Coves, Rocks + Cliffs in Watercolour

Water-based / Watercolour / Landscape

£30 - 2.5 hr

Course tutors for selected date

Course details

Learn how to use watercolour to depict coves, rocks and cliffs with artist David Webb in this webinar recording. Learn to look at a scene with an artist’s eye and choose which elements are important and which can be left out.

Be inspired by the iconic landscape around St Ives wherever you might be in the world. Full of atmosphere and texture, the dramatic coastline lends itself perfectly to the medium of watercolour. David will work alongside you using a video recording of our beautiful local landscape. Learn how to compose your picture, using sketches and tonal studies, before beginning your painting.

In the webinar we’ll be aiming to create the three dimensional effect of sun and shadows on rocks in our painting. We’ll also use the medium to create an impression of water. If the scene is calm or wild, the effect is always exciting to paint.

David will show you how to create vibrant paintings with a limited palette, how to create a painting in three washes of light, medium and dark tones. The webinar will include demonstrations of several techniques including painting wet-on-dry, wet-into-wet and mixing your colours on the paper surface. Learn how to set up a good design for your painting by finding a focal point and explore how to use edges and shapes to create areas of strong contrast. Learn how areas of similar tone can be allowed to blend together to create ‘lost’ edges.

Who is this course for?

This webinar will provide an insight into David’s working methods and will be suitable for beginners and improvers alike, as he explains each step along the way. He is a great believer in demonstrating the techniques he has learned over many years and also pointing out some of the common mistakes that can be avoided.

What will I learn?

The importance of tonal values, and how they can be used to create depth in a painting.

Wet-in-wet and wet-on-dry techniques.
Creating large flowing washes.
Mixing colour on the paper.
Using a limited palette.

Coves, Rocks and Cliffs in Watercolour

Water-based / Watercolour / Landscape

Course tutors

Purchase

How does an online session work?

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.

Once you have booked you will be able to watch on demand immediately.

You can pause, rewind and watch again as often as you like until the session expires 60 days after purchase.

You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with our community of fellow students from around the world.

What to bring

2b-4b pencils for sketching, watercolour paints, brushes, mixing palette with 5 or 6 large wells and heavy watercolour paper.

Taught by

David
Webb

View David’s Work

My teaching involves drawing, composition, understanding the importance of tonal values and the techniques required to paint successfully with watercolour. As its name implies, watercolour is a very fluid medium. It is transparent and relies on the whiteness of the paper to shine through a series of washes built up from light to dark.

What our students say

I loved the session, it was brilliant! Thank you for an inspiring and easy to follow process

Gwynne P

Thanks for the session with David Webb. I painted along and really enjoyed the washes.

Nikki B

FAQs

Art Courses

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

No prior experience is required to join most of our art courses. The School of Painting is a friendly and welcoming environment for all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.

Our drop-in life drawing classes and short workshops are perfect if you’re trying painting for the first time. Many of our longer courses are also suitable for beginners, as our tutors are experienced in supporting mixed ability groups. If a course requires previous experience, this will be clearly stated on the course page.

Online Art Courses

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]

Can you help me choose the right course?

Yes, our friendly and knowledgeable team are always happy to help you choose the best course for your needs, whether you’re a beginner or looking to develop specific skills.

Please call us on 01736 797180 to discuss your options.

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

Booking a Course

How do I reserve a place on a course?

You can book your place online or by calling us on 01736 797180.

If you need time to arrange accommodation, we can hold a provisional booking for 24 hours. To secure your place, a £100 deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 12 weeks before the course start date.

About St Ives

Where can I park near the School?

The nearest long-stay car parks are:

Island Car Park
Barnoon Long Stay Car Park

Both are approximately a 5-minute walk from the School.

During the busy summer months, you may find it easier to park at Trenwith Car Park near the leisure centre and walk into town. A shuttle bus often runs back up the hill from near Tate St Ives.

How do I get to the School of Painting in St Ives?

By train:

The nearest mainline station is St Erth, which is approximately a 15-minute taxi journey away. From there, you can also take the St Ives Bay Line, which runs every 30 minutes. The School is a 10-minute walk from St Ives station.

By car:

Take the M5 to Exeter, then follow the A30 into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, exit at the St Erth roundabout towards St Ives. Continue through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives..

Where can I stay in St Ives?

St Ives offers a wide range of accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, and self-catering options. You can explore options on our website, or contact us directly on 01736 797180 if you’d like personalised recommendations.