Why I avoid most art classes (and what I look for instead)
I rarely attend art classes. Not because I don’t love learning, but because I really don’t like being told what to do! Most workshops follow a structured, one-size-fits-all approach — everyone leaves with a similar-looking piece, following the same techniques. But that kind of predictability drains the joy out of creativity for me.
The classes I do love are rare, but they’re the ones where experimentation is encouraged. I once took a pottery course where we could make whatever we wanted. While others created cups and bowls, I was busy squidging clay between my fingers, feeling its texture and discovering how it moved. It wasn’t about making something “right” — it was about understanding the material in my own way. The same goes for experimental life drawing classes, where it didn’t matter if my piece looked nothing like the model — what mattered was the process, the experience, the freedom.
Some of my clay creations …
The problem with copy-and-paste creativity
Recently, I had a moment of self-doubt. I wondered if I should be learning more from how others teach, following their methods, fitting into the mould a little more. So I signed up for a free expressive art class by another artist. But instead of feeling inspired, I left feeling... cold.
It was all about copying the tutor’s marks, using the brush in a specific way, following composition “rules.” To me, that’s the opposite of creativity. Sure, you can learn one way to use a paintbrush — but if you explore freely, you might discover twenty more! And worse, when you’re trying to recreate someone else’s work, it’s easy to feel inadequate when yours doesn’t match up.
Creativity thrives without rules
For me, making art is about letting go of rigid structures. There’s no single “right” way to create. I think that the best moments happen when you experiment, try things out, make unexpected discoveries, and when you trust your instincts rather than follow a formula.
Have you ever felt frustrated by more structured art classes, or do you really enjoy them? Why not take a moment to reflect on what fuels your creativity — because I absolutely believe that when you find the right space to explore, that’s where the magic happens.