To have walked out of art class?

[WizzardPjs]

Started an art class a few months ago. I loved it and used to look forward to it every week. Now another tutor has taken over and she frustrates me so much.

The first tutor was very much “let’s start, paint along with me” and would crack on straight away.
New tutor likes to talk. She stands there rabbiting on for ages until my mind starts wandering … then eventually she’ll squeeze out a bit of paint which we all do … then she’ll start rabbiting on about that specific colour for ages … meanwhile it’s drying up (acrylic) and I’m getting tense and anxious about the paint drying. Then eventually she’ll squeeze the next paint colour out and do the same thing. Stand talking about it. By the time all the colours are out she’ll say “ok, so the first colour is starting to dry out so if we just add a bit more … “ talk talk talk!! Just get on with it for fucks sake.
Last week she’d stood talking for so long that by time the actual painting started all the colours needed pouring out again. What a waste! Then she eventually got to where she was starting the painting and left her brush hovering around the canvas whilst she talked about it. I impulsively splattered paint all over my canvas and made a right mess (the art class is meant to helping with my ADHD). She asked why I’d done that so I told her I had adhd and can be really impulsive if I don’t keep active. She apologised and said “but theory is important”.

Anyway part of my adhd includes impulsively shouting out. Obviously not as bad as I was a kid but situations where I’m left anticipating and getting frustrated make it more likely.

This week I had to walk out quickly before this happened.

Later I emailed her saying I’m not sure if the class is for me as there is too much talking and not enough doing. She then posted a poll on the Facebook group asking if people thought she talked too much and everyone said no and that they liked her informative lessons and that she takes the time to explain stuff. So is it me being unreasonable??!

I meant art classes wouldn’t suit me! But yes I’ve done writing groups and always prefer the prompt to be explained etc beforehand rather than just jumping in. So it’s just what suits different people really.

Find another class. Perhaps one where you can do your own pictures without having to wait for instructions.

My daughter has ADHD. She wouldn't be able to wait if someone was talking too much. She'd also prefer being able to use her own creativity. Following instructions isn't her thing.

The class needs to be fun for you. I think perhaps this teacher is too formal and keen on theory for it to suit your needs.

And doing a poll? That's a pretty crappy, PA response to honest feedback.
She sounds awful. Contact first teacher ask if they do other classes or if they are teaching next block.

What happened to the first teacher? I think I'd have asked her to move the fuck on with the lesson as well. I've walked out of classes before now. One during lockdown, first 30 mins of a 4 hour course on what a pencil was, what A4 paper was, what a set square was; on a garden design course. Did my fucking head in.

Oh I would so be walking out of that.
I have ADHD. Just the image of it is making me tense and gathering my stuff together.

No I'd hate it. Hope you get a refund.

I am NT and that would drive me crazy....like those videos on youtube that are supposed to show you how to do something and they spend half the time talking and waving their hands around.

It's clear that this class doesn't suit you, @WizzardPjs, and it wasn't what you were expecting. However, I'm an artist myself and I'd love to find this sort of class as I've done plenty of 'just getting on with it' painting and would be keen to learn from more experienced artists about colour theory, composition and layering.

However, acrylic paint shouldn't dry out in under 2 hours, at least not to the extent that it becomes unusable. Try lining your palette with baking parchment soaked in water and cover it with cling film.

Is it a class specifically for people with adhd? If so, yanbu. However if it's for everyone then you are still nbu to access it in whatever way you need but it is still rude to walk out.

@LittleBitHeiressLittleBitIris

Is it a class specifically for people with adhd? If so, yanbu. However if it's for everyone then you are still nbu to access it in whatever way you need but it is still rude to walk out.

Ruder to walk out than to shout out? The OP is asked out because of her neurodivergence. It would be wonderful to be able to control impulsivity but then that wouldn't be ADHD would it

Lots of people walking out of classes they'd signed up for because the teacher was taking too long teaching them... perhaps they should have been teaching instead?!!

Humility goes a long way, if you have paid someone to teach you something, you owe them the respect of being willing to learn. If you sit through their entire session and then have an issue, ask for a refund.

Yes maybe ruder to walk out than shout out, nothing can be changed without feedback 🤷‍♀️

I'm autistic, have combined type ADHD, am an artist, and I wouldn't describe what she's doing as paint along...

And it's one thing if you're not the right fit, but it's a whole other thing for her to start that Facebook poll - how rude and othering of her. She knew what she was doing there.

@stepawayfromtheminstrels

And doing a poll? That's a pretty crappy, PA response to honest feedback. She sounds awful. Contact first teacher ask if they do other classes or if they are teaching next block.

How on earth is that PA? It would be a great idea to find out if the class feels the same way as OP and then adjust for it. Neither of them is BU, they just have different styles.

I’ve done a lot of art classes and that sounds painfully slow! If the paint has dried by the time you get round to painting then she is chatting far too much! I probably would have shouted out “get on with it” and I don’t have ADHD! Don’t be put off, find a different class.

I have ADHD and that would drive me mental. It's annoying me just reading your post! Just bloody get on with it woman!!!!

@FlowerArranger

It's clear that this class doesn't suit you, *@WizzardPjs*, and it wasn't what you were expecting. However, I'm an artist myself and I'd love to find this sort of class as I've done plenty of 'just getting on with it' painting and would be keen to learn from more experienced artists about colour theory, composition and layering.

However, acrylic paint shouldn't dry out in under 2 hours, at least not to the extent that it becomes unusable. Try lining your palette with baking parchment soaked in water and cover it with cling film.

I use acrylic and it can dry out especially in a warm room.

Another tip is putting a thin damp sponge cloth under the greaseproof paper. Then put paints on the paper.

I'm NT and that would drive me bonkers. I'd probably become disruptive (trying to chat or have a giggle), or start painting or doodling anyways , plus bounce my leg,turn around etc. It fucking excruciating to sit there listening to someone drone on and on and on ,especially when you know time is being wasted,there is something coming ,that you'll need to do something etc.

You weren't rude to walk out, especially when you knew staying would mean a worse reaction. I'd email the organisers and explain how the teacher's style clashes with your needs. Enquire about the old teacher or another lesson with a similar one. If nothing available, ask for a refund and try to find a new class that is more suitable to your needs.

@WizzardPjs

Started an art class a few months ago. I loved it and used to look forward to it every week. Now another tutor has taken over and she frustrates me so much.

The first tutor was very much “let’s start, paint along with me” and would crack on straight away.
New tutor likes to talk. She stands there rabbiting on for ages until my mind starts wandering … then eventually she’ll squeeze out a bit of paint which we all do … then she’ll start rabbiting on about that specific colour for ages … meanwhile it’s drying up (acrylic) and I’m getting tense and anxious about the paint drying. Then eventually she’ll squeeze the next paint colour out and do the same thing. Stand talking about it. By the time all the colours are out she’ll say “ok, so the first colour is starting to dry out so if we just add a bit more … “ talk talk talk!! Just get on with it for fucks sake.
Last week she’d stood talking for so long that by time the actual painting started all the colours needed pouring out again. What a waste! Then she eventually got to where she was starting the painting and left her brush hovering around the canvas whilst she talked about it. I impulsively splattered paint all over my canvas and made a right mess (the art class is meant to helping with my ADHD). She asked why I’d done that so I told her I had adhd and can be really impulsive if I don’t keep active. She apologised and said “but theory is important”.

Anyway part of my adhd includes impulsively shouting out. Obviously not as bad as I was a kid but situations where I’m left anticipating and getting frustrated make it more likely.

This week I had to walk out quickly before this happened.

Later I emailed her saying I’m not sure if the class is for me as there is too much talking and not enough doing. She then posted a poll on the Facebook group asking if people thought she talked too much and everyone said no and that they liked her informative lessons and that she takes the time to explain stuff. So is it me being unreasonable??!

Some people have different perspectives and learning styles, I can understand your perspectives and frustrations, but the thing is sometimes some people.prefer more instructions rather than just doing etc

I also think many (NT?) people are far too polite. As PPs have said in here they behaviour would annoy many NTs too, not just people with ADHD but on receiving the poll would have not wanted to offend. Social skills I'm told they are called 😬 I'd have taken the opportunity to tell her it was annoying me also, but I think many people seem to prefer to put their own frustrations aside to "fit in" and not offend (from observing others). Not skills I seem to possess. TBH I'd have probably walked out with you before I'd had the opportunity to respond to the poll!

This sounds nightmarish. Run!

(Genuinely, from someone with a historic ADHD diagnosis)

This would drive me mad too. The same reason I can’t watch the Yoga with Adrienne videos, even though loads of people love her. Please, spare the chat and GET ON WITH IT!

Hmmm sounds like you're simply not suited to it. So find a different art class?

@ChaToilLeam

This would drive me mad too. The same reason I can’t watch the Yoga with Adrienne videos, even though loads of people love her. Please, spare the chat and GET ON WITH IT!

this....and its not just yoga!

I’d look for another class. It sounds boring. Also, was the Facebook poll anonymous?

I have been doing a language class for a few years and love it. I decided to join another class for my other foreign language. But the teacher/class was so dull compared to the other one. I hated it and dropped out after three lessons, despite having paid for the term. Yet other people loved that class. You’ve got to find what works for you