Course details
Find inspiration in Patrick Heron’s early and late garden paintings, with his love of Braque, Matisse and Bonnard. Visit the subtropical Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and harness colour and form in your own work.
Respond to Patrick Heron’s early and late garden paintings and his love of Braque, Matisse and Bonnard. Field trips include a trip to Tremenheere Sculpture Garden, with practical and structured learning throughout. It will suit all levels of student interested in responding to the natural world and exploring colour, form and abstraction in their painting.
Respond to Patrick Heron’s early and late garden paintings, exploring paintings from his own garden at Eagles’ Nest and his residency in New South Wales. Heron’s love of Braque, Matisse and Bonnard will also inform the course and set you on your own exploration of colour, form and composition inspired by nature.
The course includes a visit to Tremenheere Sculpture garden, a beautiful sheltered valley in west Cornwall, surrounded by woods, streams and dramatic vista, the perfect setting for this 22-acre exotic and sub-tropical garden. Your tutor will lead you though the dramatic gardens, which provide the backdrop to contemplative and inspiring art. International renowned artists such as James Turrell RA and David Nash RA have interacted with the garden to create site-specific permanent works, all harmonising with their garden setting.
Packed with inspirational experiences this course provides practical and structured learning. The course includes all your materials as well as travel to and entrance fee to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens.
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
Ways into drawing
After a quick introduction to the group and materials at Porthmeor Studios we will catch a taxi to the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Using materials such as pencils and oil bars to draw intuitive responses to the garden in your sketch book. You will learn to respond expressively to the possibilities of line, colour and form. We will be collected from Tremenheere at 3:15pm and return to the studio to discuss the day and our work before finishing at 4:30.
Day 2
Responding to Heron – the language of painting
Meeting in Porthmeor Studio we will start with a visit to Tate St Ives to make more sketchbook drawings. Back in the studio select from your sketchbook to begin to make an abstract composition. Evoke the garden in arrangements of colour, texture, line, pattern and mark making using a mixed media approach.
Day 3
The developmental process
Working all day in Porthmeor Studios we will continue to develop your abstract work building on what you learnt so far over the last two days. You will be encouraged to start to resolve work and not give up. Embrace the chance to take risks and reflect.
Day 4
Knowing when to finish
A day to enjoy developing your work further with one to one feedback and a group discussion at the end of the day.
What will I learn?
- A developed intuitive response to the environment.
- Confidence to work out in the environment.
- Ways to develop your sensory experience and sketchbook work into abstraction.
- An understanding of Patrick Heron’s process with a focus on his garden paintings.
- A better understanding of how to develop a creative process rather than a finished product.
Who would this course suit?
There will be walking on the first day on uneven and steep ground. You will be carrying a sketchbook and art materials with some sitting on the ground. There is a steep hill to get to the garden area. It will suit students interested in responding to the natural world and exploring colour, form and abstraction.
Taught by
What to Bring
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 like to use, please bring them with you.
It may also be useful to bring a plastic folder or portfolio to transport your work home (although we have these available to buy from £3.50). If your course involves working outside we would recommend you bring warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy walking shoes or boots.
Timings and Breaks
Due to the field trip to Tremenheere on the first day we will meet at Porthmeor Studios at 9.30am. The minibus will return us to the studio in the afternoon and the day will finish at 4pm. We start at 9.30am and finish at 4pm on the following two days. Occasionally these may be changed if required by the tutor. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided in the studio and there will be an hour for lunch.
On the first day you can bring a packed lunch but there is also a fantastic cafe on site. We will book a table for the group. On the Tuesday and Wednesday there are plenty of nearby places to eat or you are welcome to bring a packed lunch into the studio.
FAQs
Our 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
Can I pay by cheque?
Please get in touch by phone and we can hold your place for a few days whilst you post your cheque (made payable to: St Ives School of Painting) to us at St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios. St Ives TR26 1NG
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 both 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at the big top 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.