Join us for this Graham Sutherland-inspired webinar exploring the artist’s drawings of miners and underground workers of West Penwith, Cornwall.

This new series of online classes, ‘Postcards from …’ will use the places in and around St Ives that inspired an international roster of artists including Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Ben Nicholson, Christopher Wood, Alfred Wallis, Bryan Wynter and Patrick Heron.  

Focusing in particular on sites which captured these artists’ imagination, Postcards from… will take you on a creative journey to the famous spots around St Ives including its harbour, Porthmeor Beach and its cobbled, winding streets, lined with stone fishermen’s houses. Using films of these familiar landscapes, led by one of our experienced tutors, this series will transport you to these inspiring St Ives locations, wherever you are in the world. 

Known for his abstract, romantic landscape paintings and portraits of public figures, artist Graham Sutherland served as an official war artist in the Second World War. Arriving in West Penwith in Cornwall in 1942, Sutherland drew miners, creating atmospheric paintings of the tunnels and workers which occupied this world and regularly returned to the county; dividing his time between Cornwall and his home in Trottiscliffe, Kent.

Led by artist Hilary Jean Gibson, this webinar takes inspiration from Sutherland’s drawings and paintings created during his trips to Cornwall. Working in a variety of media, learn about Sutherland and create expressive and atmospheric paintings using Indian ink, chalks and pastels. (students could adapt by using resists, watercolour and gouache too). Hilary will be working live from our historic studios overlooking Porthmeor Beach, but you can join us wherever you are in the world.

What will I learn?

1. Learn about the artist Graham Sutherland’s time in West Penwith, Cornwall.
2. See how to create expressive and atmospheric drawings and paintings in a variety of media.
3. See how to work with light and tone, creating paintings in dimmed light.

Who would this course suit?

Beginners and those with more experience are both welcome to join. If you are looking to learn new ways to expand your drawing and painting practice, or just inspiration by looking to other artists, this course is for you.

How does an online session work?

Once you have booked, please login to our online learning platform to access the link to the live session and to find a list of the required materials.

If you haven’t yet created an account, you will be sent an email inviting you to do so after booking.

You can put questions to the tutor using the online chat function. We record the sessions so you can watch on demand, as often as you like, for up to 60 days after the broadcast. You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world.

Share your work live with others on social media using the #schoolofpainting

You can watch this on a PC, laptop or tablet and if you have chromecast or miracast you could even cast to your SmartTV from your phone.

Please note as this is a live broadcast from time to time there will be technical challenges that are beyond our control. When this happens we may have to delay the start while we resolve them. We kindly suggest you enjoy the recordings instead of attending the live session if this might not suit your plans.

What to Bring

A list of materials that you will need for the course will be available in your online learning system approximately two weeks before the live session.

You will need access to the internet and either a Smart TV, PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable however cast your phone to a Smart TV.

Timings and Breaks

Live broadcast: 4.30pm-6.00pm, Thursday 23rd March.

During the session please pose questions to the artist using the chat function.