Of course; bespectacled cartoon characters always have beady eyes without their glasses. But Bern? You are participating in his art; you’re posing for a freakin’ painting, why do you think he wants you to shut yer piehole?
Why does he need a live model of a painting? It’s strange, too, that Bernice doesn’t understand the first role of modeling: don’t move, not even her lips. She does mention Piro but what has that got to do with the story? But wait! What if Nil (no last name) is one of Piro’s hoodlum cousins?
Back in the day, Bernice wowed Nil with her 10-dollar words and now everything is just one and two syllables. What happened to the smart, pretentious Bernice?
Face it Bern, Nil is not into what you are up to with a guy he likely has never met (though that could be a false assumption as well) and he is not going to get jealous if you keep talking about him. He just wants you to pose and keep the chit chat to a minimum. If Nil meets Piro, I could him doing some sort of head/facial composite of Walt which might be a grand slam winner in the Pitt art world thus putting the artist known a Nil on the map. People would know Walt was the model ala the star on the cabeza of course.
Come on Bernice. It’s art and the artist needs concentration to create his art. It’s not a chat time. He’s not a girlfriend. I don’t think you’re his muse – he said that to flatter you into being his model. That’s all he wants – a model. Yeah, like a bowl of fruit.
This whole concept of Nil being this oddball artist, who needs a muse, and him deciding that Bernice of all people should be that muse… doesn’t really work. Poor idea with a dynamic that doesn’t hold believability or interest.
If Bernice would, in fact, retreat into herself and entertain herself with her own thoughts and daydreams, thereby keeping externally silent and still, she might entertain herself with daydreams of Piro — and that just might produce that enigmatic Mona Lisa smile (or, maybe, a really silly-looking grin).
Nil, poor, shy, confused Nil. Leonardo chatted with his models, like many artistes do. It’s true that he’s still young and inexperienced, but a chatter model can become a problem when you want to do the details, not at the beginning of the portrait. Nil has never stopped loving Bernice, he asked her to become his muse for not lose her and he feels uncomfortable hearing she has received an invitation from a guy she liked in the past (and probably still likes). But he knows Bernice’s bad temper, anything he could tells her about this would make her angry. I’m afraid this situation between Bernice and Piro will make him suffer a lot.
Bernice without glasses. Quite a different look. She doesn’t wear eyeliner Not sure we’ve seen this before. While she was dreaming, maybe? Nil is not concerned with the letter. He wants his project to work.
So Bernice, being the ego maniac she is, thought she would be critiqueing, and making suggestions about Nils painting. Besides during class, I’ve never seen an artist invite someone to sit and make comments while they paint. If she wants to participate in art she should pick up a brush.
(I don’t think she’s going to like her portrait! LOL!)
At first I was annoyed that Bernice didn’t understand what a model’s role in a painting is but… when I think back on it… I don’t think she’s ever understood her role as a muse.
Didn’t Nil have a bunch of paintings for sale at his art exhibit? He must have made some money from that show. He should be paying for a model, not using Bernice for free.
Bernice is comfortable enough with Nil to confide in him about Piro. Guess this is a plutonic relationship. Is Nil the temperamental artist? My guess is he’s only painting her mouth, which is supposed to be in an enigmatic smile. I don’t think she’s capable of that! ;-))
ok….so here’s my theory on Piro. Tara took the blame for the vending machine thing but it was really Piro. He is secretly homeless and was hungry. That’s his secret. He is homeless but genius-smart so he wants to better his life. But you know, he’s homeless so that is difficult. He doesn’t want to tell Bern because he is worried that she will be judgemental since she can be over-bearing and a rule follower to the LETTER. But…he really likes her and sees the compassionate, soft side of her.
The artist has to concentrate so the model needs to be still and quiet; hence models get paid (like Jack was). But muses can have romantic relationships with their artist and that compensates for this dull work portion. There needs to be some spark of a relationship (again) between these two.
If the Queen of Snark can’t learn to shut her big piehole, she will never be a suitable “Mona Lisa,” and so will deep-six whatever chance of friendship (or more) with Nil might have existed….
lvlax almost 2 years ago
Is Bernice trying to make Nil jealous?
If she is willing to be his model, she needs to keep her lips sealed.
I bet some of the others are right.. he’ll end up drawing a body part, and not her face.
Maybe her mouth??
C almost 2 years ago
Indeed, when?
J. Scarbrough almost 2 years ago
Of course; bespectacled cartoon characters always have beady eyes without their glasses. But Bern? You are participating in his art; you’re posing for a freakin’ painting, why do you think he wants you to shut yer piehole?
beb01 almost 2 years ago
Why does he need a live model of a painting? It’s strange, too, that Bernice doesn’t understand the first role of modeling: don’t move, not even her lips. She does mention Piro but what has that got to do with the story? But wait! What if Nil (no last name) is one of Piro’s hoodlum cousins?
Tyge almost 2 years ago
A bowl of fruit? Don’t give Nil any ideas.
Calliope almost 2 years ago
Bernice lacks the ethereal, inscrutable air that Mona is so famous for.
Nil really could have asked anyone to do the sitting. Like Johnny Bravo, they just need to fit the costume.
ronaldspence almost 2 years ago
good luck on getting her tk stop talking
Grandma Lea almost 2 years ago
She still has her eyebrows; he could eliminate them on the painting though!
Amina Rush almost 2 years ago
Nils needed to explain his expectations upfront. And she’s not getting paid, so he should be a little bit more gracious.
GaryCooper almost 2 years ago
Not really clear on the concept of modeling, are you, Bernice?
GreasyOldTam almost 2 years ago
“I thought I’d be participating in your art…” You mean like, every other brush stroke?
Chrisdiaz801 almost 2 years ago
Bernice looks cool as Mona Lisa!
Joe1962 almost 2 years ago
Bernice zip your mouth up.
sallymargret almost 2 years ago
Oh, I love this. Nil is putting her in her place, which is something she needs desperately.
BradFilippone almost 2 years ago
Bernice, sitting still is what models for artists do!
Tyge almost 2 years ago
Nil seems unimpressed with Bern’s revelation. I don’t believe Nil has ever met Piro, what with them attending different schools.
After meeting the dark, mysterious Piro, Nil may seek to swap muses. 8^ )
Chopped Fowl almost 2 years ago
In the first panel, Bernice looks cute, … with her mouth closed …
Oh well, too bad ….
Jacob Mattingly almost 2 years ago
I… I don’t like either of you.
kenhense almost 2 years ago
Frame 1 and Frame 3. Totally different looks for Bernice – very interesting artwork. Also – Good reply Nil…
howtheduck almost 2 years ago
Back in the day, Bernice wowed Nil with her 10-dollar words and now everything is just one and two syllables. What happened to the smart, pretentious Bernice?
TampaFanatic1 almost 2 years ago
Face it Bern, Nil is not into what you are up to with a guy he likely has never met (though that could be a false assumption as well) and he is not going to get jealous if you keep talking about him. He just wants you to pose and keep the chit chat to a minimum. If Nil meets Piro, I could him doing some sort of head/facial composite of Walt which might be a grand slam winner in the Pitt art world thus putting the artist known a Nil on the map. People would know Walt was the model ala the star on the cabeza of course.
Rhetorical_Question almost 2 years ago
¿?????
9thCapricorn almost 2 years ago
Come on Bernice. It’s art and the artist needs concentration to create his art. It’s not a chat time. He’s not a girlfriend. I don’t think you’re his muse – he said that to flatter you into being his model. That’s all he wants – a model. Yeah, like a bowl of fruit.
Crann Bethadh almost 2 years ago
This whole concept of Nil being this oddball artist, who needs a muse, and him deciding that Bernice of all people should be that muse… doesn’t really work. Poor idea with a dynamic that doesn’t hold believability or interest.
Binky almost 2 years ago
Ha! Haaaaa! Love it Nil! (^⋃^)
Mordock999 Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I don’t believe it.
Bernice is actually talking about another guy to another guy that she kinda has feelings for.
How tasteless and thoughtless can one get??
If the situation were reversed, I’ll wager most gals would have gotten up, and told the guy where to get off while abruptly leaving.
So chalk this down as reason #197 why many of Us DON’T like Bernice.
PS: Bernice willingly tells Nil but she couldn’t willingly tell her old “pal” Luann?? Reason #198.
ProclaimLiberty almost 2 years ago
If Bernice would, in fact, retreat into herself and entertain herself with her own thoughts and daydreams, thereby keeping externally silent and still, she might entertain herself with daydreams of Piro — and that just might produce that enigmatic Mona Lisa smile (or, maybe, a really silly-looking grin).
Aladar30 Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Nil, poor, shy, confused Nil. Leonardo chatted with his models, like many artistes do. It’s true that he’s still young and inexperienced, but a chatter model can become a problem when you want to do the details, not at the beginning of the portrait. Nil has never stopped loving Bernice, he asked her to become his muse for not lose her and he feels uncomfortable hearing she has received an invitation from a guy she liked in the past (and probably still likes). But he knows Bernice’s bad temper, anything he could tells her about this would make her angry. I’m afraid this situation between Bernice and Piro will make him suffer a lot.
Johnnyrico almost 2 years ago
The finished painting will be a caricature with a massive, blabbing mouth.
Count Olaf Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Ann ❤️ Eiffel. Now there’s a real work of art, boy howdy.
OneTime59 almost 2 years ago
Bernice without glasses. Quite a different look. She doesn’t wear eyeliner Not sure we’ve seen this before. While she was dreaming, maybe? Nil is not concerned with the letter. He wants his project to work.
elliel203 almost 2 years ago
She looks like a completely different character now
JonnyT almost 2 years ago
Nil is speaking for all of us. Bernice, hush.
RSH almost 2 years ago
talking about anything and everything is not participating in the art Bern; being that bowl of fruit is.
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Earbuds Bernice, earbuds and some good tunes!
ctolson almost 2 years ago
Looks like Bernice’s relationship with Nil is about to crash. Muse is heading into messed up.
Busrayne almost 2 years ago
You know, art can be a painful process. Reminds me of this Peanuts comic: https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/1964/05/03
oakie817 almost 2 years ago
she looks very different in that wig
chris_o42 almost 2 years ago
Berice you ARE participating in his art just by being there. Now keep quiet and try to look enigmatic!
Ellis97 almost 2 years ago
Honestly, Bernice makes Pepper Ann look like Sarah Crewe.
WilliamVollmer almost 2 years ago
Johnnyrico almost 2 years ago
You’re bored? Unhappy because Nil doesn’t want to hear your stupid gossip? Can’t keep your stinkin’ pie-hole shut? Well then, Bernice…..GTFO.
Lescoe Brandon almost 2 years ago
Bernice is doing a great job of convincing Nil that breaking off the relationship was a fantastically wise decision.
comic reader 22 almost 2 years ago
So Bernice, being the ego maniac she is, thought she would be critiqueing, and making suggestions about Nils painting. Besides during class, I’ve never seen an artist invite someone to sit and make comments while they paint. If she wants to participate in art she should pick up a brush.
(I don’t think she’s going to like her portrait! LOL!)
The Orange Mailman almost 2 years ago
A chatty Mona Lisa would be progressive art and not just a ripoff.
nubianaries81 almost 2 years ago
Maybe he’ll paint her mouthless lol!!!
ezekialrage777 almost 2 years ago
At first I was annoyed that Bernice didn’t understand what a model’s role in a painting is but… when I think back on it… I don’t think she’s ever understood her role as a muse.
sevenfeet0 almost 2 years ago
“Shaddup! Shuttinyup!” – Muggsy to Bugs Bunny
rshive almost 2 years ago
Bernice finally got the idea.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace almost 2 years ago
“I don’t DO silent.”
MuddyUSA Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Now! Zip it, please.
locake almost 2 years ago
Didn’t Nil have a bunch of paintings for sale at his art exhibit? He must have made some money from that show. He should be paying for a model, not using Bernice for free.
preacherman Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Good question, Nil. He should’ve taken a picture of her and drawn from the photo. Next time.
anaditz almost 2 years ago
So that’s what she looks like with her glasses off. Maybe she should consider taking on that sort of look for a while!
Tetonbil almost 2 years ago
Egads! This has all been a bit ‘cringe worthy’. And I mean since Luann saw Piro last week.
TravelinMan almost 2 years ago
Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa? Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
YorkGirl Premium Member almost 2 years ago
Bernice is comfortable enough with Nil to confide in him about Piro. Guess this is a plutonic relationship. Is Nil the temperamental artist? My guess is he’s only painting her mouth, which is supposed to be in an enigmatic smile. I don’t think she’s capable of that! ;-))
jrankin1959 almost 2 years ago
What – did you think the original Mona Lisa was yakking it up in front of daVinci?
Brazosman1 almost 2 years ago
I’m surprised he hasn’t asked her to take her clothes off!
mindjob almost 2 years ago
Makes you wonder how the Mona Lisa was painted, with her yapping all the time
BJShipley1 almost 2 years ago
I’m seriously confused as to what any of these guys see in Bernice. She’s completely insufferable.
AndrewSihler almost 2 years ago
She was actually making a pretty good start on the Enigmatic Smile shtick. . . .
dadoctah almost 2 years ago
I really want to see this painting.
Caldonia almost 2 years ago
The male love interest characters certainly don’t like talking, do they? Nil, Kip, Piro…. They should form a nice, quiet club.
JustMe almost 2 years ago
ok….so here’s my theory on Piro. Tara took the blame for the vending machine thing but it was really Piro. He is secretly homeless and was hungry. That’s his secret. He is homeless but genius-smart so he wants to better his life. But you know, he’s homeless so that is difficult. He doesn’t want to tell Bern because he is worried that she will be judgemental since she can be over-bearing and a rule follower to the LETTER. But…he really likes her and sees the compassionate, soft side of her.
RSH almost 2 years ago
The artist has to concentrate so the model needs to be still and quiet; hence models get paid (like Jack was). But muses can have romantic relationships with their artist and that compensates for this dull work portion. There needs to be some spark of a relationship (again) between these two.
dustoffer almost 2 years ago
Nil and Piro—-she seems to attract the “different” personalities
198.23.5.11 almost 2 years ago
Skinny modeled for Flattop Jr.and that didn’t work out so great either.
RolloTheGrouch almost 2 years ago
They say that clothes make the man … or woman.
When she’s in her schoolmarm outfits, she’s a plain-jane know-it-all.
But dress her up and make her look pretty, and she becomes a chatty petulant airhead.
rob almost 2 years ago
So will this relationship be officially over so Piro/Walt can enter the picture?
ACTIVIST1234 almost 2 years ago
So Bern, hence Mona, will have a slightly peeved look. Perfect direction, Piro.
198.23.5.11 almost 2 years ago
As they said in t he Bugs Bunny cartoons——“Shut up shutting up!”
DorothyGlenn Premium Member almost 2 years ago
For story line twist, let Piro spark her interest again, so she can be a Piro-maniac and set fire to her love life. Then she can really Bern.
pamela welch Premium Member almost 2 years ago
That last panel; what a hoot!!
The Quiet One almost 2 years ago
When has that ever worked?
Angry Indeed Premium Member almost 2 years ago
The muse is bemused/confused by the devotee.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 2 years ago
Bernice needs a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen.
Sisyphos almost 2 years ago
If the Queen of Snark can’t learn to shut her big piehole, she will never be a suitable “Mona Lisa,” and so will deep-six whatever chance of friendship (or more) with Nil might have existed….
Otis Rufus Driftwood almost 2 years ago
Someone cue up ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’.
Kenezg almost 2 years ago
Hahaha…When? That’s funny…
Mayor Snorkum almost 2 years ago
Good comment, Piro.
Mayor Snorkum almost 2 years ago
The subject of a portrait is allowed to speak when the artist isn’t painting her mouth. Give her a break, Piro.