okay, it’s decided—I’ll work on the painting for two hours. And once I am done for the day, Derek will be my reward.