Sitting around the fire pit on a cold January night makes for perfect conditions to exchange ideas. This sketch is part of an occasional study of what it looks like when people are learning individually or in groups.

All three figures are holding their hands to the fire as though welcoming the warmth and the exchange of ideas. Two have direct eye contact and the third has his head down as though pondering a related thought. The sparks from the fire suggest a lively exchange of ideas and the fire echoes the theme of the burning excitement of getting an idea right.

I began with several sketches in marker and watercolor. I scanned them into Procreate and mixed two of them into this drawing since parts of each told the story through the symbolism of eye contact, outstretched hands, fire and sparks.