Contemporary Figure Painting

Oil / Painting / Figure - Materials included

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

Explore figure painting through the bold, dynamic lens of David Park, embracing confident mark-making, vibrant colour, and a more intuitive approach to painting with oils.

David Park image Standing Couple
‘Standing Couple’ by David Park

Towards the late 1940’s/early 50’s, David Park, a pivotal figure in the Bay Area Figurative Movement of San Francisco, broke away from abstraction to embrace a more representational — yet deeply expressive — style. His focus on the present moment, and his fearless experimentation with shape, colour, texture, and temperature, will guide us throughout this inspiring studio course.

Working with thick paint, bold brushstrokes, and a fresh approach to colour and composition, you’ll explore how Park’s unique style can open up new possibilities in your own work.

Over the course of three days, you’ll be encouraged to respond to the world around you with immediacy, confidence, and curiosity. The course begins with drawing from a clothed model, warming up your creative instincts through a variety of mediums such as charcoal, ink, and gouache. From there, you’ll transition into a more abstracted and expressive painting process, using your sketches and studies as a springboard into oil painting.

Throughout the course, artist Gary Long will share how David Park’s approach has influenced his own practice, offering practical demonstrations and guidance on colour application, mixing, mark-making, and more—equipping you with the tools to confidently transform your drawings into vibrant, expressive paintings.

Sketches and Paintings by Gary Long

Day to day plan

This is a rough indication of what to expect over the course.

Day 1

Gary will share with you images of David Park’s work and talk a little about Park’s way of working and his involvement in the Bay area Figurative Movement in San Francisco. You will have a chance to draw from a clothed model, using various mediums including pencil, charcoal, stick and ink.

Day 2

Gary will start the class by sharing with you some of his colour work and will then demonstrate how to add colour to your own sketches in gouache. You will be working from your sketches to encourage the move into a more expressive and abstracted approach.

Day 3

On the final day, you will work from the previous day’s gouache paintings and proceed to develop your images using oil paints.

What will I learn?

  • Learn to work from life, starting with sketches from a clothed model.
  • Explore colour mixing and application techniques using gouache and oil paint.
  • Develop confident, expressive mark-making inspired by David Park’s approach.
  • How to translate drawings into paintings. 
  • How to use gesture, colour, and composition to convey mood and presence.

Who would this course suit?

This course is designed for anyone eager to explore expressive figure painting, build confidence with colour and brushwork, and enjoy experimenting in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Contemporary Figure Painting

Oil / Painting / Figure – Materials included

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

Taught by

Gary
Long

View Gary’s Work

After many years as an illustrator I taught on the BA Illustration course at Falmouth University. In 2011 I began teaching at St Ives School of Painting. I deliver courses involved with the figure, still life and landscape. My practice as a painter feeds into the teaching, often through demonstrations. The school is wonderful – the history the ethos and most of all the people.

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.

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.

FAQs

Studio Courses

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 the school has plastic folders available in our shop for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.

For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home.

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.

Weekend Courses run 10am – 4pm on the first day but the final day starts at 9.30 and ends at 3.30 with a short lunch break to enable people to get home that evening.


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.

If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up in the brochure and 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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