Sunday Mailbag: Online Workshops?

Q: When are you going to video your workshop and/or offer an online version of your workshop?

A: Probably not for a long time, if ever.

I know that’s not an answer most people in the internet age want to hear, but I prefer to keep these workshops in person and of limited size. It makes them a very personal and focused sort of experience, and while it makes the expense of doing one (cost of the workshop and travel expenses if necessary) prohibitive for some, it also provides those who do it a much greater value and experience than some video series.

I’ve got nothing against online classes, webinars, etc. More power to you. I’m offering something different with my in-person workshops for a reason… online classes are a dime a dozen, and this is a unique thing. I am told over and over after someone takes my workshop that there is no where else they can find this kind of experience, and that working directly with their teacher, getting hands-on feedback and instruction, and the interaction with the other students is invaluable.

At $500 plus maybe some travel expenses, these workshops are not cheap. I work hard to bring value to them mainly in the dedication of my time and attention throughout the weekend. I prepare for each workshop by looking over the student info forms to see what individual workshoppers are focusing on, I do a class illustration with caricatures of every student which they get a print of. I travel to the workshop location after coordinating the venue and equipment needed, I spend three days there focused on the class. I take no breaks during the class time, spending every second of it drawing with the class or individually critiquing and drawing corrections on each student’s efforts. We also have a lot of social time together. You get absolutely none of that in an online video course.

Maybe the biggest reason I am keeping these real world only classes is that I know 100% of those taking part are serious about learning and being part of the workshop. I realize it’s as big a commitment for workshop participants as it is for me. All the workshoppers are not only paying a lot to participate, but they are giving up a weekend of their lives as well as the time and expense to travel to and from the location. They don’t do this at their convenience in their underwear in front of their laptops in their living room. This weeds out the casual interest types. I like to teach and I make my students work hard during the workshop. I want them to come away having really learned something. I’m demanding of myself and demanding of those who are part of it. I make it fun but it is exhausting for all.

However, never say never. Maybe sometime down the road I will not be able to find the time to do these, or I will have run out of people willing to do them and be unable to fill the workshops anymore. Then I will probably do some kind of online resource, but it will not be the same.

Thanks to various people for the question. If you have a question you want answered for the mailbag about cartooning, illustration, MAD Magazine, caricature or similar, e-mail me and I’ll try and answer it here!