Banish Fear of Failure

Acrylic / Painting / Still Life

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Course details

Banish fear of failure and find your inner voice on this two part online course with tutor Iona Sanders.

acrylic still life painting for beginners
Iona Sanders, sketches

Starting a painting can seem daunting when you don’t know where to begin. Iona demonstrates how to banish fear of failure and let go of your inner critic. Starting with some intuitive and free-sketching, see which shapes and forms you are drawn to, and find inspiration from the world around you as well as your own imagination. Develop these into acrylic paintings by experimenting and playing with composition. Encouraging you to let go of perceived expectations of what a drawing or painting ‘should’ look like, Iona encourages you to find your inner voice.

Enjoy creating intuitive, experimental paintings and see how to build depth while keeping simplicity and instinct in your work. Learn from artists such as Rose Hilton and Elaine Turnbull.   

Session 1

Starting with some drawing exercises, Iona encourages you to loosen your approach and banish overthinking, focusing instead on the process of simple mark-making. See what inspires you. 

Session 2

Building on the drawing exercises from the last session, work with line and colour to bring out elements of your drawings you find interesting or wish to build upon. See how simplicity can be used to convey more complex forms.  Work out various compositions and find various ways to build depth in your painting. Most of all, Iona encourages you to find your inner voice and see where your intuition takes you! 

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for beginners and more experienced painters alike. Aimed to help you step out of your comfort zone and loosen your approach to drawing and painting. 

What will I learn?

1. Loosen your approach to painting and banish overthinking!

2. Gain confidence in painting more intuitively; see which colours you are drawn to

3. Find ways to start a painting, and how to resolve one

4. Find ways to be more playful in your approach and get rid of that critical voice

5. Simplify your painting and gain a more distinct and individual style in the process

How does an online session work?

We record the sessions so you can watch on demand, as often as you like, for up to 90 days after purchase. This way you can pause a scene, rewind and finish your painting.

You will be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world. You can also share your work live with others on social media using the #schoolofpainting and tagging us @stives painting

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

Banish Fear of Failure

Acrylic / Painting / Still Life

Purchase

Taught by

Iona
Sanders

View Iona’s Work

My approach to teaching is to give students the confidence to be free and intuitive in their practice, to lose themselves in their creativity, and to find their inner voice. Focusing on their own journey, banishing doubt and building positivity will be key to their enjoyment and fulfilment on the course.

What to Bring

A list of materials will be available to see in your account at least four weeks in advance of the live class.

You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC, laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable to watch a webinar on, unless you can cast to your Smart TV, as the presenter will be hard to see when they share their screen with you .

Timings and Breaks

2 Pre-recorded sessions, total run time approximately 170 minutes

You can revisit as often as you like for up to 90 days from the time of purchase.

What our students say

I went on a journey over 3 days from feeling that I was someone with all the gear and no idea to being someone who felt like an artist. Miraculous!

Iona is positive and pushes comfort zones in a supportive and caring manner.

Iona was professional, fun, positive and encouraging.

I now feel ready to start playing and experimenting with paint.

Jude

Iona is a really enthusiastic tutor and very motivating – even when the session is recorded. I really liked the way her approach provided some broad ways of working and was not prescriptive. It gave plenty of scope for adapting her process to my own style. I came away with some useful ideas for developing composition and a much clearer understanding of the way acrylics can be layered.

Liz

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.

Online Art Courses

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.

Can I learn painting online from home?

Yes. Our online painting courses allow you to learn from professional artists wherever you are. You can pause demonstrations, revisit lessons and work through practical exercises in your own time.

Are online art courses suitable for beginners?

Many of our online art courses are suitable for beginners. Course descriptions explain the recommended level, materials and experience so that you can choose a course that feels manageable and relevant to your interests.

How do online art courses work?

Once you have purchased an online course, you can access it through your account and work through the video tuition and supporting resources at a time that suits you. Access periods vary from 60 – 180 days, just check the individual course page before booking.

For live webinars, once you book a place, we will share a link with you in advance so you can join us at the relevant start time – this is typically via Zoom. A recording of the webinar will be shared with you after the webinar so you can re-watch in your own time.

Do you offer online art courses?

Yes. We have more than 90 online art courses covering painting, drawing, colour, landscape, abstraction, mixed media and other creative subjects. The courses are taught by practising artists and can be followed from home at your own pace.

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.

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 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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