painting landscape using senses with Greg Humphries in Cornwall

The Sensory Coast

Acrylic / Mixed Media / Landscape - Materials included

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

Register Interest

Course details

Take a step beyond the visual with instinctive drawing and painting exercises on the beautiful beaches and cliffs outside our studio and create artwork that powerfully connects with the coastal elements.

view of porthmeor beach landscape in St Ives

Inspired by the likes of JMW Turner and other influential painters captivated by the St Ives coastline, environmental artist Greg Humphries offers his unique multisensory approach to gathering information in situ. Amass a wealth of source material that is quite unlike any you’ve used before, revealing a more holistic interpretation of your environment.  

Back in our St Ives studio, Greg will guide you through processes, both technical and intuitive, that evolve your collected sensory fragments into thoughtful, balanced paintings. These multidimensional pieces create a connection to place that resonates on a deeper level than images based on sight observation alone. 

During the course you’ll look at Cornwall artist Bryan Wynter’s ‘reformed’ landscapes, inspired by the natural forces of the Cornish coast – particularly the sea against the rocks – which his painting invests with emotional significance.

This is an opportunity to loosen up your approach to landscape and integrate abstract elements.

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

Explore the dramatic St Ives landscape with watercolour and charcoal techniques used by JMW Turner. Then move away from the visual to examine some key ideas of abstraction as deployed by St Ives artists Peter Lanyon and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. After spending the morning making sketches and notes out in the landscape, you’ll develop these back in the studio using mixed media techniques and acrylics.

Day 2

Out in the landscape, explore ideas and techniques of chance and improvisation by focusing on the work of Cornish Artist Bryan Wynter and his use of ‘natural processes’. Use gouache paint, ink and graphite to interact with the landscape and collect imagery which is then developed into ‘transformed landscapes’ both outdoors and in the studio.

Day 3

For the final day of the course, choose one of the approaches from the previous days to develop your own response to the wild beauty of the Cornish coastal landscape, with one-on-one guidance from your tutor.

What will I learn?

  1. Insight into innovative multi sensory approaches to working with landscape.
  2. Knowledge of the great painters that have lived and worked in St Ives and their processes of collecting and developing their creative influences. 
  3. Confidence in using a variety of media to evolve your response to your surroundings into paintings.
  4. Confidence in approaching abstraction and integrating elements of it into your painting process.
  5. One-on-one tutorial advice from an experienced environmental artist. 

Who would this course suit?

This course is ideal for artists of any level that would like to connect on a deeper level with their surroundings. Whether you’re a beginner or have a little more experience, the course exposes you to techniques used by some of St Ives’ most successful and influential painters. A multi sensory approach will help you to integrate abstract elements into your painting that feel instinctive and familiar. Some of the activities involve walking over rough ground and time spent working outside.

The Sensory Coast

Acrylic / Mixed Media / Landscape – Materials included

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

Register Interest

Taught by

Greg
Humphries

View Greg’s Work

I try to connect people to their environment with my art. I started out as a landscape painter, but it was only through undertaking a masters degree in 2009 that I realised the best way to connect people to their environment was to take them into that environment and get them to make the art!

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.

What our students say

What worked for me was masses of individual attention and encouragement and positive support, the opportunity to sketch outside. These days have opened doors I have been longing to open. Thank you Greg.

Debs Blyth

It was great to have 3 days to develop skills at a good pace, lots of skills and techniques very clearly explained and demonstrated. It was like a foundation in 3 days! Greg was very supportive and gave advice and direction when needed. I enjoyed the ‘field work’ but loved the studio time, a luxury for a painter like me. Thank you i’d love to come again next year.

Vivienne

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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