Many of this year's Color of Woman students needed to offer their 13 step class virtually, due to 2020 closures. The last two weekends, I've taken two of these with former students, Harvest Queen with Carol Fairbanks, and Princess Silver Hands, or the Handless Maiden, with Christy Cozby. Carol offered two sessions, a well apart, and Christy did hers in one. Both were lovely!
In addition to the general tips for preparing to teach your class, here are some considerations if you're offering it virtually:
E-mail or otherwise communicate with your beloveds before class with supply list and set up suggestions, plus an initial inquiry or, "be thinking about..."
Sit with your 13, step prompt cards, and decide if you'll be combining/skipping some steps. What do you want to be sure and cover? How will you address journaling?
Your format is the same as in person: housekeeping, Red Thread circle early with your inquiry, then often pull out 3 words for Canvas. You can include the visioning with the inquiry, or have them paint colors for each of the words, and offer the story of visioning while the paint dries.
While working virtually it's extra important to give clear instructions on what they are to do next. Demo clearly and concisely, field questions, then step back and let them paint! When it seems time for the next step, "brushes in the water!" and have them watch. Try to allow time for journaling, and give your beloveds a prompt/inquiry for the time between sessions.
Offer some tools for working with the critic/comparison diva, and remember to make and correct a mistake or two! Invite them to explore symbols, and make notes. If they get stuck with contrast, suggest they edit a photo to Grey scale! This is so helpful with in person classes - and more so remotely!
If you can, it may help to have a second camera (phone works) suspended above your surface for demoing a step - but that's an extra! You can also play music through your computer speakers. It also helps to have a cohost for logistics - CoW graduate Linda Allen in my Red Thread Creatives FB group and is great at this! She has a pro account, so I have her schedule my circles.
You may want to prepare some samples: I have eye examples painted on a canvas board, with different shapes and angles, and a few "what not to do." It's great to have simple faces that are less polished as examples! I have some demos from previous classes that are great examples of how theirs might look at the end of the session.
You might also do a sample face with the first layer of lights and darks, and one that's been glazed. You could show these as screen share, or just hold up to the camera. If you have a compost canvas close by, you can demo something you don't want on your main canvas!
Shading example in my journal
Generally, you will want to glaze before the end of the first session / about 1/2 way through your class, and give them an inquiry to work with while she's behind the veil. Remind them to set her up 6' away, and chat with her.
For the second session, offer a brief check in, perhaps another reading, invite questions, then go on with your demos and flow. This is a good time to introduce symbols, and encourage them to journal periodically. Be sure to include a half hour for sharing, at the end!
Princess Silver Hands - one session
Remember to share your contact information, and email then after the class for feedback, photos, etc. And remember your own self care after the class!! You worked hard!
