Over the years I have taken lessons from some well-known artists and some not so well-know. I’ve always believed that if I learned something new in my art. It was worth the money if I put it into practice. Sometimes when taking classes, you realize that the painter is successful with their art. However, they may not be successful in their teaching. I took a portraiture class last year. The artist was very precise in how she taught us the art of portraiture. These are a couple of portraits that I painted after the class was complete.

During the course of the class we had models that sat for us. It was so interesting to see the end result using the same model. The two on the right are the same model, painted on different days. The artist that taught the class painted beautiful portraits. I noticed that her female portraits might have all been sisters. She made every one of them look like a classic beauty. I loved that she can do that, but I wanted try to paint them in a more personal manner. I learned and practiced all the proportions and elements of portraiture from her. I tried to add my style to what I learned. I was actively engaged in the class. This involvement allowed me to discover my own approach to creating a portrait.

That said, it made me think about the part of the quote that says: “Involve me and I learn”. As I get a little older I find I have to write it down to remember it. Visually I will always remember, as I am a visual learner. When I travel, I have an easy time finding my way back to the hotel. I always remember what was in the display windows we passed on the way to our destination. Most artists are visual learners.

You can describe how to do something in a 1,000 words. In my case, one photo is enough and I get the idea. I love when artists show you specific techniques that work for them. It is fun to see if you can translate that into your personal style.

How often do you think you should take a new class from a different teacher? I took classes from the same teacher for twelve years. She painted beautiful paintings and I learned a lot about mixing color. I did not learn how to develop my own style. She and a couple other artists opened a small gallery. They would often paint there. They would try to sell their work. I was walking by the gallery one day with my youngest son. He asked me why I wanted to take classes from her. All the pieces in the gallery looked the same to him. That was the last time I took a class from her. It didn’t help that we did not agree politically. We were not allowed to disagree with her politics while in her class. I decided it was time to look for other art classes where politics were not part of the culture.

I went on to take art classes from many different artists. First I had to admire their work, to want to take a class from them. Second, they had to do something similar, but different than how I was painting at the time. I learned so many small tricks of the trade by taking classes from diverse artists. There were some classes I loved. There were some classes that I paid for, but did not go back for the second or third day. Some artists think they should discuss philosophy with you. If you do not agree with their view, then you are “wrong”. I think in any class, it is okay to agree to disagree.

I had a few favorite artists. I took several classes from them. I learned a little something new in each class. Some artists think it’s all in the detail, whereas other artists don’t believe in detail. Photorealism is something I appreciate, but not something I would ever attempt for my own art. I love the idea of something without the perfection of detail. I want more to capture a mood, than painting a perfect copy of a scene.

As I traveled more, I discovered something important. I studied the brushstrokes up close of the masters of the past. We can study them in Art History. However, you can’t really feel them until you are a foot from them in real life. Manet’s work comes to mind, as his brushwork is bold and intentional. You can’t see that in any photo. Going to art museums is a great way to get involved in how things are done. What captures your attention first in any piece you view? To my mind, each artist has a different way of representing his world.

The portrait classes were just a few of the classes that made me think. It is much easier to attend a class and try to mimic the artist/instructor. It is more challenging to take their ideas and make them your own. There have been classes that I have taken when I liked the work of the artist at that time in their lives. As their work changed, the end result was different. I had to think if I wanted to take any more classes from them.

My suggestion is to look at an artist’s work over time and think if you want to apply any of their style to your own art. If there is something that draws you to their art, then by all means get involved in a class or two they are teaching.

I think of Benjamin Franklin’s quote when it comes to cooking, another love in my life. I always loved the cooking classes that were “hands-on”. Once my fingers were in the dough, I would not forget how it felt. I feel designing wonderful food is another art form. It is presumably why I am drawn to it. If I am not painting or writing about art I am cooking. See you in the kitchen!