The room was hushed. Just the soft scratch of pastel on paper and the odd gentle sigh. You could feel the concentration in the air, thick with focus and quiet determination. Heads up, arms outstretched to easel, eyes narrowed. Outside, the sun suddenly blinked out from behind a cloud — but here in the Bluebird Studios barn, no one was aware of that. The world was only about making pastel marks on paper.
It’s in moments like this that I feel most alive as a teacher — when I can sense art workshop breakthroughs coming. That tiny shift. The beginning of clarity. A student’s perspective tilting just a little, until suddenly, the whole picture looks different.
And over the past two weeks, I’ve been lucky to witness quite a few of these breakthroughs!
A Flurry of Breakthroughs
From Toronto, Ontario — with ICAN’s Thumbnail Bootcamp and the short-and-snappy Two-Colour session — to Santa Fe for four days of Expressive Colour with a Limited Palette at Bluebird Studios, each workshop brought its own flavour of learning and lightbulb moments.
There was the student who rarely did thumbnails. Hesitant at first, not quite sure how such a small pattern of shapes could possibly help, she did the work I’d asked. And then something shifted. She squinted. She started to rearrange shapes. And then: “Ohh! Now I see it — this one’s so much more interesting, isn’t it?” A small notation on paper. A big win.
Or the one who admitted, a little sheepishly, “I don’t really do value. It’s the colour I go for.” And yet, by the end of the two-colour session, she stood back from her piece, eyes wide. “I get it now — the colour isn’t the star, it’s the value that’s doing the work.”
Exactly.
And then in Santa Fe at Bluebird Studios — a swirl of adobe, turquoise skies, crazy thunderstorms, and vibrating energy — there was boldness. Artists stepping waaaaay out of their comfort zones, pushing their palettes yet keeping them limited, letting go of “getting it right,” and yes, seeing the value of thumbnails. One student looked at me after a long day and said, “I didn’t know I had this in me.”
These are the kinds of art workshop breakthroughs that stay with me – and fill my heart.
What I See While They’re Learning
For me, teaching isn’t just about demonstrating techniques or sharing what I know — it’s about being present for their learning and the process of painting. The mess. The frustration. The joy. The risk.
I see the courage it takes to show up — especially when you’re not sure if your marks are “good enough.”
I see the care in every thumbnail, even the scratchy ones that never go beyond the sketchbook.
I see the light behind someone’s eyes when they realise they can see value in colour.
And while yes, I’m paid to do this work (thank you!!), it’s these moments that are my real reward. These art workshop breakthroughs — quiet or bold, whispered or shouted — are what fill me up and fuel me forward.
I’m grateful to each and every student who walks through the workshop doors. Who picks up a pastel, tries something unfamiliar, and lets themselves lean into the learning. Thank you for letting me witness your courage. You are amazing!
And now I’m home and reflecting on these past two weeks and the richness I receive from my students and their ahas and breakthroughs. And I’m wondering, have you had one of those moments lately? When something just… clicked? I’d love to hear about it — let’s celebrate those art workshop breakthroughs, however small they may seem.
Until next time!
~ Gail
PS. Are you taking a workshop anytime soon? You may want to read this. I start almost every workshop with a review of these 14 ways. So much of art-making is about mindset!
6 thoughts on “Art Workshop Breakthroughs and the Heart of Teaching”
I just attended Gail’s workshop in Santa Fe…. When I left, my head was swirling with new info, I was truly excited, and I felt very inspired!!!
I have been following Gail for a few years. I purchased her Pastels 101 when I was first starting…. She has sort of been my art guru! This workshop was the first time I had the privilege of meeting her in the flesh:).
Just because a person is a good artist doesn’t mean they’re a good teacher. Gail is both!! She has an incredible knack for teaching important aspects of pastel painting. She takes you through very effective exercises that help you to employ what you have learned. She “works her butt off” to get around to all participants in providing helpful feedback and guidance.
I was literally “brain dead” each day of the workshop— in a GOOD way!! I came away with so much….
Gail is patient, kind, and fun. You won’t be disappointed with any instructional option that she provides- whether a workshop or online…. Promise!
-Holly in Colorado
Awwww Holly, thanks for such an amazing and positive response to your experience learning from me. It was an absolute joy having you in the workshop!!!
I loved the Bluebird studio workshop in Santa Fe. Like Holly mentioned, my brain was also dead at the end of each day with all the new and exciting information.
As a retired educator, I found Gail to be a thoughtful and systematic teacher. Just what any student needs.
My biggest take-away was how VALUE is the foundation–the mother lode of a good painting. Previously I was doing thumbnails with so much detail. No wonder my finished paintings were so busy and confused. Doing the thumbnails with just three values (SQUINT!!) and focusing on the big shapes helped me with composition and later with color. And the color studies cemented it. Previously I was making random color choices on my paintings. Now I do color layering on gray pastel paper first. Huh–what a concept! And I am sticking with a limited palette. It’s only been a week since the workshop and I’ve completed two pastel paintings, and on to a third. I’m working on cementing these new concepts into my old brain. Sometimes it takes a while, but practice should help.
Many thanks, Gail.
Vicky Murata
Hi Vicky, I sooooo love hearing this!!! Thank you for being in the class and working so hard at shifting your way of working. I’m so excited to hear you already have three paintings going a week after our workshop! Whoo hoo!!
Paint on!
Gail
I also attended the workshop at Bluebird Studios. I totally agree with Holly and Vicky. Gail is an amazing teacher and I would take another workshop with her if the opportunity arises. It was just what I needed!
Thanks for your fantastic workshop!
Shelley
Shelley, thank you so much for your appreciation!! It warms my heart to know you got so much from the workshop!!! Look forward to seeing you again 😀