Mindful Ways to Paint

Mixed Media / Abstract / Landscape - Materials included

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Course details

Slow down, observe, and reconnect with your creativity by tuning into both your inner world and the surrounding landscape, using mindful walks, drawing, and painting to capture the essence of the Cornish landscape

Kitty Hillier Mapping Movement Wilhelmina Barns-Graham
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Orange Sky 2, 1982 © Estate of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham/Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

Take a pause from your day-to day life and join artist Kitty Hillier as she shares the tools and techniques she has gathered over the years, in her art practice . Enjoy slowing down and spending time in nature on this three-day course, inspired by the studies and drawings by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham of the Cornish sea and rocks.

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham moved to St Ives from Scotland in 1940. Inspired by the rugged Cornish landscape, her drawings and paintings simplified the distinctive rocks, cliffs and coastline to abstracted shapes and forms.

Drawing inspiration from the coves, cliffs and water, follow Kitty as she demonstrates how to find inspiration from the sights and sounds around St Ives. Take a walk across Porthmeor Beach, drawing and collecting natural and man made objects along the way, to inspire your studio work and see how focusing on your breath and being ‘in-the-moment’ can help you work more intuitively.

Back in our studios, transform your beach drawings and found objects into sketches, collages and paintings. Explore various ways forward, see what effects can be achieved when using ink, fluid watercolour colours and your own unique drawing tools and experiment with textures – see how rubbings and relief, or fabric and stitch can add to your topographic studies, experiment and have fun!

Return to your early studies with fresh eyes, working on wooden panels or thick, textured watercolour paper. Let each brushstroke build on what came before, guiding your work towards paintings that not only speak — but resonate with depth, energy, and intention.

What will I learn?

  1. Learn how to approach your paintings and drawings more intuitively.
  2. Build confidence in composition and expand your visual language.
  3. Loosen your approach to image making.
  4. Learn how Wilhelmina Barns-Graham captured the Cornish landscape in reduced and simplified forms.

Who would this course suit?

This course would suit artists at any stage in their creative journey; whether you have an established practice or are just starting out. Ideal if you are looking for ways to increase skills, experience and experimentation.

There will be some walking on the morning of the first day.

Mindful Ways to Paint

Mixed Media / Abstract / Landscape – Materials included

Book Selected Date

Taught by

Kitty
Hillier

View Kitty’s Work

My approach encourages play, experimentation and trust in our gut intuition. It’s always great to hear that after trying some of the quick mark-making and drawing exercises that I teach, people are keen to repeat them at home regularly as a way to relax or reset. 

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 course exceeded my expectations. Kitty Hillier is an excellent tutor and her passion for the subject was obvious throughout.

FAQs

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]

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 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


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 as class sizes are small and our tutors are experienced in managing varying abilities within a group.

If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up on the website.

Booking a Course

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 Long Stay Car Park, both a 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at Trenwith 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.

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