A Coast of Colour

Acrylic / Abstract / Landscape - Materials included

1 - 2 Aug - 2 days - £295

Course tutors for selected date

Course details

Discover the joy of painting the coast with bold colour, expressive marks and an intuitive, impressionistic response to the landscape.

Led by St Ives–based painter Kimmy Hussey, whose vibrant work explores the space between observation and imagination through bold colour and confident form, this workshop encourages a fresh and responsive approach to painting the Cornish coast.

Working outdoors on the beach and in the surrounding landscape, you’ll paint quickly and freely, responding to the shifting light, colour and atmosphere of the sea, sky and shoreline.

Through demonstrations and practical exercises, Kimmy will explore ways of simplifying forms and using bold colour relationships to convey mood, movement and space. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant palettes of the Scottish Colourists alongside artists such as Joan Eardley, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, André Derain, Matisse and contemporary painter Romi Behrens, the focus will be on expressive mark-making and confident, responsive painting. Boats, buildings, rocks, figures and expansive skies will all become part of your visual language as you respond directly to the landscape around you.

Working with acrylics and oil pastel on paper and board, the emphasis will be on freedom, experimentation and painting with energy rather than tight detail. As the workshop unfolds, you’ll develop your studies further and settle into a creative flow. The course offers space to reflect on the themes, styles and personal responses that begin to emerge from your time painting by the sea.

Day to day plan

This is a rough indication of what to expect over the course. However sometimes the structure of the days may alter depending on the nature of the group and weather.

Day 1

After a short introduction and selecting materials, we’ll head down to the beach to paint en plein air on large A1 sheets of paper. Observing the surrounding landscape, you’ll work quickly and intuitively across a number of studies, exploring bold colour and the interplay of warm and cool tones.

Back in the studio, we’ll discuss colour relationships and perspective before preparing painted grounds on boards. Using your A1 studies as inspiration, you’ll begin developing further paintings while Kimmy demonstrates ways of incorporating buildings, boats, rocks, figures and clouds into your compositions.

Day 2

Continue developing the works begun on day one, allowing time to settle into a creative painting flow. Individual guidance will be offered throughout, with one-to-one discussions to help identify strengths and emerging ideas within your paintings.

Towards the end of the workshop, a small selection of each student’s work will be curated into a cohesive group of paintings and shared in a relaxed, supportive critique. The course will finish with a brief overview of recommended materials and ideas for continuing your painting practice.

What will I learn?

Develop confidence painting quickly and intuitively from direct observation outdoors.
Explore how colour relationships can be used to convey mood, light and atmosphere in the landscape.
Learn how to simplify buildings, boats, figures, rocks and clouds into strong expressive forms.
Experiment with combining acrylic paint and oil pastel to create energetic marks and rich surfaces.
Reflect on the themes, colour choices and visual language that begin to emerge in your work.

Who would this course suit?

While open to all abilities, this course will particularly appeal to those interested in a more contemporary, expressive way of working and who would like to loosen up their painting style, explore bold colour and develop a more intuitive response to the landscape.

A Coast of Colour

Acrylic / Abstract / Landscape – Materials included

Course tutors

Book Selected Date

Taught by

Kimmy
Hussey

View Kimmy’s Work

Having attended the painting school myself, I can honestly say it was the catalyst that lit a fire inside me to become a professional painter and make it into a full-time practice with the sky being the limit! I am now delighted to be able to give something back.

What to Bring

Our studios are fully equipped and we provide you with all the materials you need for your course. However, if you have a favourite set of brushes or any specialist materials that you would prefer to use, please bring them with you.

We will provide all the materials you need. If you have chosen a landscape class please wear appropriate footwear as you may spend time on the beach we look out over, a short walk from the studio.

Please wear clothes/shoes you don’t mind getting paint on – an apron will not keep you fully clean in this class.

Timings and Breaks

The first day starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm, please aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the start time.

All course days after that start at 9.30am and finish at 4pm and there will be an hour for lunch. There are plenty of nearby places to eat and we will serve tea and coffee at break times during the day.

In Summer half day workshops run from 10am – 1pm. Full Day workshops run from 1pm-4pm.

The first day starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm, please aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the start time.

All course days after that start at 9.30am and end at 4pm. There are plenty of nearby places to eat and we will serve tea and coffee at break times during the day.

FAQs

Art Courses

Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?

No prior experience is required to join most of our art courses. The School of Painting is a friendly and welcoming environment for all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.

Our drop-in life drawing classes and short workshops are perfect if you’re trying painting for the first time. Many of our longer courses are also suitable for beginners, as our tutors are experienced in supporting mixed ability groups. If a course requires previous experience, this will be clearly stated on the course page.

Studio Courses

Can I bring my dog?

The studios are busy places with lots of equipment and not suitable for bringing a pet dog. We can accommodate assistance dogs with prior notice so we can make suitable adjustments. If you wish to bring an assistance dog please call 01736 797180 or email [email protected]

Can you help me choose the right course?

Yes, our friendly and knowledgeable team are always happy to help you choose the best course for your needs, whether you’re a beginner or looking to develop specific skills.

Please call us on 01736 797180 to discuss your options.

How do I get my work home?

Tutors have special techniques for transporting oil paintings and for our 3 day courses we will give you a plastic folder with a handle. These are also available to purchase for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.

Please note: For the course Bigger, Bolder, Braver with Boo Mallinson, we will provide a large A1 size plastic folder for your work but please consider how you will be able to transport the larger canvases home safely before signing up for the course as we will not be able to store large paintings in the studio. On this course you will be painting on a 50cms x 50cms and a 1m x 1m canvas alongside smaller pieces.

For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home, postal costs will be borne by you.

What do I need to bring?

Absolutely nothing! All materials and aprons are provided although some people do like to bring their own set of brushes.

What do I do for lunch?

Courses allow an hour’s break for lunch and there are numerous places nearby or you are welcome to bring a packed lunch into the studio.

What times do courses run?

Most of our courses start at 10am and end at 4.30pm on the first day. Subsequent days we start at 9.30am ending at 4pm.

Short workshops start at 10am in the Summer and 9.30am/ 1.30pm during September festival

Booking a Course

How do I reserve a place on a course?

You can book your place online or by calling us on 01736 797180.

If you need time to arrange accommodation, we can hold a provisional booking for 24 hours. To secure your place, a £100 deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 12 weeks before the course start date.

About St Ives

Where can I park near the School?

The nearest long-stay car parks are:

Island Car Park
Barnoon Long Stay Car Park

Both are approximately a 5-minute walk from the School.

During the busy summer months, you may find it easier to park at Trenwith Car Park near the leisure centre and walk into town. A shuttle bus often runs back up the hill from near Tate St Ives.

How do I get to the School of Painting in St Ives?

By train:

The nearest mainline station is St Erth, which is approximately a 15-minute taxi journey away. From there, you can also take the St Ives Bay Line, which runs every 30 minutes. The School is a 10-minute walk from St Ives station.

By car:

Take the M5 to Exeter, then follow the A30 into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, exit at the St Erth roundabout towards St Ives. Continue through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives..

Where can I stay in St Ives?

St Ives offers a wide range of accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, and self-catering options. You can explore options on our website, or contact us directly on 01736 797180 if you’d like personalised recommendations.