 McCay thrived on the attention he received , and his talents soon drew wider attention . John Goodison , a geography and drawing professor at Michigan state Normal School , offered to teach art to McCay privately , and McCay eagerly accepted . The lessons were practical and focused on using observation to learn to draw in geometrical perspective . Goodison , a former glass stainer , influenced McCay 's use of color . McCay learned how to draw quickly using drills on a blackboard , and gained an appreciation for master artists of the past . 
