The Study of a Teacher’s Aide

Pen and Ink  5" x 5"

It was another day on the job, working with preschool children with severe mental delays. It is not a easy job, it requires a character of kindness, patience and a sense of humor. Some people overlook the importance of a teachers aid. The severely mental delayed population especially among preschoolers are the most vulnerable. And they must be protected, cared for, and educated. Teacher’s aide are the eyes and ears of the children especially the nonverbal. Without the help of the aide the classroom, the headteacher will have a difficult time gathering data / anecdotal in order to provide a lesson plan for the classroom.

The headteacher of this classroom was an excellent head teacher and had care in her heart, Maria Torres. She was a young teacher who wanted to make a difference.

Here in the sketch, is one of the four teacher's aide, Tory, comforting a child during nap time. During this time, which was rare, the classroom was filled with sleeping children and smoothing classical music. 

I decided to do a quick sketch of the teacher aide, who was seven months pregnant at the time, as the child fell asleep in her arms.
After the quick sketch, I decided to write or  "vent" the frustrations of being an aide in general.  While we were lucky to have such amazing and fare head teacher, not all were the same. 
This sketch is a tribute to all the aides in a classroom settings who are honorable, caring and trustworthy.

The Study of Lauryn Hill

Mixed medium 5"x 5"

The color combination of red and black has always been bold dramatic and stunning to me. Interestingly the same could be said about Miss Lauryn Hill and her music. A successful singer songwriter rapper. She is also well known as one of the members of The Fugees.


Black marker and colored pencils were used along with white pencils for highlights to bring out the image.

The Study of Richard Brooks

Mixed medium 5"x 5"

The fourth of the series of complementary colors is the study of the successful movie director and screen writer Richard Brooks. He has directed legendary movies such as, “Blackboard Jungle”, “Cat on A Hot Tin Roof” and “Looking for Mr. Good Bar”. For this technique a green wash was applied then a red and white colored pencils were used for the details and highlights.

I enjoy drawing profiles when it comes to face studies for portraits.

It seems more dramatic and profiles also say a lot about the person.

Study of woman in red

Mixed medium 5"x5"

The third of the series of complementary colors, this time a red water color wash was used. Green colored pencil was used for the darks and shadows. The white color pencil was used for the highlights.

The Study of Quincy Jones

Mixed medium 5"x 5"

The study of the legendary Music Composer, Quincy Jones, is the second of the series of complementary colors. Purple watercolor wash with yellow color pencil was used. The purple wash wasn't dark enough and the yellow color pencil wasn't light enough so I went back in to the dark areas with purple colored pencil. For the highlights, yellow and white colored pencils was use specially for the smoke from the cigarette.

I have a special love and admiration for Quincy Jones because he is a musical genius, pure talent. Everything he touched, turned into “Gold!” He is extraordinary producer who was not afraid to follow his true vision. Mr. Q broke a lot carriers in the music industry specially soundtracks for movies and has produced revolutionary albums for the already successful talents including the late Michael Jackson.

Study of Madonna

This was a short series in my sketchpad, experimenting with complementary colors.

The first one was this reference of the musical performer, Madonna.

I played around with the combination of yellow background purple color pencil and white colored pencil for highlights. This is not a flattering color for her skin but it was just a study of the exact colors, yellow and purple with little mixing as possible.

Madonna song and video, “Ray of Light” was very popular and successful at the time. It was inspiring to me. Not afraid of self expression. She also was studying Kabbalism which will probably explain her interesting design on her face. Not sure, don't quote me !

Study of Will Smith

Mixed medium 5" x 5"

BIG WILL .............

Famous rapper of, “Parents just don't to stand”, “Summertime”, “Will 2K”, “Getting Jiggy With It”.

Famous actor with hit tv show,” Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, Successful movie actor of blockbusters including, “Enemy of The State”, “Bad Boys”, and “Men in Black”.

Becoming comfortable with my quick sketches, I'm not concerned with a portrait style sketch, but just getting the essence of the actor Will Smith, especially with his well known ears.

A very quick sketch with the use of watercolor wash, marker, pen and ink.