Getting the Most Out of A Workshop
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THE WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE Brenda Swenson www.SwensonArt.net Reprinted with permission |
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Workshops are an investment. Participants set aside time, money, work schedules and family duties to attend. New ideas and techniques are explored. Skills are honed, materials explored, friends are made, and creative energy fills the air. Workshops should be a wonderful and enriching experience for everyone who attends.
I’ve been teaching classes and workshops over 18 years, and I've learned a lot along the way. Let me share my thoughts and experience with you.
WORKSHOP SKILL LEVEL (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Be honest with yourself about your skill level. You’ll avoid disappointments. It’s not possible for a teacher to bridge a lack of skill and inexperience in the short time we have together. Skill will be achieved by the amount of time you spend outside the workshop sketching and painting.
TEACHER
I do my best to give everyone equal time. Don’t expect a teacher to be your private instructor in a workshop. Please don’t ask workshop participants to help you. They came to be immersed in the workshop experience, not to be a teacher. If you’re struggling speak to me privately.
SOCIALIZING
Workshops are a social event for many, but not for all. Be courteous and keep talking to a minimum as well as volume. You’ll have lots of opportunities to visit with each other before the workshop, at breaks, during lunch, after class, etc.
If you are very sensitive to noise or others talking, bring earphones to block out noise or listen to your music.
COME PREPARED AND READY TO LEARN
Arrive on time and be mentally prepared.
PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO AND AUDIO
All teachers have guidelines about photography in the classroom. Is it okay for you to photograph or video their demos? Photograph paintings that are for sale?
Respect their wishes.
In my workshops I allow students to photograph my demos, but NO video or audio is allowed in my workshops. I make my wishes known the first day of the workshop. It's an uncomfortable situation when I have to stop a demo to ask someone to stop taking a video. Respect your instructors wishes and expect them to respect yours.
TEACHER TIME
Morning:
Give the teacher time in the morning to prepare for the day. I come in early in to set up for the day. I'm often asked, “Can I have just a minute?” I'm happy to answer those questions during the day but the morning is devoted to preparing for the day. Please give me 20-30 minutes to set up and I will give you an entire day of undivided attention and instruction.
Lunch time:
I enjoy eating lunch and socializing with workshop participants. It's fun to learn about you, hear your stories, experience, thoughts – but lunch time isn't a good time to ask me to review your portfolios, sketchbooks or view paintings on your phone. It's time to eat and recharge.
In closing I’d like to say workshops should be a magical experience. Come prepared and with realistic expectations of me. I'll do my best to guide, encourage and instill my knowledge.
Happy Painting!
Brenda Swenson
I’ve been teaching classes and workshops over 18 years, and I've learned a lot along the way. Let me share my thoughts and experience with you.
WORKSHOP SKILL LEVEL (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Be honest with yourself about your skill level. You’ll avoid disappointments. It’s not possible for a teacher to bridge a lack of skill and inexperience in the short time we have together. Skill will be achieved by the amount of time you spend outside the workshop sketching and painting.
TEACHER
I do my best to give everyone equal time. Don’t expect a teacher to be your private instructor in a workshop. Please don’t ask workshop participants to help you. They came to be immersed in the workshop experience, not to be a teacher. If you’re struggling speak to me privately.
SOCIALIZING
Workshops are a social event for many, but not for all. Be courteous and keep talking to a minimum as well as volume. You’ll have lots of opportunities to visit with each other before the workshop, at breaks, during lunch, after class, etc.
If you are very sensitive to noise or others talking, bring earphones to block out noise or listen to your music.
COME PREPARED AND READY TO LEARN
Arrive on time and be mentally prepared.
- Turn off your cell phone in the classroom. If you must talk on the phone (as in a family emergency) take it outside. This includes lunch time.
- Set up your watercolor palette with paint before the workshop.
- Pre-cut your watercolor paper.
- Bring what you need - but not your entire studio.
PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO AND AUDIO
All teachers have guidelines about photography in the classroom. Is it okay for you to photograph or video their demos? Photograph paintings that are for sale?
Respect their wishes.
In my workshops I allow students to photograph my demos, but NO video or audio is allowed in my workshops. I make my wishes known the first day of the workshop. It's an uncomfortable situation when I have to stop a demo to ask someone to stop taking a video. Respect your instructors wishes and expect them to respect yours.
TEACHER TIME
Morning:
Give the teacher time in the morning to prepare for the day. I come in early in to set up for the day. I'm often asked, “Can I have just a minute?” I'm happy to answer those questions during the day but the morning is devoted to preparing for the day. Please give me 20-30 minutes to set up and I will give you an entire day of undivided attention and instruction.
Lunch time:
I enjoy eating lunch and socializing with workshop participants. It's fun to learn about you, hear your stories, experience, thoughts – but lunch time isn't a good time to ask me to review your portfolios, sketchbooks or view paintings on your phone. It's time to eat and recharge.
In closing I’d like to say workshops should be a magical experience. Come prepared and with realistic expectations of me. I'll do my best to guide, encourage and instill my knowledge.
Happy Painting!
Brenda Swenson