Join Liz Hough for a one-day workshop in St Ives, starting out on the harbour, to capture its energy and unique atmosphere, with inspiration drawn from John Piper.

The day begins out on location in St Ives harbour, working with sketchbooks and charcoal to capture the energy and character of this busy coastal setting. You’ll respond intuitively to the harbour’s distinctive shapes while exploring mark-making, texture and tonal contrast to record a strong sense of place.

Back in the studio, after a tea break, Liz will demonstrate with collage, a limited palette of acrylics & charcoals, how to transform the studies into busy harbour scenes.  You’ll explore layering, texture and composition, taking inspiration from John Piper’s approach to simplifying and reimagining the landscape.

Through a series of small works, you’ll develop your own visual language, selecting and refining motifs, colours and textures to create dynamic harbour scenes that feel both personal and evocative. The aim is to help you along the way with an understanding of how to abstract from observation, translating what you see and experience into expressive visual forms.

This workshop offers a rich balance of observation and interpretation, encouraging experimentation and growing confidence in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Please note: This is an adult workshop, however we would welcome children aged 14 or over, if accompanied by a paying adult. This is the case as we cannot guarantee that all our tutors have been DBS checked.

What to Bring

No need to bring a thing, all materials will be supplied. As we plan to work outdoors for some of the duration of the workshop, please wear sensible shoes and bring a coat or sunhat as appropriate.

Timings and Breaks

The workshop will run from 10am until 4pm. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time so you can check in at reception and get settled in. We will serve tea and coffee at break times during the day.