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

Online Broadcast

Do I need a webcam/any equipment?

For our webinar sessions which are broadcast on the internet and no webcam or microphone is needed as you just need to be able to see/hear hosts and you can communicate using the chat function. You can watch using a PC, Smart TV or tablet. A phone isn’t ideal as you will struggle to see enough unless you can miracast to a screen or smart TV.

For the longer online courses on Zoom you will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. If you have a PC without camera or speakers, you can purchase a plug and play webcam for approx £25 which connects to a usb port. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.

All the art materials and equipment needed to participate in the course will be listed in full on the online learning platform, for live webinars this will be a minimum of two weeks before the session starts.

I have registered for the webinar but I can't find my joining link

You can access all the resources and joining link for your webinar via our online learning platform. You will need to have set up an account on our online learning platform in advance. You can do this during the checkout process when purchasing your webinar. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, please contact [email protected]. You can use a PC or tablet or even cast from your phone to watch on your Smart TV.

I paid for the session but missed it, how can I watch?

Currently all our online sessions are recorded and you can access the recording on our online learning platform until it expires. Usually 60 days for a webinar, 90 – 180 days for multipart webinars or online courses.

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 want to reserve a place whilst you confirm holiday accommodation we will give you a full refund if you change your mind within 24 hours of booking. Just get in touch [email protected].

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.