Joan Eardly painting of a the sea in eathy grey tones for St Ives online art class.Joan Eardley, January Flow Tide, 1961 © Estate of Joan Eardley

Joan Eardley - Land, Sea, People + Place

Mixed Media / Oil / Landscape - Materials included

Book Selected Date

Course details

Join artist Jill Eisele on a painter’s pilgrimage into the world of Joan Eardley.  This three-day course taps into the rich seam of Eardley’s work, inspiring you to explore place, people, landscape and mark making in your own work. 

Jill Eisele
Jill Eisele

This course will explore how Joan Eardley’s powerful and expressive paintings have made Eardley a ‘painter’s painter’. During Eardley’s life, she produced a prolific body of work which remains an inspiration for artists today. Radical in her approach to both living and working, Eardley’s depictions of wild seas and expressive landscapes, as well as her deep connection to place, resonate with us here in Cornwall. 

Inspired by her contemporaries in American Abstract Expressionism, Eardley integrated the freedom that this movement encapsulated in her approach to painting. Whether Eardley depicted the street scenes of Glasgow or the vast expanses of sea and sky in Catterline, her paintings remain unique and arresting to this day. 

Tutor Jill will take us through Eardley’s artistic journey, exploring how Eardley’s work has inspired her own practice. Following Jill’s own pilgrimage to the coast of Catterline, Jill will share with you approaches and techniques on how to capture a sense of place through bold, expressive mark-making. Jill will encourage you to find your own artistic voice and visual vocabulary through your unique artistic journey, embracing the rich space between realism and abstraction. 

You can find out more about her life and the centenary celebrations on the website joaneardley.com.

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

Inspired by Joan Eardley’s rigorous but expressive and experimental drawing practice, you will explore working with a variety of materials on different coloured grounds and experimental surfaces. 

Spending some time working outside in the morning, you will gather lettering and graffiti from around St Ives. Then, using archive photos and our research drawings from the morning, you will experiment with thick and thin paint and collage. Jill will show you how to create rich, textured surfaces with layered words and imagery loosely based on Eardley’s paintings of Glasgow children.

Day 2

In the second session, you will focus on Eardley’s land and seascapes of Catterline. Using ink, acrylics and oils, you will work en plein air on the cliffs at Porthmeor in the morning, returning to the studio by the afternoon to continue working. Exploring Joan Eardley’s interest in Abstract Expressionism, Jill will encourage you to find your own painterly and calligraphic response to landscape of St Ives.

 

Day 3

The final session will be a chance for you to consolidate what you have learnt in the first two days. You are encouraged to explore and experiment using the visual information collected in the first two sessions as well as the the techniques taught by Jill.

What will I learn?

  • Practical steps to discover your own artistic voice 
  • Confidence to explore space between realism and abstraction 
  • Tools around using painting and drawing expressively 
  • How to combine materials such as oils, oils bars and collage
  • Insights into the work of Eardley 

Who would this course suit?

Jill Eisele’s positivity and enthusiasm create the ideal conditions for venturing into experimentation and abstraction. If gestural and luscious paintings appeal to you, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn the tips and techniques for creating textured and intriguing art work.

There will be some walking and working outdoors on day one and two of the course.

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.

Joan Eardley – Land, Sea, People and Place

Mixed Media / Oil / Landscape – Materials included

Book Selected Date

Taught by

Jill
Eisele

View Jill’s Work

My practice begins with drawing, often taking me to wild and wonderful parts of Cornwall, capturing fleeting moments where light and colour create atmosphere and expression. These underpin my largely figurative paintings, which convey a sense of incompleteness; of place and mystery.

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 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

Jill was an excellent tutor. Very well run course, engaging and insightful. Thoroughly enjoyable and I learnt lots of new techniques. 

Kate

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.

You might also like...