Thursday, March 8, 2007 Older Editions

Drawing lessons: Illustrator comes to South School

By April Guilmet

When Ralph Masiello began drawing, he wasn't that much older than the second-graders he visited this week.

"I never thought I was any good. All my teachers and family told me I'd be an artist when I got older, but I never believed them," he said

On March 1 and 5, Masiello, now a children's book illustrator from West Brookfield, met with students at South Elementary School and gave them impromptu drawing lessons. By Monday afternoon, he'd met with each grade.

His audience listened closely as he showed them how he drew an illustration of a griffin, a mythological creature with sharp talons.

"I bought a model of an American bald eagle's talons," Masiello said. "That's what the front claw of my griffin will look like.

With books such as "The Icky Bug Alphabet" and "The Icky Reptile Alphabet" to his credit, Masiello has a fondness for creatures adults might find less than cuddly, but children tend to find fascinating: sea serpents, dragons, dinosaurs and insects.

He is not the only illustrator expected to visit Andover schools this month.

David Biedrzycki, author and illustrator of "Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective," will visit Bancroft School this Friday, March 9; Matt Tavares, author and illustrator of Zachary's Ball; Ann Sibley O'Brien, author and illustrator of "The Legend of Hong Kil Dong"; and Michael LaFosse, author and origami master, will all visit Bancroft on Friday, March 16. And on March 13 and 15, special activities at West Elementary School will also focus on favorite children's writers and illustrators. The idea, said assistant superintendent Marcia O'Neil, is to promote literacy. " There are lots of special events going on at the elementary schools (next week)," she said.

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Masiello said he has visited thousands of schools nationwide. He knows how to control a room.

"Spread out a little bit. You're going to need some elbow room," he told the students Monday, as he passed out large sheets of paper. Using a large easel, he led the class in creating seahorse illustrations.

"It's kind of like the edge of a peanut shell," Masiello said, describing a seahorse's silhouette. He encouraged them to not be easily discouraged.

"The first time you do this, it's not going to be perfect," he said. "But sometimes, it's more fun if it's not perfect."

Masiello wandered from table to table, checking out the budding artists' masterpieces.

"I love the eye on this one," he said, motioning to one student's seahorse. "It's so realistic."

The finished works were cut out and added to a giant aquarium-themed bulletin board, reading "South Authors and Illustrators, Learning Together."

As the students shuffled out of the cafeteria to their next class, Masiello encouraged them to keep up the good work, at home.

"Now that you know how to draw, you'll be even better next time," he said.