| Author | Message | ||
  Kukana |
I have a little theory about taking workshops than John. (Niether right or wrong, just different) I take workshops by other artists to learn from them. I buy what they reccomend, follow their direction exactly while in class right down to their colors,whether they sit or stand, etc..I constantly ask during their silent lulls "What are you thinking..what is your thought process right now???" After class I then go home and experiment on my own, with the ideas fresh in my mind and apply it to my work, making it my own. If I want to go somewhere to explore my own creativity, I get a few friends together to paint and critque and have a painting day.. | ||
John Smith |
I've taken dozens of workshops and found that there are two kinds of instructors. Those who want you to paint only their way and those who encourage you to develope you own style. Unfortunately you seldom know until you take the course. If possible, talk to someone who has taken workshops with the instructor before you ennroll | ||
Patricia Ann |
Ohboy, does this ring my bell. I went to a watercolor workshop recently with a friend of mine who didn't want to go alone. While I loved the work of the instructor, she just presented simple exercises that I had already mastered. I had talked to her before the class to be sure she would be sharing her advanced techniques, but it just didn't happen. I found what I enjoyed most was simply watching her paint the demos. I had fun attending the workshop, but as someone here mentioned, the instructor used a completely different palette, brushes, paper, and approach than I do. I had to ask myself if I really wanted to abandon "my" way of painting and take up another way...the answer was no. This was a turning point for me. I realized it's time for me to focus on developing my own style as far as I can take it....then maybe it will be time for another workshop! | ||
Pepsi |
I agree with all the comments. It's like finding out what a word means in the dictionary only to discover that there are dozens of different dictionairies with their own meaning for that particular word. My advise is to go with that person whose paintings are what you admire. Digest their information and then mix that with your own and detach and make yourself a new "word" in the dictionary. Pepsi | ||
a. painter |
I have found that demonstrations provide me with the best "overview" of the styles. The art books from Cheap Joes provide the rest. | ||
Anonymous |
Yep--all you have to do is buy few books on watercolor to realize that each artist's solution to the problems presented by the medium is, in detail and practice, unique. If you learn from one, you then have to ditch much of that to follow what the next says. Eventually one has to cut oneself free and simply keep painting--damn the torpedos, full speed ahead! Otherwise one really does become a perpetual student. | ||
Anonymous |
I suspect that too many workshops will stifle the development of one's inner style. I took one from Mel Stabin 2 years ago and am still digesting what I learned. Another workshop presenters style would cause overload. I don't know, but I suspect that too many workhops can have have the unintended consequence of preventing the hard work of personal development. Our local watercolor exhibits seem to always reflect the syle of the last workshop that hit town. A bad thing, IMHO. |
