Course details
Enter the magical landscapes of West Penwith and the landscape of the soul guided by two inspirational tutors exploring the work of Bryan Wynter, Ithell Colquhuon and Hilma af Klint.
Explore the techniques and approaches that tap into our subconscious way of working to help you create a more profound link between your internal landscape and the world around you. The inspirational physical and ancient geography on our doorstep in West Penwith will be a rich starting point, helping you over the four days to make connections to your own internal magical landscapes. An ideal course for those looking to deepen their connection to the world around them through making art in a more subconscious way or for those who simply want to work more creatively in the studio. Exercises and techniques developed by the artists Bryan Wynter, Ithell Colquhuon and Hilma af Klint will guide and inspire and equip you with valuable tools long after the course has finished.
Led by two experienced artist tutors with a passion for this subject and approach you will spend time out in the landscape as well as time in the studio. Harness techniques such as automatic drawing, Decalcomania and Parsemage and learn how to work up these exploratory drawings into paintings. Kate and Greg will sensitively lead you on a journey through both the external the internal landscapes that could be a fruitful and highly valuable new way of tapping into your creative soul.
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.
Day 1
Greg will introduce the group to the work of Byan Wynter and Ithell Colquhoun’s work, and influences from Theosophists and The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The day will cover automatic drawing, colour as emotion. In the afternoon spend time on Porthmeor Beach to explore techniques connected with water and the patterns it can create.
Day 2
A trip to the nearby ancient Rosewall Hill will give you the opportunity to apply techniques covered on day one to this landscape of rock formations and wild moorland. Return to the studio to develop your work further in the afternoon.
Day 3
Kate moves into the internal landscapes using automatic drawing developing these further into watercolour painting. In the afternoon explore the technique of Decalcomania – with discussion and practical exercises to include acrylic, water colour and inks on glass plates and also using two sheets of paper to produce ‘double images’
Day 4
A day for distillation and guidance on considering form and the relationship between the elements as you work up progressively more considered images. A final group discussion will close the four days.
What will I learn?
- Techniques inspired by the artists Bryan Wynter, Ithell Colquhuon and Hilma af Klint that can help you work more creatively
- Approaches that can deepen our sense of personal connectedness to place
- Guidance on how to work up sketches and studies into more finished work
Who would this course suit?
This course would suit artists at any stage in their creative journey. An ideal course for those looking deepen their connection to the world around them through making art in a more subconscious way or for those who simply want to work more creatively in the studio.
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
The academic underpinning and contextualisation added to the fantastic facilitation of technique learning and application. All elements of the learning experience where full and well supported.
FAQs
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.
