When the snow is falling and the temps are sub zero, it’s hard to motivate yourself to do just about anything — especially if that something requires going outside. There are lots of great cozy activities you can partake in in the comfort of your own home — but really, there are only so many reruns you can watch on Netflix. To switch up our own cozy, at-home routines, we thought we’d branch out a bit and learn a few new skills with Skillshare.
Thanks to Skillshare‘s library full of 18,000+ online classes, there’s no limit to the amount of learning and creating you can do. You can pick up a new creative skill to put on your resume, or just learn something new for fun.
Skillshare is usually $8-15 a month, but for a limited time for the New Year they’re giving Everygirl readers their first three months of Skillshare for just $0.99. That’s three months of unlimited access to more than 18,000 classes in design, illustration, photography, writing, and much more, all for less than a dollar. Just click here to redeem your three months.
Read on to see which classes we took this winter — and how we’re going to implement our new skills all year long!
Alaina’s Class: Introduction to Pen and Ink Sketching
I fell in love with pen sketching after seeing the works of Sam Larson and other artists show up in my Instagram feed. So last year, I went to an art store, picked up a notepad and some pens, and set out to create equally beautiful works of art. Fast forward a few hours… it was evident I had no idea what I was doing. My scribbles looked amateur, lacking detail, shadows, and light.
I was thrilled when I saw the Introduction to Pen and Ink Sketching class on Skillshare taught by Shirish Deshpande. I was even more excited when I saw it was only 53 minutes. Shirish quickly goes over the various shading methods, explaining how and when to use each one.
Then we jumped right into a practice drawing using each of the methods he went over, which he does an excellent job of walking you through how and what to utilize where. Of course, I quickly realized I needed more practice time with a few of the shading methods. But my drawing actually turned out well! Definitely better than anything I attempted last year, and I’m so excited to have a better sense of this new hobby for the new year!
Alaina, Cofounder & Editor
Danielle’s Class: Think Like a Chef: A Beginner’s Guide to Cooking with Confidence
I’m a pretty healthy eater, so I have a few favorite (mostly) Paleo recipes up my sleeve — but that’s about it. I’m often on the go, so I’ve always been a big fan of picking up salads, bowls, and other quick, ready-made bites. I’ve been meaning to enhance my cooking abilities for what feels like my entire adult life, so I decided to take the Think Like a Chef: A Beginner’s Guide to Cooking with Confidence class on Skillshare. Instead of teaching you one or two time-consuming recipes, this course instead teaches you kitchen tricks and techniques. It made me feel way more confident in the kitchen, which in turn makes me feel more confident trying out new recipes. Cooking at home saves money, and it’s given my husband and I a chance to learn something new together. Cheers to that!
Danielle, Cofounder & Editor
Abigail’s Class: Creative Writing for All: A 10 Day Journaling Challenge
When I was about 4-5 years old, before I even knew how to spell, I “wrote” myself notes in a “journal” I kept — I’d scrawl incoherent scribbles in a desperate attempt to write. Once the actual letters and words were learned, there was no stopping me. I journaled for years and years, and it was something of a hallmark of my personality. In the more recent years, though, that hobby has taken a backseat. I haven’t journaled in years — with my number one excuse being that I simply don’t have the time.
Possessing nothing more than a pen, paper, a genuine desire to get back in the journaling game, and the world of Skillshare at my fingertips, I decided on Skillshare’s Creative Writing For All: A 10-Day Journaling Challenge. Whether or not you’re a writer, this exercise is an excellent opportunity to open yourself up to new creativity, inspiration, encouragement, and observation. Instructor Emily Gould had me begin with a blank piece of paper and the phrase, “Today I noticed…” and then just take it from there. She asked those watching to write for at least 5-10 minutes and see where it took them.
For the next 10 days, I did exactly that — the short videos were super instructive, with everything from tips for what to notice, examples of how it could turn out looking, and what to do with my finished snippets of work. This course forced me to take the time to write (and think!) about things I never would’ve normally — regardless of whether or not I (or you) choose to continue journaling (though I think you’ll want to!), that in itself was worth learning and taking the time to experience.
Abigail, Social Media Manager
Kelly’s Class: Rock Out With Character Animation
This winter, I wanted to put all the time I spend staring at screens to good use for my freelance business and learn a fun new skill to add to my resumé — character animation (how BADASS does that sound?!). When the weather outside is frightful, it can be fun to get lost in something intricate and substantial that you wouldn’t necessarily want to devote hours to when the sun is shining and the pool is calling — which for me is honing my skills in After Effects and stretching my creative limits. Add a cozy movie or Netflix fire on in the background and you’ve got yourself a productive and relaxing Sunday — or as I like to call it: THE HOLY GRAIL.
P.S. If you’re at all interested in animation, I cannot recommend Jake Bartlett’s Skillshare classes enough. He manages to go through everything for beginners while also not being boring or pedantic for more advanced users. A true talent.
Kelly, Assistant Editor
Allyson’s Class: Knitting 101
I was always the kid who came back from camp with 56 friendship bracelets and lanyards. To say I loved crafting would be a major understatement. But somewhere along getting a job, staying perpetually exhausted, and becoming addicted to Netflix & chill—my love for crafting fell by the wayside. In 2018, I’m making an effort to spend leisure time away from screens and technology so I was ready to get back to crafting and try something I had never done before: knitting. I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but it was incredibly relaxing and therapeutic. The class was easy to follow, very visual, and not in the least bit boring. I’ve definitely caught the knitting bug. Next class on my list: arm knitting one of those beautiful chunky braided throws I’ve seen all over Instagram.
Allyson, Managing Editor
Feeling inspired? Then head over to Skillshare to redeem their special New Year offer of 3 months for $0.99. Just click here to begin and start learning today!
This post was in partnership with Skillshare, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
The post 5 Creative Skills We’re Learning This Year appeared first on The Everygirl.