[Aquanet] another question and thanks for the feedback on palettes

[Patrick Davis]

Hi, Phyllis at al.

I'm replying as a retired teacher- of kids.

First, accept the fact that you are a bit like a farmer: some years you 
will have a bumper crop, and some years you'll have a crop failure. This 
sounds like a drought year.

That said, if you want to really find out what people think, ask them. I 
assume you have their phone numbers, so give a few a call and ask them 
outright why they dropped out. You might even ask something like, "Is 
there something I could have done that would have made the class better 
for you?"

I know one of our instructors here in Calgary starts with some kind of a 
small painting using leaves and glazes to give the pupils some kind of 
immediate gratification. Of course, this is only done for part of the 
class; for the rest she does the colour wheel, value, etc. bit.

FWLIW
pat


Phyllis Mcdonough wrote:
>
> And I am sensitive to this answer so please don’t hurt my feelings 
> (actually I prefer the truth but still am an awful baby at times!)
>
> OK here’s the deal..I have been teaching “just beginners” for quite a 
> while now and with about a fifty fifty return rate (completeing the 
> class and continueing on to the next level) BUT a lot of the students 
> give up quickly and drop the class
>
> And this session they are dropping like flies.
>
> So what am I doing wrong I am apparently not holding there attention 
> or something.  I realize that I can’t please everyone but I would like 
> to improve my success rate if I could.  Anyone dealing with beginners 
> only with any tips.
>
> I begin with intro to materials
>
> Do a color wheel
>
> Practice strokes
>
> Follow with a small painting
>
> And attempt to get a thumbnail and photo ready to paint
>
> That’s kind of the path I attempt. 
>
> Anything     Phyllis
>
> P.S.  I am close to quitting as I feel that I may be taking there time 
> and money under false pretenses . 
>