Campus is officially closed today due to worsening air quality. I miss my class. Student emailed me expressing the sadness because skipping a weekly 6-hour session is a big deal to them. Of course, it's touching for any teacher to see that.

It's been a rewarding journey to open their eyes to digital painting. The first time their eyes lit up and said, "Wait, so you just PAINT that?" I enjoy doing live demo to debunk their preconceived thinking that digital art is just about hacking, tracing, editing, coloring... It's so much more. All the principles or art apply.

Typically, the first part is pushing them to un-condition what they've been told about the digital medium. Then, we do a lot of training and "boring" practice. No shortcuts. No fancy brushes. I hear lots of kicking and screaming around this time. After that, if they persevere, most usually rise above the challenge.

I believe skills and ideas are equally important. It's no use if you have the grandest idea but don't have the skills to execute it. And that's why what I'm truly excited about is taking them to the next level of creation (in the advanced painting class) with the foundation skills that they've built.

It's been a challenging and fulfilling ride. I've been constantly pushing myself to learn more and get better so that I can teach more and teach better. It's a 2-way street. And I'm grateful for those whom I've crossed paths with.

@cca_illustration @cacollegeofarts . . . .

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