Painter and model - the story so far

A Date ? (Story Part 1)

"how was your date" ? Reema asked me.
"It was good and it wasn't a DATE ! He's shy, talks less, but smiles cutely" i mused.
"Does he listen to all you say ?"
"He promised to.. "
"Nice.. so what's the plan?"
"We start tomorrow. I have asked him to come to the studio for his first shoot."


A Sketch ( Part - 2)


I reached my studio next morning to find him on the garden bench. Clad in what seemed to be a new pair of black jeans and white kurta, his head rested on the bench's back, he sat there,eyes closed.

The morning sun shone bright on his hair, the dew drops on the bench glistened to form an aura around him. The air caressed his face gently and a smile adorned his lips.

The bench faced the steps into my studio. And that's where i sat, sketching him. As i put the last line on the sketch, he opened his eyes to find me staring at him.


Are you a painter ? ( Prat - 3)

"I am sorry, I am not used to wake up so early, so i guess i just dozed off." He said as soon as he saw me staring at him.

"Its fine. I came some time back and I even got a chance to sketch you in a comfortable pose." I replied opening the door of the studio.

"You even sketch?"
"Any painter will know to sketch roughly i guess"
"Are you a painter?"
"What do you think?"
"You said you own a studio, so i though you are a photographer !"

I looked at him with amusement as he looked around the studios nervously.

"Well, I think there was a misunderstanding. I need a model to paint and not to shoot him.Will you still stay?"
"Depends" he said, walking to the table where my sketch book was kept upside down.
"Depends on how good you sketch" and he picked up my sketch book.


The Art Critic ( Prat - 4) by Abhri

His long face was drawn.His face showed no expression but his eyes did communicate.It was my turn to be nervous, what if he didn't like my sketches? why wasn't he saying nothing.Just as i was about to grunt I saw a grin spreading on his face.
"So what you grinning at?"- I asked.
"You know how to sketch."- said he.
"Ya... so what? what did u expect, I would be some amateur painter calling up models??"-I said flabbergasted.
He looked at me as if I did not fully comprehend what he said.He looked sincere, was he making fun of me, I did not know, but I kept quiet awaiting his response.
"You can draw but you are not an artist"


A deal ( Prat - 5)

"Whats the difference between sketching well and being an artist?" I was getting a lot frustrated by now. I guess his mysterious smile was more irritating.
This time he did not take much time to reply "You will know not if i tell in words."
And as far as being your model, I am interested too see you paint me."

I wasn't sure if I was interested now but i was running out of time. The clock was ticking and I had just managed to find a model... some one like him!!

"So where do we start now?" His question brought me back to present task.

The Apprentice ( Part - 6 ) Abhri


"where do we start??" I looked at him questioningly. First this , ya OK I admit he is one gorgeous male, but still, he says I am no artist and then he asks me something totally vague about starting from somewhere.At least this man who shook or claims to shake my very foundations can prove his terms in more specific articulation.
"We have to start somewhere and more important is you have to trust me, then only can you gain as much from this exercise as I intend to"- he sounded dry.
"Ya , i don't trust you and i don't even comprehend half of what you say"- I blurted out.

His eyes flared up with aggression, he pulled me to a nearby canvas, his touch however, was very soft .
"Draw a running man!"- he commanded.
Something in his eyes made me follow his command.
I quickly sketched a athletic figure sprinting in a Reebok shorts and sneakers.
He smiled a satisfied smile.
He drew a line dividing the canvas and started on something.His hand went easy on the paper, and his strokes were indeed a bit moody.Right beside my perfectly drawn athletic male was rising his take on it.It had something so appealing I could not take my eyes off it. The head looked up in pride, the muscles of his body in superb tension. It almost looked alive, and it was more of a symbol of freedom and of achievement.I snapped back to senses.It did not have a face, His face was blank.
I was stirred.
"It's a little weird"- I said. " Ya, it' got something in it, but still mine is good too"
He started laughing.
"Ok"-I relented-"beside your sketch mine looks like the runner is sleeping, yours is alive, almost leaping from paper, I would love to draw like that, can I?"
"You have to get educated first"-He said.
"what education"- I asked puzzled.
"Education is a way of life"-He said-"Be an apprentice "


Doubtful (Part - 7 )

"An apprentice ?? But how ??" I was totally puzzled. Not that i did not know what he implies, but i did not want to realize it. I denied being aware of my weakness.

And there lied his strength. He seemed to live in the world of true words and ideas.

"Do i need to become an apprentice to you ?" I asked further, directly looking into his eyes.

"Do you mind that ?" he smiled as he replaced the canvas sheet with a new one.
"No.. i don't really mind.. but are you qualified ?" i questioned him absent minded. My attention was still on the running man he had drawn. It was pure emotions playing on the sheet in charcoal.

He did not mind my question, rather he was nodding in approval. Or was it amusement i saw in his eyes !