The Power of a Personal Art Coach

Empowering Artists to Achieve Their Vision

Introduction:

The journey towards mastery and self-expression can be both exhilarating and challenging in the art world. While many artists are self-taught or rely on traditional art classes, the concept of a personal art coach is gaining popularity as a valuable resource for artists seeking guidance, support, and improvement in their artistic endeavors. In this blog post, we will explore what a personal art coach is and delve into why artists may benefit from having one. We will specifically focus on the services offered by the Academy of Fine Art and Acrylic Painting, where the coach's role is to assist students in improving their paintings while fostering encouragement and growth.

Painting by Michelle T., and this is before Personal Art Coaching.

What is a Personal Art Coach?

A personal art coach is an experienced artist who provides individualized guidance and support to artists at various skill levels. Unlike traditional art classes or workshops, the “Personal Art Coach” establishes a one-on-one relationship with the artist, tailoring their guidance to address each individual's specific needs, goals, and artistic style. The art coach is a mentor, offering constructive feedback, techniques, and insights to help artists develop their skills, overcome challenges, and expand their creative boundaries.

The Role of a Personal Art Coach in the Academy of Fine Art and Acrylic Painting:

In the Academy of Fine Art and Acrylic Painting, the Personal Art Coach's primary role is to assist students in enhancing their paintings while promoting a positive and encouraging learning environment. The coach uses digital tools and personalized feedback to guide the students toward improvement. One of the significant benefits of having an art coach is that you can share your artwork at any stage to be sure you are on the right path to a successful painting. You can also be confident that you are not “practicing” over and over a wrong technique. Get help before you form bad habits. Remember, to become a better artist, do not rush the process and learn something from each painting you do. Slow and steady will win the race!

Here's a breakdown of the process:

Submitting a Request for Assistance:
Students capture a clear digital photo of their painting at any stage of completion and attach it to an email ticket requesting help. The photo lets the coach understand the specific areas the artist wants to address.
Visual Recording and Comparative Analysis:
The coach initiates a visual recording on the computer and places the student's photo alongside a tutorial painting created by the coach. By comparing the two images, the coach identifies areas where improvements can be made, highlighting differences in composition, color, contrast, and other relevant aspects.
Explaining and Demonstrating Changes:
Utilizing tools like SnagIt and painting software like Rebelle Pro 6, the coach visually demonstrates potential modifications to the student's photo. By directly painting on the image, the coach shows the desired changes and provides explanations on why those adjustments are beneficial. The coach will also offer a black-and-white comparison to emphasize contrast differences.
Showcasing the Difference:
The coach creates a copy of the modified version of the student's painting and compares it with the original artwork side by side. This visual representation clearly illustrates the impact of the suggested changes, helping the student understand the potential enhancements they can make to their painting.
Encouragement and Recognition:
Not all paintings require significant modifications. In cases where the student's work is deemed successful, the coach may provide feedback through a short video or written response, highlighting the strengths and explaining why the artwork is compelling. This recognition encourages the artist and fosters confidence in their abilities.
Accessible Video Resources:
The attached videos are privately hosted on YouTube to ensure students can revisit the feedback and demonstrations anytime, making them easily accessible whenever needed.

A personal art coach, such as those in the Academy of Fine Art and Acrylic Painting, offers artists a unique opportunity to receive personalized guidance, feedback, and support tailored to their artistic journey. Personal art coaches empower artists to improve, explore new techniques, and develop their creative style using digital tools, visual comparisons, and demonstrations. The role of an art coach extends beyond criticism or belittlement; it embraces encouragement, growth, and the nurturing of artistic potential. With a personal art coach by their side, artists can navigate the complexities of their creative process with confidence and guidance. Through its personal art coaching services, the Academy of Fine Art and Acrylic Painting provides artists the tools and support they need to elevate their skills, refine their artistic vision, and unlock their full potential. So, whether you're a beginner looking to develop a solid foundation or an experienced artist seeking to push your boundaries, consider the invaluable assistance of a personal art coach on your artistic journey. With their expertise and unwavering support, you'll be empowered to create masterpieces that reflect your unique voice and vision.

In addition to utilizing tutorial paintings, the Academy of Fine Art and Acrylic Painting recognizes the importance of artists exploring their original ideas and references. The personal art coaching service extends its support to artists who wish to submit their original photos or works of art as references for their paintings. However, it is essential to note that not all photos or artwork may translate well into compelling painting compositions.

To ensure the suitability of the submitted photos, the Academy encourages artists to send in a few images for evaluation. This evaluation process allows the art coach to assess the photo's composition, lighting, and overall potential as a basis for a painting. While a photo might hold personal value or be aesthetically pleasing, it may only sometimes lend itself well to creating a solid and captivating painting.

Conclusion

The Academy has implemented specific guidelines for different membership levels to provide flexibility and creative freedom. Red members are allowed to submit one non-tutorial or original work per month. In contrast, Purple members can submit all four Personal Art Coaching tickets (PACs) based on their original designs or a combination of tutorials and non-tutorials. However, it is essential for all non-tutorial submissions to be accompanied by a reference, ensuring transparency and adherence to copyright policies.

By offering this flexibility and evaluation process, the Academy aims to guide artists in making informed decisions regarding their subject matter and references. This evaluation ensures artists can create engaging and visually impactful paintings while honoring their creative vision. Whether artists work from tutorials or their own references, the Personal Art Coaching service remains committed to supporting their growth, providing valuable feedback, and helping them achieve their artistic goals.

Here's the final painting by Michelle T. and her closing remarks:

Thank you so much. This was wonderful and just what I needed. Your explanation was so clear and easy to understand. I will go back and finish the painting with the help of Personal Art Coaching. I’m so glad I found you on YouTube and the Academy.

Here is my updated painting with all your recommendations. I think it looks much better. I appreciate your time and any additional recommendations you have. Thank you!

Happy Painting! 🎨
Ginger Cook
Professional Acrylic Artist and Educator of Acrylic Painting