Artist Tom Rickman in his studio, wearing a paint stained apron surrounded by colourful paintings of twilight, he has long white hair & a beard..

Sketch into Painting: From Near to Far & Back Again (recording)

Mixed Media / Abstract

We haven’t scheduled this course yet. Please email us to register your interest for future availability.

Register Interest

Course details

Demystify painting and learn the nuts and bolts of studio practice by watching an artist work through a process live. Join artist Tom Rickman in the studio as he concentrates on how to tackle the foreground / middle / distance and the subject of compositional space.

These Studio Practice sessions provide an insight into an artist at work and provide practical in depth demos that can help motivate you by building confidence in materials and process. Tom’s is broken up into two sessions lasting two hours sharing with you different parts of the process he goes through to take a sketch to a finished painting in oils. There will be an opportunity for students to pose questions to Tom during the demonstrations.

PLEASE NOTE: If you purchase after 28 November you are buying a recording of the live sessions.

You can watch the sessions live or later. We record them so we can let you revisit them to refresh your memory for up to two weeks after. We will also send you a PDF record of the journey from sketch to painting that you can keep for your own reference.

Once you have booked on the sessions, you will receive two links. 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.

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Sessions

In these studio practice sessions our artist tutors will be working in the studio live to share with you a process. Questions will be taken throughout the session. There are two sessions and we expect each one t0 last around 2 hrs.

Session 1

Preparing the Ground

Tom will be looking at the spatial aspects of composition. How he deals with the transitions from the foreground, middle space and distance.

Starting with looking at sketches and paintings done out in the landscape Tom will talk through all the different ways he gathers his ideas together. After selecting an image to work from he will demonstrate how to size up to draw on to canvas. Over two hours watch Tom set out his painting, create the composition and explore tone and colour palette. He will share with you his approach to following the rules of painting but also when to trust intuition.

Session 2

Reality into Imagination

In this follow up session Tom will move the painting into the next stage and explore how to take the basic bones of a painting further. He will talk you through the practicalities of mixing his colours, removing and repainting but also the challenges of being both critical and kind to yourself. Finally he will grapple with the question of when is a work finished enough. How to keep a painting fresh and not overwork and even keep it in state of flux.

PLEASE NOTE

The sessions are broadcast live on 27th and 28th November.

If you missed them you can buy a recording of both 2 hour sessions dated 14th December. You can watch as many times as you like, pause, review and rewind until 14th December when the link will expire.

What will I learn?


Learn the secret of creating lively and contemporary landscapes inspired by reality but not constrained by it.

Find out how to explore compositional space within landscape painting

Visualise the various picture plains and perspective within the landscape, from the foreground, through the middle distance to the far distance.

Insights into how to simplify complexity, colour and tone perspective, and the perspective of subject and detail.


Who would this course suit?

Anyone with an interest in art, and the nuts and bolts of how to take a painting from first idea to finished piece.

How Does an online session work?

Once you have booked a session, we will send you a link so you can join the session live. You don’t need to register or download anything, just follow the link you receive when you book. This link is only valid for the live session the link to the recording is sent later.

You can put questions to the tutor using the question and answer function during the session. We record the sessions so you can watch on demand as often as you like for up to two weeks after. You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world.

Sketch into Painting: From Near to Far & Back Again (recording)

Mixed Media / Abstract

We haven’t scheduled this course yet. Please email us to register your interest for future availability.

Register Interest

Taught by

Tom
Rickman

View Tom’s Work

The process of learning a practical discipline such as painting, can seem both daunting and frustrating. In the landscape and the studio I assess each individual student’s ability and use this as a starting point, trying to keep the teaching just beyond the curve of what they can and want to do. As much as teaching them the basics and certain techniques of oil painting, I wish to show them pointers and possible directions of development within their own work.

What to Bring

You don’t need to bring any materials to the session. This will be a demonstration rather than a tutorial to follow.

You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable to watch a webinar on as the presenter will be hard to see when they share their screen with you. But we will be sending you a recording of the sessions so you can revisit it.

Timings and Breaks

We will start each session at 10.00 am. We expect each of our Studio Practice sessions to last about two hours. In the session please pose questions to the artist using the Q & A function. We will pause for questions at different points during the session.

What our students say

I think the webinar series are brilliant! I have seen them all. A big thank you to you and all the people involved with these innovative ways of generating courses. They’ve been a lifeline during these difficult times.

Pat G

Thank you very much to Tom for such a great session. I really loved his conversational approach – a lovely atmosphere to the session – and have gathered lots of good ideas!

Claire

Really enjoyable, happy morning spent with Tom Rickman! Inspiration for the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.

Sara

I loved listening to and watching Tom paint – I learned so much! Many thanks to you and your team for making all this possible – I am newly inspired!

Sally

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.

In Person Courses

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.

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].

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?

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.

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


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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