For the Fun of It - School for fun
Learning new things without burning out
Hi! My name is Ashlyn Anstee, and I tell stories with words and pictures. Sometimes, that’s picture books (like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Select “Hedgehog”), or graphic novels (my series “Shelby and Watts”), and sometimes it’s animation (I’ve directed at places like Warner Bros. and Cartoon Network).
This column, “For the Fun of It”, will also have words and pictures. Sometimes it will be stories, or how-tos, or thoughts. A little bit of everything. Hope you enjoy!
I love learning.
I’m the child of two teachers, and even after I graduated from college, I’ve taken classes whenever I can. There’s a beautiful thrill to starting to learn something new. Craft workshops, in person extension classes, and online courses- everything offers a chance to dive into a new skill.
Here’s my advice though- don’t always stick too close to your career goals for learning. After art school and jumping into a full-time art career, I felt kind of burned out on learning art. I’d spent so long pushing and grinding and hustling towards being ~the best artist I could be~, that when I was done work, the last thing I wanted to do was learn more art. Forcing it when you feel like that is a recipe for burnout.
But the itch to learn remained. I ended up taking a couple of linguistics classes, and though they kicked my butt (I have forgotten how to write any sort of essay), they were fun. I followed that up with writing courses- art-adjacent, but helped sharpen my storytelling career. I’ve done craft courses, too. And of course, I fallen back in love with art classes and will always be learning, but it’s nice to learn something different. It informs the work I create!
There’s less emotional fraughtness too- sometimes when I’m learning art, there’s still a weird competitive and vulnerable fear that happens, fear of my success in life tied to my success or failure at learning every facet of the craft. Sometimes it’s great to take art classes, and sometimes you have to take a break.
The Present
Currently, I’m on a screenwriting kick. Though I’ve written scripts and outlines, I’d never taken formal classes. LA offers a wealth of classes, and I’ve listed some below. I’m also going to start an Early Childhood Education certificate program next week, a part time program which I think will be insanely useful as I continue to work and develop Preschool shows. I’ll save some book resources for a future column.
Where to learn
Here are a few of my favorite places to learn lately:
Domestika : Domestika is a super affordable online art-and-everything place to learn. I signed up for the PLUS membership- sort of like an audible membership where you get a credit every month, except you get a class! My favorite so far has been my friend Susan Yung’s class! I’ve always been scared of backgrounds, but she explains her process and passion with such detail.
Script Anatomy: I’ve been taking all my screenwriting classes here. They offer a bunch of options, and are often focused on ending up with a finished outline or script. They have a lot of working writer teachers, a lot of whom are out on strike right now- so it helps support them too! My wildcard favorite has been Structure Lab with Kevin Townsley, which is a deep dive into the writer’s room experience as well as an intensive on structure. Great if you’re an experienced writer!
Sundance: My friend Melanie Daigle recommended Sundance, and they have a ton of options. I might take some in the Spring! They offer a wider range of courses, and some of their workshops are nice one-shot lectures!
UCLA Extension: I’ve always been a UCLA Extension fan (their writing classes were my first start to writing longer works). You can take some in person, but they now offer a robust amount of online options.
Warrior Painters: This amazing plein air crew has started offering a variety of courses and webinars. I never got into plein air painting but every time I peek at their instagram or courses, I get the hankering. Maybe winter in LA (when the temperature drops to a normal level), I’ll drive back into it. I’m currently coveting this Laura Bifano workshop bout stylizing your paintings!
If you’re in Los Angeles, I highly recommended Nova Community Arts. This sweet little arts studio in Atwater has SO MANY CLASSES! I’ve taken their riso class, and am joining their upcoming marble class. They are just such a wonderful inclusive place and I love them. Only downside- since they’re so popular, their workshops sell out quick! So sign up for their newsletter and hop on them right away.
I was introduced to
work by my friend Emily Arrow- and Emily introduced my work to Kayla! We love a supportive friend. I’ve been absolutely stoked to read Kayla’s column. Her latest column about a Beatrix Potter exhibit is part sketch, part education, chock-full of awesome tidbits and her beautiful art. Check it out!
This last August was a truly insense, rotten, bruiser of a month. I did what any sane person does- I sad-bought art supplies. I placed an obscene order at Case for Making . They make handmade watercolors! They have unusual colors, earth based pigments, and best of all, you can make your own palette with whatever combination you choose. Their palette maker is addictive- I had so much fun figuring out what would be my ideal set.
They were so tempting that during my trip to visit my brother and his family out in gorgeous Rossland, BC, everyone painted- my 7 yr old niece, my 4 yr old nephew, and my Dad (who is a mathematician who rarely paints!).
Low key, my dad might take my job!!
ok love u bye
What a great list of places to learn! LOVE!!!
Whaaaa!! Thank you for the shout out!! 💛💛💛
And this list of classes is a TREASURE!