Figure on a Rock - Inspired by Dame Laura Knight

Drawing / Oil / Painting / Figure

Book Selected Date

Course details

Join artist Gary Long for an inspiring two-part live webinar, where you’ll explore techniques for drawing and painting the human figure within a landscape. The sessions will feature scenic footage evoking the landscapes depicted by Dame Laura Knight in the early 1900s.

 © A Dark Pool, 1918, Dame Laura Knight

Dame Laura Knight (1877–1970) was a pioneering British artist renowned for her incredible versatility and for breaking significant barriers for women in the art world. Her artistic accomplishments reached a milestone in 1936 when she became the first woman elected as a full member of the Royal Academy of Arts since its establishment in 1768. At a time when women artists were often overlooked, Knight depicted subjects that were rarely present in traditional art—working-class people, marginalised communities, and strong women in action, like those in the auxiliary air force. Her work often celebrated the strength, dignity, and beauty of everyday people.

In 1907 Dame Laura Knight moved with her husband from an art colony in North Yorkshire to Newlyn, where she painted vivid outdoor scenes, portraits of local people, and intimate glimpses into everyday life. One of the paintings she painted whilst living in Cornwall was ‘The Dark Pool’ depicting a model on a rock in a bright red dress peering into the ocean, a scene that we have tried to re-create for this session.

In these live sessions we will transport you to the beach in St Ives, to draw and paint from pre-recorded footage of our model posing on the rocks. Inspired by the paintings of Dame Laura Knight, we have recreated scenes similar to those she painted while living in Cornwall, featuring our model amongst the rugged Cornish landscape. The two sessions will establish the practical approach you need to feel confident depicting a clothed figure in the landscape and working with oils, creating paintings that luxuriate in the richness of paint, movement and texture. Enjoy learning about Dame Laura Knight’s paintings during her time in Cornwall, see how her expressive and vivid paintings can provide inspiration for your own life drawings and paintings.

In the first live webinar, Gary will demonstrate how he approaches capturing the figure. Working from the pre-recorded footage he will guide you through a series of exercises around mark-making and composition, working in pencil, crayon and gouache. By watching Gary at work, learn how he positions the figure on the paper, how to use simple, bold outlines, and how to reduce the figure to its essence, capturing character while not losing the accuracy of your drawings. Establish tonal values and learn when to add colour for dramatic effect, developing your drawings into gouache studies.

In the second session, choose to develop a gouache study into an oil painting. Gary shares with you the usually hidden process of creating a painting from scratch leading you to a final finished piece. Learn how to compose your painting and build your colour palette. Use brushes and experiment with palette knives, revealing the possibilities of expressive mark-making to convey atmosphere. You will learn how Knight’s use of bold colour, light and dynamic composition bring a vivid sense of life and movement to her work, drawing viewers into the world of her subjects.

Take advantage of being able to pose questions for Gary at various stages throughout the live webinars. If you are unable to attend one or both of the live webinar dates, you can still purchase this class. The recordings will be published shortly after the event dates and available to watch for 90 days hereon, giving you plenty of time to watch and complete the course.

What will I learn?

  • Learn a new approach to capturing the human figure
  • Learn more about Dame Laura Knight and how she worked
  • See how to capture the figure in quick, loose marks, capturing character and the individuality of the model
  • Explore how to compose a drawing or painting successfully, borrowing from Knight’s technique
  • Discover how to translate sketches into gouache studies
  • Learn how to build up a palette in oils and tips on colour mixing
  • How to begin an oil painting and see it through to a finishing stage

Who would this course suit?

Ideal if you are looking for new ways to expand your drawing and painting practice. Beginners and those with more experience are both welcome to join.  

Figure on a Rock – Inspired by Dame Laura Knight

Drawing / Oil / Painting / Figure

Book Selected Date

Taught by

Gary
Long

View Gary’s Work

After many years as an illustrator I taught on the BA Illustration course at Falmouth University. In 2011 I began teaching at St Ives School of Painting. I deliver courses involved with the figure, still life and landscape. My practice as a painter feeds into the teaching, often through demonstrations. The school is wonderful – the history the ethos and most of all the people.

What to Bring

A list of materials will be available to see in your account at least two weeks in advance of the class.

You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC, laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable to watch a webinar on, unless you can cast to your Smart TV.

Timings and Breaks

1st Session – 25th June 10am-12.30pm (approx. 2.5 hours)

2nd Session – 2nd July 10am-1pm (approx. 3 hours)

You can revisit as often as you like for up to 90 days after the start of the course.

FAQs

Online Broadcast

How can I get help in choosing a course?

Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180

Do I need a webcam/any equipment?

For our webinar sessions which are broadcast on the internet and no webcam or microphone is needed as you just need to be able to see/hear hosts and you can communicate using the chat function. You can watch using a PC, Smart TV or tablet. A phone isn’t ideal as you will struggle to see enough unless you can miracast to a screen or smart TV.

For the longer online courses on Zoom you will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. If you have a PC without camera or speakers, you can purchase a plug and play webcam for approx £25 which connects to a usb port. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.

All the art materials and equipment needed to participate in the course will be listed in full on the online learning platform, for live webinars this will be a minimum of two weeks before the session starts.

I have registered for the webinar but I can't find my joining link

You can access all the resources and joining link for your webinar via our online learning platform. You will need to have set up an account on our online learning platform in advance. You can do this during the checkout process when purchasing your webinar. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, please contact [email protected]. You can use a PC or tablet or even cast from your phone to watch on your Smart TV.

I paid for the session but missed it, how can I watch?

Currently all our online sessions are recorded and you can access the recording on our online learning platform until it expires. Usually 60 days for a webinar, 90 – 180 days for multipart webinars or online courses.

Studio Courses

How can I get help in choosing a course?

Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180

How do I get my work home?

Tutors have special techniques for transporting oil paintings and the school has plastic folders available in our shop for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.

For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home.

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.

Weekend Courses run 10am – 4pm on the first day but the final day starts at 9.30 and ends at 3.30 with a short lunch break to enable people to get home that evening.


Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?

The School is a very friendly and welcoming place for all ages and experience. Our drop-in life classes and August half-day workshops are ideal for those wanting to have a go for the first time. Most of our longer courses are also fine for novices.

If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up in the brochure and on the website.

Booking a Course

How can I reserve a place?

We will hold a provisional reservation for 24 hours if you give us a call whilst you find accommodation. Otherwise please book online or by telephone 01736 797180.

You can reserve a place with a £100 deposit; balance is due 12 weeks before course start date.

About St Ives

Where do I park?

The nearest long stay public car parks are the Island and Barnoon Long Stay Car Park, both a 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at Trenwith Car Park by the leisure centre and walk down into town. If you don’t fancy the walk up the hill at the end of the day there is a shuttle bus which runs from outside the cinema.

How do I get there?

Public Transport: If you are coming from further afield the main train line runs into St Erth which is a 15 min taxi ride away or you can take the St Ives Bay Line which runs approx. every 30 minutes. The School is a 10 minute walk from St Ives station.

Driving: M5 will take you to Exeter where we recommend that you take the A30 across Bodmin Moor and into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, leave the A30 at St Erth roundabout for St Ives. Turn right at the second roundabout. This road will take you through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives.

Where can I stay?

St Ives has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and self catering accommodation to choose from. Please browse the art holidays St Ives section on our website and give us a call if you would like any help.

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