Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post - How to get the in-come coming?

Joan Breckwoldt · 09-30-2004, 05:33 PM

Hi Melanie,

I'm glad you find the idea of teaching at home intriguing, it sounds like you've had success with this already. You might have some kind of 'guest book' or notebook of some sort that you can ask people to sign if they are interested in classes. That way you'll have a record of names and contact information when you do get ready to have a class.

The great thing about the class I just started is that it's a group of women that love to paint, and they've become friends and share stories, etc. I have taken classes at the art school here and yes, they are about half the price, but it's a big classroom full of people I'll never see again after the semester ends. And those teachers aren't very good, they basically walk around the room and give pointers, no demonstrations or anything like that. Getting to know some other people who love to paint is a bonus of the private class and worth some extra cost. I've only been to one class so I can't really judge how good of an instructor the teacher is. It's a chance to paint in a supportive environment, that's what many people are looking for. If you can provide that, it seems like you could get many students.

Oh, another little attraction of this private class is the 'show' they'll have in December. Besides painting models, we'll paint a few still lifes to sell at the show. The friend that introduced me to the teacher said she makes back her class fee from her sales. I guess it's all about marketing!

Hope this helps.

Joan

P.S. You might look around for studio space and just see what the cost really is. I found out here in Houston it goes for about $1 per square foot per month, which isn't unreasonable if it allows you to teach a class and have a nice painting space. Good luck!

Also, thanks for mentioning that link to 'Painter's Keys', I had never seen that before and have enjoyed reading the 'letters'. Any more great inspirational links? I should start a new thread asking for that.

09-30-2004, 05:33 PM	#3
Joan Breckwoldt Associate Member Joined: Nov 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 504	Teaching classes Hi Melanie, I'm glad you find the idea of teaching at home intriguing, it sounds like you've had success with this already. You might have some kind of 'guest book' or notebook of some sort that you can ask people to sign if they are interested in classes. That way you'll have a record of names and contact information when you do get ready to have a class. The great thing about the class I just started is that it's a group of women that love to paint, and they've become friends and share stories, etc. I have taken classes at the art school here and yes, they are about half the price, but it's a big classroom full of people I'll never see again after the semester ends. And those teachers aren't very good, they basically walk around the room and give pointers, no demonstrations or anything like that. Getting to know some other people who love to paint is a bonus of the private class and worth some extra cost. I've only been to one class so I can't really judge how good of an instructor the teacher is. It's a chance to paint in a supportive environment, that's what many people are looking for. If you can provide that, it seems like you could get many students. Oh, another little attraction of this private class is the 'show' they'll have in December. Besides painting models, we'll paint a few still lifes to sell at the show. The friend that introduced me to the teacher said she makes back her class fee from her sales. I guess it's all about marketing! Hope this helps. Joan P.S. You might look around for studio space and just see what the cost really is. I found out here in Houston it goes for about $1 per square foot per month, which isn't unreasonable if it allows you to teach a class and have a nice painting space. Good luck! Also, thanks for mentioning that link to 'Painter's Keys', I had never seen that before and have enjoyed reading the 'letters'. Any more great inspirational links? I should start a new thread asking for that.