In the Google era, when you have every information at your fingertips, when you can bootleg a book or watch thousands of videos for free, why should you prefer in-person classes over online learning?

Oh, I think this time it will be so hard to convince you haha.

Ok, let me start from the beginning.

In 2016, when I first found out about Islamic geometry, I immediately bought all the books I could find on Amazon about that topic. Back then, there were just a few tutorials on YouTube, and the few courses available were in London. Oh, the good old days!

It was so hard to learn something, but I was so excited and keen on my new passion that I didn’t care that much.

Many artists were posting their constructions, and I spent hours and even days trying to recreate their designs without even knowing if I was doing it wrong or right. 

I have to admit that the online community has helped me a lot throughout my journey. 

But time was passing by, and there was a time in 2018 that I felt so stuck in my own doubts and questions that I realised I needed help. That’s when I decided to invest my money into my own education.

Here I am now writing this blog post to help you make your own decision and invest in your future.

Here is what I want you to consider:

1. AVAILABILITY

Online courses are great if you are a beginner, a mum or someone who can’t travel the world.

Being self-taught is great if you are a beginner because sometimes you want to see if the topic interests you before investing your money into something bigger and I completely understand that.

Online courses and free tutorials are available worldwide, and you can literally learn something wherever you are, whenever you want.

Often I have thought that people are not investing in in-person classes because of money, but I soon realised that sometimes it’s because of Visa issues or even family issues. 

I’ve met so many mums that can’t leave their children alone to travel the world following their passion, and I’ve also met people that live in countries where it’s easier to get out of jail than to get a Visa to travel the world.

Anyway, if this is you than I completely understand the need to be self-taught. 

2. QUESTIONS

Digging deeper into Islamic geometry got me thinking about questions to which I couldn’t find the answers online.

• Is there a general rule that helps you find the width of the petals of a rosette?
• How do you divide a circle into 48 equal parts?
• Do those circles have the same radius or is it just me?

• Which intersection should I consider to find the radius of that circle?

• I’m following the same exact tutorial, but why does my drawing look different?

HA! I know that you think these same questions when you draw.

Of course, you can ask people online, and you would get a lot of FREE help from anyone. Still, you will get to a point where your questions are just too many, and you will end up spending all your free time searching for an answer online instead of drawing and painting that beautiful pattern you saved on your “to do” list.

Now imagine attending an in-person course and being able to get all that information, and even more, in the same exact moment you need it. Wouldn’t it be a dream come true?

But if you can’t travel for any reason I now offer 1-to-1 coaching where I can answer all your questions. You can book the coaching call here.

3. PERSONAL GROWTH

What I really love about in-person courses is the connection with other fellow artists.

Even during a one-to-one course, you get to know someone who shares your same passions, and that’s a win-win to me. 

Now imagine that feeling being amplified during a group course.

Especially in this field, you will be able to meet so many people with different backgrounds and traditions coming together to talk, learn and share their vision and passion about Islamic art. How great is that?

Unless your name is Grinch, you would be surprised how much inspiration and gratitude you get during an in-person class.

What is your favourite way of learning? Do you prefer online learning or in-person classes?

PS: If you want to learn how to analyse and construct Islamic geometric patterns and other fun stuff such as Procreate and Geogebra for geometric patterns, check out my online courses here!