Drawing Out Your Voice (3)

Drawing / Mixed Media - Materials included

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

Register Interest

Course details

Learn to translate your creative impulse into meaningful composition by working in series rather than on individual pieces. Emphasis is on the freedom to progress, integrating observation with imagination.

Many artists feel compelled to make sketches of what they see in day-to-day life. However, back in the studio, developing these can be a challenge. This course will help you identify your unique vision of the world by integrating your observation of the material world with the personal topography of your memory and imagination. Learn to translate your creative impulse into meaningful work by working in series rather than on individual pieces. This course’s emphasis is on the freedom to progress, allowing more consolidated artwork to emerge.

The tutor will encourage you to recognise themes and narrative emerging from your work. This will empower you to identify your creative voice and develop it in new and unexpected ways. In contemplating other artists’ techniques for collecting and using source material, you will deepen your own conversation with your surroundings and your drawing.

The course’s series-based approach will reinvigorate your practice. It will build your confidence to decide what to respond to and how, and in using selective processes to develop your imagery and build narrative.

It presents a rare opportunity to learn from Peter Skerrett, drawing on his many years of experience as an architect, artist and now Senior Lecturer in Drawing at Falmouth University.

Using a range of media to create alternate versions of your work offers you a freer way to evolve sketches and source material. Peter will offer one-to-one support and you will also spend time with your peers sharing ideas and suggestions for progress, giving you a fresh take on your work that puts your progress at the centre. A wonderful chance to expand the potential of your imagery

Day to day plan

This is a rough indication of what to expect over the course. However sometimes the structure of the days may alter depending on the nature of the group and weather.

Day 1

Begin with an introduction and group discussion in the studio on how artists collect and record visual information from the environment. With your group and tutor, explore various locations around St Ives making drawings, notes, and photographs that will form the basis of your work. Then back in the studio, Peter will lead a series of exercises that will start to expand the potential of your sketches and begin to work towards a series of drawings.

Day 2

Develop your drawings further using the principles of selection, variation, scale, composition and emphasis. Make a series of work using a mix of materials including paint, collage and drawing to explore the essence of your creative voice.

Day 3

Using the tools and techniques developed over the previous two days, continue to work on your series. Peter will spend time with you individually and with the group – a chance to step back and determine how to move forward. On the last afternoon the group will review the progression of each individual series of works.

What will I learn?

  1. How to find and record the information you need when out sketching.
  2. How to select and make decisions about what to develop in your work.
  3. How to find ways to evolve work back in the studio.
  4. How to identify your own distinctive approach to a subject.
  5. How to critically review your work.

Who would this course suit?

If you draw or paint regularly but wish to invigorate and develop your work further, this course is for you. It will be useful for harnessing the potential of your source material into more resolved artworks. If you are less experienced but enjoy challenging yourself and experimenting with innovative approaches to making images, you would also benefit. Although a guided course, you should enjoy working independently.

Drawing Out Your Voice (3)

Drawing / Mixed Media – Materials included

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

Register Interest

Taught by

Peter
Skerrett

View Peter’s Work

I enjoy the intensity of the workshops that I’m invited to run here at the school. A group of artists can produce such an incredible body of work in just a few days. This really inspires my own practice. The energy helps me to see and notice more when I’m out and about in Cornwall to bring these observations back to the studio.

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.

What our students say

Just loved being there. A painting holiday to remember always and so worth travelling from Australia to attend.

Frances Dennis

Informative course, emphasising the need to work through the journey of subject to achieve a valid response and believable outcome.

Sue Jones

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 want to reserve a place whilst you confirm holiday accommodation we will give you a full refund if you change your mind within 24 hours of booking. Just get in touch [email protected].

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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