Learn to Think

Almost all of my students want me to tell them the answers.
My answer is usually "It Depends".
Then I help them think about...
"What does it depend on?"
When they understand how to think from this perspective,
they are on the path to learning how to solve ANY problem and think creatively in many parts of their lives.
Wouldn't that be great if you could learn how to do this?

What makes a Ricky Frank workshop unique?

"Ricky Frank shows you the how's and why's of each step (along with some AMAZING time-saving tips), and then invites you to prove those to yourself. Then, he entices you to ask your own questions, and guides you to experiment to get your own answers. Your unique questions will lead you to what you want to know - not just what everyone else is doing."
-Jessie Slaten

All the information
you  will need.

Enamel Principles
Enamel Terminology
Enamel Colors

Prepare Enamel and Metal
Apply Enamel
Fire Enamel
Finish Your Enamel

Skills to
Learn,
Practice,
Improve,
and Master

The "Inner Game"
of Enameling:
Not just the WHAT and HOW,
but the WHY

Design
Create
Express
Play
Experiment

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. "

-Benjamin Franklin

Here is how I teach....

• I explain and demonstrate all of the basic principles I use in my work so that you can learn to recognize and apply them as you enamel.
  
• I explain what I am thinking, where I am looking, what I am feeling, what I want and want to avoid, and how I know so that you can see begin to understand the "inner game" of enameling.
• I give you a few exercises to help so that you will experience the principles for yourself and learn some basic skills.
• I ask you lots of questions to make sure that you understand not only what you are doing but why you are doing it.
• I turn you loose and encourage you to make a mess so that you can let go of preciousness
• I challenge you to think about why you care about your subject matter so that you can feel a deeper sense of connection and make choices which will make the artwork more personal and interesting.

Play and Experiment

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I design my workshops so  that you will be challenged to ask yourself questions and then fearlessly do something to find your answers,
instead of simply relying on me to give you my answer.
The great thing about this approach is that there is no failure. You WILL learn something, no matter what the result. And even better, because you are doing it and not just listening to what someone is telling you, you will internalize what you discover and probably never forget it. That's because you will have had an experience : you will plan, act, observe, and critique and thus learn in a way so much deeper than relying on someone giving you an answer.

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson