Course details
Create beautiful postcard-sized watercolour paintings, inspired by St. Ives and its surroundings. No experience necessary, just come along, have fun and discover the joy of watercolour.
This relaxed session combines time in our studio overlooking Porthmeor Beach with some walking and sketching around St Ives.
We begin in the studio with a short introduction to watercolour, looking at materials, paper, and working with a limited palette. You’ll get a feel for the medium’s fluid, expressive qualities before heading out to the harbour with postcards and water-soluble watercolour pencils in hand.
Taking in scenes such as Smeatons Pier, the harbour boats, and the sweep of sky and sea towards Godrevy Lighthouse, Hilary will guide you in capturing simplified outlines of your scenes, paring back detail to capture the essence and atmosphere of place.*
Back in the studio, you’ll work into your existing postcard drawings with watercolour paint, gradually building colour and atmosphere through short demonstrations of washes, superimposing and wet-on-wet techniques. You will also have fun exploring resists and experiment with various techniques and tips to create texture.
By the end of the session, you’ll have created three personal postcard paintings that capture something of St Ives, ready to share or keep. A gentle and enjoyable introduction to watercolour, designed to build confidence and leave you feeling inspired.
*For the PM workshop, we plan to visit different locations, i.e. Porthgwidden beach, looking at scenes across the bay towards Lelant and Hayle Towans, the rocks, skies and sea towards Godrevy lighthouse.
Please note: This is an adult workshop, however we would welcome children aged 14 or over, if accompanied by a paying adult. This is the case as we cannot guarantee that all our tutors have been DBS checked.
Taught by
What to Bring
No need to bring a thing, all materials will be supplied. As we plan on working outdoors for some of the duration of the workshop, please wear sensible shoes and bring a coat or sunhat as appropriate.
For the PM workshop, one of the locations we plan to visit will be Porthgwidden beach. Students will be standing on the sand, which may be wet, for up to 15 minutes for one of the drawings.
Timings and Breaks
AM Harbour – The workshop will run from 9.30am-12.30pm
PM Beach – The workshop will run from 1.30pm-4.30pm
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time so you can check in at reception and get settled in. We will serve tea and coffee at break times during the workshop.
FAQs
Art Courses
Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?
No prior experience is required to join most of our art courses. The School of Painting is a friendly and welcoming environment for all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.
Our drop-in life drawing classes and short workshops are perfect if you’re trying painting for the first time. Many of our longer courses are also suitable for beginners, as our tutors are experienced in supporting mixed ability groups. If a course requires previous experience, this will be clearly stated on the course page.
Studio Courses
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]
Can you help me choose the right course?
Yes, our friendly and knowledgeable team are always happy to help you choose the best course for your needs, whether you’re a beginner or looking to develop specific skills.
Please call us on 01736 797180 to discuss your options.
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?
Absolutely nothing! All materials and aprons are provided although some people do like to bring their own set of brushes.
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
Booking a Course
How do I reserve a place on a course?
You can book your place online or by calling us on 01736 797180.
If you need time to arrange accommodation, we can hold a provisional booking for 24 hours. To secure your place, a £100 deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 12 weeks before the course start date.
About St Ives
Where can I park near the School?
The nearest long-stay car parks are:
Island Car Park
Barnoon Long Stay Car Park
Both are approximately a 5-minute walk from the School.
During the busy summer months, you may find it easier to park at Trenwith Car Park near the leisure centre and walk into town. A shuttle bus often runs back up the hill from near Tate St Ives.
How do I get to the School of Painting in St Ives?
By train:
The nearest mainline station is St Erth, which is approximately a 15-minute taxi journey away. From there, you can also take the St Ives Bay Line, which runs every 30 minutes. The School is a 10-minute walk from St Ives station.
By car:
Take the M5 to Exeter, then follow the A30 into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, exit at the St Erth roundabout towards St Ives. Continue through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives..
Where can I stay in St Ives?
St Ives offers a wide range of accommodation, including hotels, guest houses, and self-catering options. You can explore options on our website, or contact us directly on 01736 797180 if you’d like personalised recommendations.
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