Understanding Composition - Static + Movement

Mixed Media / Abstract

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

Register Interest

Course details

Fire up your creativity with this webinar designed to inspire you to get making and investigating at home. In this session artist Alice Mumford focusses on a key concept of composition, static and movement in painting and the power of repetition.

Alice Mumford

If you missed this hugely popular webinar last spring or you fancy a refresher, this is your chance to join Alice as she returns to our studio to share with you her fascinating insights into composition. Learn how to control the pace of a painting and the eye of the viewer with practical illustrations of key concepts and see how artists through history used these devices. Alice will set you an optional project to work on in your own time. This encourages you to make your own discoveries and enjoy doing research based on your fresh insights. You can share this with your fellow students on St Ives School of Painting Alumni Facebook group.

You can watch the session live or later. We record it so we can let you revisit the session to refresh your memory for up to one week after.

Once you have booked a session, you will receive a link on the morning of the broadcast. All you need to do is follow the link. 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.

  •  Sandra Blow, Blue and White Collage
  • Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “The Hunters in the Snow,” 1565

What will I learn?

  1. Understand better why composition works in some paintings and not so well in others so you can use this understanding in your own work.
  2. How to avoid composition clangers
  3. Grasp better the core areas of composition -spatial tension, focal points, movement
  4. A better understanding of how composition underpins an art work helping you read paintings with more confidence.


Would this session suit me?

Anyone with an interest in art, not just painters. Great for those who would like to get more out of their visits to galleries

How does an online session work?

Once you have booked, we will send you a link an hour before the session starts so you can join us live. All you need to do is follow the link ten minutes before the start time. 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.

You can put questions to the tutor using the chat function during the session. The sessions are recorded and you will be able to watch again at your leisure as many times as you want for up to 1 week. You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world.

Understanding Composition – Static and Movement

Mixed Media / Abstract

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

Register Interest

Taught by

Alice
Mumford

View Alice’s Work

“The school of painting is an oasis; a place to share ideas, enthusiasm and adventures into painting. Teaching has helped me to translate my thoughts and reflections about art into practical courses. In doing this I have learnt so much and shared in that adventure. It’s an opportunity to pass on the wonderful sense of being part of a bigger ‘family’ of painters.”

What to Bring

You don’t need to join in with the live session it can be more relaxing and informative to watch first and practice later. If you would like to do the homework you can do experiments using whatever you have to hand. i.e., paper and glue, charcoal, paint.

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 . But we will be sending you a recording of the session so you can revisit it as many times as you like for up to one week after.

Timings and Breaks

At about 4.50 pm please follow the link. We will play a video with audio of students artwork we have collated so far in response these sessions. So you can check you are connecting ok.

Any problems either receiving your link or connecting please contact i[email protected] and we will do our best to get that sorted before the start time.

We will start at 5pm and work for 1 hour. We will pause for questions at different points during the session you can pose any questions to the artist using You Tube chat function.

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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