Would you go back to this class?

[Onanotherdiet38]

I do art and drawing for fun, I know I'm no expert but I enjoy it. Anyway I found a weekly club and thought I'd give it a go as I had recently lacked motivation to do a lot of new stuff.

I enjoyed it, however it was quite apparent that my work was the lowest standard by a long shot.
I don't know the backgrounds of the others, they were maybe professionals, art students etc. Who knows.

It shouldn't matter, but a couple of the other class members were walking around the room looking at all our art and commenting on it/asking questions which they are allowed to do but I found it a little annoying.

The teacher (even though it wasn't a lesson exactly) also walked round. My work was referred to as 'cute' whereas everyone else's was 'really good, amazing, wow, stunning' whatever you want to call it.

I didn't really want to explain to the class members i didn't know why I was doing x and why i had chosen that colour, I just wanted to get on with it, but I don't want to be rude so just replied politely.

Not sure if I want to go back. It shouldn't really matter that I'm the worst by far but I felt embarrassed that everyone else was complimented except me.

A 3 year old can produce a 'cute' drawing.

The people weren't rude or anything but just felt very out of my depth, though I know I can try and improve.
Would you keep going ?

I suppose the question is do you feel comfortable at such a place knowing you're most definitely the worst, for example if you were at a running club and everyone else overtook you by miles. Would it motivate you to keep going?

If you don’t like being there don’t keep going because you feel you “should” go.

But it might be worth persevering a bit longer to see if you start enjoying it more. Everyone has to start somewhere.

look around for another class that operates differently/is at a different level of experience?

I was enjoying it but being the only one not complimented did put me off. I suppose I should look for a beginner's art class where constructive criticism is given and encouragement.

Is it just you thinking you’re not as ‘good’ as everyone else though? And maybe your styling was ‘cute’?

Would you feel better if you mentioned being less experienced to the rest of the class? Just casually. I would, but that might be just me!

Many years ago, I did a course called "Drawing and Painting for Complete Beginners". I was told I was "Too much of a Complete Beginner" and the teacher went on to say it wasn't really aimed at beginners. It really annoyed me.

I think it was just obvious to everybody rather than just me thinking it.
I told her that I just did art at home for fun sometimes but maybe I should be more explicit.

I think I'll give it another go and try to not feel too embarrassed!

Wow that's silly to name it something like that then tell you it's not suitable

I did an art class once but didn't find it inspiring, and lots of people were doing much better work than I was.
I switched to online classes and joined Anna Mason, she's brilliant if you like watercolours. There are step by step videos and then you can of course try out your own subjects following the same techniques.

It can be difficult to find something at exactly the right level. A beginners group might not teach you anything you don’t already know, or be full of people who just come for the social side rather than to learn. I’d give it a couple more goes, I think.

I was definitely the ‘worst’ at one group when I started, but I improved and new people joined after me, so I feel comfortable now.

I would go back and give it another go, but if after several weeks I didn't feel happier I would look for something else. I used to go to a military style exercise class that I absolutely loved, but I was the slowest runner by a country mile. To the extent that I sometimes had instructors running backwards beside me because that was the only way they could run slowly enough not to leave me alone in the dark bits, and a group of (very sweet) teenage boys on bikes offered me a backup to catch up with the rest. I used to feel really guilty about being so much worse than the rest until I heard them all cheering me in after one of our times runs when I got a personal best. I think the rest of the group were even more pleased about my improvement than their own .

Backie, not backup

Well you can definitely improve. I used to feel like that, and I really thought I was rubbish but now I even quite like my work and I got a painting into the next Grayson Perry exhibition! So if I can, you can OP.

And there are lots of good art tutorials and classes online so you can progress at your own pace without feeling like you're under other people's scrutiny. I do a mix of online stuff and in-person classes now and I feel pretty much as good as most other people, or certainly able to hold my own.

I’d give it a few more goes. You won’t get better if you don’t keep trying.

I would keep going. You're there to enjoy yourself and improve your skills. If you stopped going then you won't get the chance ce to do either.

I went to a running club, a specific group training for a specific distance, and I ws the slowest there. The run leader was dismissive and disparaging and if I hadn't paid up front, I wouldn't have gone back. She made me feel like a hindrance.

I'm currently going to a dancing class. I cannot dance. I have no natural rhythm. But I love it. The class teacher is supportive and makes it fun for all of us and hasn't embarrassed anyone. I will keep going back!

the royal academy did some art classes in lockdown that I think they said were available on you tube

I did one - it was great; there was a live model, but it was super easy to take a screenshot and draw gridlines on him

Art is subjective. Their opinions are just their opinions, it doesn't mean their paintings are better or worse than yours. They may look more "realitic" for example or a more practised technique but may have little meaning or feeling to them. LS Lowry for example was derided by critics initially as saying his matchstick men were childish and naive, but he certainly had the last laugh! Keep going, learn techniques but develop your own style and have fun creating unique art

If it's not a lesson and you don't want to talk about the art then I'm not sure it's the club for you? Unless it gives you access to materials you can't get at home. Think of the reasons you want to do the activity in a group rather than alone, then find a group that provides that.

If you are enjoying it, crack on, don’t let anyone else’s opinions or comments affect you.

These classes are notorious for being a bit cliquey, I went to a few different ones and I received comments of ‘that’s unusual’ was told I had an ‘interesting’ use of colour and the teacher eventually said that I could ‘probably’ get an A Level in Art with a bit more practice.

I found it all hilarious as I have a Fine Art degree and althoughI never used it, I still loved drawing and painting and these classes gave me the space to be creative.

I’ve done all sorts over the years, although I have to say screen-printing was brilliant and fun!

Don’t give up, just keep on doing your own thing and don’t let a few pompous comments make you second guess yourself.

What are you hoping to get out of a class? To learn something or just be sociable while doing your art? It doesn't sound like you are getting what you want from this group. Maybe go back but start looking for another group. Are there any other groups locally you could try? Even generic craft ones? Often they are more about just having a go. If you enjoy painting you don't have to be an expert to go to a class. Could you have a chat to the group leader along the lines of what you have said here?

I started painting watercolours at the start of lockdown by watching YouTube videos.
Have a look at some and practice at home if you want to improve then you will enjoy your classes more. For me it’s not just a once a week thing. I try to paint every other day at least and when I’m not painting I’m learning and looking at art I enjoy. It’s actually an obsession now ;) but I really love it and the peace it gives me.
Keep at it op and hope you enjoy it.

Art is type of thing you have to want to do for yourself not for the approval of others. You can learn from criticism but at the same time other people’s opinions on your art are all equal and to an extent meaningless as long as what you are doing has meaning for you.

Van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime. It’s a cliche but it’s true.

The only thing you need to take into consideration is if the course if offering the skills you want to learn and challenging you.

I'm always the absolute worst at any sport I do and it does put me off if I'm honest. Ideally I go for non team non competitive sports and then just have fun (aqua aerobics, buggy fit etc).
In your position I'd give it a couple more lessons and if you still don't like it look around for another class

Go! The only way you’ll get better is with practice. I’d much rather be the worst in the class, knowing there’s lots for me to learn; than best and coasting and not getting much beyond a shed load of praise.
You’re so brave taking on something new, stick with!!

You've got to start somewhere - everyone was a beginner at first! I understand you might be feeling a little out of your depth just now - I'd hang behind and mention this to your teacher so they can take your self-consciousness into account. There's no point in going if you're not enjoying it, but at the same time, surely we take classes so we can learn and improve?

If that is the quality of ‘feedback’ you’re getting from someone who calls themself a teacher, I would find another class. A teacher would be providing constructive criticism and suggestions to everyone regardless of level. Any idiot can walk around saying amazing, wow