Anyone can be an Artist...
Discover how to draw, paint, color & illustrate at your own pace with relaxed, clear and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.
Discover Art by Benjamin
in just over a minute
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Starting with Pen Drawings in 5 easy steps
Introduction to Drawing and Painting
What makes Art Classes by Benjamin so special?
Scroll down to see the 6 reasons why!
Reason 1
Empowering Skills
At Art Classes by Benjamin you will acquire skills and techniques that you can use in your own artworks. You’re not just going to follow along and copy, as so many courses and videos do. I’m going to show you things in such a way, that you will be able to take these acquired skills and actually apply them to your work on your own. Starting at a very basic level, step by step I’m going to take you through all you need to know. Gradually I'll be revealing more advanced things. Again, my method is in such a way that you can eventually use it all on your own. Even if you have a certain skill level already, you’ll be surprised what you still can glean from my art classes.
Reason 2
Lesson Plans
My classes follow well structured lesson plans. No seemingly random and unrelated lessons, but a logic setup. Clear examples, good instructions and well thought out assignments, all with one thing in mind….. to help you use those materials you've got. Each lesson reveals something new to you, adding something to your knowledge or skill set. Each lesson builds on the previous one, leading you to a final assignment that you can, by then, work out all on your own. Each Art Class will also have some bonus lessons with some extras for enhancing your techniques.
Reason 3
Practical Application
While there is theory in this course, I’m not going to bore you with it. Instead I’m going to break down the theory in such a way that you can discover how to apply it. My unique approach will make even hard subjects like light and shadows or using colors understandable. You gain insight into how to apply techniques and theory, applying unique methods that you can use on any artwork you’ll be creating.
Reason 4
You don't need a certain skill level
How about Skills? While for some workshops a certain skill level is required, all my classes can be followed at any skill level, from absolute beginner to artists who are more advanced already. A more skilled person will need less time to finish the Art Class, but someone who's just starting their art journey can dive right into it.
Reason 5
You can work with any brand (or non-brand) art supply
Some art courses out there, even if they don't mention it, are brand related or can only be done with a certain type of supply. You need specific items to successfully do a course. Most of my art classes are not related to a certain brand or supply, they can be done with any brand or type of material.
For workshops this may differ since some of them are based on a certain type of tool. Some courses may need specific supplies, the material list will specify this.
I try to work brand independent and most of our art classes and workshops work fine with cheaper materials, as well as expensive ones. In the end it's not the tool that really matters, but the skills of the artist and I try to focus on showing you techniques that you can use with your supplies. So no surprises halfway through the course realizing you bought the wrong brand.
Reason 6
Community
Share your work, interact with other students, hang out together, get feedback on your work and participate in challenges to help you grow even more.
Benjamin Aeilkema - the creative behind ArtbyBenjamin
For many years I’ve enjoyed creating art, learning many skills and techniques along the way. I often have a personal way of applying these techniques to my artworks. I love to share my knowledge, helping others to start their journey in art or getting a bit further along the way.
To learn more about me select the Why Me? in the top menu.
You can Master this too:
Is lack of talent really an issue?
You may have wondered about this..... do you need to be talented to become an artist? Many people would answer this question with a yes right away, we naturally think that. Let's look at a, perhaps shocking, fact about Vincent van Gogh.
"Although Van Gogh’s mother was quite a good drawer, Vincent wasn’t blessed with exceptional natural ability as a draughtsman. Nor did he show particular interest in drawing or painting at school. There aren’t any childhood drawings, but a few of Van Gogh’s early drawings have stood the test of time." (125 answers and questions - Vincent van Gogh Museum Amsterdam)
Did that stop the man who failed to graduate at two art academies from drawing and painting? No way. The whole idea that you need to be talented is stopping many people to enter into the marvelous world of art. Sure, you may never be as good as Van Gogh or Rembrandt. That doesn't mean you cannot enjoy creating art as they did. While results may differ, we all can enjoy creating art.... talented or not. In fact, without work, talent doesn’t help much at all.
Should I invest in good materials or....
Often I'm asked if I use expensive materials for my illustrations and paintings. Many people seem to have the notion that using more expensive materials suddenly make you a (better) artist. Does buying a better car make you a better driver? Most likely not. Sure, the ride may be more comfortable, but you are still the same driver you were before. The same counts for being creative. In the end it's not the tools that matter, but the skill of the artist. You can make great art with just a simple pen, some cheap colored pencils or student paints and less expensive no brand papers.
Instead of spending more money on better tools, it is way more beneficial to spent more money on learning how to use the tools instead, especially when starting out. An investment in yourself is a lasting one, tools are easily upgraded when needed. If you start out small and invest more in yourself first, you also will enjoy the more expensive tools too, because you know how to use them. It is a logic fact that (aspiring) artists that first invest in themselves grow harder than (aspiring) artist that invest most into materials, neglecting to learn the skills needed properly. While clothes may make the man, materials don't make the artist...... but skills do.