photo credit Alban Roinard

Ignite: A Creative Kickstart to the Year

Mixed Media / Personal Development - Materials included

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

Register Interest

Course details

Start the new year with clarity, momentum, and creative fire with our January Residential Retreat – your space to reset and reignite. Includes 7 nights luxury accommodation.

Set against the inspirational backdrop of St Ives, this unique experience is not about mastering technical skills — it’s about making space for your artistic spirit to breathe. It is an invitation to begin the year not with pressure, but with purpose — to return to your practice with clarity, confidence and creative energy.

Over the course of a week, you’ll be invited to step away from the noise, tune into your inner world, and rekindle your creative spark. Whether you’re feeling stuck, in need of fresh energy, or simply craving time to explore ideas, this retreat offers the support, space and stimulus to help you thrive. Working with four professional artists, you’ll benefit from a range of approaches and insights into your practice to kickstart the year along with the opportunity to relax and recharge in luxury residential accommodation just above Porthmeor beach, a 5 minute walk from the studios.

The tutored workshops will introduce fresh techniques, inspiration, and perspectives to enhance your personal practice. Feel free to bring any current sketchbooks or works in progress to reference during the course or discuss during your individual tutorial.

Let the time, space, and supportive environment help you develop new work, revisit old ideas, or simply explore and play with what’s emerging.

  • Spend 5 days working with four different artists to explore mindful art-making and intuitive painting techniques. Break through creative blocks and re-discover the joy of self-expression through art.
  • Enjoy a full day of independent practice supported by a studio technician, in our peaceful, light-filled studios, allowing space for flow, experimentation and play.
  • Benefit from 1-1 advice and mentoring with a professional artist, offering personal insight and guidance.
  • Connect with like-minded artists in a supportive and inspiring environment.
  • Restore balance with 2 optional yoga sessions, supporting your physical and mental wellbeing.*
  • 7 nights of luxury accommodation included, see below for more details.

This is a time to relax, recharge, and let new ideas come to life. Join us, and ignite your artistic year in the most nourishing way possible. *optional yoga sessions will be £15 each per session.

Limited places available

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.

Saturday 17th

Opening circle with Iona Sanders & Workshop ‘Sparking Joy’

See how to be more responsive and intuitive to the things around you that spark joy. Iona will show you how she starts and develops her own paintings but will encourage you to find your own voice.

Sunday 18th

Workshop ‘Mindful Ways to Paint’ with Kitty Hillier.

Look at your everyday surroundings afresh and create experimental and abstract compositions from a process of close observation, slow-drawing and playful mark-making.

Monday 19th

Workshop ‘The Art of Letting Go’ with Kate Southworth.

Loosen your approach, embrace chance and happy accidents, and tap into a more unconscious and intuitive way of working.

Tuesday 20th (non-tutored studio day/1-1s)

Non-tutored studio day to include 1-1s with Kate Southworth

(Optional wind-down yoga session at the end of the day 5pm-6pm)

Wednesday 21st

Workshop ‘Finding Colour’ with Camilla Dixon

Camilla will encourage you to focus on your personal response to colour, putting aside the science of colour theory for a few hours, and helping you find the courage to listen to one’s own instinctive response to colour by ‘simply looking’.

Thursday 22nd

(Optional early morning yoga session 8.30am-9.30am)

Workshop ‘Painting From Your Soul’ with Iona Sanders.

Reflective group closing session, setting intentions for 2026 followed by group drinks in the studio.

What will I learn?

  • New approaches to art-making using a wide range of materials such as acrylics, collage, pastels, charcoal
  • Ideas to overcome blocks and rediscover what inspires you
  • Develop a greater self-awareness of your artistic intentions and direction for the year ahead
  • Build supportive relationships with other artists
  • Leave with renewed creative energy, feeling recharged, inspired and ready to continue your practice with confidence.

Who would this course suit?

Whether you are returning to your practice after a break, seeking fresh direction, or wanting to deepen your creative self-awareness, this retreat offers the inspiration, tools, and community to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

Ignite: A Creative Kickstart to the Year

Mixed Media / Personal Development – Materials included

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

Register Interest

Accommodation in partnership with Sail Lofts-St Ives

Recharge and relax in style whilst enjoying the camaraderie of your fellow students. We’ve taken away the hassle of finding somewhere to stay and partnered with The Sail Lofts luxury accommodation.

Available between Friday 16th to Friday 23rd January these stunning three bedroom self-catering apartments are just above Porthmeor beach, a short five minute level walk from our studios. You will share the apartment with two or three fellow students and have a private double or kingsize bedroom.

All with free parking nearby.

Browse the available apartments below.

For more information on our available accommodation or to discuss our course only option, please call us on 01736 797180 or send us an email: [email protected]

Apartment One: Beach

  • Luxury apartment
  • Three bedroom, three bathrooms

Beach offers a palatial open-plan living area, making it the perfect apartment for students share. The light filled kitchen and living area provides a superb entertaining space with access to the mezzanine walkway, which overlooks the central courtyard.

There are two en-suite bedrooms and one bedroom with access to a separate private bathroom.

Apartment Two: Slipway

  • Luxury apartment
  • Three en-suite bedrooms

Slipway is our largest and most luxurious self-catering apartment. The private balcony has incredible sea views overlooking Porthmeor Beach and the spacious top floor gabled roofed sitting room.


Slipway has three en-suite bedrooms, two of which offer king-sized beds and the other can be configured as a super king or a twin-bedded room.

Taught by

Kate
Southworth

View Kate’s Work

Kate Southworth makes paintings, spells and rituals. Her work engages with magic, alchemy, mysticism and spirituality and indexes the soul painting its own transformation. In addition to solo and two-person shows, her work has appeared in more than 35 group exhibitions including The Order of the Sun and Moon at the College of Psychic Studies, London and Craftivism at Arnolfini, Bristol.

Iona
Sanders

View Iona’s Work

My approach to teaching is to give students the confidence to be free and intuitive in their practice, to lose themselves in their creativity, and to find their inner voice. Focusing on their own journey, banishing doubt and building positivity will be key to their enjoyment and fulfilment on the course.

Kitty
Hillier

View Kitty’s Work

My approach encourages play, experimentation and trust in our gut intuition. It’s always great to hear that after trying some of the quick mark-making and drawing exercises that I teach, people are keen to repeat them at home regularly as a way to relax or reset. 

Camilla
Dixon

View Camilla’s Work

I find tutoring to be a constantly evolving project. It supports my creative work as it requires that I not only understand my processes but can apply them in a way that is useful to other people in their quest for creative flow. Harnessing a fluid and responsive working method, can address all sorts of practical or emotional obstacles that students face. It can be quite literally life-changing.

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

Each day starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm, with the exception of Tuesday, when you will have the opportunity to work in the studio independently should you wish to do so, from 9.30am as our 1-1s will begin earlier in the morning. Please aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the start time.

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.

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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