Expressive Watercolour Landscape

Watercolour / Landscape - Materials included

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

Register Interest

Course details

Inspired by the cliffs and rock formations of Porthmeor, enjoy the dynamism and energy of watercolour.

Hilary Jean Gibson

Join us in St Ives for this dynamic approach to watercolour. Develop a free and energetic approach to depicting land, sky and boundless seascapes in this five-day course. Experiment with different scales and techniques such as wax resist to loosen up your technique and surprise yourself with just how free, dynamic and contemporary watercolour can be. Perfect for capturing the beauty and drama of the Cornish landscape.

Benefitting from artist Hilary Jean-Gibson’s extensive experience, you will also gain a solid grounding in the basics of watercolour. Learn about the range of different papers and brushes to choose from, and how to stretch papers on boards. There will also be some useful introductions to colour mixing and applying different washes. For beginners this will give you the first steps you need to enjoy the medium and dispel some of the fear of watercolour. For those who have done some watercolour before, it’s a chance to hear Hilary’s particular approach and a refresher on some of the basics.

From there, dive into the exciting approaches used by diverse artists from Turner to more contemporary artists working today. Combine technique with intuition working in multiples and on different scales. A self study day will give you an opportunity to absorb your learning half way through and enjoy experimenting with your new techniques either out in the landscape or in the studio. Your tutor will give you structured tasks to help make the most of this day to absorb and experiment.

This course reveals a way of using watercolour that might surprise you; harnessing the fluid, intuitive and experimental side of the medium.

PLEASE NOTE:

This course includes an untutored self study day. The tutor will give you clear tasks and goals for this day; it will be an opportunity to work independently and experiment with what you have learnt.

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

Expressive Watercolour Landscape

Watercolour / Landscape – Materials included

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

Register Interest

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

On this first day, we will look at the fundamentals of setting up a palette, colour mixing and choosing the right watercolour paper for you. A chance to explore some basic mark-making and experiment with the luminosity and depth that watercolour can offer.

Day 2

Once you have got to grips with the basics, you will look to other artists like Turner to see how they used watercolour in a more expressive and intuitive way. Working on your own multiples on different scales, you will build confidence in capturing the landscape in watercolour.

Day 3

This third day will be about continuing these sketches and experiments and transforming them into larger more finished works. Hilary will demonstrate various ways of selecting particular pieces and upscaling.

Day 4

This will be a day of self study. You should now have all the tools you need to feel confident in working up your various pieces to one finished work.

Day 5

On the final day, you will have the opportunity to consolidate all that you’ve learnt on the previous days. Benefitting from individual and group tutorials, you will be able to finish the works that you’ve been developing and to feel confident in continuing your practice after the course ends

Taught by

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

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.

Who would this course suit?

If you are looking for some top tips to improve your watercolour painting this is the course for you. Ideal if you want to find out how to use watercolour in an expressive and free way as well as learn the basics so you have a solid grounding.

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

Fascinating and fun – thank you. Best art course I’ve ever been on! 

Mark Wills

Absolutely love the way the course is designed and taught. Very encouraging, compassionate and multifaceted experience, and most definitely coming back! Thank you for your support, light energy and smiles.

Yulia Krautsova

A great course and great value for money. I really liked the fact that it was a packed 2 days and I really learnt a lot and had so much fun. Will be back!!

Joanna

Suitable for beginners or the more experienced. Inspiring. Very well taught. Good quality, plentiful, materials to work with .

Susan

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.

Art Courses in St Ives

How do I log in to my online account?

To log in to your account, please follow these steps:

  1. Go to our website: www.schoolofpainting.co.uk
  2. Click on the ‘Log in’ button (usually found near the top right of the page)
  3. Enter the email address and you used when booking
  4. 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.

Do you offer art classes for children and teenagers?

Yes. Our Young Artists Programme includes art workshops for children and teenagers, with sessions designed for different age groups. During the summer, we also run creative workshops for children aged 7-13.

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.

Do you offer beginner painting courses?

Yes. Our programme includes beginner-friendly painting courses covering materials such as oils, acrylics and watercolours. These courses introduce you to essential tools and techniques while giving you plenty of time to practise and explore your own ideas.

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.

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 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


In Person Courses

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.

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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