Joan Eardley, January Flow Tide, 1961 © Estate of Joan EardleyCourse 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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