More choices than ever before with Open Studio and Creative Corner!

This past weekend Johnny and I were sitting in our living room working from home on projects for ArtsyU when I was inspired on what to write for today’s blog plot. Johnny was updating the calendar, while I was writing up a couple step by step instructions (SBSI's) for our manual that we use during Open Studio and Creative Corner. I was skimming over the documents and was struck by a wondering thought, "Just how many of our paintings have instructions that accompany them?" "How many choices do people actually have when they are painting in Open Studio and Creative Corner?" An even more thought provoking, "I wonder if our painters know they have the resource of picture and text instructions available to them before signing up for these classes?" Well, my curiosity obviously wouldn't rest and I quickly began counting. "One hundred and thirteen!" I yelled across the living room at Johnny, moments after I had tallied up the final number. Johnny looked a little surprised, partly because I'd just yelled at him all of a sudden and partly because he was as equally contemplative of my realizations. "That would be an informative blog post," he had noted. So here we are to explore exactly those questions and to enlighten our painting audience about our SBSI's and the Open Studio and Creative Corner classes, specifically how they are different from a regular class.

If you've attended a regular class you may already be familiar with the setup of these classes and how they are taught. The majority of the classes on our calendar are regular evening classes. During a regular class everyone paints the same painting and are instructor paced throughout the night over a 2-3 hour period. These classes offer a "follow the leader" type of teaching, meaning as the instructor paints something on a canvas of their own, the class follows along, step by step until the end. This teaching approach appeals to a lot of visual learners who learn best by being shown a technique first, before attempting to do it on their own. If you like to watch how to videos and YouTube demonstrations then a regular class might be the most suitable class for you.



The three volumes of the Master Book of Paintings, which collectively
house over 100 Step by Step Instructions (SBSI's).

The teaching model of the Open Studio and Creative Corner are a bit different. Instead of everyone painting the same thing, each person gets to pick their own painting from our step by step book or choose a painting they liked from the calendar. Picking something can be difficult, since there are over 100 different paintings to choose from (with more being added weekly). Originally, the SBSI were developed for our instructors as a reference to show them how a painting was systematically layered and painted by the original artist. Since there are multiple artists at ArtsyU contributing to our overall painting selection, it is not uncommon for an instructor other than the original artist to teach it to a class. When we first started teaching Open Studio classes, we made these instructions available to our painters.  We believe our painters have found them to be rather helpful resources and that they greatly impacted their enjoyment and experience. So we have continued the process ever since and are thrilled to be able to offer more choices than ever before! A variety of art genres are represented in our SBSI book, from the abstract to the realistic. Because there are multiple paintings being taught during an open studio, these classes do not have an instructor up front demonstrating how to paint them step by step. Instead, painters are given a SBSI that has a set of sequential pictures and accompanying texts explaining how that painting is painted from start to finish. Instructors and assistants help the painters upon arrival in finding the correct paints and brushes and circulate the room throughout the night to offer expertise in painting techniques and tips. Instead of being instructor paced, these sessions proceed at the pace of the painter, so they can go as fast or as slow as they prefer.


An example of two different sets of SBSI's.

A Creative Corner is similar to an Open Studio, with the key differences being the size and start time. The Creative Corner begins an hour earlier than the regularly scheduled class on Friday evenings and occurs simultaneously while the regular class is being taught. The size of the Creative Corner is usually limited to 4 individuals and occurs out on the high top tables in the corner of the room (hence the name.) Each painter still picks their own painting from the step by step book and uses the pictures and text for the majority of their instructions. The only exception is that painters can't paint the painting being taught in the regular Friday night class. The instructor and assistants get the painters in the Creative Corner well under way in the painting process before the other class begins and throughout the night they are available to offer help and assistance when they are not providing instruction to the regular class. This painting model is perfect for smaller groups who like a more intimate setting, who prefer to be self-paced, or for smaller groups who can't decide on the same painting to paint. It also allows the painters in the Creative Corner to view the process of a regular class and how the two differ in their delivery of instruction and pace.

Painters in our Open Studio and Creative Corner classes are not limited strictly to the SBSI book either. Many of our older works do not have these instructions, but if their composition is simple enough they can be verbally explained or painters can be provided verbal instruction on how the painting is painted. Another choice for painters during these classes is to treat them like a freestyle session, where the painter paints an idea of their own creation during their studio time. Personal expression is always encouraged and inspiring to see!

So if you have been considering an Open Studio or Creative Corner class on the calendar and just weren't too sure about it, I hope the information in this post has helped you reach a decision. Of course, the best way of knowing, is to join us for a class and find out for yourself. With more customizable options and painting choices than ever before, there is certainly no time like the present! If you have questions about the Open Studio or Creative Corner or have a particular question about a SBSI feel free to drop me a comment below! 

How to prepare for your ArtsyU Paint Party!

One of the worst anxieties is feeling unprepared! If you've never attended a paint party at ArtsyU before, you might not know exactly what to expect or how to prepare for it. So we've created this post and noted a few practical tips that should be helpful in setting your mind at ease and making your painting session more organized and enjoyable!

Our most important tip is to arrive early! At ArtsyU, you have the advantage of arriving up to 30 minutes before the class actually starts. This is especially important if you haven't registered for the class ahead of time and will need to register or pay once you arrive. The teacher will check you off the roster and collect any vouchers, Groupons, or check your license if you are attending with a special birthday code at that time.



Roll around carts set up with food

Seating preferences, such as sitting up front or at the end of the table tend to be highly sought out positions and are available on a first come first serve basis. We recommend you take advantage of arriving early to ensure these seating preferences. Also, if you are part of a group of four or more people, it's important you arrive early to ensure your group can all be seated together. Unfortunately, we aren't able to determine a group's size from the roster alone or if you are meeting others who have signed up individually. If someone from your group arrives early, one of the teachers can give that person some aprons to place over and reserve the stools for their friends until they arrive. We want to stress the importance of arriving early for those attending in groups. We would never want you to be unhappy because your group is split, but we also don't want to play musical chairs in the studio at the last minute and/or make another painter unhappy by asking them to move.

You are welcome to bring your choice of snacks and beverages to your painting session. If you are bringing lots of food or beverages for yourself or your group, you can ask for a roll around cart to set your food up on. (There are only two carts available, so make sure you arrive early to claim one if it's needed.) We allow "Brown Bagging" of wine in all of our classes with the exception of Monday Family Nights. These classes are more family oriented and nonalcoholic, please keep this in mind when signing up on Mondays!



An artist updo with paintbrushes

Another equally important tip is to dress appropriately for your paint party! Acrylic paint is used at ArtsyU to recreate the paintings. This paint medium is non-toxic and water based, but we still encourage everyone to wear an apron to protect their clothes from any mishaps. Although the apron will protect you from the majority of painting spills, it is still possible to get paint on your clothes. Keep this in mind when dressing for the occasion and wear clothes you'll be comfortable in for a couple of hours. Roll your sleeves up before you start painting and pull your hair back if it's in your way. Dressing in layers can also be helpful. Remove any dangling bracelets or fine jewelry. If we use sponges to recreate a painting, it's possible to get paint on jewelry that is on the fingers or hands when ringing them out in water. In the event that paint does get on your clothes, go to the bathroom or washroom and wash it out immediately. If the paint dries before you get home it will probably be permanent! Also be warily of your neighbors painting beside you. You never know how enthusiastic they might become and their paint and brush may stray into your creative bubble... :)

 

An artist manicure

Some other tips and activities that can be done before class starts might be to: personally meet your teacher for the evening, locate the restroom, purchase a water, soda, or bag of chips from the honor bar, mingle with your friends, check in on Facebook, or post pictures of yourself/ group to our Facebook page or Instagram account at #Artsyu! (We love it when you share your experiences with us!)

Our last and most important tip is to come and have fun! Leave the work world behind and have yourself a stress free and relaxing time, whether that means it's some much needed alone time to unwind or a night out socializing and reenergizing yourself with friends! Now that you've read over a few of our tips, you'll also be informed on how to better prepare and can leave that worry at home too!