Alice mumford still life oil painting course St Ives cornwall

Warm + Cool

Oil / Still Life - Materials included

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

Register Interest

Course details

This is a masterclass in what it takes to create a compelling painting every time. Working from sumptuous still life compositions, artist Alice Mumford shares her fundamental principle of painting: the exquisite balance between warm and cool. Explore the vitality of colour and how you can use it to structure a painting, creating tension, drama and attraction.

oil painting course using easels in historic artist studio in st ives

Alice deconstructs iconic compositions by Bonnard and Rembrandt to demonstrate the essential relationship between warm and cool tones. It is this relationship that gives a painting harmony, and an imbalance here could be the reason a painting isn’t quite working. You’ll learn to resolve compositions based on tone, giving you a strong foundation for future painting.

The course teaches you to maximise the vitality of your colours, you’ll learn to mix brilliant tones in buttery oil paint. Alice shows you her pure way of working in oils without medium. This is invaluable knowledge that keeps the paint alive as you work, without dulling its lustre by diluting it. James Elkins describes: “To a non-painter, oil paint is uninteresting and faintly unpleasant. To a painter, it is the life’s blood: a substance so utterly entrancing, infuriating, and ravishingly beautiful that it makes it worthwhile to go back into the studio every morning, year after year, for an entire lifetime.” Alice is an advocate for the richness and joy of working with oil paint and her enthusiasm is infectious.

This course teaches you the language of painting, as it has been spoken by masters for centuries. You’ll never be able to look at a painting the same way again.

Day to day plan

Day 1

We’ll begin by breaking down exactly what we mean when we talk about warm and cool in painting. We’ll look at examples of famous oil painters and how they used tone to structure their painting, looking at composition and contrast. We’ll then explore the essentials of the palette and colour mixing. In the afternoon we’ll make a small painting on board to experiment with these new principles.

Day 2

We’ll focus on composition, drawing on canvas in raw sienna. Alice will give you pointers on how to bring fields of warm and cool into your painting and how to create balance and drama through contrast.

Day 3

Work to resolve your painting from the day before, continuing to create harmony in colour and composition.

What you will learn

  1. Tips and techniques for creating a successful composition.
  2. A technical understanding of warm and cool tones and the relationship between them.
  3. How to reflect on and resolve paintings based on composition and tone.
  4. A technical understanding of how to use oil paints without medium.
  5. A historical understanding of how colour has been used by masters in oil paint.

Who would this course suit?

Ideal for painters with an initial knowledge of oil paints that would like to gain a more comprehensive and elemental understanding of the medium. If you’re looking to strengthen your compositions and create paintings with more harmony and drama, this is a wonderful opportunity.

Warm and Cool

Oil / Still Life – Materials included

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

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.

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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