'Art workshops and painting courses are great fun to attend, but it really helps to be well prepared, both physically and mentally, as the experience can often be quite intensive,' says Jackie Simmonds. 'A painting holiday over a period of a week to ten days is slightly different; there is often more time in which to relax.

'Below are some of my thoughts on making the most of a painting holiday or workshop, based not only on my experience as a tutor, but also as a participant.'

1. Think ahead

Think a little about what you would like to achieve during the workshop. It may be that you don't really mind, and are happy just to go along and accept whatever happens. But if you know you are 'stuck ', perhaps, in certain ways, you could use the workshop to help you shift a little.

2. Take examples of your work

Take your sketchbook with you. It's useful to show your instructor what you are capable of, and handy for making notes in the back.

Take one or two paintings you have done, if you have any, but don't be upset if the instructor does not have time to see them. For instance, on a one-day workshop, with lots of participants, it just may not be possible.

3. Be prepared for any weather

If it is an outdoor session, make sure you are well equipped for the outdoors and not just art materials.

Hopefully, a good instructor will give you a list of what to bring; if not, you could ask. But do think about the weather; it's your responsibility, not the instructor's.

If the weather is likely to be hot, take a hat, sun cream and insect repellent.

For cold weather, warm hat, warm boots with thick soles (cold creeps up your legs from thinly-soled boots or shoes) and, perhaps, fingerless gloves. A warm scarf is good, particularly if it is windy.

And always take a waterproof coat or jacket, no matter what season!

4. Protecting your work

Take a large plastic bag, the type you might be given by the dry cleaners is very useful, to cover up a painting and board, at the end of the day. It can also double-up as an apron, if you forget that!

5. Keeping clean

Take a pack or two of moist hand-wipes. An apron can also be useful.

6. Keeping hydrated

Take drinking water. There may not be a nearby cafe when you are struck with thirst.

7. How to carry your kit

If you think you may be working outside, and know you may need to sit to work, take a folding painting seat; it may not be possible for the instructor to provide one.

If you are not particularly strong then instead of carting a bag of kit around, a bag on wheels is very useful, too. I use one all the time, even if it does make me look like I am off to the supermarket. Might not be 'cool', but it is practical!

8. Familiarise yourself first

Try out any new equipment or art materials you have purchased beforehand, to familiarise yourself with it/them.

9. Leave your cares behind

If you have problems at home, try to leave them at home! I have heard students pour their hearts out to others about their horrible husband/rotten wife/financial difficulties/chronic illnesses - and although people might well be sympathetic, they actually need all their energies for the workshop, not for your issues!

1. Make notes

It's vital that you make notes! Ideally use the back of your sketchbook, so you will never lose them. You cannot possibly remember all you will hear from your instructor.

2. Listen carefully

If you work alongside other students in a room then as the instructor moves around the room, listen to what is being said to other students. It may well apply to your work too.

3. Keep a list

Make a list of things that occur to you as you work. Then, when the instructor comes to you, you can ask about those things.

4. Think of others

Be considerate. For instance, do not spray fixative in enclosed spaces, and try to contain your materials to your immediate vicinity rather than spread out too far, particularly in a crowded room.

5. Be punctual

Be on time. There’s nothing worse for the class than waiting around for someone who is late, or takes forever to pack up when it’s time to move to a new location. If you arrive late, and the class has started, you have no right to complain or demand a re-run, even if you feel you have paid the full fee and are therefore entitled! (I have seen this happen!)

6. Try not to worry

You may well feel nervous and apprehensive. Your fellow students are probably feeling the same way even if they don’t appear to be!

Even a more experienced painter may feel apprehensive at a workshop. It is useful to remember that at every level, artists have their own demons to contend with and are very rarely self-satisfied! So, never compare your work to your neighbour’s; after all they may have been painting far longer than you have. You should only ever compare your work to work you were doing, say, a year ago. That is the best reflection of your progress.

7. Keep expectations low

Reduce your expectations. The nerves, the unfamiliar surroundings, the problems of being away from the comforts of home, will all play a part. Your work may not be even as good as the work you do at home. Don’t worry about this. It is quite normal, and what you learn during a workshop will often show in your work at a later date. It’s frustrating, I know, but this is often the way it is, even for more experienced painters.

8. Be prepared to try anything!

Be open-minded and ready to try something new. You are there to learn so take a leap of faith and try whatever is suggested, even if it doesn’t appeal to you. If it doesn’t work for you, so be it. It’s just as useful to find out what doesn’t work for you, as what does.

9. Constructive criticism

Accept criticism of your work with good grace; any criticism you receive will be constructive hopefully and will help you grow as an artist. Have a good think about what the instructor has said if it seemed adverse to you. Try to examine your work again calmly, and see it through new eyes.

10. Concentrate

Concentrate quietly on your work, rather than chat away constantly to your neighbor. They may be too polite to ask you to stop talking, but they may actually want to concentrate without any such distractions. Chattering in a class can be quite disturbing for everyone, actually. Save it for the breaks!

A workshop session can be really rewarding, challenging, enlightening and action-packed! But it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, frustrating, and sometimes even downright upsetting. So you need to be prepared mentally for anything.

You may go home filled with new ideas and renewed vigour and enthusiasm, or there is a small chance you may go home feeling rather shattered and despondent. But it’s a risk worth taking. The chances are really good that you will have had the most marvelous, eye-opening experience, and suddenly new doors may have opened for you. Your notes will prove useful in the days and years to come, and the experience will certainly have enriched your life.

Jackie Simmonds is an award-winning artist, author and tutor.

READ MORE PRACTICAL PAINTING ADVICE AND DEMOS BY JACKIE HERE

Find out more by visiting her website at www.jackiesimmonds.co.uk