Thinking of taking a workshop?
Palm trees, icebergs and Greek ruins are nice, but even swell props like these won’t make a painting workshop successful. As a artist who’s taken several workshops since the early 1990s, I’ve found locale actually has very little to do with it.
The teacher, however, has everything to do with it. I’ve studied with several of today’s well-known instructors, and while many were spectacular teachers, a few were less than I’d hoped for.
Question is, how do we ensure that the workshop we’re considering won’t be an expensive dud? After all, many are in the $600-$700 range nowadays. The first one I took was about $200. With such inflation afoot, I begin to worry how much is actually going for quality instruction – and how much is going for Viagra and beach condos.)
Here are a few suggestions to consider when looking for a workshop:
• Don’t choose an instructor just because you like his or her work. Being a good artist doesn’t guarantee that someone is personable and responsive, or even a halfway decent teacher. Ask (on watercolor sites, among artist friends) who other artists recommend, and why. Nothing beats the recommendation of someone who has attended a teacher’s class.
• Don’t expect to make a nice painting in the class. I’ve seen folks nearly in tears by the last day of the workshop, desperately trying to resuscitate that Friday afternoon painting so they’ll have something to show to their family it wasn’t a total waste. Take all that pressure off and empty your mind of expectations. Just go to absorb and learn. It may be weeks or months before the lessons really contribute to your artistic growth.
• Expect to meet and become friends with other artists at the workshop. Some artists arrive and seem so tense they hardly speak to their neighbors. I’ve always enjoyed getting dinner with other artists and hearing about their artistic journeys. Be open and friendly with others in class and you’ll get much more out of the experience.
• Paint as often as you can. If you only paint in workshops, don’t expect much improvement.
• If you bring a spouse, help find a good selection of things he or she might do during class time. I’ve seen some mighty miserable-looking spouses sitting in the car or pacing the parking lot. Help them have a good time, too.
• If you enjoy a workshop, follow up and keep digging. Ask what books the instructor might recommend, as well as which other artists’ work might be instructive for your growth. Ask for a personal consultation about your work. Get your money’s worth.
• Have fun. If you’re not having fun learning, there’s little reason to do it. Might as well be home watching the paint peel.