Course details
Join artist Amy Albright as she helps you to free-up your art practice and energize your paintings.

How does an online session work:
We record the sessions so you can watch on demand, as often as you like, for up to 60 days after purchase. This way you can pause a scene, rewind and finish your painting.
You can watch on a PC, laptop or tablet and if you have chromecast or miracast you could even cast to your SmartTV from your phone.
You will be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world. You can also share your work live with others on social media using the #schoolofpainting
Have you run out of steam for your painting practice or you simply don’t know where to start? This webinar may just help you to get started again. It is a fun exploration of different mark making tools and techniques using an array of familiar materials and some unconventional ones too!
Encouraging you to seek inspiration from your day-to-day environment, Amy encourages you to replace traditional art brushes with various household objects. With these tools to hand, see how to communicate more emotion in your work, encouraging you to go big and to be brave with your initial marks. Gain a greater understanding of how you can enhance your compositions.
Discover how various artists have swapped their paint brushes for alternative tools and methods of art making, freeing up their practice and allowing for greater experimentation. Ideal if you are looking for new ways to free-up your practice. Allow chance to take you in different directions and work in a more open-ended, experimental way!
Amy will guide you, from our historic studios in St Ives, but you can join us wherever you are in the world. She will be working in monochrome, using black acrylic ink and paint and large pieces of cartridge paper.

Who is this course for?
This course is suitable for both absolute beginners and those with more experience, looking to build confidence in finding new ways of working. Aimed to help you step out of your comfort zone and loosen your approach to painting.
What will I learn?
- How to begin a painting in a new, brave way.
- How to add expression and excitement to your painting.
- How to create dynamics in your abstract paintings.
- Explore different mark making in a way that helps you to find your own signature marks.
- How to discover your own mark-making tools.
What to Bring
A list of materials will be available in the online learning platform.
You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC, laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable to watch on.
Taught by
What our students say
I take these courses to inspire and energise my practice. I work alone in my studio and being able to watch someone else work is always stimulating. Thank you.
A great course to expand your creativity!
Being able to trust in the process of mark making and being given the permission to play!
Really informative, curious with the permission to let go and just play!
Loved using things that I found around the house to make marks and given the permission to play.
Really informative course. Amy is a relaxed and easy tutor to watch and respond too. It’s given me lots of ideas and I’m sat here now thinking what have I got in the kitchen or the shed that I could use for mark making feather than spending lots of money on “artist tools”
I’ve now started looking at kitchen, household, and DIY items in a new light! Shows that making art does not have to be expensive.
Found the course to be inspiring and invigorating and now looking at household, cookery and nature items in a different light. Art doesn’t have to be expensive to be expressive
FAQs
Art Courses
Do I need any previous art experience?
Not always. We offer courses for all levels, including complete beginners, intermediate students and more experienced artists. You can look for the experience level listed on the individual course page to find the most suitable option for you. If you need any guidance on what course might suit you best, contact on our friendly team on 01736 797180 and they will be able to help.
Online Art Courses
How do I log in to my online account?
To log in to your account, please follow these steps:
- Go to our website: www.schoolofpainting.co.uk
- Click on the ‘Log in’ button (usually found near the top right of the page)
- Enter the email address and you used when booking
- Click “Log in” to access your account
Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your bookings, outstanding payments, online courses and any relevant account information.
If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click ‘Forgot password?’ on the login page and follow the instructions to reset it.
If you have any trouble accessing your account, please email us and we’ll be happy to help.
Can I learn painting online from home?
Yes. Our online painting courses allow you to learn from professional artists wherever you are. You can pause demonstrations, revisit lessons and work through practical exercises in your own time.
Are online art courses suitable for beginners?
Many of our online art courses are suitable for beginners. Course descriptions explain the recommended level, materials and experience so that you can choose a course that feels manageable and relevant to your interests.
How do online art courses work?
Once you have purchased an online course, you can access it through your account and work through the video tuition and supporting resources at a time that suits you. Access periods vary from 60 – 180 days, just check the individual course page before booking.
For live webinars, once you book a place, we will share a link with you in advance so you can join us at the relevant start time – this is typically via Zoom. A recording of the webinar will be shared with you after the webinar so you can re-watch in your own time.
Do you offer online art courses?
Yes. We have more than 90 online art courses covering painting, drawing, colour, landscape, abstraction, mixed media and other creative subjects. The courses are taught by practising artists and can be followed from home at your own pace.
How do I choose the right art course?
Start by considering how you would like to work. You may want to learn a particular medium, improve a skill such as drawing or colour mixing, explore a subject such as landscape or still life, or develop a more personal approach. Each course page explains the content, materials, level and teaching approach to help you decide. Our friendly, helpful team are always available to help further.
Please call us on 01736 797180 to discuss your options or email [email protected].
Who teaches your art courses?
Our courses are led by practising artists – including Jill Eisele, Alice Mumford, Iona Sanders and Neil Canning – all with extensive knowledge of their chosen subjects and materials. Each tutor brings their own artistic experience, working methods and approach to teaching, giving students the opportunity to experience a wide range of ideas and techniques.
In Person Courses
How large are your art classes?
Our studio courses are taught in small groups of around 10 to 12 people, allowing tutors to provide individual guidance alongside group demonstrations and discussions.
What is included in an art course?
Course fees include professional tuition from a practising artist and use of the School’s studio facilities. Materials and equipment are all included in our in person courses, workshops and life drawing sessions – so you can just turn up and get started. Teas and coffees are also provided throughout the day.
Can I attend an art course on my own?
Absolutely. Many students come to St Ives School of Painting independently. Courses offer a welcoming and sociable environment, with plenty of opportunities to meet other people who share an interest in making and learning.
What art courses do you offer in St Ives?
We offer a varied programme of art courses in St Ives, including painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and life drawing. You can choose from one-day workshops, short summer sessions and more immersive three- and four-day studio courses. We also offer longer development courses for those looking to take their practice to the next level.
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?
You don’t need to bring anything with you unless we specify beforehand. All materials, aprons and tools are provided, however some people do like to bring along their favourite set of brushes or sketchbooks.
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
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]
Choosing an Art Course
Do you run life drawing classes in St Ives?
Yes. We hold regular life drawing sessions in St Ives, including Thursday evening and Saturday morning classes. These welcoming, tutored sessions are open to a range of experience levels and provide an opportunity to practise drawing from a life model. Our life drawing sessions are held just a 5 minute walk from our studios at The Island Centre.
Do you offer art courses for adults?
Yes. We run art classes and courses for adults throughout the year, from accessible introductory workshops to more intensive courses for people looking to deepen their creative practice.
What types of painting can I learn?
Our courses cover a wide range of approaches, including oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolour, gouache, landscape painting, still life, portraiture and abstraction. We also offer courses exploring colour, composition, mark-making and creative confidence.
