10 ways to make the Art2Life CVP course work for you:

1. Be clear about why you are signing up and hold to that reason

There is an immense amount of information in CVP. Be clear before you go in get clear about what it is you want to learn and why you signed up. Concentrate on that. Of course, be open to unexpected learning – there will be plenty! But allow yourself to let past material you feel is not relevant to you without being resentful that you have paid for it. the class sizes are huge and they need to hold a space for everyone. If your own needs are met by the end of the course, it doesn’t matter if every single video or call is not bang on point for you.

2. Say no so you can say yes

It is unlikely that you have spare time enough to take this course on. Decide what you will give up temporarily so that you can prioritise this.

3. Determine in advance your path through the material

It is recognised that everyone who signs up has different time allowances. They will give you a suggested way to do CVP depending on the hours you have available each week. Some people are determined to keep up with the twelve weeks. Others accept that they will be away or too busy and work independently over a longer period of time or in smaller groups formed from fellow students on Facebook. The material is available for a whole year. You can decide if you want to limit your time on Facebook or if student interaction is a vital part of the class for you.

4. Allow grace time for disasters and unexpected distractions

I planned to keep up. My mother-in-law died and my husband had a major accident in the twelve weeks and guess what – I didn’t keep up despite watching some of the classes in the hospital ward! But the support of the Facebook group was brilliant, and I caught up just a few weeks later with no detriment to my learning. Identify in your own diary some run-over time so if distractions (hopefully less dire than mine!) happen you can still complete the material.

5. Build in rest and revive time

Although the class is twelve weeks it is spread over thirteen with a rest week in the middle. I’d say plan in rest time for yourself each week where you get away from the course. And then at the end also take a break before coming back to review the material and continue your work. We need these breaks to look after our bodies and minds.

6. Expect the learning curve

Students come to CVP at a range of different stages in their art life. The course builds. I saw students dissatisfied at the start it was too simple and I admit I was a little concerned. But promise me it builds quickly and cumulatively, and the team are concerned both give full value to everyone and not to lose people by going too fast at the start. The free taster really doesn’t give a taster of how much is in CVP itself.

7. Enjoy it – make friends!

The class size is huge but the use of Facebook and (assuming they repeat it in 2023) a voluntary class directory means you can identify people with similar interests, who live locally or who you just like the look of. Buddy up with a few and do the class together. I set up a group called The Open Room for CVP people; to co-work together on Zoom and if you join CVP this year you are welcome to contact me to ask me about joining that group.

8. Trust the syllabus

At the start there is introductory work about your own interest and desires. Some students got a bit huffy about that feeling it was irrelevant or patronising. It wasn’t. It is a fundamental part of the philosophy of Art@Life and it filters into the practical work later. Embrace everything and trust that they know what they are doing! I write a bit about how it  changed me as an artist in this post

9. Budget for it

It is an expensive course. Worth it but it is a significant chunk of  change and you will need materials. If you can’t afford it this year don’t get sucked into it for fear of missing out, budget over the year and come in next year without financial worry. But if you are concerned about spending on yourself – I was happy that it was a good investment. And I earned back some of the money from art I made as part of the class exercises ( though of course that’s not guaranteed). Note that there is a 30 day money back guarantee so you can try the whole first month hand back out if you don’t like it.

10. Be prepared to extrapolate and apply the principles to your own work.

Nick and his team demonstrate the way that they paint. You may need to take the lessons and apply them to the way that you work and the type of art that you want to make in the future.  Although Nick makes abstract shape based art and does the initial videos, his team member Susan Melreth has a big input in the coaching calls in terms of realistic painting. The members of the team have very different styles so if Nick’s way of painting is not for you don’t worry – It’s not a paint like Nick class!