Henri Matisse, Harmony in Red (Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg), 1908

Matisse - Pattern + Illusion

Oil / Figure / Still Life

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

Course details

In this 4 day online course led by artist Alice Mumford learn how Matisse used pattern to create the illusion of three dimensions and immerse yourself in the joy of looking and painting.

Alice Mumford will share with you a process of discovery and exploration, an approach developed for her own painting practice. Matisse transformed his studio into dreamy places, something like a stage set. His flat colours became real spaces we move through as a viewer. Based on some of his renowned paintings we will recreate parts of Matisse’s studio at the School. Discover how you too can create space in your painting using pattern.

Over four mornings work from home alongside Alice and a small group of fellow students while using the inspirational set up in our studio in St Ives. Learn how Matisse and other artist of the 18th and 19th century generated a new visual language, looking beyond the confines of European linear perspective. Learn how this approach can change the way you see the world around you and inspire your own painting.

Benefit from live demos and gain feedback from your group and Alice. The group is kept small at just 15 and you will be able to interact will your fellow students at the live zoom sessions where you will be seen and heard as well as on our image sharing platform.

We record these live sessions so you can watch again on demand for 1 month after the course. Students will have the opportunity to ask the tutor questions prior and during these live sessions as well as have access to a group forum on a secured course platform. This private online space is a chance for you and your group to connect with each other and share progress during the course.

You will need to gather your own materials for the course and have access to the internet. We will have staff on hand to assist with your connecting on Zoom with a dedicated tech session. You will receive a comprehensive handbook on setting up ready for the course covering equipment and materials.

Day to day plan

This is a 4 day course with a daily live and interactive session with Alice lasting three hours. The afternoon will be a time for you to develop your work further.
Each day, upload images of your artwork, which your class and tutor will be able to view, like and provide feedback on over the 4 days.

Tech session

Wednesday 3 February 3pm Live Zoom session

Technical induction with our digital administrator to ensure everyone is comfortable and ready for the first session. By the end of this session you will have learnt how to post your first image on our image sharing platform and comment on other peoples images and check you can take part fully in the live session.

Day 1

Monday 8 February, Live Zoom session 10.00am – 1pm

Context and drawing in charcoal

Alice will talk about the context of the course. Look at how traditional Japanese Prints were such an influence on Matisse’s visual language. Look at Matisse’s scale and compositional devices and then start our drawing on canvas with charcoal.

You can carry on in the afternoon in your own time developing drawings on a number of canvases from a still sent to you of the still life and figure set up.

Day 2

Tuesday 9 February, Live Zoom session 10.00am – 1pm

Palette and painting

We will look at Matisse’s unusual and invigorating approach to setting up his scene using yellows, pinks and greens. We then go on to lay out our palette and start to paint. Continue to develop your painting in the afternoon based on the still.

Day 3

Wednesday 10 February, Live Zoom session 10.00am – 1pm

Painting and making adjustments

We paint until 11.30am. Then the group will listen while Alice starts the process of individual adjustments to students paintings. The session is inspired by the evidence of Matisse’s making adjustments to a painting using cut out bits of coloured paper. We all benefit from watching and learning about this process as a group. We keep working on our painting in the afternoon started the day before.

Day 4

Thursday 11 February, Live Zoom session 10.00am – 1pm

Solving the puzzle of your painting

We continue as yesterday with Alice spending time with the group making individual adjustments and resolutions. For those who have finished their first piece they can start to working on a second canvas later that day. The timings will be adjusted depending on the group. As you develop your work upload onto the sharing platform for your fellow students and Alice to see and comment on.

What you will get out of this course

Understand how space can be created out of pattern.
Learn how colour can be made to have an underlying connection.
learn to use spot the difference when it comes to colour to keep the viewer engaged.
Introduction into “fixing a painting “.

Who would this course suit?

Whether you are a complete beginner in oil paints or would like to build your confidence working with them, this course is a wonderful starting point.

Matisse – Pattern and Illusion

Oil / Figure / Still Life

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

Taught by

Alice
Mumford

View Alice’s Work

“The school of painting is an oasis; a place to share ideas, enthusiasm and adventures into painting. Teaching has helped me to translate my thoughts and reflections about art into practical courses. In doing this I have learnt so much and shared in that adventure. It’s an opportunity to pass on the wonderful sense of being part of a bigger ‘family’ of painters.”

What to Bring

You will receive a comprehensive handbook on setting up ready for the course covering equipment and materials. We will guide you on how best to set up in your own home environment whatever that might be from the kitchen to the studio.

You will be provided with a full materials list and you will need to use oil paint and either low odour white spirit or Zest It, if you are sensitive to solvents.

IT Equipment

You will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. A phone is not ideal as you will struggle to see enough. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.

Timings and Breaks

On the Wednesday before the course starts there will be technical session with our digital administrator to make sure you are comfortable with the technology and everything is working correctly.

Key Dates: Live Zoom Sessions

Pre Course Tech session – Wednesday 3 February 3pm Live Zoom session

Day 1 – Mon 8 Feb, Live Zoom session 10.00am – 1pm

Day 2- Tues 9 Feb, Live Zoom session 10.00am – 1pm

Day 3 – Wed 10 Feb, Live Zoom session 10.00am – 1pm

Day 4 – Thurs 11 Feb, Live Zoom session 10.00am – 1pm

These classes will be recorded and available to view a couple of hours after the session ends so you can review and recap before the next morning session.

All recordings will be available for you to watch again on demand as many times as you like for one month after the course ends. This means you can review, pause, rewind and further develop your skills.

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.

In Person Courses

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.

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].

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.

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?

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.

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

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.