Painting Flowers in Oils

Oil / Still Life

Purchase

Course details

Learn how to capture in oils, bold spring blooms, to create a beautiful expressive still life, rich in colour and texture.

Each session lasts three hours and you can pause and rewind each recording. You will see Gary as he works alongside you.

Nothing quite compares with the luscious possibility of working with oil paint, but it can be a daunting medium. Follow in the seasoned footsteps of tutor Gary Long and work from a subject that has transfixed artists for centuries: a beautiful still life of flowers. This course equips you with a practical, step by step approach to painting flowers in oils. Gary shares with you the usually hidden process of creating a painting from scratch leading you to a final finished piece.

You’ll start with a compositional drawing in charcoal, giving you a feeling for the tonal values. From your charcoal study, move to working with gouache, incorporating colour and a flush of confidence into your painting. This approach drives away the apprehension of beginning an oil painting and draws out your intuitive knowledge. You can either work from the same still life as Gary or create your own at home.

You will build your colour palette, learning to unearth the right tones and to create a dialogue between them. This gives you a solid support system for working in oils, bringing depth to your painting. Work on canvas; using brushes and experiment with palette knives, reveal the possibilities of expressive mark making. The two sessions will establish the practical approach you need to feel confident working with oils, creating still lifes that luxuriate in the richness of paint, movement and texture.

Sessions

In these two recorded sessions, Gary will be working in the studio to share with you his process.

Recording 1 – Looking and Preparing

(3 hours)

Introduction. Gary will show you some of his own pieces. You can then work from our display of flowers or your own at home and begin with charcoal studies. You’ll incorporate gouache, with Gary demonstrating expressive and experimental painting techniques.

Recording 2 – Palette and Painting

(3 hours)

Gary will share some information on colour and techniques for laying out a palette. You will then begin to paint on your canvas in oils, using your charcoal and gouache studies as references. Gary will introduce you to mediums such as impasto paste, which you can use to create texture in your painting, creating gestural forms without losing the intensity of your colour.

What will I learn?

  • Learn to sharpen your observation when it comes to working from still life.
  • Understand tonal values and how to convey these in different media.
  • Build confidence to experiment with gouache as a way into oil painting and a reference point throughout the process of making work.
  • Build confidence in colour mixing and develop your understanding of how colours interact in a piece.
  • Learn to create texture in oil paintings using different tools and media.


Who would this course suit?

This course is a wonderful starting point to build your confidence working with oil paints and to develop a more expressive and gestural still life style. With its structured and practical approach, it is ideal for anyone looking for a better understanding of composition, colour and the physical properties of oil paint and is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with a little more experience.

How does an online session work?

Once you have booked you will be able to watch on demand immediately. 

You can pause, rewind and watch again as often as you like until the session expires 90 days after purchase

You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with our community of fellow students from around the world.

You will need access to the internet and ideally a Smart TV, PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not suitable unless cast to a smart TV.

Painting Flowers in Oils

Oil / Still Life

Purchase

Taught by

After many years as an illustrator I taught on the BA Illustration course at Falmouth University. In 2011 I began teaching at St Ives School of Painting. I deliver courses involved with the figure, still life and landscape. My practice as a painter feeds into the teaching, often through demonstrations. The school is wonderful – the history the ethos and most of all the people.

What our students say

A special thank you to Gary.  That colour mixing was truly therapeutic!!  

Jean R

Everything was fabulous, thank you. I enjoyed the sessions very much – I could have watched Gary mix colours all day!  

Roxanne D

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.

Online Art Courses

How do I log in to my online account?

To log in to your account, please follow these steps:

  1. Go to our website: www.schoolofpainting.co.uk
  2. Click on the ‘Log in’ button (usually found near the top right of the page)
  3. Enter the email address and you used when booking
  4. Click “Log in” to access your account

Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your bookings, outstanding payments, online courses and any relevant account information.

If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click ‘Forgot password?’ on the login page and follow the instructions to reset it.

If you have any trouble accessing your account, please email us and we’ll be happy to help.

Can I learn painting online from home?

Yes. Our online painting courses allow you to learn from professional artists wherever you are. You can pause demonstrations, revisit lessons and work through practical exercises in your own time.

Are online art courses suitable for beginners?

Many of our online art courses are suitable for beginners. Course descriptions explain the recommended level, materials and experience so that you can choose a course that feels manageable and relevant to your interests.

How do online art courses work?

Once you have purchased an online course, you can access it through your account and work through the video tuition and supporting resources at a time that suits you. Access periods vary from 60 – 180 days, just check the individual course page before booking.

For live webinars, once you book a place, we will share a link with you in advance so you can join us at the relevant start time – this is typically via Zoom. A recording of the webinar will be shared with you after the webinar so you can re-watch in your own time.

Do you offer online art courses?

Yes. We have more than 90 online art courses covering painting, drawing, colour, landscape, abstraction, mixed media and other creative subjects. The courses are taught by practising artists and can be followed from home at your own pace.

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].

Who teaches your art courses?

Our courses are led by practising artists – including Jill Eisele, Alice Mumford, Iona Sanders and Neil Canning – all with extensive knowledge of their chosen subjects and materials. Each tutor brings their own artistic experience, working methods and approach to teaching, giving students the opportunity to experience a wide range of ideas and techniques.

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 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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