How Art Coaching Can Help You Level Up Your Painting Skills Quicker

​Tell someone that painting is difficult and you will get different reactions. Many artists will nod agreement. Non-artists often react with amusement. The skeptics associate art with fun or even idleness. I can assure the cynics that painting is a tough trade is you want to reach high levels.

In this article I will focus on the most frustrating issues faced by artists. Then explore ways to overcome these issues effectively.

Top Problems Faced by Beginner Painters
What are the pressing issues experienced by these artists?

1. Tight and inhibited painting styles. This complaint is common with painters no matter how long they have been painting. The solution could be a simple technique adjustment. It could also mean identifying confidence issues.
2. Making Time to Paint. This is a typical complaint. What I have found over the years is that artists find the time when they have a mindshift. Time is always available if the outcome is important. Also when artists reach a decision point. Paint or give up. Which one is more painful?
3. Fear of failure. Another common issue among former painters. Coming back after a number of years absence means confronting rusty skills. Some fear looking bad. These mind games are a major reason for giving up.

There are similar topics such as costs, confusion about materials and many other factors. But mostly they relate to those tops three mentioned above.

Why Paint at All?
When you accept that you need effort to paint better you must decide if it is worth it. Everything worthwhile needs effort, but it must be worth it to you. Otherwise you will not put in the effort. Our mind is effective is assessing cost and reward. It will decide for us. Usually following the path of least resistance.

So you must accept that painting makes your life better. In the simplest terms painting enhances your life. Now the work required feels like fun time. The process and outcome are the rewards and you feel better for it. Pleasure seeks more pleasure and the passion for painting comes to life.

Passion and Skills are Not the Same
Do you recognise this person? It does not take long for beginner artists to see their skills improve. In the beginning improvement is rapid. Soon thereafter the skills plateau. Frustration sets in when you cannot reach the next level. This is often when you complain about a tight painting style. Or poor drawing, color mixing and so on.

Or worse - that you no longer "have the time to paint."

Sound familiar?

Painting lessons are the natural next step. Find these in books, videos, courses and in workshops. All these options do help. But you will need a lot of time and discipline to work through it all. Possible, but is it practical?

The Role of Mentors
The answer to better painting is perseverance. But that is not helpful to you seeking answers to painting problems now. It is curious that in these modern times individual training is so rare. This is likely due to the ease of internet recorded content. The lack of teachers to cope with everyone and time. Costs are also a factor.

The fact is that individual coaching is the best way to focus on an artist's unique requirements. You can also call this mentoring. I prefer the term coaching because it suggests a focus on skills. My belief is that improved skills build confidence and enjoyment quickly. You want results? Personal coaching achieves results.

Focus and Time
All too often group workshops overlook opportunities to speed up each artists abilities. Some do have an ability to learn well in this situation. Most need more opportunities to test methods and get feedback over time. This could mean a few weeks. But the results can be spectacular.
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Examples of Teresa's excellent progress after one month of coaching

Case Study: Teresa
Improvements that usually take many months to achieve through trial and error? Now with individual lessons these achievements happen in weeks. An example.

One of my art coaching students is Teresa. She approached me about art coaching and discussed her situation with me online. She had nor painted in many years. She was also feeling overwhelmed with stressful family commitments and lack of time. She needed to paint again for her own wellness and confidence.

After a few online painting sessions with Teresa we had covered the basics. Now it was time for her to paint along, step-by-step over a few weeks. Despite her lack of confidence at first she produced an excellent first painting. Then two more within one month of starting coaching.

Confidence Grows with Better Painting Skills
With renewed belief and the peace that painting created Teresa started a six month art coaching session. She has completed paintings that exceeded her expectations. These are painting she has completed with her own hand from start to finish. But with guidance and careful demonstrations she has learned what to do.

By practicing the correct painting techniques progress is quick and consistent.

Teresa says:

" Thank you for being willing to mentor me in painting.  In these short weeks I have already learned to look at scenes with new eyes. I have gained practical skills. You are not only a highly skilled artist but also a gifted instructor.  Having both is rare.
I’m grateful and look forward to continuing to learn how to reinterpret what I see. To communicate through painting something satisfying and beautiful.  Having you as a coach right beside me in this process has been invaluable - even if it is done with approximately 8400 miles between us!  ​ Thank you for your encouragement and for challenging me to a higher level! (Teresa, N Carolina, USA)


What Does Art Coaching Consist of?
Over the years I have also refined my art coaching program for the best results. The program consists of six months of painting lessons. These lessons comprise of:

1. online one-to-one sessions.
2. offline lessons including written and recorded coaching sessions;
3. Feedback and careful progression steps;
4. Confidence building through individual assessments;

Time and consistency are key and six months will help you achieve this. With enough time we can cover many painting topics from landscape, still life and portraits.

How to Find Out More?
I only offer art coaching to committed artists. Also the number is limited to ten at any one time. If the idea of art coaching interests you then schedule a chat with me online. Ask questions and find out if coaching is a good fit for you.

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