Primary school teacher

Roger Mason working at Waiheke Primary School

I had a great time working with Intermediate pupils at Waiheke Primary School last week. The 90-minute session involved introducing myself and my work, practical demonstrations, playing "the drawing game" which always descends into chaos but is actually a subtly-disguised exercise in pure personal expression (doodling). Then we looked at how to draw the stick figure, the technique which underpins creative drawing like a foundation beneath a house. 

The pupils asked some great questions as well, and they worked really hard. Thanks to staff at Waiheke Primary School for giving me an opportunity like that. Working with young people is always a blast.

Demonstrating on the whiteboard how to draw stick figures. These are then built upon to produce characters such as Buzz Lightyear and Moana.

I was kindly sent some of the children's feedback:

I found it really interesting and inspiring when you showed us how to draw people from stick figures. I liked the interactive parts where you told us how you drew people from looking at yourself in the mirror then copying it.

Thank you for coming in and teaching us all the quick and easy tricks into making cool figures. I really loved how easy and quick the methods are and I will definitely be using it again.

Throughout the lesson you made us laugh with your funny jokes along with the stuff you drew and I liked hearing about your backstory and how you became an artist.

I found your job Fascinating to learn about. I hope one day I can have a job similar to yours.

All of the above was a joy to read. Especially the one who said my jokes were funny.