colour abstract art course

Looking For Colour

Mixed Media / Abstract

Book Selected Date

Course details

Discover a vibrant world of colour in the back streets, gardens and harbour of St Ives. This course will ignite and motivate your passion for finding colour and help you gain confidence to use new colour stories in your own art practice.

In any visual display, colour is arguably the first element we experience, and yet, as artists, we often leave it till last when we plan a work of art. But what happens if we put it first? 

Join us on this inspiring journey to expand your skills and appreciation for the vibrant world of colour. Working directly from observation, we will work outside in the gardens, on the harbour and beaches, and in the back streets of St Ives, looking for colour, expressing and harnessing it however we can, in water based paint, mixed-media and even collage. Camilla will encourage you to put aside the science of colour theory for the duration of the course and to listen to one’s own instinctive response to colour by ‘simply looking’.

In the studio, we will experiment with those colour-findings and combinations to develop more abstracted interpretations, following the direction that feels most appropriate, with colour always being the leading consideration. Have fun with exercises that encourage both chance and choice, see how you respond to different colour juxtapositions using collage and paint, and choose your own outcomes for further exploration. You might create a series of small collages or paintings, or choose to work on larger mixed media pieces.

Throughout the course, draw inspiration from the rich and vibrant colour palettes of artists such as Paul Klee, Georgia O’Keeffe and Barbara Rae amongst others, and focus on nurturing play to discover and develop your own response to colour.

© Paul Klee Castle and Sun 1928
Camilla Dixon, St Ives Memorial Gardens 1, Gouache, oil pastel and wax on paper. £450.
St Ives Memorial Gardens by Camilla Dixon

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

AM: Structured exercises using found materials and collage in the studio, to start immersing ourselves in the quest for colour, help us look for new combinations, and put colour first. 

PM: Looking for colour at low tide, down on the harbour sand, gathering information, returning to the studio to explore findings in paint.

Day 2

AM: Considering colour through memory, in the studio and further afield, indoors and outdoors, depending where our explorations lead us. Taking a colour or two from Day 1, out into new environments, looking for new relationships.

PM: Painting and mixing media, en plein air, in the gardens and among the rocks and sands at low tide and sands.


Day 3

AM: Experimenting with newly found colour, in the studio or outside as student chooses. Individual tutorial chats, if desired.

PM: Consolidating work, group exhibition and chat, slide-show and round-up.

(In the event of bad weather, we will look for colour where and when we can, for example in the Tate, and adapt the schedule as needed. Please wear suitable clothes for painting outdoors in the Cornish Summer! Also do bring images of previous work if you would like to refer to them in a tutorial chat.)

Who is this course for?

Beginners and experienced artists are welcome. This course is suitable for anyone interested in exploring colour, its effects on other colours and the relationships between colours, from an intuitive perspective, rather than academic/theoretical one.

There will be some walking and exploring outside (weather permitting), but not very far, or very steep, within close range of the School of Painting.

What will I learn?

1. Loosen your approach to colour and find new ways of incorporating it into your own practice, regardless of your skill level

2. Gain increased confidence in using colour and responding intuitively to the world around you through colour

3. Develop a deeper interest and awareness of your personal response to colour

4. Stimulate and inspire your journey to record your own unique colour stories through different mediums such as paint and mixed media

5. Explore and learn from other artists who use colour in their work.

Looking For Colour

Mixed Media / Abstract

Book Selected Date

Taught by

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

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 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.

You might also like...