Art of the outside world. Art in Context: Famous Acrylic Paintings – Some of the Best Acrylic Artworks, Littleton, 2022/2023.
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#4 in the series Don’t Quit Your Day Job. I call this – Goodbye Monetizing; Hello Hobby.
Class #4
Acrylic Painting with Anthony Best
Shelby County Arts Council
30 July 2026
Is it a sunset or sunrise? Pourqui pas los dos? [Sunrise Sunset Cartoon]
Tables at start.
Tables at finish.
Screenshot of description for the next set of classes. I assume the middle row is how my seascape & sunset were supposed to look. I am divided on the use of exemplars. On one hand, it gives you a clear destination. OTOH, it sets you up for failure. Your painting will never be as good as the instructor’s.
Previous Posts
[Landscape, Acrylic Painting Class #1, Art]
[Seascape, Acrylic Painting Class #2, Art]
[Floral Still Life, Acrylic Painting Class #3, Art]
Update
[Playing With Leftovers, Acrylic Painting Class Extra, Art]
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
You have to make your art your own. When I create something, it has to come from me. The technique might be borrowed, but there has to be something I relate to, or it doesn’t work. You’re not being hired to create exact copies (forgery, anyone), but to make the creation speak of you. As long as you’re enjoying it, it doesn’t matter if the end result isn’t exact. Maybe being neurodivergent creates a bonus in that area. I don’t know.
This was the second set of classes wherein the student was tasked with drawing a specific image. I guess they think the approach appeals to their target audience?
I don’t think you really learn a lot by having to exactly copy something. Oh, you may learn technique, but not how to apply that technique to what you see in your mind. I guess it depends on the teacher.
Given what I’ve seen from ads for adult classes, I think there is a heavy emphasis on the student have a completed object to take home by the end of the class. It’s as much entertainment as art education. Not good or bad, just a different purpose. I’m with you on actually learning art.
Looked at it that way, I can see the point. I’m so used to projects that take time – sometimes a lot of it – and just enjoying the process, I don’t stop to think about simply wanting a finished product. I should, considering how many products online are advertised as “finish in a day,” or “doesn’t take much time.” Maybe people of any age just don’t have the patience any more.