Discover Painting II

Acrylic - Materials included

Book Selected Date

Course details

Are you ready to loosen up, push forward, and explore what is next in your painting journey? This new course will push your practice further-towards greater confidence and personal expression.

Whether you are returning after completing ‘Discover Painting‘ or have a developing practice of your own, ‘Discover Painting II’ will help you unlock more personal, expressive approaches to painting.

The dynamic three-day course is designed for painters with some experience in acrylics who are ready to explore new territory, deepen their skills, and grow their confidence.

Over the three days, you’ll explore how colour, texture, and composition can be used more intentionally and intuitively—moving between figuration and abstraction, and learning how to build a cohesive body of work. Working on paper, board and canvas, and using a variety of tools and techniques, you’ll expand your approach to scale, surface, and subject.

You can choose to bring your own works-in-progress to class, using them as a springboard to open new directions or choose your own subject from the landscape outside or the studios within. With acrylics still at the core, explore ways to build rich surface textures, harmonise and contrast tones, and make more intentional use of colour. Experiment with scaling up your work and begin forming a more personal and cohesive body of work that feels authentic and alive.

Ilker holds a rich and open space for you to take creative risks, reflect on your practice, and deepen your connection to the work you’re making. Whether you’re exploring a motif, developing a series, or simply following your curiosity, this course gives you the structure and freedom to follow your instinct, open up your art practice and move it forward with confidence.

‘Discover Painting II’ is perfect for painters ready to grow—creatively, technically, and conceptually—and take the next step in discovering who they are as artists.

What will I learn?

  1. Develop a more personal and a collective expressive painting style.
  2. A deeper understanding of colour, tone and texture.
  3. New techniques for mark-making, layering and surface building.
  4. Gain confidence taking creative risks and experimenting with process.
  5. Working confidently at different scales.
  6. Explore the relationship between figuration and abstraction.
  7. Tips for critiquing and reworking your own paintings.

Who would this course suit?

This course is ideal for painters with some experience in acrylics who would like to spend time working in our beautiful studio space in St Ives. Whether you’ve completed ‘Discover Painting‘ or have an independent practice you’d like to develop further, it is perfect for those looking to loosen up, explore new techniques, and start building a cohesive body of work. Leave with new work, fresh ideas, and momentum for your painting practice. The course will support and challenge you in equal measure.

Discover Painting II

Acrylic – 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.

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

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]

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 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


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 as class sizes are small and our tutors are experienced in managing varying abilities within a group.

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