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!
