Course details
Bring depth and movement to your paintings on this three-day online course inspired by the luminosity of water and land .
Join artist Amy Albright for this three-day course exploring how to use acrylic paint in a more fluid and intuitive way. Free up your approach to capturing the landscape around you and create a series of expressive landscape paintings using new techniques.
This course is a chance to play and experiment with various ways of applying acrylic paint and creating effects with mediums. Over the three days, you will have the chance to try out pouring, glazing and layering techniques to create semi-abstract, ethereal paintings. Taking advantage of the quick-drying nature of acrylics, you will work across a number of paintings, building up multiple layers to create depth and luminosity in your work. Amy will help demystify how to harness these materials so you can create beautiful and ethereal effects at home with your own work.
Amy will give clear demonstrations for you to follow, referencing the landscape here in St Ives. You will then be encouraged to use your own emotional response to the landscape around you. Learn to paint in a more intuitive way as we play with colour and texture, working with wet-on-wet painting in complementary colour combinations. Explore ways of experimenting with mark-making, texture and contrast.
This course will take place live on Zoom in a small interactive group enabling direct feedback on your work from your tutor. An ideal set up to speed up your learning and move on your painting to another level. You will have access to the recordings for up to six months after the course ends. After the course continue to share your work with other participants and alumni of the Painting School on our private Facebook group.
In preparation for the class, please have a few photos of the landscape that inspires you printed out to hand.
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Sessions
Over 3 sessions , Amy will be working in the studio live and recordings of the classes will be shared with you. Questions will be taken at different points in the session.
Pre-course tech session : 27th October 2pm – 3pm
A session with our technical staff to make sure you are comfortable using Zoom and the online course platform. A fortnight before the course starts we will send you the zoom link for the technical session and further information regarding our online course management system.
Session 1: 3 hours, 6th November GMT (live)
The first session of this course will be a little longer to allow for introductions. We will then explore various ways of mark-making and the different tools that you can use for doing this. Once we have explored a range of marks, we will introduce colour and subtle tonal ranges and look at ways to start a painting.
Session 2 : 2 hours, 7th November GMT (live)
Working across multiple paintings, Amy will demonstrate how to add layers through various techniques including pouring and glazing with mediums mixed into the acrylics. You will also learn how to reveal and hide marks below various surfaces.
Session 3 : 2 hours, 8th November GMT (live)
In this final session, you will have the chance to add final layers to your paintings and finish your pieces. This will also be a chance to share your work with your fellow students and get feedback from your tutor. Amy will offer various ways forward with your paintings and projects once the course has finished.
Final Feedback from your tutor
Two weeks after the course has ended your tutor will review work that you have posted to our online platform and answer any questions.
What will I learn?
Learn to create exciting experimental paintings that build layers of interest.
Build your confidence using water based paints, loosen up and widen your painting repertoire.
Tips on loosening up when drawing the landscape, including new techniques to make drawing fun and expressive.
Learn how to use abstraction when working with landscape to create a painting full of depth and intrigue.
Technical knowledge of colour mixing to evoke subtle changes in tone and temperature.
How does an online session work
Once you have booked, please login to our online learning platform to access the link to the live session and to find details of any pre course tasks and materials.
If you haven’t yet created an account, you will be sent an email inviting you to do so after booking.
We record the sessions so you can watch on demand, as often as you like, for 180 days. You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world. We will also set up a private Facebook group just for this course.
You can watch this on a PC, laptop or tablet and if you have chromecast or miracast you could even cast to your SmartTV from your phone.
Who would this course suit?
This course is suitable for all abilities. If you are interested in learning new skills and interests, or gaining confidence, experience, attitude and mobility in your painting practice, this course is for you. Amy’s approach to teaching will help you to loosen your approach and gain technical insight into combining materials to create intriguing effects using water based paints. This course is fun opportunity for painters interested in creating abstract landscapes and engaging with it in a free and experimental way.
Taught by
What to Bring
We will send you a materials list to get together and any pre-course tasks.
You will need access to the internet and either a Smart TV, PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable however cast your phone to a Smart TV.
Timings and Breaks
At 10:45 please click the link to join the live session.
Monday 6th November, 11:00 – 14:00
Tuesday 7th November, 11:00 – 13:00
Wednesday 8th November, 11:00 -13:00
You will have access to a recording of the sessions so you can revisit as often as you like for the duration of the course and for up to six months after the live broadcast.
FAQs
Online Broadcast
How can I get help in choosing a course?
Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180
Do I need a webcam/any equipment.
For our webinar sessions which are broadcast on the internet and no webcam or microphone is needed as you just need to be able to see/hear hosts and you can communicate using the chat function. You can watch using a PC, Smart TV or tablet. A phone isn’t ideal as you will struggle to see enough unless you can miracast to a screen or smart TV.
For the longer online courses on Zoom you will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. If you have a PC without camera or speakers, you can purchase a plug and play webcam for approx £25 which connects to a usb port. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.
All the art materials and equipment needed to participate in the course will be listed in full on the online learning platform, for live webinars this will be a minimum of two weeks before the session starts.
I have registered for the webinar but I can't find my joining link
You can access all the resources and joining link for your webinar via our online learning platform. You will need to have set up an account on our online learning platform in advance. You can do this during the checkout process when purchasing your webinar. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, please contact info@schoolofpainting.co.uk. You can use a PC or tablet or even cast from your phone to watch on your Smart TV.
I paid for the session but missed it, how can I watch?
Currently all our online sessions are recorded and you can access the recording on our online learning platform until it expires. Usually 60 days for a webinar, 90 – 180 days for multipart webinars or online courses.
Studio Courses
How can I get help in choosing a course?
Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180
How do I get my work home?
Tutors have special techniques for transporting oil paintings and the school has plastic folders available in our shop for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.
For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home.
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.
Weekend Courses run 10am – 4pm on the first day but the final day starts at 9.30 and ends at 3.30 with a short lunch break to enable people to get home that evening.
Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?
The School is a very friendly and welcoming place for all ages and experience. Our drop-in life classes and August half-day workshops are ideal for those wanting to have a go for the first time. Most of our longer courses are also fine for novices.
If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up in the brochure and on the website.
Booking a Course
Can I pay by cheque?
Please get in touch by phone and we can hold your place for a few days whilst you post your cheque (made payable to: St Ives School of Painting) to us at St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios. St Ives TR26 1NG
How can I reserve a place?
We will hold a provisional reservation for 24 hours if you give us a call whilst you find accommodation. Otherwise please book online or by telephone 01736 797180.
You can reserve a place with a £100 deposit; balance is due 12 weeks before course start date.
About St Ives
Where do I park?
The nearest long stay public car parks are the Island and Barnoon both 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at the big top car park by the leisure centre and walk down into town. If you don’t fancy the walk up the hill at the end of the day there is a shuttle bus which runs from outside the cinema.
How do I get there?
Public Transport: If you are coming from further afield the main train line runs into St Erth which is a 15 min taxi ride away or you can take the St Ives Bay Line which runs approx. every 30 minutes. The School is a 10 minute walk from St Ives station.
Driving: M5 will take you to Exeter where we recommend that you take the A30 across Bodmin Moor and into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, leave the A30 at St Erth roundabout for St Ives. Turn right at the second roundabout. This road will take you through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives.
Where can I stay?
St Ives has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and self catering accommodation to choose from. Please browse the art holidays St Ives section on our website and give us a call if you would like any help.
