St Ives Museum

Marks of the Past: Simple Printmaking into Painting

Painting / Printmaking - Materials included

We haven’t scheduled this course yet. Please email us to register your interest for future availability.

Register Interest

Course details

Exploring the rich visual heritage of St Ives, this course encourages experimental responses in printmaking and painting that honour both history and abstraction, tradition and innovation.

white-sand-and-ochre-william-scott-1961
White, Sand and Ochre, 1961 © Estate of William Scott (London, UK)

Join artists Liz Luckwell and Hilary Jean Gibson for a four-day creative exploration that draws directly from the rich heritage of St Ives. Using the St Ives Museum as a starting point, we’ll develop visual ideas through sketchbook work, abstraction, and printmaking—culminating in unique paintings that reflect both past and present.

You’ll begin by sketching in the museum, focusing on objects and displays ranging from the Cornish kitchen and pilchard press to mining, fishing, and Crysede silks. Using viewfinders and cropping techniques, you’ll abstract and simplify these observations into strong, dynamic compositions.

The course then splits into two printmaking approaches:

  • Liz will guide you through monoprinting, exploring contrast, texture, and the power of positive and negative space.
  • Hilary will lead you through polyboard printing with layered colour variations, offering a playful and intuitive route into composition and palette development.

Each of your prints—completely unique—will provide the foundation for further exploration in acrylic or gouache, giving you the opportunity to reinterpret and expand your imagery.

In addition, we will draw inspiration from the work of modernist artists, whose pieces are displayed at Tate St Ives, such as William Scott, Terry Frost, and Bryan Wynter. These artists are known for abstracting forms, colours and patterns from everyday objects and coastal life.

Fishing Display at St Ives Museum
Polyboard Print – Hilary Jean Gibson
Display of ‘Joannies’ made from broken oars by fisherman at St Ives Museum

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

Liz will begin by taking you to the St Ives Museum to explore and draw with pencil and charcoal. Back in the studio, she will introduce you to monoprinting, working from both large and small sections of your drawings. Experiment with a range of techniques, including the use of stencils, to create unique one-off prints. Throughout the session, Liz will draw inspiration from the work of the St Ives modernists, particularly William Scott.

Day 3

Hilary will guide you through another area of the St Ives Museum, where you’ll create drawings in pencil and pen. Back in the studio, these studies will form the basis for polyboard prints—a process similar to lino printing. You’ll develop unique, one-off prints in a range of colours, layering them to produce dynamic patterns and textures. Throughout the session, Hilary will also reference the work of St Ives modernists, including Terry Frost and Bryan Wynter.

Day 2

Working from the monoprints made the previous day as your reference, you’ll begin to develop a series of paintings using acrylics and pastel. This session will allow you to build on the shapes, textures, and ideas within your prints as you experiment with colour, layering, and mixed-media techniques.

Day 4

Referring back to yesterday’s polyboard prints, we will abstract and enlarge selected elements to develop them into new compositions, working in either acrylic or gouache. This session will give you the chance to translate your print work into visually engaging paintings while exploring colour and form.

What will I learn?

  • Develop observational drawing skills inspired by the visual heritage of St Ives.
  • How to simplify and re-interpret visual information using viewfinders and cropping techniques.
  • Gain hands-on experience with mono-printing and poly-board printing.
  • Key principles of positive/negative space, contrast, and layering in printmaking.
  • Explore connections between modernist abstraction and everyday objects, informed by artists such as Terry Frost, William Scott, and Bryan Wynter.
  • Leave with a series of original prints and paintings, plus a sketchbook of ideas.

Who would this course suit?

No previous printmaking experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to experiment. This course is ideal for anyone interested in exploring simple, hands-on printmaking techniques, whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist looking to reconnect with playful, process-led approaches.

Marks of the Past: Simple Printmaking into Painting

Painting / Printmaking – Materials included

We haven’t scheduled this course yet. Please email us to register your interest for future availability.

Register Interest

Taught by

Hilary
Jean
Gibson

View Hilary Jean Gibson’s Work

In 1995 I became a tutor at the St Ives School of Painting. Offering inspiration through my passion for drawing, water-based media and art history, I strive to liberate a creative vision by teaching skills and techniques through direct observation and en plein air.

Liz
Luckwell

View Liz’s Work

Liz Luckwell’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the act of drawing, which underpins her method of working with materials, allowing images to emerge from the process itself. Starting from realistic beginnings—often sketching her immediate environment—Luckwell’s work evolves through a gradual process of simplification, distilling forms into more abstracted, emotive expressions. Her creative journey is infused with early memories of helping her mother craft wreaths and bouquets on the kitchen table, a tactile experience that still informs her approach. Working from her home, the Gardener’s Cottage, she often reflects on her family’s deep connection to gardening, a theme that permeates pieces like her oil pastel on board Summer Weeds, where natural forms are transformed through a nuanced, intimate exploration of colour and texture.

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.

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