Wow the last few years have been absolutely crazy. When I shut down the in person classes I only thought it would be for a couple of months. Who knew it would be years later that they would finally start up again. I'm starting a new venue come September at Ardleigh House Community Centre and I cant wait to be back in the classroom with my regulars. I have done a few sessions at West Horndon Art Group, which is always a pleasure....
It was a bit scary to be back in person and I kept my mask on the whole time. I think I'm more relaxed now that things have calmed down. However it was so lovely to see everyone creating in front of me. I also forgot how exhausting it was, a complete shock to my system after working from the comfort of my studio for so long!
I started zoom classes to keep my learners doing something creative and to stop me going insane with home learning. It's been such a positive experience that I'm going to keep doing them on a Tuesday. It's great teaching from the comfort of your own home with slippers on and a coffee to sip on. The learners said it was good to see me working up close, sometimes in a large room it can be a struggle to see properly but online you have me up close and personal : )
The weekly practice of drawing and painting is great to develop skills. In the past most of my time is taken with learners and helping them with their artwork that I didnt have the chance to complete work but I've noticed that through zoom I draw and paint so much on my own work and it's really helped me to develop and find my own voice. Which I know sounds really cheesy but the main thing I've learnt is that by drawing and painting weekly you'll discover what you like and what you don't which will direct you to your own style. In class we experiment, for example adding ink pens on top of watercolour. One learner has found her style and finds this too bold so uses soft pencils instead, keeping it soft and muted in her style. So go experiment and see what happens plus you'll have lots of fun along the way.
If you're interested zoom classes will be running on Tuesday mornings, 10-12. Inperson classes will be starting in September, exciting!
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