Course details
Craft a striking layered oil painting that evokes depth and volume through the masterful use of texture, colour, and chiaroscuro.
This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the oil painting techniques of the 17th Century masters, with experienced artist Emily Roberts. Emily specializes in working from both life and imagination, having taught atelier-style drawing and painting techniques in studios across Cornwall and Europe for over ten years.
The English term ‘still life’ derives from the Dutch word ‘stilleven’, which came into use in around 1650. Still life painting allowed artists to showcase their skills in painting textures and realistic lighting, presenting unique challenges with various foods, silver cutlery, and intricate details of tablecloths and flowers. In our Porthmeor studio we will set up three still lifes, within shadow boxes, each with a different colour palette and a variety of textures for you to draw and paint from.
During the course, Emily will guide you through the works of notable artists such as Willem Kalf, Caravaggio, Juan Sanchez Cotan, and Adriaen Coorte. You will explore how each of these artists skillfully navigated the challenges of capturing the interplay of light across diverse surfaces and textures. This experience will deepen your appreciation for their artistic techniques and enhance your understanding of light in art.
Emily will demonstrate oil painting techniques, and thoroughly discuss the nature of the pigments used as well as approaches to mixing colours using a limited palette. Students will start designing their compositions by completing a ‘lay-in’, a thin layer of paint covering the whole board. Learn how to build up the paint body in the lighter areas and maintain translucent layers in the darks. Techniques such as wet into wet softening and scraping back will be explored. Focus on strategies for accurately matching the colours in your compositions, helping you create harmonious and visually appealing pieces.
On the final day we will discuss glazes, further deepening the colour in our compositions and exploring impasto in the highlights. We will also look at ‘finish’, helping the eye move around the work through use of accents, variation of edges and building background ‘atmosphere’.
What will I learn?
- A thorough grounding in oil painting techniques such as glazing, scraping back, wet into wet.
- Observation methods from life that can be applied to any subject.
- How to mix colours to match your compositions.
- How to create drama in your painting, characterised by intense light and dark shadows.
Who would this course suit?
This workshop is taught comprehensively in a step by step process, making it suitable for all levels of ability and experience, but would especially suit those wishing to increase their technical knowledge of painting in oils. The workshop is suited to those with reduced mobility, but would not suit those with severe eyesight impediments.
Ahead of your oil painting course with us if you would like to brush up your skills, you are entitled to 25% off our online “Getting Started with Oil Painting” course here. You will be given a code after purchasing our studio oil painting course.
Our studio ‘Beginner’s Oil Painting’ courses can be found here.
Taught by
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.
Ahead of your oil painting course with us if you would like to brush up your skills, you are entitled to 25% off our online “Getting Started with Oil Painting” course here. You will be given a code after purchasing our studio oil painting course.
Our studio ‘Beginner’s Oil Painting’ courses can be found here.
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
Emily was great – incredibly helpful, concise feedback and strategy. Just brilliant.
FAQs
Art Courses
Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?
No prior experience is required to join most of our art courses. The School of Painting is a friendly and welcoming environment for all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.
Our drop-in life drawing classes and short workshops are perfect if you’re trying painting for the first time. Many of our longer courses are also suitable for beginners, as our tutors are experienced in supporting mixed ability groups. If a course requires previous experience, this will be clearly stated on the course page.
Studio Courses
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]
Can you help me choose the right course?
Yes, our friendly and knowledgeable team are always happy to help you choose the best course for your needs, whether you’re a beginner or looking to develop specific skills.
Please call us on 01736 797180 to discuss your options.
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?
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.
Short workshops start at 10am in the Summer and 9.30am/ 1.30pm during September festival
Booking a Course
How do I reserve a place on a course?
You can book your place online or by calling us on 01736 797180.
If you need time to arrange accommodation, we can hold a provisional booking for 24 hours. To secure your place, a £100 deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 12 weeks before the course start date.
About St Ives
Where can I park near the School?
The nearest long-stay car parks are:
Island Car Park
Barnoon Long Stay Car Park
Both are approximately a 5-minute walk from the School.
During the busy summer months, you may find it easier to park at Trenwith Car Park near the leisure centre and walk into town. A shuttle bus often runs back up the hill from near Tate St Ives.
How do I get to the School of Painting in St Ives?
By train:
The nearest mainline station is St Erth, which is approximately a 15-minute taxi journey away. From there, you can also take the St Ives Bay Line, which runs every 30 minutes. The School is a 10-minute walk from St Ives station.
By car:
Take the M5 to Exeter, then follow the A30 into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, exit at the St Erth roundabout towards St Ives. Continue through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives..
Where can I stay in St Ives?
St Ives offers a wide range of accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, and self-catering options. You can explore options on our website, or contact us directly on 01736 797180 if you’d like personalised recommendations.
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