Expressive Landscape Painting

Acrylic / Mixed Media / Landscape - Materials included

Book Selected Date

Course details

Working both en plein air and in the studio create landscape paintings that are authentic, evocative and original, in the unique surrounds of the coast in St Ives.

Light Bright Day by Victoria Gillow
student work

This illuminating course will combine en plein air response to landscape with in-studio reflective practice to hone your skills and personal approach to painting. Victoria Gillow will help you to harness a sense of place and your relationship with it to create paintings that are authentic, evocative, and original. 

Engaging with other acclaimed artists’ work including Sir Terry Frost, Patrick Heron, Alfred Wallace and John Constable, you will learn about composition, colour, tonality and upscaling during three days of immersive and mindful practice. Time will be spent outside, working in sketchbooks, creating thumbnail drawings and making paintings that capture the weather and energy of a place. Then moving in to the studio, you will start to upscale work into larger pieces and explore a variety of materials such as pitt pencil, graphite stick, soft pencils, charcoal, pen, ink, acrylics and mixed media.

Victoria will expertly help you to navigate the entire process from idea progression and line drawing to colour mixing and paint layering, through a combination of demonstration and individual guidance. Focusing on these technical aspects while also facilitating connection and free flow will result in unique and personal paintings, as well as the ability for you to continue with your work as progressive pieces once the course is completed. 

From drawing exercises and studies on the spirit of place to visual mapping, thumbnails, and equipment guides, you’ll develop a toolkit for developing your skill, knowledge, and confidence.

Quotes from past students on the course:

‘The course has been full to brimming with ideas and techniques. Wonderful. I shall carry on experimenting !’ Amanda

‘I had an amazing opportunity last month to paint in St. Ives on the Cornwall coast in England. I took a fantastic workshop with Victoria Gillow at St Ives School of Painting and had the surreal experience of painting on the same beach as many early modernists. The weather was wild and exhilarating. I already want to go back!’ Lisa

What will I learn?

  • How to liberate your ideas, begin your work, and fine-tune your decision-making 
  • How to work outside e.g. framing techniques, abstracting, refining, and an equipment guide 
  • Develop drawing exercises in mark-making, tonality, constraints (eg use of negative), and free, continual line drawing. 
  • How to use sketchbooks and drawing materials to capture your interests and develop ideas  
  • Work with colour: mixing and usage 
  • Discover how to upscale and develop your work  

Who would this course suit?

This course is suited to all levels, from beginners to those with experience. An interest in landscape/seascape painting would be beneficial (but is not essential), though the emphasis is on enabling reverie and access to creativity through artistic practice – so is the perfect fit for anyone wishing to experience this. 

Participants must have some mobility to manage some basic walking and working on the beach or headland.  However, working from, or through a window or from a comfortable place alongside Porthmeor beach may be possible by prior arrangement.  

Expressive Landscape Painting

Acrylic / Mixed Media / Landscape – Materials included

Book Selected Date

Taught by

Victoria
Gillow

View Victoria’s Work

Teaching and facilitating engagement in creativity and art has been a lifetime passion and has always worked alongside my own work as a practitioner.  I have a natural energy, coupled with a deep subject knowledge which enables me to help people find their way and share ideas and skills to help promote an individual’s own creative journey.

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.

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.

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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