Course details
A fast track into painting with acrylics. Learn to guide your own way through colour, composition and critique to paint from the heart with confidence.
Experiment with acrylic paint using a variety of tools and expressive approaches, complete a series of compositions, becoming more playful and abstract as you go to draw out your unique take on a subject.
You’ll work in acrylics, a forgiving and fun medium that gives you a solid foundation for painting in other media. Using principles of colour theory, texture and tone, you’ll be able to decode paintings, understanding what makes a composition ‘work’.
Ilker’s uplifting presence in the studio helps you listen more closely to your instincts while you paint. He shows you how to stop the mimicry, to cast aside the need to copy what you see around you and instead listen to yourself as an artist. Choosing your own subject from the landscape outside or the studios within, you’ll work in a series to develop its character. Ilker will show you how to develop motif in your paintings in the style of Matisse or Hockney, rather than fixating on rendering exactly what you see.
This permission to be bold, loose and abstract in your work is invaluable, whether you’re a beginner or a slightly more experienced painter looking to liberate your approach. You’ll learn to reflect on and react to your own work, finding your ‘colour voice’, your sense of scale and the character of your shapes. Refining and reworking at pace helps you be less precious about your work and surprise yourself – and it’s here that you’ll truly discover painting.
What will I learn?
- A technical understanding of working with acrylic paint.
- An understanding of colour, tone and texture.
- Approaches for refining a composition such as framing and scaling.
- Confidence in your own emerging style as a painter.
- Tips for critiquing and reworking your own paintings.
Who would this course suit?
This course is invaluable whether you’re a beginner or a slightly more experienced painter. It helps you discover the beauty of process in the studio, refining and bringing identity to your paintings.
Taught by
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.
What our students say
It would be easier to say what I did not like – which was nothing.
Ilker was friendly, approachable, and helpful. He instilled confidence and encouraged us to have a go at things and think out of the box.
The resources and the space to work in were excellent. The tutoring was wonderfully inspiring and supportive. I felt encouraged and supported all through and learnt new things.
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.
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.
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