What our Students Say
Be inspired – hear straight from our students about their creative experiences at
St Ives School of Painting.
After every course we ask students for their feedback and if we are not getting it right we take action. We are consistently rated as good or excellent by 99% of our students each year with nearly 70% being recommendations or repeat visitors. Have a browse of some their comments.
Liz Hough is not only a brilliant artist but she’s also a fabulous teacher – a rare combination. The course was extremely well structured and clearly explained. Liz has furnished me with a solid working process which I can now use to take my work forward. She is also a generous, gentle, and encouraging teacher and made the whole week a real pleasure.
Lanyon’s Landscape (5)
Jill, our tutor, is an exceptional artist who imparted a phenomenal amount of knowledge on colour. She encouraged each student to reach beyond the potential they thought they had and succeeded. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Revitalising Colour
12/10/2020
Alex was the perfect tutor to inspire and grow confidence in someone who is new to acrylics. So calm and patient, and yet full of energy and joy for what we were doing. And the venue of course is perfect.
Illuminating Landscapes
Great course – I have learnt so much that I will take home with me and enjoy creating art with.
Turner Sea and Sky
03/04/2018
Thank you very much. I achieved all of my objectives and learnt many new skills as well. I was pleased to be back at the school again.
28/08/2018
Alice is an inspirational teacher. She gave us solid practical advice, and a good demonstration. She was encouraging and although my painting must have been the worst she did not make me feel despondent – quite the opposite! I like the smallish group and the amazing space to work in.
After Matisse
26/02/2018
[David] was very good at explaining and demonstrating. He had a gentle way of providing support and direction.
Dynamic Botanical
12/10/2020
Alice is an exceptional teacher and brings out the absolute best from all her students. Coming to the school is always a joy.
Silver Light
A wonderful school and inspiring teacher who encouraged and helped us to explore our own practice whilst pushing us beyond our perceived limitations – excellent .
Paths to Abstraction
12/11/2018
Tutors put you at ease and were enthusiastic and encouraging. Technicians made the day flow smoothly supporting the tutors in a very organised and friendly manner. The building and environment are inspirational in themselves. Thank you for a great experience on my first visit of many I hope.
Approaching Painting
I think that Jill is such a great teacher. New ideas, new techniques, well organised with plenty of different tasks building up our knowledge of colour mixing.
Martha covered so much, but in a straightforward and accessible way, with loads of helpful detail about techniques and materials. This was my first experience of St Ives School of Painting, but I definitely will be back for more.
Colour and Landscape in Oils
It was just what I needed – from working on large pieces over along time at home – this has been valuable to focus on colour/balance, composition In a free but structured way – thank you Liz you’ve been great.
Abstract Colour in St Ives
20/08/2018
Ilker was a wonderful and inspirational tutor this week. Patient offering advice, constructive criticism and constant encouragement. I recommend this course to anyone wanting to explore a new subject.
Unlocking Your Creativity
25/06/2018
I hadn’t painted since school days and greatly enjoyed the challenge of trying again. The tutor, David Webb, was excellent and gave great support and encouragement across the three days.I hadn’t painted since school days and greatly enjoyed the challenge of trying again. The tutor, David Webb, was excellent and gave great support and encouragement across the three days.
Fantastic course lots of ground covered. Especially great if you are new to oil painting & needing guidance on mediums, mixing & adding layers.
St Ives In Oils
Absolutely adored this course and didn’t want it to end. Maxine is a wonderful and inspiring teacher, so full of energy and passionate about painting. A great group of people on the course and feel like I learned so much and confident to get practicing on my own. Thanks, I will definitely be coming back for more courses in future.
Gestural Landscapes
Throughly enjoyed these 3 days with Andrew and the group! This gave me a great foundation to build on whilst I find my style.
Camilla was inspirational and adjusted the plan to the group perfectly. There was a great atmosphere, and I certainly learnt a lot. I came home with a renewed creative energy!
Observation and Abstraction
As a cook, to see the magic of the process of paint choices, applications, washes and light in a “recipe”, develop inspired by great painters from this very place and Hilary’s patience teaching us all about technique, colour, materials in 3 days was fantastic!
Beginners Watercolour
14/05/2018
This course was wonderful. It was well planned and structured, with a step by step approach, clear progression each day, enabling us all to achieve our very best. Alice is a great teacher, she is positive and finds constructive comments for each individual in the group, all at our different levels, and her enthusiasm and commitment are real motivating forces in the group. She worked as hard was we did, and while that might have felt intense, there were moments of laughter and shared enjoyment of our learning – and I learned so much.
Inside Outside
04/06/2018
Fascinating and fun – thank you. Best art course I’ve ever been on!
Expressive Watercolour Landscape
26/05/2018
Exceeded expectations! Venue, location, beautiful materials were all just right. Small friendly group of students and a tutor who inspired and really knew her subject and how to deliver and encourage us. I will be checking out your online courses because I live overseas.
Barbara Hepworth’s Garden
I learnt lots of new techniques whilst having the freedom to experiment in my own style.
Experimental Shoreline
