For a long time now, I've been consciously aware that one obvious direction for my art skills to head in is teaching sketching workshops. It would provide added value when applying to join expeditions and I've heard various tales of artists winning gigs on cruise liners as resident artists, teaching the customers as they sail.
Problem being, the thought of running a workshop totally mortifies me! Public speaking is intimidating enough, but there's something about the vulnerability of teaching that really gets under my skin. Being put on the spot AND having to perform well enough to not completely embarrass yourself!? No thankyou. You can keep that.
At this years Armchair Adventure Festival, I tentatively stepped towards my fear. Figuring my anxiety is probably exacerbated by a lack of information, it likely doesn't help that I don't have the slightest clue how to go about teaching a workshop! I'm self taught and have barely attended any classes which leaves far too much room for my imagination to run wild and blow everything out of proportion. It would probably do me some good to at least attend some classes and dip my toes in TRYING to teach some friends.
Luckily RGS Fellow and friend Kirsten Carlson was also attending the festival and was there to ease me in. She shared her wisdom and kindly offered to run a workshop for my friends on the Saturday. All as part of the RGS hosted "Global BioARTblitz 2024". A week of celebrating nature through art, all to be uploaded to the citizen science app iNaturalist. It was interesting to see her bring mindfulness techniques into her teaching, getting people observing and FEELING with all of their senses before even engaging with sketching. Asking everyone at the table what their experiences were with sketching was a nifty trick as well, serving as a really useful ice breaker and convincing everyone that they're all in it together. We studied the leaves of a local English Oak and I really appreciated having her there to take the heat off me!
Come Sunday, Kirsten only had a day pass, so it was my turn to stick my neck out. My intentions were to try to replicate Kirsten's class as a "refresher" and practice what we'd learn. Easy, I thought. We can all work together and help each other remember what we'd been taught. Except that kind of backfired... The gang just "wanted to go for a walk and learn from me"!? Uhoh. The lack of structure sent me into a state of mild panic. We awkwardly spent quarter of an hour walking around the grounds of the country park as I desperately tried to explain how on earth I do what I do...
"How do you choose what you draw?"
desperately looks around at the groomed lawn of the park and uninspiring trees...
"Errr... good question! I have no idea! I just kinda do!
After what felt like an eternity of a cringey walk we settled for a patch of lawn with a small pagoda, oak tree and honestly, probably the blandest landscape we could have chosen! But I couldn't awkward walk any longer! I tried to demo as best I could, the various ways that I measure distances and shapes as I sketch. Explaining that it's not magic. It's actually a really calculated way of "seeing". I was concerned that I'd overwhelmed everybody with information because ultimately I think they just wanted to play with the big box of coloured pens I'd brought with me. But it seemed to go well and once they were left to their own devices, I saw some lovely artwork being created. I could finally relax a bit!
By the time we were finished, everyone had a smile on their face and rumour has it, they all had a great time. I'm not sure I necessarily did but my first ever attempt at a workshop was always going to be a bit bumpy. I've learnt a LOT both from Kirsten and my own creative ramblings and I haven't been completely put off the idea. So that's something I guess!?
Look how much variety there is!
Thanks for reading!
I'm also a Motion Graphic Designer and available for commissions
Or treat me to a digital coffee below...
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