Liz Hough, Travel PlansLiz Hough, Travel Plans, 110 x 110cm

Abstraction - A Closer Look

Mixed Media / Landscape

We haven’t scheduled this course yet. Please email us to register your interest for future availability.

Course details

Over 3 sessions, Liz takes you through common questions asked on her previous courses: finding your own, unique content; form versus line; and scaling up.

Liz Hough, West Penwith Vista
Liz Hough, West Penwith Vista, 40 x 126cm

Designed to follow on from Liz’s previous webinars and 5-month Abstraction course, this will suit both alumni of Liz’s courses, but also any artist looking to strengthen their approach to abstraction and the development of their ideas.

In this three part series, Liz answers common questions or problems brought to her by students on previous courses. Exploring how to find your unique content, Liz demonstrates the importance of following your interests, keeping a visual diary or sketchbook and finding your ‘artist mentors. The next session takes form versus line as it’s starting point, exploring how open forma and closed lines can be used to articulate your unique visual vocabulary. The last session takes a more practical approach – how to scale up your studies or paintings.

This course is intended for anyone, whether or not you have attended Liz’s previous courses. Ideal if you are looking for a new approach, or simply to refresh your existing technique.

To get the most out of this course, you are encouraged to watch, take notes, and then work through the tasks that Liz will set you in between the sessions. You will then have the chance to share these completed tasks with Liz and the other participants on our private Facebook group.

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Sessions

Over 3 sessions , Liz will be working in the studio live and recordings of the classes will be shared with you. Questions will be taken at different points in the session.

Session 1: Watch Now
Finding your own unique voice

Using Liz’s extensive knowledge of art history as well as her own work, Liz introduces you to the course. Learn about finding your own unique voice by following your own interests and keeping a diary or sketchbook.

Then go through a series of exercises aimed at encouraging you to express yourself and build a daily practice. Liz will set tasks for the next session.

Session 2 : Watch Now
Form versus line

Using images you created from the first session, take these to the next step. See how open form and closed lines create different effects in your painting. Learn from examples by Liz and other artists and see how these seemingly subtle changes can dramatically change the look of your work.

Session 3 : 1 hour, 22nd March 4:30-5:30pm GMT (live)
Scaling up

Liz demonstrates how scaling up your work can offer a practical and emotional response to how we view our paintings. Play with scale, or crop part of your painting, Liz shows you how to make these decisions through both informed and intuitive responses.

In this last session, Liz concludes how to incorporate all of these elements into a finished painting.

What will I learn?

Build confidence in finding your own voice through play and intuitive responses.

See how other artists have used line and form in their work.

Learn how to scale up, or crop, your paintings.

Experiment with different techniques.

Understand the importance of keeping a diary or sketchbook.

How does an online session work

Once you have booked, please login to our online learning platform to access the link to the live session and to find details of any pre course tasks and materials.

If you haven’t yet created an account, you will be sent an email inviting you to do so after booking.

You can put questions to the tutor using the online chat function. We record the sessions so you can watch on demand, as often as you like, for 180 days. You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world. We will also set up a private Facebook group just for this course.

You can watch this on a PC, laptop or tablet and if you have chromecast or miracast you could even cast to your SmartTV from your phone.

Who would this course suit?

Practising artists and someone who has already started on their artistic journey.

You don’t necessarily need to have completed Liz’s previous online courses to attend, although this may be an advantage.

Abstraction – A Closer Look

Mixed Media / Landscape

We haven’t scheduled this course yet. Please email us to register your interest for future availability.

Taught by

Liz
Hough

View Liz’s Work

Liz Hough’s paintings offer a vivid exploration of seasonal moments, drawing the viewer into intimate narratives of place and memory. Each painting is carefully selected to convey time spent in both summer and winter, where the artist’s use of colour and mixed media brings life to the black-and-white sketches she creates en plein air.

What to Bring

One month before each session we will share a materials list with you and any pre-course tasks. To give you a general idea you will be working with mixed media – drawing, collage charcoal, inks, pencil, oil pastel acrylics, acrylic mediums and oils. (Although not all at once!)

You will need access to the internet and either a Smart TV, PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable however cast your phone to a Smart TV.

Timings and Breaks

At 16:15 please click the link to join the live session.

Session 1: Watch Now


Session 2 : Watch Now


Session 3 : 1 hour, 22nd March 4:30-5:30pm GMT (live)

You will have access to a recording of the sessions so you can revisit as often as you like for 180 days.

What our students say

Liz is such a wonderful, generous teacher, with a lovely, calm demeanor. I wish I lived closer as I’d would love to take a class in person with her. Hopefully, someday I will manage to do so!

What an inspirational course. Liz Hough took us through the process in a most helpful and accessible way – we just didn’t want it to end. Many, many thanks. 

Val Hargreaves

I want to just say how much I’ve enjoyed this course! Liz has made it so interesting and inspiring. I’ll be signing up for her upcoming online course!

Victoria Waugh

I just loved the tasks and I am expanding them because of Liz’s suggestions & ideas. I am so grateful for her enabling me to do it so confidently.

Eleanor

Actually exceeded my expectations. While looking forward to attending, I was concerned that I only have a years experience of painting and that i might be out of my depth. Liz’s teaching made me feel at home. 

George Dow

I love Liz’s gentle and knowledgeable manner, her wonderful exercises, and way of teaching.

FAQs

Online Broadcast

How can I get help in choosing a course?

Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180

Do I need a webcam/any equipment?

For our webinar sessions which are broadcast on the internet and no webcam or microphone is needed as you just need to be able to see/hear hosts and you can communicate using the chat function. You can watch using a PC, Smart TV or tablet. A phone isn’t ideal as you will struggle to see enough unless you can miracast to a screen or smart TV.

For the longer online courses on Zoom you will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. If you have a PC without camera or speakers, you can purchase a plug and play webcam for approx £25 which connects to a usb port. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.

All the art materials and equipment needed to participate in the course will be listed in full on the online learning platform, for live webinars this will be a minimum of two weeks before the session starts.

I have registered for the webinar but I can't find my joining link

You can access all the resources and joining link for your webinar via our online learning platform. You will need to have set up an account on our online learning platform in advance. You can do this during the checkout process when purchasing your webinar. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, please contact [email protected]. You can use a PC or tablet or even cast from your phone to watch on your Smart TV.

I paid for the session but missed it, how can I watch?

Currently all our online sessions are recorded and you can access the recording on our online learning platform until it expires. Usually 60 days for a webinar, 90 – 180 days for multipart webinars or online courses.

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]

How can I get help in choosing a course?

Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180

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


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

The School is a very friendly and welcoming place for all ages and experience. Our drop-in life classes and August half-day workshops are ideal for those wanting to have a go for the first time. Most of our longer courses are also fine for novices as class sizes are small and our tutors are experienced in managing varying abilities within a group.

If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up on the website.

Booking a Course

How can I reserve a place?

We will hold a provisional reservation for 24 hours if you give us a call whilst you find accommodation. Otherwise please book online or by telephone 01736 797180.

You can reserve a place with a £100 deposit; balance is due 12 weeks before course start date.

About St Ives

Where do I park?

The nearest long stay public car parks are the Island and Barnoon Long Stay Car Park, both a 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at Trenwith Car Park by the leisure centre and walk down into town. If you don’t fancy the walk up the hill at the end of the day there is a shuttle bus which runs from outside the cinema.

How do I get there?

Public Transport: If you are coming from further afield the main train line runs into St Erth which is a 15 min taxi ride away or you can take the St Ives Bay Line which runs approx. every 30 minutes. The School is a 10 minute walk from St Ives station.

Driving: M5 will take you to Exeter where we recommend that you take the A30 across Bodmin Moor and into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, leave the A30 at St Erth roundabout for St Ives. Turn right at the second roundabout. This road will take you through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives.

Where can I stay?

St Ives has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and self catering accommodation to choose from. Please browse the art holidays St Ives section on our website and give us a call if you would like any help.

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