Painting Clouds

Oil / Painting / Landscape

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

Register Interest

Course details

Learn how to capture the shifting drama, light and atmosphere of the sky and discover how clouds can transform a landscape and become the focus of a powerful painting.

Tom Rickman has been studying changing light and atmosphere for many years, an interest that first grew from watching shifting skies and clouds while working from a beach hut overlooking Lyme Bay in Devon.

Over time, Tom has developed a distinctive approach to painting clouds that captures both drama and subtle atmosphere. For Tom, the sky is never separate from the land beneath it; his paintings explore the symbiosis between landscape and atmosphere, where each shapes and reflects the other.

This course offers an inspiring opportunity to deepen your understanding of landscape painting through Tom Rickman’s own methods and processes, exploring light, atmosphere and the ever-changing relationship between sky and land.

Working in charcoal, gouache and oils, you’ll explore the sky as more than a backdrop to the landscape, learning how clouds, light and atmosphere can shape mood, movement and composition within a painting. Through demonstrations and guided exercises, Tom will encourage you to look closely at the visual language of weather and atmosphere, developing skies that range from quiet and contemplative to bold and dramatic.

Tom will guide you through the materials and tools used throughout the course before demonstrating how to establish strong visual starting points through drawing. Using simple pictorial sketches, you’ll explore ways to simplify and structure what you see, considering proportion, horizon lines, tonal contrast and varied line quality to identify the elements that will make a compelling painting.

Building on these drawings, Tom then demonstrates how to develop your ideas through gouache studies before bringing everything together in a final cloud painting in oils. Along the way, he shares practical insights into observation, composition and paint handling, helping you gain confidence in your own painting practice.

How long is the course?

The course includes over three hours of video content, divided into manageable sections that can be followed at your own pace. The demonstrations are organised into three parts: drawing, gouache and a final oil painting. Each section includes its own set-up guidance, helping you prepare before you begin. Reference images are provided for every demonstration, allowing you to work alongside the course videos step by step. Alternatively, you may choose to use your own reference material, applying the techniques and principles explored throughout the course to the skies and clouds that inspire you personally.

Dusk cloudy twilight sky painting by artist Tom Rickman for online art class Painting in oils.
Deep blue twilight sky painting by artist Tom Rickman for online art class Painting in oils.
Blue twilight sky painting by artist Tom Rickman for online art class Painting in oils.

Who is this course for?

Ideal for those with some painting experience, this course offers students an inspiring opportunity to deepen their understanding of landscape painting through the study of light, atmosphere and the ever-changing relationship between sky and land, encouraging a more thoughtful and expressive approach to observing and interpreting the landscape.

What will I learn?

  • Develop confidence in observing and painting clouds, light and atmosphere as expressive elements within the landscape.
  • Explore techniques for working in charcoal, gouache and oils to capture different weather conditions and moods.
  • Learn how to simplify and structure a scene through sketching, considering proportion, horizon lines and tonal contrast.
  • Gain insight into Tom Rickman’s approach to painting skies, from clear midday light to the rich colour and atmosphere of sunset.
  • Create more dynamic and engaging landscape paintings by understanding how clouds can shape composition, movement and emotion.

How does an online course work?

Upon purchase, the course will be available to view in your account.

We recommend watching each lesson in full first, before exploring the ideas in practice. Images and films of clouds/skies will be available in your account for you to paint from or you can work from your own resources if preferred.

As he paints, Tom Rickman shares his thoughts and observations, discussing the choices he makes and the techniques he uses to develop the studies and paintings. This live commentary provides a valuable opportunity to gain insight into his creative process and approach.

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 and tagging us @stives painting

You can watch on demand, as often as you like, for up to 90 days after the purchase date. 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.

Painting Clouds

Oil / Painting / Landscape

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

Register Interest

Taught by

Tom
Rickman

View Tom’s Work

The process of learning a practical discipline such as painting, can seem both daunting and frustrating. In the landscape and the studio I assess each individual student’s ability and use this as a starting point, trying to keep the teaching just beyond the curve of what they can and want to do. As much as teaching them the basics and certain techniques of oil painting, I wish to show them pointers and possible directions of development within their own work.

What will I need?

A list of materials will be available to see in your account upon purchase of the course along with any reference material relevant to the course.

You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC, laptop or a tablet with audio.

Timings and Breaks

Watch now at your leisure with plenty of opportunity to watch again as often as you like and let the ideas percolate and the painting begin.

You can revisit as often as you like for up to 180 days after purchasing the course.

FAQs

Online Art Courses

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

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.

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