Online learning is everywhere these days! There are abundant videos on youtube and skillshare. E-courses from your favorite teachers are now easily available online. You're no longer confined to taking classes that are within your geographic access.

However, a video alone — even a super good one — does not guarantee that you will learn the concepts shown in that lesson or e-course. It's important to practice and try the new techniques shown, not only so that you'll retain all that information, but also so that you can train your mind and hand to work together, adopting what is usually new and foreign.

The Art Club Facebook group

When Art Club was created back in 2017, I planned for it to be a subscription only, that would help those tanglers and budding artists to grow through a series of lessons. I didn't mean to have a community group, but somehow, the private Art Club facebook group grew in a very organic way, and today it is the HEART of Art Club, where Clubbers post their pictures created based on the lessons.

Caring Critique

The group is not only a place to receive compliments — there are plenty of art and Zentangle-related groups and instagram for that. Although a nice “pat on the back” is always appreciated, the Art Club group is a place where Clubbers and I practice “Caring Critique”, a feedback technique where you offer as many compliments as you can see, and ONE single suggestion for growth.

This kind of feedback is fundamental for artistic development. We get so involved in our work that it's difficult for us to look at it objectively. Caring critique is exactly that: objective comments mixed with compliments about your work that can help you to see it in a different light. Here's an example of a typical exchange:

New: Art Club Activities

Until now, the feedback offered in the Art Club group was mostly based on finished artwork. Now, Clubbers also have the alternative to participate in the new Art Club Activities, a series of participation projects that can help Clubbers to better retain the concepts and skills learned. Activities vary in skill and time required, so Clubbers can choose the ones that better suit their learning styles and schedules.

The first four ideas for Art Club Activities have just been released to Clubbers today, designed to help Clubbers retain concepts and techniques better, so that they can apply the information gained later on, and create solid reference materials other than the video lessons.

I'm super excited about this project and already have a gigantic list of ideas for more activities and projects that will be posted in the future. I hope that, combined with the personalized feedback given in our group, Clubbers will find better ways to learn and to retain the concepts shown in my lessons, so that they can start to apply them to their own art!

Learn more about Art Club here.