I recently ran a one-to-one class at the Façade Academy. It is a great way to learn if you can’t attend one of my group classes. It was delightfully flexible and I was able to answer such specific queries and truly meet the needs of the individual concerned.
Obviously it means that we can arrange a mutually convenient time and date, be it evening or weekend. I don’t mind short notice changes if there are childcare issues. On the whole throughout the term-time I can be flexible. I do charge a little more, but the benefits are excellent.
I also run what I call ‘Apprentice Days’ this is during my seasonal weeks at the Zoo when a new inexperienced painter can shadow me and observe and may have a chance to paint some faces. It is like watching an all-day demonstration and get to see how I handle the children, the parents, answering questions from all-comers, how fast I go, what requests are made and how I deal with troublesome clients! In all, it is an extremely enlightening day. If appropriate, I can advertise the fact that there is a trainee painter in attendance and, for a smaller fee, the child can be painted by her. I then can watch and guide through each face.
I charge a fee for the ‘Apprentice Days’, but it is invaluable experience and can give a new painter real confidence in taking on their first painting job.