Mixed Media Art Classes - St Ives School of Painting

Poetry of Process

Oil / Abstract / Beginners

Book Selected Date

Course details

This mixed media course liberates you from expectations and encourages you to embrace the happy accident. Develop your painting in several directions through the act of painting itself, treading that fruitful bridge between intention and invention. 

Artist tutor Kerry Harding will open up a world of possibilities for you when it comes to working with oil paint. Through experimenting with tone, viscosity and texture, a whole new creative language unfurls. Discover how using unconventional tools and alternative paint consistencies can shape ideas in a way that feels fluid and instinctive.  
 
Learn how to find starting points from diverse source material. This could be from sketches you bring with you as well as what you gather while on the course. We will use St Ives as our starting point to guide you through the process. There will be brief forays out to gather quick sketches. You’ll be encouraged to invest your observations with your own narrative. The process you will learn through responding to landscape you can then transfer to any subject matter. As you work faster and freer, a visual sense of your personal narrative becomes clearer – a unique creative dialect with its own inflections and idiosyncrasies.
 
Finally, begin to consolidate and condense your creative yields, gaining insight into the crucial final decisions that pull a painting together. This course empowers you to both let go and have control over your creative output. Learn more about what conditions help you to flourish creatively, taking inspiration out of the unknown and into your control.   

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

An introduction to shifting your perspective on inspiration and expectation. Then experiment and explore with oil paints using unconventional tools and media, focusing on creating your own consistencies rather than using paint straight from the tube.  Order your experiments into a chart of textures and marks to refer to during the course. Brief sketching sessions outside depending on weather. 

Day 2

Develop your experiments from the previous day, layering them and building them up as well as cutting and taking things away to reveal hidden potential. Consider source material after you have begun this layering, starting with your immediate surroundings in St Ives but also bringing in or just learning to notice your personal  way of handling paint and narrative.

Day 3

Use a series-based approach to extrapolate your ideas using techniques from previous days. Build spontaneity into your practice and focus less on the finished project. Gain insight into making the final decisions that pull a painting together.

Who would this course suit?

This course would suit anyone looking to gain a better understanding of the process of painting. Whether you’re a beginner looking to demystify making art, or you already have a practice of your own, this is a great opportunity to ensure that your creative energy is used in the most productive way learning to put aside constricting expectations and be more open to where the process can take you.  This course involves working in oils. We use low odour white spirit and a turps alternative called Zest It. However if you have a sensitivity to solvents and oil based products the course might not be suitable. 

Ahead of your oil painting course with us if you would like to brush up your skills, you are entitled to 25% off our online “Getting Started with Oil Painting” course here. You will be given a code after purchasing our studio oil painting course.

Our studio ‘Beginner’s Oil Painting’ courses can be found here.

Poetry of Process

Oil / Abstract / Beginners

Book Selected Date

Taught by

Kerry
Harding

View Kerry’s Work

The best work comes when your shoulders are down and the hours disappear, not as easy as it sounds as most artists will tell you and so its been one of the guiding principles in my approach as a tutor. After over a decade of teaching I have also most enjoyed the process of helping students find their own voice, its already there and so hugely rewarding to help with this discovery.

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.

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.

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.

Art Courses in St Ives

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.

Do you offer art classes for children and teenagers?

Yes. Our Young Artists Programme includes art workshops for children and teenagers, with sessions designed for different age groups. During the summer, we also run creative workshops for children aged 7-13.

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.

Do you offer beginner painting courses?

Yes. Our programme includes beginner-friendly painting courses covering materials such as oils, acrylics and watercolours. These courses introduce you to essential tools and techniques while giving you plenty of time to practise and explore your own ideas.

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.

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 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


In Person Courses

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.

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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