Why Skillshare is Great and How to Get the Most Out of Your Membership
I’ve been teaching on Skillshare for over 6 years. My first class came out in July of 2016.
Today I have many more classes on the platform.
When I started I had no idea what I was doing, but I did it anyway. I’ve approached so much of my creative journey in the same way.
sketchbook experiments inspired by the most recent class I created
I’ve learned A LOT over these past 6 years of teaching (and filming and editing). And although many of my early classes are a little embarrassing to me in terms of video and audio quality, every one of my classes teaches something I’m passionate about. Every one of my classes has inspired others in their creative journeys.
Inspiring others has been my goal from the beginning. I’m proud of that. And I plan to continue teaching on the platform because inspiring others remains an important part of my art and my business.
Why do I love Skillshare?
Before I began teaching on Skillshare, I was a student there. I loved that I could pay one subscription fee and have access to MANY classes. I started with a class from Bonnie Christine (I think it was this one) because I wanted to learn how to make a repeating pattern. She was teaching elsewhere, but I choose Skillshare because it allowed me to take many other classes, too.
I still love Skillshare for the fact that you can learn just about anything on the platform. It’s grown exponentially since I began learning there. It’s been exciting to be a part of it as a Top Teacher (I’m still a bit awestruck that I am one!).
I’ve written about what Skillshare is and how it works in this blog post. One thing I mention is that what sets Skillshare apart is its community. It’s so true. I love hearing from students and seeing them cheering each other on. I love teaching there because I feel I truly am making a difference.
Quin helping me edit a class
With the current subscription plan, after your free month you subscribe for an entire year.
Subscribing for an entire year may sound daunting, but I think it’s freeing.
When a subscription is for a single month there’s pressure to get the most out of that month. When you pay for a year there’s less pressure. The ebbs and flows of your creativity, energy and time work well with a year’s membership. Perhaps one month you take lots of classes and the next month you don’t take any. It evens out.
a series of paintings inspired by Denise Love’s Master Studies class
But how do you make the most of your membership?
It can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few ideas:
Follow skills. Be sure to choose some skills to follow when you set up your account. Already have an account? You can follow skills from the home screen. The skills you follow will show up where it says “Your Creative Interests”.
Experiment with Learning Paths. Click on Learning Paths in the header bar. Each learning path is a curated list of classes on a certain topic. They’re designed to be watched as a group, in succession, so that you’re learning skills that build upon one another.
Follow teachers you admire. When you take a class you enjoy, click on the teacher’s photo (on the “About” tab) to be taken to their profile. There you can see their other classes and also click to follow them. You’ll be alerted when they have new classes and can also take part in conversations with them, know when they’re running contests and learn about any exciting news they have to share. I like to periodically check in with my Skillshare followers and ask my students for suggestions for future classes.
Limit search results. If you’re overwhelmed with what comes up when you’re searching for a topic, try limiting the search. Skillshare allows you to limit by class level, class length and recency of publication. You can also limit search results to Skillshare Originals or Staff Picks. Originals are classes that were produced by Skillshare (often with big name teachers). Staff Picks are classes chosen by Skillshare’s curation team as being exceptional. That’s not to say other classes aren’t also exceptional, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed or need guidance picking a good class, a Staff Pick will always be a great place to start!
Make a plan. It’s easy to want to learn All The Things. Instead of getting distracted by project after project, start with one topic or one class. Create a schedule for yourself, set a goal and put it on your calendar (Skillshare even gives you the option to add a class to whichever digital calendar you use).
Do the work. Classes on Skillshare are created around a class project. To get the most out of a class, create a project inspired by the class. Or try out the skills and techniques on something of your own. Doing the work is the only way you’ll learn. Watching someone else paint won’t help you become a better painter. Painting will.
Participate in the community. One of the best ways to get involved is to upload projects in the classes you’re taking. Many teachers will respond with feedback (ask for the specific feedback you’re after in your project!) and students will chime in, too. Asking questions in class discussions or responding when a teacher (or fellow student) asks a question in a discussion is another perfect way to make use of Skillshare’s community.
Save classes for later. If you want to remember a class for when you have more time, click “save” to add it to your classes. Come back to your saved classes when you’re ready to try something new.
Share the love. Tell people about the classes you’re taking. On social media, if that’s your thing. On your blog, if you have one. Or even in person. When you, as a student, refer someone to Skillshare, they’ll get a free month and so will you!
some of the pattern ladies I painted inspired by Alison Kolesar’s class
Some Skillshare classes I’ve loved taking:
I’ve enjoyed each class I’ve taken with Bonnie Christine. Her class Focus to Flourish is wonderful for time management, planning and goal setting.
Rosalie Haizlett’s class Painting Nature with Watercolor and Gouache is a lot of fun (I’m a bit envious of the beautiful scenery in her videos!).
Denise Love has lots and lots of classes. I love how enthusiastic and excited she gets while she’s making art. I enjoyed taking her class Master Studies - Creating Abstract Art Inspired By The Masters' Color Palettes.
Jen Dixon is super inspiring. When I was trying to figure out how to use oil pastels her class Oil Pastel Boot Camp was just what I needed.
I loved learning about acryla gouache from Dylan Mierzwinski (another super inspiring teacher and artist) in her class Still Lifes are Cool.
It’s fun to branch out and try new things. I certainly did when I took Alison Kolesar’s class on painting Pattern Ladies.
So many artists struggle with understanding their creative identity. If you do, too, you’ll love Andy J Pizza’s class Find Your Style.
Jessica Swift teaches on Skillshare, too. I recently enjoyed taking her Daily Art Practice for Self-Care class.
I especially love the little tips teachers share. Things I’d never have thought of and materials I can’t wait to try. There’s always something new to learn.
messages to myself in my sketchbook inspired by Jessica Swift’s class
Some Skillshare classes I’ve loved teaching:
my handcrafted inspiration deck
Do you have a Skillshare membership? Which classes or teachers have you enjoyed?
If you’re not a member yet, you can try Skillshare free for one month.
Come back and let me know what you’re learning!