Things I've Learned About Travel Workshops
Before teaching a workshop, I never really know what kind of group to expect. Right at the beginning, we’re all strangers to each other with a common purpose: draw, have fun, and learn a lot.
And then before the end of day one, we all feel like a family already.
Friends for life are made, and since it’s all sketchers in the group, memories are recorded in our sketchbooks.
Things I've learned about travel workshops
Teaching a workshop might seem like an effortless task at first glance. It's just doing a bunch of drawing demonstration for a group of fun people who are eager to learn and to draw, right?
Well... there's weeks (and often even months) of preparation.
A lot of time and effort goes into creating custom programs, and what about marketing: how to find the right people and sell all tickets? What about answering questions through email and a variety of social media platforms after announcing workshops?
Once a workshop is underway, there's still plenty of tweaking required. The program I'll have prepared, will need to be adjusted according to the weather, the variety of skill levels in the group, the needs of individuals.
And let's not forget that, while everyone is having fun, after class I need to tend to other ongoing work behind-the-scenes. Answering emails, making sure my bills are paid and my taxes are taken care of. Well, you get the idea.
I am not complaining! I LOVE doing in-person workshops - that's why I have planned a whole bunch again throughout 2024.
Thanks to teaching in-person workshops the past 2.5 years, I now have learned to set parameters to keep teaching fun and my life balanced.
I prefer to teach in Europe, since that's where I live, and the adjusting is minimal. Hardly any jet lag, not too much of cultural differences, travel time is limited. It feels like home base.
This year, I will be teaching one more class in the U.S., but it's the last one for a while.
So if you're in the U.S., and traveling to Europe to take a workshop is not an option for you, then you might want to grab your chance to join my workshop "The Lively Sketchbook".
I taught this class about drawing people (and much more!) on Madeline Island last summer. I am excited to teach it this year May 6-10 in colorful Santa Fe!
There are only a few spaces available. You can sign up here.
