Course details
Drawing inspiration from the awe-inspiring St Ives coastline, dive into pastel painting and discover unique techniques that are possible when painting with soft pastels.
Join practising artist, Nina Squire, as she demonstrates how she uses soft pastels in a painterly way. Learn both traditional and contemporary approaches to pastel painting; how to create texture and how to layer colours to create your own dynamic seascapes.
During this 3-day journey, Nina will guide you through a variety of approaches to enhance your technical skills as well as nurture your creativity and individual expression. You will follow her hands-on process, creating paintings from blank paper to finished artwork, enabling you to delve into the distinctive characteristics of these pigments.
Nina’s approach to teaching encourages students to express themselves through an artistic process and she will help discover what works best for you as an individual. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, her personal tutelage will encourage you to find new ways of working with soft pastels, loosen your technique and extend your creative range.
You will be presented with your very own bespoke set of 16 handmade Unison Colour pastels that have been especially curated for the workshop by Nina, only available to St Ives School of Painting. These pastels are often described as ‘smooth as butter’ and are highly pigmented for the deepest colouration. Made, labelled and packed completely by hand, they will be yours to keep after the workshop.
artwork and photo credits © Nina Squire 2023
Day to day plan
This is a rough indication of what to expect over the course. However sometimes the structure of the days may alter depending on the nature of the group and weather.
Day 1
The course will begin with introductions at the studio overlooking Porthmeor Beach before venturing out to the St Ives coastline to capture a rich array of visual elements using line and tone.
In the afternoon, you’ll return to the studio to refine and expand upon the visual inspirations, crafting more thoughtful works of art with tone and mark making.
Day 2
On day two you will venture to the captivating, rugged terrain of The Island to visit St Nicholas Chapel. Here, Nina will encourage you to revisit the techniques explored on Day One and build on these by creating colour studies (weather permitting), before heading back to the studio for the afternoon session.
Day 3
Using reference material, colour studies and artwork completed over the first two days and your developed skills, consolidate your learning through a completed artwork.
What will I learn?
- Develop and understand your own artistic process.
- Tips to avoid and move through the creative blocks.
- How to enhance your technical skills using pigments.
- How to create texture with pastels.
- How to layer and mix colours with pastels.
Who would this course suit?
Nina’s hands-on approach and real-world experience as a practicing artist makes her an invaluable mentor for those seeking to discover their unique artistic voice and a personalised creative process in a supportive, friendly and encouraging environment.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, the skills and techniques covered will enhance your understanding and inspire exploration of soft pastels and creative approaches.
Taught by
What to Bring
Our studios are fully equipped and we provide you with all the materials you need for your course. However, if you have a favourite set of brushes or any specialist materials that you would prefer to use, please bring them with you.
Our studios are fully equipped and we provide you with all the materials you need for your course. However, if you have a favourite set of brushes or any specialist materials that you would prefer to use, please bring them with you.
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.
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 end at 4pm. There are plenty of nearby places to eat and we will serve tea and coffee at break times during the day.
FAQs
Art Courses
Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?
No prior experience is required to join most of our art courses. The School of Painting is a friendly and welcoming environment for all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.
Our drop-in life drawing classes and short workshops are perfect if you’re trying painting for the first time. Many of our longer courses are also suitable for beginners, as our tutors are experienced in supporting mixed ability groups. If a course requires previous experience, this will be clearly stated on the course page.
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 need time to arrange accommodation, we can hold a provisional booking for 24 hours. 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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