landscape oil painting by Kerry Harding

Artist Retreat Weekend - June

Mixed Media / Personal Development - Materials included

Book Selected Date

Course details

If you’re feeling creatively stuck, or simply ready to explore your practice more deeply, this 3 day course offers the space to reconnect with your ideas, build confidence and rediscover your artistic voice.

This inspiring weekend provides a supportive environment to explore your personal approach to making art through a series of structured yet playful creative exercises, while individual mentoring from two professional artists helps you develop work in a direction that feels true to you. Designed to quiet self-doubt and spark new ideas, the course encourages curiosity, bravery and experimentation with a wide range of materials.

The weekend begins with Ilker Cinarel leading a day of guided exploration, using automatic drawing and collage to unlock creative thinking, generate fresh ideas, and reveal starting points that can evolve and grow as the course unfolds. On Saturday, Kerry Harding will guide you through the process of monoprinting, introducing it as an exciting and versatile way to deepen and evolve your ideas. There will also be the opportunity to explore the process of how to use oil paint quickly and spontaneously across multiple small pieces and to continue to develop your personal work in the studio.

Students will benefit from one-to-one tutorials with Ilker on Saturday and with Kerry on Sunday, offering a rich and balanced perspective on their work. These individual sessions provide a valuable opportunity to reflect deeply on your practice, helping you to clarify direction and plan the next steps for independent development. Please bring a portfolio of recent work to discuss; this may include sketchbooks, video, or digital images. At the end of the day on Sunday, come together for a final group appraisal.

This is an ideal course if you feel you need support to move your work on and would benefit from focused time and space to ask questions and challenge yourself. This also might be the right time to ask questions about what kind of artist you want to be. It is designed to be an affirming experience that should leave you feeling liberated and re-energised for the road ahead.

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.

Friday

Ilker Cinarel will lead the first day of the course, guiding participants through a series of exploratory exercises that incorporate automatic drawing and collage to stimulate creative thinking and generate new ideas.

Saturday

Work with Kerry to explore monoprinting and oil painting processes, working across multiple small pieces quickly and spontaneously.  Ilker will also be in the studio, carrying out 121 tutorials.

Sunday

Throughout the day, students will continue developing their personal work in the studio, with Kerry providing 121 support through the process of making and refining work, before coming together for a final group appraisal.

Who would this course suit?

This course would be ideal for artists who are looking to deepen and extend their practice, who are seeking professional guidance, new skills, and the opportunity to progress their work in a relaxed, open, and non-judgemental setting.

It would also suit alumni of our longer Porthmeor Programme who would like to reconnect with peers in the supportive and inspiring environment of Porthmeor Studios.

Artist Retreat Weekend – June

Mixed Media / Personal Development – Materials included

Book Selected Date

Taught by

Ilker
Cinarel

View Ilker’s Work

I love sharing my knowledge and life experiences with others. My unique approach is to try to create individual, authentic voices in the curriculum within a conceptual and non conceptual framework. It’s great to be part of an historical, internationally renowned school.

Kerry
Harding

View Kerry’s Work

The best work comes when your shoulders are down and the hours disappear, not as easy as it sounds as most artists will tell you and so its been one of the guiding principles in my approach as a tutor. After over a decade of teaching I have also most enjoyed the process of helping students find their own voice, its already there and so hugely rewarding to help with this discovery.

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.

Please bring a portfolio of recent work to discuss; this may include sketchbooks, video, or digital images.

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 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 I need any previous art experience?

Not always. We offer courses for all levels, including complete beginners, intermediate students and more experienced artists. You can look for the experience level listed on the individual course page to find the most suitable option for you. If you need any guidance on what course might suit you best, contact on our friendly team on 01736 797180 and they will be able to help.

Art Courses in St Ives

How do I log in to my online account?

To log in to your account, please follow these steps:

  1. Go to our website: www.schoolofpainting.co.uk
  2. Click on the ‘Log in’ button (usually found near the top right of the page)
  3. Enter the email address and you used when booking
  4. Click “Log in” to access your account

Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your bookings, outstanding payments, online courses and any relevant account information.

If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click ‘Forgot password?’ on the login page and follow the instructions to reset it.

If you have any trouble accessing your account, please email us and we’ll be happy to help.

Do you offer art classes for children and teenagers?

Yes. Our Young Artists Programme includes art workshops for children and teenagers, with sessions designed for different age groups. During the summer, we also run creative workshops for children aged 7-13.

How large are your art classes?

Our studio courses are taught in small groups of around 10 to 12 people, allowing tutors to provide individual guidance alongside group demonstrations and discussions.

What is included in an art course?

Course fees include professional tuition from a practising artist and use of the School’s studio facilities. Materials and equipment are all included in our in person courses, workshops and life drawing sessions – so you can just turn up and get started. Teas and coffees are also provided throughout the day.

Can I attend an art course on my own?

Absolutely. Many students come to St Ives School of Painting independently. Courses offer a welcoming and sociable environment, with plenty of opportunities to meet other people who share an interest in making and learning.

Do you offer beginner painting courses?

Yes. Our programme includes beginner-friendly painting courses covering materials such as oils, acrylics and watercolours. These courses introduce you to essential tools and techniques while giving you plenty of time to practise and explore your own ideas.

How do I choose the right art course?

Start by considering how you would like to work. You may want to learn a particular medium, improve a skill such as drawing or colour mixing, explore a subject such as landscape or still life, or develop a more personal approach. Each course page explains the content, materials, level and teaching approach to help you decide. Our friendly, helpful team are always available to help further.

Please call us on 01736 797180 to discuss your options or email [email protected].

Who teaches your art courses?

Our courses are led by practising artists – including Jill Eisele, Alice Mumford, Iona Sanders and Neil Canning – all with extensive knowledge of their chosen subjects and materials. Each tutor brings their own artistic experience, working methods and approach to teaching, giving students the opportunity to experience a wide range of ideas and techniques.

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 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


In Person Courses

What do I need to bring?

You don’t need to bring anything with you unless we specify beforehand. All materials, aprons and tools are provided, however some people do like to bring along their favourite set of brushes or sketchbooks.

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.

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]

Choosing an Art Course

Do you run life drawing classes in St Ives?

Yes. We hold regular life drawing sessions in St Ives, including Thursday evening and Saturday morning classes. These welcoming, tutored sessions are open to a range of experience levels and provide an opportunity to practise drawing from a life model. Our life drawing sessions are held just a 5 minute walk from our studios at The Island Centre.

Do you offer art courses for adults?

Yes. We run art classes and courses for adults throughout the year, from accessible introductory workshops to more intensive courses for people looking to deepen their creative practice.

What types of painting can I learn?

Our courses cover a wide range of approaches, including oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolour, gouache, landscape painting, still life, portraiture and abstraction. We also offer courses exploring colour, composition, mark-making and creative confidence.

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