Have you ever noticed how your best ideas come about while walking? Boost your creativity and step out with us into West Cornwall’s landscape with inspirational tuition in drawing and painting.

Writer Rebecca Solnit has said that walking “is how the body measures itself against the earth.” Immerse yourself in the West Cornish landscape on this three-day course led by artist Greg Humphries. Open up possibilities for the unexpected to inspire and motivate you to get painting and drawing. Journey through dramatic swathes of dramatic coastline with supportive and inspirational tuition that opens the door into creativity. 

Sketching and painting the stunning coast path scenery on foot is an extraordinarily freeing experience. Greg introduces you to the technical methodologies of iconic portrayals of the Cornish landscape – such as those by JMW Turner – as well as intuitive exercises to help you unplug from distractions and connect to your surroundings. 

We will walk along the coast path towards Clodgy Point, a thirty minute brisk walk from the studio. As this course includes coast path walking with some steep inclines and stretches over rough ground, a reasonable level of fitness is required. Guided by artist tutor Greg Humphries respond to this stunning environment using mixed media to collect figurative and abstract visual material in a sketchbook. Diverse and structured exercises ensure you enjoy the challenge of stepping outside your comfort zone.  

You’ll work mostly outside on the first day, with timings organised to optimise the weather conditions. The second day will be based in our studio with perhaps a quick sketch outside in the morning if the weather allows. On the final day, you’ll have a chance to consolidate sketchbook material into a more considered painting that captures the essence of place. 

If you have any access questions do please call the School to find out more. 

“What worked for me was masses of individual attention and encouragement and positive support, the opportunity to sketch outside. These 2 days have opened doors I have been longing to open. Thank you Greg.” – Debs Blyth.

What will I learn?

1. A reviving few days spent outside away from distractions to reinvigorate your creativity. 
2. Expert guidance from an environmental artist on techniques historically deployed by artists to collect visual material outside, as well as some innovative intuitive exercise to help you connect to place more deeply. 
3. A creative journey through one of the most stunning stretches of the English countryside. 
4. Tips on the use of a variety of media including gouache paint, charcoal, graphite and collage.
5. One-on-one advice on the decisions that evolve sketches and source material into a consolidated painting.  

Who would this course suit?

If you love the outdoors and would like to translate that inspiration into expressive landscape paintings, this is a fantastic opportunity to get expert advice on how to accumulate and develop visual information. As the course includes a significant amount of walking outdoors, a reasonable degree of fitness is required; do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions about this. Whether you’re a beginner or have a little more experience, this course helps you draw on a powerful connection with the elements and the environment with techniques and exercises to get the most out of your paintings.

What to Bring

• Packed Lunch for the first two days of the course
• Waterproof and windproof coat
• Sturdy walking boots / walking shoes (not trainers)
• Hat (for sun protection)
• Sun cream
• Water bottle
• Flask
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (or phone camera)
• Watch or suitable timepiece

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.