Join us for this Patrick Heron-inspired webinar. See how Heron’s aerial approaches to depicting the landscape of St Ives in gouache can be integrated into your own way of working.

Living and working in Cornwall from 1956, Patrick Heron was a key member of the St Ives Modernists. In this session of ‘Postcards from…’, artist Hilary Jean Gibson explores Heron’s abstracted landscapes in gouache of St Ives using aerial footage of Porthmeor Beach.

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 primarily as a painter, Heron also worked in a variety of media: from silk scarves to etchings. Upon moving to Cornwall, he moved towards an abstract way of working, further influenced by moving to a house called Eagle’s Nest. Situated in a spectacular location on the Penwith peninsula, Heron had a fantastic viewpoint over the Cornish landscape.

On this webinar, Hilary will explore Heron’s various approaches to using gouache paint – from his famous gouache ‘Window for St Ives’. to his more fluid, playful works. Taking you through various techniques and methods to reduce and simplify the landscape and working directly from Heron’s paintings, learn various techniques including wet in wet painting. See how to make your own abstract painting of St Ives and learn more about the life and work of this key figure of the St Ives Modernists.

A unique chance to paint from aerial footage and understand how exploring the landscape from various angles and perspectives can liberate your approach to abstract painting. An ideal webinar if you would like to learn more about painting with gouache. This is also a chance to virtually visit St Ives from above!

You will be working from the same recorded video as Hilary so you will see both Hilary at work and the video on screen.

What will I learn?

1. Learn to work more freely and intuitively.
2. Learn various techniques using gouache paint.
3. Enjoy playing with form, shape and colour.
4. Learn new ways of capturing the landscape around you, wherever you are in the world!
5. Learn more about working with abstract shapes and forms.

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 you will be able to watch on demand immediately. 

You can pause, rewind and watch again as often as you like until the session expires 60 days after purchase

You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with our community of fellow students from around the world.

You will need access to the internet and ideally a Smart TV, PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not suitable unless cast to a smart TV.