Award-winning artist and tutor, Jackie Simmonds shares her top tips and advice for attending workshops and painting holidays.

Preparing for your workshop or holiday

Painting workshops are a lot of fun, however, it helps to be well prepared. You should be ready both physically and mentally, as the experience can be quite intense. An art holiday over a period of a week to ten days is slightly different; there is often more time in which to relax. In this article, Jackie share's her best tips for enjoying a painting holiday or workshop. These tips come from her experience as both a teacher and a participant.

Top 8 things to consider before your art workshop or holiday

1. Think ahead

Think a little about what you would like to achieve during the workshop. It may be that you don't truly mind, and are happy just to go along and accept whatever happens. If you know you need help in certain areas, you can use the workshop to focus on them.

2. Take examples of your work

Take your sketchbook with you. Showing your instructor what you are capable of is useful, and making notes in the back is handy.

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 may not be possible.

• Include examples that demonstrate different skills, materials, and/or approaches. 

• Bring sketchbook pages that reveal your creative process, with quick sketches, notes, experiments, and studies. 

• Keep it clean, organised, and easy to view, but don’t over-edit or make it look too ‘perfect’, tutors appreciate authenticity and progression. 

• Be prepared to discuss why you made certain choices, for example, what inspired the piece, what techniques you explored, and what you’d like to improve. 

3. Be prepared for any weather

If it's an outdoor session, make sure you're 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, take a 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's windy.

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

4. Protecting your work

Use a large plastic bag, like the ones from dry cleaners. It's great for covering 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 as there might not be facilities to get drinks whilst you're out painting.

7. How to carry your kit

Consider taking a bag on wheels to transport your painting kit. If you know you may need to sit to work, take a folding painting seat.

8. Familiarise yourself first

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

Top tips for making the most of your art workshop or holiday

1. Make notes

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

2. Listen carefully

Listen to what the instructor says to other students, as it may well apply to your work too.

3. Keep a list

Make a list of questions to ask when the instructor comes to you.

4. Think of others

Be considerate of your fellow students and contain your materials to your immediate work area.

5. Be punctual

Ensure you arrive on time and be ready to move onto your next location to avoid delaying the rest of the class.

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.

Artists at every level have their own demons to contend with and are 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.

Looking for more painting workshops and holiday advice? Check out our collection of handy guides with top tips from artist tutors.

7. Keep expectations low

Reduce your expectations. Nerves, unfamiliar surroundings and 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, but don’t worry about this. This is quite normal, and what you learn during a workshop will often show in your work at a later date.

8. Be prepared to try anything!

Be open-minded and ready to try something new. Try whatever is suggested, even if it isn't something that usually appeals to you. It’s just as useful to learn what doesn’t work for you.

• Unlock hidden talents – Experimenting with new materials or methods can reveal unexpected strengths and passions 
• Refresh your creative vision – New environments and experiences can shake off creative blocks and inspire fresh perspectives 
• Boost confidence – Facing the unknown and succeeding (or even just trying) builds artistic courage and resilience 
• Connect with others – Openness fosters collaboration and meaningful exchanges with fellow artists 
• Rediscover joy – Letting go of expectations allows creativity to feel playful and liberating again 

9. Constructive criticism

Accept criticism of your work with good grace. Any criticism you receive will be constructive and help you to 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.

• Learning to accept feedback gracefully can transform not only your artwork but also your confidence
• Shifting your mindset from 'defending' your art to 'learning' from others can make the experience much more rewarding
• When someone offers feedback, resist the urge to explain or justify your decisions right away. Instead, take a moment to truly listen.
• On an art holiday, tutors are there to support your learning; they appreciate when students engage actively with the feedback process.
• Remember that often the most accomplished artists are often those who remain open to learning and refining their craft.
• Offer constructive feedback to your peers with the same kindness and respect you’d like to receive.

10. Concentrate

Concentrate quietly on your work, as your neighbour mat want to concentrate without any distractions. Chattering in a class can be quite disturbing for everyone. Save it for the breaks!

What you will take away from your painting workshop

Attending an art workshop can be rewarding, challenging, enlightening and action-packed! But it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, frustrating, and sometimes even downright upsetting. So, be prepared for anything!

You may go home filled with new ideas and renewed enthusiasm, or tired and despondent, but it’s a risk worth taking.

The chances are that you will have had the most marvellous, 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.

Enjoyed these tips? Don’t miss the full picture - our Ultimate Guide to Painting Holidays brings all the advice together in one place. 

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Jackie Simmonds is an award-winning artist, author and tutor. Read more practical painting advice by Jackie.