Different approach to art class: focus on relaxing and stress-free creativity

Creativity for an art class

As the fall of 2017 is approaching, my new art class focus on stress-free environment and creative techniques. Students can learn, paint and relax letting all concerns and problems go. The key to creativity is being relaxed and not expecting miracles, but creating them: one small miracle at a time. I noticed that some students were taking art classes way too seriously, and being worried does not allow achieving great results.

Forget concerns and technical perfection

I want this to be a welcoming stress-free environment for creation so that purely technical goals become secondary. Traditional art instruction pays too much attention to the technical execution leaving the emotional and mental side neglected. That is why some artists go for big lengths: trace and copy photos, repaint everything which is in digitally adjusted photo. What about creativity? Going for photographic perfection frequently lacks the emotional aspect. I’d like to emphasize: the creative process is the most valuable part of the artistic journey.

Country barn, spring, art class subject

Don’t limit yourself

Perfection in art is not the best goal because it simply prevents from unfolding our creative potential and limits the range of tools and techniques we apply. I hear this quite frequently: I’m not touching this painting anymore because I do not want to damage it. Well, leaving work unfinished isn’t good either. Limitless creativity takes us much further. You will learn effortless and, thus, stress-free techniques to avoid leaving work unfinished in my art class.

Live versus online art class

I also wanted to make an art class which is impossible to replicate online. The content of this art class rests on the presence and the interaction between me, group and everybody as an individual. The live art class allows me seeing and noticing why something does not work and why students cannot achieve the result they are looking for.

Watercolor, abstract leaves, painted in art class

Artistic experience

I will gear everything towards a great, interesting, amazing and positive experience. That means learning about oneself and art, and learning to be creative without the annoying pressure which some teaching venues want to impose on somebody who is looking for a new skill and ability.

Watercolor reflection painting for art class

Painted images diary

We will use blocks of paper, so that at the end of this  positive painting session  everybody will have an image diary and will be able to continue adding creations. Inspiration and immersion in calm, creative environment is what one can find engaging in art.

Backyard watercolor painting, art class

Emotional satisfaction

I believe, this type of art class where experience and activity flow together creating emotional satisfaction, thus, being stress-free and providing with a new perspective on the bothersome issues in one’s life, will be appreciated. It’s interesting that I was away and did not do any advertising so far, but people were applying already, in fact, a lot of people. That included the new daytime watercolor painting class.

Wash paintings without drawing

I am adding as illustration brushstroke and wash only painting. We use only watercolor paint and water, and we watch what happens and how our thoughts and ideas look on paper. Watercolor paintings without drawing:  it is fun, relaxing brushing and interesting flow of pigment:

Stress-free painting - maple leaf sketch

Choose your own subject

Participants will have a lot of choice: they can draw, they can use pen or they can also do very abstract or semi-abstract art for their image diary. That’s why it’s called: stress relief with color and line. Art classes are for everybody because we will be using only our personal preferences with colors, subjects and the way they look.

Sign up here: Art classes

Find out more: Inese’s blog

16 Replies to “Different approach to art class: focus on relaxing and stress-free creativity”

    1. Thanks! Yes, I have, but I never got to prepare them. It’s a lot of work. Those would be just video plus print off materials, that type. However, I always advise everybody to just simply start painting. Regardless of knowledge or skill or whatever. Plus, there are lots of tips everywhere. I know I should do that, but I probably need to get decent light in my studio first. It is ok, but it’s not enough for making videos. It’s even too dark and too wrong to paint. That’s why I am painting only by daylight. I think any artificial light distorts and changes color.

    1. Well, some classes (like simply watercolor) at some point will be available for everybody, but this particular relaxation plus creation class becomes exciting exactly because of the settings.

    1. Thanks Jo-Anne! I am seeing these attempts to become perfect with everything as an obstacle because that becomes a real issue when somebody is just starting out and then there is obviously no perfection. You are 100% right: the imperfections and the personal preferences that go against the stream are the best things to employ.

    1. Thank you, Resa! It can be so that a person gets completely consumed by a dictate from who knows where. Like perfection which nobody can define because it will be always something different. We need to feel the freedom. Not only when we create, but also when we live our daily life.

    1. Thanks, Diane! Well, I just don’t seem to be getting closer to making enough instruction material for online classes. It is still the health which I am afraid even to think about at times. I don’t know how to make a doctor see what patient does. It is impossible to get them out of their conventional box. I am hitting like a wall.

    2. I hope so, too. It seems I might get another doctor soon. I just really would like that one to be more about the patient and less about the book.

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