How to make a cup of tea

This was the most engaging and exciting lesson in my time at the college in fine art. This was planned as my class mates and I were told a week before that in our next lesson we will be be drawing an instructional piece on how to make tea. Our targets for the lesson coming up was to bring in primary source to draw from such as teacups, biscuits and all the ingredients to make a cup of tea. I expected this lesson to be quiet and relaxing as we all sit around the centre of the table drawing from primary source. This however, was not the matter. Instead there were a number of tables and chairs spread out with primary sources left out on each of the tables with a3 sized boards and paper left out for us to work on. I sat around the table with my class mates, drank tea, dunked biscuits and drew. My first task was to draw directly what was in front of me. Secondly, I was asked to draw a diagram of instructions on how to make tea. There isn't a correct way on how to do this so  I did I showed how I as an individual would do it and how I like my tea best. I painted this piece using black ink, watercolours and wet teabag to add that vintage effect. I feel this piece of work did not go down as well as expected as my drawing skills was a bit off.
On the last a3 sheet I painted a poster that includes everything that I feel represents tea in a way that interests me. For me when I think of tea I don't only think of myself but I image an old man sitting in the corner of his room on a dark red rocking chair whilst drinking tea, reading a book and smoking a pipe. I felt that this last piece was my best piece of work as I felt the role of an old man smoking whilst in my artistic frame of mind. The colours and smoke like effect turned out greatly, just as I had imaged. Overall I highly enjoyed this lesson as we got to sit back drink our tea whilst doing art. I feel this is how every lesson should be as the class was more committed, relaxed and joyful. Its crazy to think how having a cup of tea in your lesson can really make a change.

How to make a cup of tea

• Add water to the kettle approximately to max. This is to save water for other people who would like tea afterwards
•  Whilst waiting for the kettle to boil place your teabag and 3 teaspoons of sugar into your cup
• After the kettle has boiled add water but do not fill to the top to keep space to add your milk
• When adding milk add 2 small drops. This will give off that strong delightful feeling of a mornings cup of tea. 
• Finish off by giving your tea a stir and leaving your teabag in for 1-2 minutes letting the teabag settle. Firmly squeeze the teabag juices into your tea and your tea is ready and made.