A Painter's Musings on the Visual World

When I was in third grade, my Mom sent me to piano lessons. I can’t remember whether I had asked to go just because my sister was going, but I do know I dreaded them. Nothing about them made me want to play the piano and I always tried to get away with not practicing.  It didn’t work and I must have been a huge disappointment to my Mom. She probably should have gone herself rather than waste the little bit of money it cost on my lack of effort. Despite that, I did learn some things in those three years.  I could read music just a little which came in handy years later when I wanted to play the guitar. 

Those short, not so delicate fingers, ill-suited for either piano or guitar, would eventually find a paintbrush and a series of instructors to guide them, beginning with a local woman when I was 10. Finding the right person was not always easy even though there were legions of people teaching.  I was asked recently to recommend a workshop for someone, so I asked a series of questions in response before making any recommendations.

Kim English

1. What is the number one thing you want to learn?  If you are going to narrow down the field, this is the first thing you have to consider.  As a beginning painter, my first instinct was to find a painter whose work I loved and say “I wish I could paint like that!” Most likely by the end of 5 days you will not only NOT be painting like the instructor but will also not have a clear idea of the next step. But if you take that same instructor whose work you love and begin with a clear problem to solve such as values or color mixing or wanting to make confident brushstrokes, you have a much better shot at making progress. Most instructors want to help but they are not mind readers.  If you know your goal, ask the instructor if they can specifically help you with that goal.

2.  What subject matter and conditions are you comfortable with?  If you have never taken a figure drawing class, a figure workshop might be a frustrating venture. If the workshop is centered on cityscapes, are you at ease painting with the public in close proximity around you? If you are fighting general discomfort in an environment, you are not free to get the most out of whatever learning is supposed to take place.

Dawn Whitelaw

3.  What is your budget?  Big names earn bigger money.  Can a less well-known instructor give you what you need just as well?  Sometimes the big names are worth every penny if they know their stuff.  Choose US based workshops rather than overseas trips if you are trying to make your workshop dollars go further. From my experience there is no benefit to learning on a Tuscan landscape rather than one in Ohio.

4.  How hands-on do you like instruction?  Read reviews from other students as to how attentive the instructor is. Do you want the instructor to paint on your painting or do you prefer someone who gives you more space?

5.  Do you need follow-up?  Some instructors offer their contact information and will answer your questions through email or texts after the class.

Kevin Macpherson

6.  What size class is comfortable for you?  Some students get lost in a large class and have trouble getting their questions answered. A small class of 10 – 12 students may be a little more expensive but be far more productive.

7.  What kinds of demonstrations can you watch?  It is possible to learn a great deal by watching someone’s process but they should not take up half the class time. How often and how long are demos?

 Kathryn Stats

Depending on your individual goals, there are many questions that may need to be answered before you start choosing a teacher.  If you find a teacher you really resonate with, you may want to sign up for more workshops.  Once you find the right person and they know what your needs are, the communication and value of the lessons increases.