Many issues ago, I wrote about the various avenues available to study art these days in an article called “Art School Today.” One of the great ways listed there was attending workshops, and today I would like to explore a bit more on this exciting subject. The value of these various artist-lead workshops, either through their own studio or co-hosted by an outside company, are invaluable and provide numerous positive outcomes beyond just improving and elevating your artwork, such as group camaraderie and important networking opportunities to advance your career.
Students painting a challenging multi-figure composition during a plein air workshop.
All ages are welcome in workshops, and there is no need to apply for them as they are typically open to the public. This makes for an easily accessible art class. There is a full gamut of classes from crafty workshops with color just for fun, to full classical art training in realism; and each has so many benefits, providing a new environment where students can broaden their horizons.
First, they enable you to study directly with a professional fine artist working in the field. You will have the unique opportunity to learn specific techniques as well as how those artists solve common problems. You will learn their personal methods, and importantly, their step-by-step process to create a work of art. Often, a workshop can also help reinforce core fundamentals and remind you of some of the key principles of art.
Professional artists and students at the Americans in Paris art retreat in Paris, France.
Working together with others can help you get inspired, learn new ideas and gain valuable feedback on your work. Not only can the main artist teacher give you important feedback and tips on how to improve, but your peers can also chime in to offer much needed praise and assistance. They may have shortcuts or drawing tips to give you as well. It’s so rewarding to be around other creatives exchanging ideas, and it can give you energy and excitement that inspire new works.
Attending a workshop can also help you break out of a rut or find inspiration in new subjects. As artists we often work alone, and the value of being around others, working in similar mediums with similar daily routines and challenges is amazing to be around! So, if you are stuck in the studio and need inspiration, or you just need to break out of doing the same things every day, I suggest a workshop.
You can also glean rare information on the art business. You can learn the instructor’s daily routine, how they organize their time, how they operate their studio, where they find inspiration and more about how they run their art business. If the workshops are run by a company, oftentimes they can give you tips on this as well. You can also learn how to teach a workshop yourself by taking notes and seeing how others have done it before you.
Group dinner at an art retreat in France.
So how do you find them? Luckily right in this issue, there is a list of many great workshops and artists who teach them in our Art Schools & Workshops Guide. Otherwise you can search for your favorite artist to see if they offer workshops, search for workshops in your specific area, or an area you would like to visit. One of the most exciting things about art workshops and retreats is that many of them happen overseas and give you an additional layer of traveling while you learn. What could be better? Julie Snyder from Workshops in France explains some of the key benefits in her own words:
“Workshops can improve your skills, but nothing quite compares to a destination art retreat or painting workshop. Where else can you share immersive experiences with fellow artists while you learn about painting? A beautifully orchestrated workshop or art retreat is a full-blown adventure for artists. It’s the camaraderie that comes from working in small enrichment groups that makes them unforgettable, all while being surrounded by inspiration, culture and the artistic settings.”—
About Vanessa Rothe
In addition to her curatorial, editorial and lecturing, Vanessa Rothe is a fine artist exhibiting the last 20 years alongside the nation’s top artists in galleries, art clubs, as well as museums. After majoring in business at USD and French literature at UCI, Rothe received classical fine art training at Laguna College of Art + Design and received honors throughout. Rothe has been working as an editor, graphic designer and artist in the publishing industry for 35 years.
Contact at
vanessarothefineart.com