Observation + Abstraction

Mixed Media / Abstract

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

Course details

Explore the possibilities of abstraction in this one-off webinar drawing inspiration from your direct surroundings. Experiment with new ways of working from figuration to abstraction.

Suitable for anyone who is looking to shift from purely representational expression to something more individual. This online webinar uses the different ‘backdrops’ around us – landscape, interior, figure or still-life – to help you find your own visual vocabulary.

Starting with different approaches to line drawing, Camilla takes you through simple exercises, encouraging you to pull-out the abstract elements of a scene. Rather than attempting to ‘represent’ your chosen object or scene, Camilla encourages you to see these afresh, helping to direct the eye more keenly and truly.

Ideal if you are looking for drawing as a way to concentrate and relax as well as a way to ‘get in the zone’, but also useful for anyone starting a project from scratch or for a total beginner. Camilla shows you how to use drawing as a starting point, or way-in, to creating a larger more complex painting, collage, relief, sculpture or installation. Through a process of selection, editing, enlarging, layering and repeating, find new ways-forward to creating paintings from objects, landscapes and figures. Above all, this will be an opportunity to have fun and to experiment!

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for both absolute beginners and those with more experience, looking to build confidence in new ways of working. Aimed to help you step out of your comfort zone and loosen your approach to drawing and painting.

Before the start of the webinar please collect objects from around your home and assemble them into a still-life set up that you will be able to work from during the webinar.

What will I learn?

1. Build confidence working from figuration to abstraction.

2. Use drawing as a way to relax.

3. Find new ways into abstraction.

4. See how to develop new artworks in a range of mediums from experimental drawings.

5. Take inspiration from a variety of objects, settings and ideas.

How does an online session work?

We will send you a link the day before the session so you can join in live. You can put questions to the tutor using the online chat function.

We record the sessions so you can watch on demand, as often as you like, for up to 1 month after. This way you can pause a scene, rewind and finish your painting.

You will be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world. You can also share your work live with others on social media using the #schoolofpainting

You can watch on a PC, laptop or tablet and if you have chromecast or miracast you could even cast to your SmartTV from your phone.

Observation and Abstraction

Mixed Media / Abstract

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

Taught by

Camilla
Dixon

View Camilla’s Work

I find tutoring to be a constantly evolving project. It supports my creative work as it requires that I not only understand my processes but can apply them in a way that is useful to other people in their quest for creative flow. Harnessing a fluid and responsive working method, can address all sorts of practical or emotional obstacles that students face. It can be quite literally life-changing.

What to Bring

We will send you a handbook on setting up ready for the course covering equipment and materials. There will be a task sent to you before the webinar to help take photographs and make quick sketches.

You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC, laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable to watch a webinar on, unless you can cast to your Smart TV, as the presenter will be hard to see when they share their screen with you .

Timings and Breaks

Live broadcast, 10:30am, Saturday 1st October (2 hours)

During the session please pose questions to the artist using the chat function.

You can revisit as often as you like for up to 1 month after broadcast via the same links as the live events.

What our students say

Camilla was inspirational and adjusted the plan to the group perfectly. There was a great atmosphere, and I certainly learnt a lot. I came home with a renewed creative energy!

Clare

As a practicing artist the course allowed time for experimentation in new materials with a focus on the development of ideas & concepts. The guidance from Camilla throughout the course was encouraging and valuable. Camilla covered every aspect and talked about any related subjects in an inspiring and open manner. It was a very inspiring and well-structured course.

Camilla presented what could, certainly for me, have seemed daunting work practices in a very relaxed manner, accommodating the varied needs and experience of the student group. Camilla seemed to keep the plates spinning for the full three days. This was the first course I’ve done at the School of Painting. It won’t be the last.

Camilla’s teaching style enabled us all to be released into understanding the process and possibilities within abstraction and how we could explore this through distilling our observations and approaches to mark making. I felt encouraged and supported during the three days, which affirmed me and boosted my sense of self as a creative person. It was a great boost to my confidence, and I am most grateful!

Freedom to progress our work was the emphasis, not in making a finished piece, there were no rights or wrongs. Camilla was very generous in her interactions with each student and gave us each affirmation. The team were all very supportive and helpful. Thank you!

Great tutor, great team, great space. What more could one ask for.

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 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.