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.
Taught by
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!
FAQs
Online Broadcast
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
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.
Studio Courses
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 the school has plastic folders available in our shop for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.
For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home.
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.
Weekend Courses run 10am – 4pm on the first day but the final day starts at 9.30 and ends at 3.30 with a short lunch break to enable people to get home that evening.
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.
If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up in the brochure and 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.
