Experimental Shoreline

Q: Where can I park near the School?

The nearest long-stay car parks are: Island Car ParkBarnoon 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.

Acrylic / Oil / Abstract / Landscape - Materials included

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

Course details

Capture the ever changing space where the land meets the sea, where water washes over dark rocks and the tide draws in and out using both acrylics and oils.

How do you capture the essence of the coast; the energy, tension and mystery of two elements meeting? This course teaches you to build free, abstract landscape paintings with sweeping marks and shadowy layers that echo the movement of water over land.

Artist tutor Amy Albright divulges her unique tips and techniques for creating layers of interest. Using both water and oil-based media, these work to build the ethereal sense of the coastline.

Spend time making notes and sketches by the water, absorbed in the constant motion of tumbling waves, fizzing tides and rivers trickling back to the sea. These studies will bring richness and power to your paintings later.

The course introduces you to abstraction in a unique way, using it to evoke both serene calm and intense energy. Look more closely at colour mixing. Learn to build up layers, working wet on wet, adding luminosity and revealing and adding to subsequent layers of paint.

Amy shows you how to create harmony between deeper layers inspired by jagged rocks and glassy glazes that diffuse light on the surface. Oil glazing was particularly favoured by Dutch masters, who used the technique to bring a milky translucence to the skin of portraiture subjects. Amy demonstrates how to use glazing to create the liquid skin of sea lapping the shore.

Full of discovery and revelation, this course presents unique processes and perspective. Capture the entrancing energy of the shoreline with truly inspiring teaching in a spectacular setting.

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

After introducing you to the course, we will take our sketchbooks outside to observe the shore and coastlines. Amy will guide you with some drawing techniques to help loosen up your mark-making.

Back in the studio we will begin creating interesting base layers using expressive painterly techniques, incorporating inks and acrylics with unconventional mark making tools.

Day 2

Spend time looking more closely at colour mixing, particularly using combinations appropriate to our subject – the shoreline. Look at tone, temperature and subtle colour mixing using water based paints.

Later we will then work with oil paints to add glazes, learning to create thin layers of paint to build luminosity and depth. We’ll combine all that we’ve learned and work on a variety of surfaces to start creating multiple pieces.

What will I learn?

Learn to create exciting experimental paintings that build layers of interest.
An opportunity to build your confidence using oils, loosen up and widen your painting repertoire.
Tips on loosening up when drawing the coast, including new techniques to make drawing fun and expressive.
Learn how to use abstraction when working with landscape to create a painting full of depth and intrigue.
Technical knowledge of colour mixing to evoke subtle changes in tone and temperature.

Who would this course suit?

If you’re wondering if this course is for you, have a look at Amy’s own work – either on her tutor page or her own website. If you’d like to gain technical insight into combining materials to create intriguing effects, as well as how to have more control in your colour mixing, this course is a wonderful place to learn. It is a fun opportunity for painters interested in the coastline to engage with it in a free and experimental way.

Experimental Shoreline

Acrylic / Oil / Abstract / Landscape – Materials included

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

Taught by

Amy
Albright

View Amy’s Work

My approach to teaching is to share all, to demonstrate my unique way of painting in layers and share my love for paint and it’s never ending possibilities. It’s all about the process, experimenting and those happy accidental discoveries. St Ives School of Painting is very special, with stunning inspiration on the doorstep and an aura of creativity in the studios that is contagious.

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 end at 4pm. 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 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

Course was full of exciting new techniques – taught in a relaxed way with plenty of ,materials to work with and on.

Caroline

Amy is a very effective tutor who gave us students great tips on tools to work with.

Linda

I learnt lots of new techniques whilst having the freedom to experiment in my own style.

Jennie E

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.