Studio Practice Session on Watercolour Fundamentals - Tone + Wash
Mixed Media / Beginners / Landscape
We haven’t scheduled this course yet. Please email us to register your interest for future availability.
Register InterestCourse details
Demystify painting and learn the nuts and bolts of studio practice by watching an artist work through a process live and online. Join artist Hilary Jean Gibson online while she works in our St Ives studio She will share with you some of the key ingredients of successful watercolours – tone and washes and how to use these insights to create a monochromatic coastal scene.
If you have ever struggled to understand tone and how it relates to your painting, this webinar will help you see the light. Hilary will demonstrate how to lay a flat and graduated wash, a fundamental skill you will need to create a successful watercolour painting. By applying different ways of applying tone, adjacent or superimposed washes you will also be able to harness aerial perspective. In this one hour demo Hilary will show you how you can use these newly found skills to create a monochromatic coastal scene.
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Our Studio Practice sessions are designed to compliment our Thursday webinars with practical in depth demos that can help motivate you by building confidence in materials and process. There will be an opportunity for students to pose questions to Hilary during the demonstrations
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 two weeks after.
Once you have booked a session, you will receive a link. There is no need to register with Zoom. 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.
Hilary Jean Gibson
What will I learn?
What is tone.
How to create a tonal strip so you can practice your scales
How to lay a basic wash so you can control big areas of colour
How you can create an aerial perspective watercolour by using tonal washes
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. You don’t need to register with Zoom just follow the link you revive when you book.
You can put questions to Hilary using the question and answer function during the session. We plan to record them so you can revisit the session to refresh your memory 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.
Taught by
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 session so you can revisit it.
Timings and Breaks
We will start the session at 10.00 am. We expect this Studio Practice session to last about one hour. At about 9:45am follow this link to go to your session’s waiting room. We will play a video with audio of students artwork we have collated so far in response these session so you can check you are connecting ok. Any issues get in touch via email at [email protected], we will do our best to help.
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’ve really loved watching and doing the watercolour practice sessions with Hilary over the last 4 sessions. I’ve watched again several times via the recordings which was so helpful when practicing at a slower pace. Thanks so much for running these.
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].
What art courses do you offer in St Ives?
We offer a varied programme of art courses in St Ives, including painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and life drawing. You can choose from one-day workshops, short summer sessions and more immersive three- and four-day studio courses. We also offer longer development courses for those looking to take their practice to the next level.
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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