Our first season of online art classes

^{Above > Chris Hamilton, Reconstruction, Chris is from Wakefield, QC, Canada.
Header image > Jim Payette, On the Du Moine with Ronnie; Jim is also from Wakefield}

COVID-19 made us do something totally new; offering online painting and drawing classes. We were skeptical at the beginning, and after all, we were successful. There are millions of “how-to” painting classes on the net, so we had to offer something totally new, and we did with the goal to foster individuality. We are inviting you to see the works at https://www.walkthearts.com/virtual-art-classes/. The first thing you notice is the unicity of everyone. All pieces are personal, authenticity being the first criteria of art.

Rendering the Invisible Visible

We refrain from teaching painting techniques easily found on the Net. We prefer taking the necessary time (36 hours) to fully involve the participant in reflecting on her or his art — including all levels, all media. We know that it is through open, frank, and positive dialogue that we all progress. Everyone was ready to be asked and to share among their classmates. What was essential during our class was to be totally immersed in the arts.

I have heard and receiving comments such as “WOW, they are good! I am not good enough to take this class.” Simply not true. Many of them were at their very first painting course. Evolving in art is just a question of faith; only believe! Art is a matter of being aware, knowledgeable, and always in a positive way. We also know that bodily and sensory experience and knowledge scaffold creativity. Two of our classes involved a good meal — we (Walk the Arts) even wrote a recipe book on art and creativity. As a group, we discuss on various topics in art history, theory, and philosophy. Rest assured that having attended one of our online classes, you will be more confident in taming the landscape in your own way while on a plein-air painting workshop.

Understanding perspective … finally!”

As for our perspective drawing online class, you will find thousands of short video clips indeed. We have found a way to teach this “visual trick” in a unique easy manner. After nine classes and various exercises, all were able to master perspective drawing. The secret? To attend all of the nine classes and do homework. Yes! There is homework. Just imagine how easy it becomes to understand depth when getting ready to do your first plein-air painting.

To conclude. The pandemic will soon be over, and we have decided at Walk the Arts to pursue our online art classes. They will be, of course, modified according to the new reality of post-covid. While waiting to travel again, why not, this winter 2021, take one of our internet courses so you may fully get ready for one of our painting workshops in Italy, France, and Colombia.

by Yves M. Larocque (Ph.D.) | Dec 11, 2020 | Art workshops, Painting, Painting | plein air

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Who are we?

We all make art! It is part of culture. It is deeply rooted in human nature as a way of communicating with others. We all need to tell our stories because it is stories that link us all. We are all one, one creative mind! Though, all unique and equipped with unique ways of expressing ourselves. We live in constant search of that unique liberating voice. At Walk the Arts we aim to facilitate our art makers to explore new territories. Our painting classes and art history trips on three continents are meant to be rounded art experiences among small groups of like-minded adults. We offer an environment that fosters creativity. As we always say, art as religion is just a matter of faith. This blog is about living fully the experience of art, about finding our single artistic path, about the joy of art-making. We believe that making art accessible to all will lead to a betterment of our society.

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