Expressive Watercolour, Going Into Colour - Studio Practice Session

Mixed Media / Abstract

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

Register Interest

Course details

Demystify painting and build your studio toolkit. Join artist Hilary Jean Gibson in our studio where she will share with you how to use colour in your watercolours in an energetic and dynamic way. Ideal for capturing and depicting landscape at speed.

This is a practical one hour demo to help demystify watercolour and motivate you by building confidence. In this session Hilary shows you how to combine just a few complementary colours. Learn how to superimpose layers to create depth of tone. Use warm and cool colours to create a sense of depth, and variegated washes working on dry and damp paper that we use to create the starting point to atmospheric watercolours. Watch Hilary’s previous session the week before to get up to speed with some of the techniques just working in black.

You won’t be seen or heard in the session but you can ask questions using the chat function. Share your work live with others on social media using the #schoolofpainting. You can watch the session live or later. We record it so we can let you revisit the session to refresh your memory for the two weeks after broadcast.

Once you have booked a session, you will receive a link on the morning of the broadcast. All you need to do is follow the link. You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with our community of fellow students from around the world.

What will I learn?


Learn tips to make your watercolour more free and energetic

How to use resists and other tools to create interesting marks

Understanding warm and cool colour so you create depth in your painting

How superimposed layers can create depth of tone, ideal for landscapes

How to use variegated washed to create atmospheric starting points for your paintings

Would this session suit me?

Absolutely if you are looking for some top tips to improve your watercolour painting. Ideal if you want to find out how to use watercolour in an expressive and free way so you can enjoy the medium more. The techniques work really well for developing exciting sketchbook work.

How Does an online session work?

Once you have booked, we will send you a link the morning of the session before so you can join in live. These sessions will be broadcast on You Tube and all you need to do is follow the link ten minutes before the start time. You can watch this on a Smart TV, PC, smartphone or tablet and even cast to your TV from your phone.

You can put questions to the tutor using the chat function during the session. The sessions are recorded and you will be able to watch again at your leisure as many times as you want for two weeks after. You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world.

Expressive Watercolour, Going Into Colour – Studio Practice Session

Mixed Media / Abstract

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

Register Interest

Taught by

Hilary
Jean
Gibson

View Hilary Jean Gibson’s Work

In 1995 I became a tutor at the St Ives School of Painting. Offering inspiration through my passion for drawing, water-based media and art history, I strive to liberate a creative vision by teaching skills and techniques through direct observation and en plein air.

What to Bring

If you would like to join in with the live session you will need 3 sheet of A4 watercolour paper ideally cold pressed and a board to tape it to. You can tape this into a grid using masking tape. For paint Hilary will use Prussian blue, permanent rose, lemon yellow but any primaries will do. Have a range of tools – a selection of brushes including a flat and a round brush, a toothbrush, palette to mix on, clingfilm, salt, a small white birthday candle, sponge (small natural one or a dishwasher sponge cut into small bits), kitchen towel, and plenty of water at least 4 pots.

You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC, SmartTV, laptop, tablet with audio or even cast to your Tv from your phone. Phones are not really suitable to watch a webinar on as the presenter will be hard to see when they share their screen with you. But we will be sending you a recording of the session so you can revisit it for two weeks after.

Timings and Breaks

We will start at 10.30 am and work for 1 hour. We will pause for questions at different points during the session you can pose any questions to the artist using the chat function.

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.

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.

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].

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.

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