Paint the stunning Cornish Coast with expert guidance from three of our professional artists. Learn how to capture the essence of place, both in the landscape and back in the studio.
‘So enchanting and valuable. The course gives you a clear plan of action to research the subject and make studies of it , and demonstrates methods you can use – all of which is transferable to your ongoing practice. It’s also very interesting to hear about Zennor and the mermaid’. Geraldine.
In this unique course, we share three different professional artist approaches on painting the Cornish Coast, working both out in the landscape and from original reference material back in the studio.
You will learn so much from each of our professional artists by completing a variety of preliminary drawing and sketching exercises in different materials and trying out various painting techniques, as the course progresses. This is an ideal course to get the creative muscles stirring if you are stuck for ideas, or if you are simply curious on how other artists approach a subject matter.
This course offers over 8 hours of instructional content, featuring high-quality footage of lessons where our artists work in three beautiful locations in Cornwall, sharing their techniques and insights on working outdoors. Then they return to our historic studios in St Ives to delve deeper into their ideas and painting practices.
Our artists featured in ‘Painting the Cornish Coast’ are Gary Long, Hilary Jean Gibson and Victoria Gillow.
Gary Long visits Pendeen Watch in West Cornwall which is an inspirational location featuring a historic lighthouse and dramatic coastal views. Observe contrasts in light in the landscape and interpret these through sketches and gouache studies. Gary discusses colour mixing, layering, brush techniques and how to create depth and dimension in your work, finishing up with creating a textural painting of Pendeen Watch in oils.
Hilary Jean Gibson has a fascination for history and enjoys exploring narratives in her paintings. She will be walking and working with water-based materials, in her concertina sketchbook in different Zennor locations, sharing her observations as a visual diary and exploring the myth of ‘The Mermaid of Zennor’. Delve into the fun of exploring colour and water-based paint and combine this with the drawing and sketching exercises laid out in this course, to make composite paintings that capture the essence of a place.
Victoria Gillow focuses on the beauty of the dunes and expansive three miles of shoreline within the bay of St Ives. Create your own seascape with Victoria and learn processes to help you to paint the landscapes close to you. Explore the balance between realism and abstraction, infusing colour with imagination and emotion rather than simple representation. Scale up your studies and put the techniques to practice to produce a vibrant and expressive seascape painting.
All the lessons combined in this course will give you beneficial tools to start building your own creative toolkit and help you to banish the fear of how to start a painting based on a sense of place.
nb: The content of this course can be purchased as three separate shorter courses. However, if you purchase the longer course, you will make a considerable saving of £30, compared to buying the three shorter courses individually.
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 en plein air and in the studio. Aimed to help you step out of your comfort zone and loosen your approach to drawing and painting a sense of place.
What will I learn?
1. Skills to develop paintings from preliminary drawing studies of your direct environment.
2. Loosen your approach to capturing the landscape around you, learn how to evolve an immersive and liberating art practice.
3. Observe contrasts in light in the landscape and interpret these through sketches.
4. Work with acrylics en plein air and develop your own colour palette from the landscape.
5. Learn to create texture in oil paintings using different tools and media, how to layer, different brush techniques and colour mixing.
6. How to find ways into painting when you have a creative block.
7. How to include narratives in your paintings.
How does an online session work?
We record the sessions so you can watch on demand, as often as you like, for up to 180 days after purchase. 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 and tagging us @stives painting
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 will you need?
A list of materials will be available to see in your account upon purchasing the course.
You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC, laptop or a tablet with audio.
FAQs
Online Art 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
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.
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