Inspired by the cliffs and rock formations of Porthmeor, enjoy the dynamism and energy of watercolour.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Mon 11 - Wed 13 Aug - 3 days
Hilary Jean Gibson
An ideal first step to watercolour painting. Discover the essential techniques of this luminous and rewarding medium. Build confidence through demonstrations, theory and practice, using different papers, tools and approaches.
David Webb
Learn how to use watercolour to depict coves, rocks and cliffs with artist David Webb in this webinar recording. Learn to look at a scene with an artist’s eye and choose which elements are important and which can be left out.
David Webb
Over 5 hours of tuition in bite-sized segments, to give you a thorough grounding in painting with watercolours. Learn essential techniques that will help you to avoid common mistakes in watercolour painting.
Fri 19 - Sun 21 Sep - 3 days
David Webb
Join artist David Webb for this exploration through the streets and thoroughfares of St Ives. Working in watercolour, learn how to capture the character of this unique location.
David Webb
Discover how to capture the beauty and intensity of Cornwall's dramatic coastline in dynamic watercolour.
Hilary Jean Gibson
Join us for this Patrick Heron-inspired webinar. See how Heron's aerial approaches to depicting the landscape of St Ives in gouache can be integrated into your own way of working.
Hilary Jean Gibson
Capture the Cornish landscape in simplified shapes, lines and motifs in this Victor Pasmore inspired recording. See how this seminal artist pioneered a new way of working with abstraction.
