Finding your Viewpoint

Acrylic / Mixed Media - Materials included

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

Course details

If paintings that appear effortlessly profound seem like the work of an elusive genius to you, you’re not alone. Learn to turn observation and intuition into perceptive and personal paintings.

Armed with a sketchbook, you’ll roam St Ives gathering visual source material to use over the rest of the course. This experience acclimatises you to your creative context; elevating you above distraction and self-critique so that you can see clearly what resonates with you. This could be the minutiae of sand and stones on the beach, the sweeping swathes of Cornish landscape or figures bundled against the breeze. You’ll begin to comprehend the story your sketchbook is telling you of your viewpoint on the world. 

Back in the studio, your tutor, artist Ilker Cinarel, will guide you through applying process to your sketches. Begin by examining them for recurring themes and motifs that offer visual clues into how you frame the world around you. Ilker will explain the more formal considerations of painting, such as form, structure and composition, as well as offer his seasoned approach to working with acrylics. He will then lead you in a liberating collage exercise, transforming your sketches into narratives of your individual response to place. You’ll combine these with representations of your own experience to produce compelling paintings that capture your unique lens on the world.

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

Spend time out in St Ives freely gathering information in a sketchbook. Back in the studio, Ilker introduces you to the formal considerations of painting: form, scale and composition, as well as how to use acrylics. Use collage exercises to process and transform your source material into narrative compositions.

Day 2

The second day is about accessing what is significant to you. Combine your insight from the previous day into what motifs resonate with you with internal source material from your life.

Day 3

Based on the technical information and source material gathered over the previous two days, work on a painting that tells the story of your unique viewpoint, weaving together your observation with other more personal elements.

What will I learn?

  1. Confidence in trusting yourself when collecting source material and recognising recurring styles and motifs that emerge from it.
  2. A straightforward method of using collage to build narrative in your paintings.
  3. Technical guidance on the formal structure of painting such as composition and form.
  4. Confidence in using acrylic paints.
  5. An understanding of ways to layer observational landscape with more personal symbolism.

Who would this course suit?

This course is open to painters of all levels – from beginners to those with more experience. It would benefit those that want to build more personal narrative into their painting and would like insight on how this could be possible. It offers you a useful window of introspection, so if you find it tricky to see things clearly on your own, this course can help.

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Taught by

Ilker
Cinarel

View Ilker’s Work

I love sharing my knowledge and life experiences with others. My unique approach is to try to create individual, authentic voices in the curriculum within a conceptual and non conceptual framework. It’s great to be part of an historical, internationally renowned school.

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.

Timings and Breaks

The first day starts at 9.30 am and finishes at 4 pm. Please arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the start time

All course days after that start at 9.15am and finish at 3.45 pm and there will be an hour for lunch. Occasionally these times may be changed if required by the tutor. There are plenty of nearby places to eat and we will serve tea and fresh ground coffee at break times during the day.

What our students say

Ilker being a great listener made everyone feel important, talented and able. His excitement was truly infectious. Making me feel all is possible. Gently pushing and challenging in a way that made me feel – yes! He never felt flippant – his comments never generic – always 100% giving of his own creativity. What a great mentor.

Lydia Knights

For a first experience at St Ives school of art I was so impressed with the quality of tutorship for this course! Ilker gave such a huge amount of energy and passion to challenge each one of us but from a place of playfulness and encouragement. It was just what I needed at this time in my practice and I feel a surge of courage and inspiration to push deeper into the ´content ’ of my art practice and move beyond the safety of the commercial appeal to a place of truth, vulnerability and honesty. Excellent value and investment.

Isabelle Roberts

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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