Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter byDavid PaskettCheung Chau Typhoon Shelter by David Paskett

New Ways Into Watercolour

Drawing / Water-based / Watercolour / Landscape - Materials included

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

Register Interest

Course details

Join David Paskett, former president of the Royal Watercolour Society to learn unconventional and liberating approaches to breaking the ‘rules’ of watercolour and discover a new way to enjoy this medium.

Lotus Pond, Hung Cun by David Paskett
Lotus Pond, Hung Cun by David Paskett

This three day course will help you break out of the constraints of watercolour. Inspired by the harbour of St Ives, we will look at the shapes and architecture, the boats but also the objects found around the iconic St Ives harbourfront. We will also refer to the famous St Ives modernist painters who mixed still life, landscape and figures, blurring distinctions between ‘abstract’ and ‘figurative’.

Looking at ways of using watercolour more as you would gouache or acrylic, learn to make your painting opaque as well as work on tinted papers. This creates more room to correct mistakes but also creates quite a different effect. The planning for the painting is important and David will show you how to not only capture ideas through quick and energetic drawings but then also how to meticulously plan before leaping into your painting.

Learning to develop this considered stage will help you achieve a much more satisfying final piece and enable you to work with watercolour with much more confidence.

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

Line and composition.

We will go out on location in the harbour, a five minute walk from the studio. Making uncomplicated small drawings search for varied shapes to inform larger and more complex compositions back in the studio. Using line, collage, cutting and ripping, while referring to the work of Ben Nicholson, we will mix still life with landscape.

Day 2

Tone, shadow, dark and light.

In the morning we will spend some time outside at the harbour painting and drawing tonal contrasts with a limited palette. Back in the studio David will lead you through the simplifying process of transparent watercolour painting in layers from monochrome to colour. Stretch paper in preparation for third day.

Day 3

Colour

Using ideas gathered over the last two days, create a piece working on tinted papers to capture the iconic whitewashed buildings of St Ives in a different way to the conventional transparent approach to watercolour. David will share his enjoyment of mixing greys with watercolour and opaque white without using black and his fascination with the personalities of in inanimate objects with reference to Giorgio Moran.

What will I learn?

  1. How to mix colour accurately in particular how to work with greys to create light and space
  2. Effective ways to combine working in larger areas with detailed work
  3. How to tackle water, bright light and shadows as well as figures in a painting
  4. How to create a strong composition by learning from the masters
  5. An appreciation of drawing as a way of seeing. Valuing the companionship of a sketchbook.

Who would this course suit?

If you are new to watercolour as well as those who might have used watercolour before but are interested in new approaches. Ideal if you want to use the water based techniques but struggle with its limitations. You will need to be be able to walk a short distance to the harbour and spend time outdoors.

New Ways Into Watercolour

Drawing / Water-based / Watercolour / Landscape – Materials included

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

Register Interest

Taught by

David
Paskett

View David’s Work

David was past President of the Royal Watercolour Society and studied fine art at Hornsey College of Art. His distinctive watercolour technique is founded in oil and tempera painting with an emphasis on drawing. Intrigued by still life groupings seen on streets and waterways, his work is characterised by detail, clear shadows, controlled tone, decisive edges and rhythmic repeated pattern. Much of his inspiration is sourced on travels abroad in Europe, Hong Kong and China, where he has taught, exhibited and painted. He has received many awards and prestigious commissions including making a watercolour for the 100th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

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

I enjoyed this course, nice friendly atmosphere in the studio and the tutoring was inspiring.

Sally Holman

David was a delightful and interesting man and his planned approach was thoughtful and led to us producing some interesting personal results based on familiar local features.

Janet Abis

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].

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.

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