Course details
Loosen up with gestural painting techniques and layered mark-making to capture the essence of the dramatic Cornish landscape, developing sketches into lively, expressive mixed-media paintings.

Alison Orchard is an expressive landscape painter whose own practice explores colour, texture and gestural mark-making, and throughout this new course she will share her techniques and working processes to help you develop a freer, more confident approach to painting the landscape.
Working both outdoors and in the studio, begin by taking the pressure out of sketching and learning to respond more freely to the landscape around you. Through quick studies and simple observations, explore ways to capture the character and atmosphere of a place without feeling the need to record every detail.
Develop your initial sketches into lively mixed-media paintings, learning how to simplify your ideas and strengthen composition. Explore colour through a limited acrylic palette, then experiment with gestural mark-making, texture and layering using brushes, palette knives, improvised tools and acrylic mediums. Collage and pastel will add further depth, contrast and interest to your work.
The emphasis is on experimentation and developing a freer, more confident approach. You’ll be encouraged to loosen up, push your ideas further and explore the possibilities of moving towards abstraction while still drawing inspiration from the landscape. Over the three days, you’ll build a collection of small mixed-media studies before developing your ideas into more resolved paintings on board.
Suitable for both beginners and more experienced painters, this is an enjoyable and exploratory course, designed to help you discover just how versatile and expressive acrylic and mixed-media painting can be.



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
Begin with monochrome, line and tone, exploring expressive mark-making, layering and composition through a series of playful exercises. After lunch, head to Porthmeor Beach to sketch from the landscape before returning to the studio to develop your observations through further layered studies.
Day 2
Explore colour through a limited acrylic palette, taking inspiration from artists including Maggie Hambling, John Piper, Peter Lanyon and David Tress. Experiment with colour mixing, expressive application and textured acrylic mediums, then build on the previous day’s studies to develop layered marks into small paintings on paper and canvas boards.
Day 3
Bring your ideas together in one or two final paintings on board. Explore glazing, finishing details and the use of pastel or pencil, with individual guidance to help you refine, resolve and complete your work before a final group review.
What will I learn?
- Develop a freer, more confident and gestural approach to sketching outdoors and responding directly to the landscape.
- Learn how to simplify ideas from sketches and develop them into lively, expressive mixed-media paintings.
- Explore colour mixing with a limited acrylic palette and use colour with greater confidence and purpose.
- Understand how to layer marks with brushes, palette knives and tools.
- Explore how different textures, paint consistencies and acrylic mediums can be used to create depth, contrast and dramatic effects.
- Discover how collage and pastel can be combined with acrylic paint to enrich and develop your work.
- Strengthen composition, loosen your painting style and develop ideas towards greater abstraction and personal expression.
Who would this course suit?
This course is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced painters who would like to loosen up, work more expressively and move away from purely representational painting. It is ideal for anyone keen to experiment with acrylics, mixed media and abstraction while responding to the landscape. Participants should be comfortable walking to and sketching at the nearby beach.
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.
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:
- Go to our website: www.schoolofpainting.co.uk
- Click on the ‘Log in’ button (usually found near the top right of the page)
- Enter the email address and you used when booking
- 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 art courses do you offer in St Ives?
We offer a varied programme of art courses in St Ives, including painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and life drawing. You can choose from one-day workshops, short summer sessions and more immersive three- and four-day studio courses. We also offer longer development courses for those looking to take their practice to the next level.
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.