Course details
Join renowned artist Alice Mumford as she shares her unique style and technique to help you create tantalising paintings infused with light.
Capture in oils your own view of the world through your chosen window. Alice has chosen one of her favourite themes for the course combining the approaches of artist Winifred Nicholson with looking through windows.
The view from our window can be a source of comfort and connection to the world. Yours might be a busy urban view or a quiet rural landscape.
Working in oils, Alice will show you to create the unique colour palette of Winnifred Nicholson who once said:
‘I like that harmony to be expressed in colour. For colour is one of the surest means of expressing joy ‘
The four days will combine live learning via Zoom with Alice and your fellow students, with self study time. There will be exercises set by Alice to ensure this study time is structured and fruitful.
This will be a small intimate group of 13 students. You will have direct contact with Alice during the live sessions during which you can ask questions and get feedback on your work.
The sessions will be recorded and you will be able to watch again on demand for an additional 6 months.
You will need to gather together your own materials for the course and have access to the internet. We will have staff on hand to assist with your connecting on Zoom. You will receive a comprehensive handbook on setting up ready for the course covering equipment and materials.
Day to day plan
This is a 4 day course and will work best for those that can commit 4 whole days. With a daily live and interactive session with Alice lasting two and a half hours you will then go off to work on your own piece with guidance and direction to follow. For all our International students, please note timings are GMT.
Friday before the course starts
Zoom session 10:30am – 11:30pm
Technical induction with our digital administrator to ensure you are comfortable and ready for the first session.
Day 1
Zoom session 10:00am – 12.30pm
Alice will connect with the group on Zoom to discuss how Winifred Nicholson uses the colour scale. We then set up a palette together. There will be a live demonstration in the session. You will then have a series of exercises to do in your own time before the next zoom session taken from Winifred Nicholson’s colour scale. You should expect to be painting for at least 3 hours.
Day 2
Zoom session 10:00am – 12.30pm
You will have now spent several hours going through the exercises from the day before and we will regroup on Zoom to see how you have got on. Using the palette from day 1 in this session we approach painting both the window and the view beyond, in different ways on small boards. Continue this exploration until the next session.
Day 3
Zoom session 10:00am – 12:30pm
Today we bring together what we have learnt so far and move to a larger scale. Alice will start with a live demonstration and you will continue working on your larger scale painting for the afternoon.
Day 4
Zoom session 10:00am – 12:30pm
There will be a group session on this final morning where Alice will give one to one feedback on the work. She will help you work out what you need to do to resolve and finish your painting. Post your work on our private online learning platform so you can share with your fellow students your final results and see and comment on each other’s work. You will have access to this platform and all the course resources for a further 6 months.
What will I learn?
Looking through windows has been a subject loved by painters since the Golden age of Dutch painting. There are different approaches to the challenge of this often painted theme. It breaks down into foreground, middle ground and distance. Understanding how this can work in paint is the key.
You will benefit from the wonderful insights of Winifred Nicholson starting with her colour scales. These help us attune to our inner library of colour. By learning how to liberate colour by not worrying about form, discover an approach that could be a game changer for your painting.
Who would this course suit?
This course is suitable for the adventurous who are also interested in the roots of paintings.
Taught by
What to Bring
You will receive a comprehensive handbook on setting up ready for the course covering equipment and materials. We will guide you on how best to set up in your own home environment whatever that might be from the kitchen to the studio.
IT Equipment
You will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. A phone is not ideal as you will struggle to see enough. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.
Timings and Breaks
Technical induction Friday 15 October 10:30 – 11:30am
Day 1 – Monday 18 October 10:00am – 12:30pm
Day 2 – Tuesday 19 October 10:00am – 12:30pm
Day 3 – Wednesday 20 October 10:00am – 12:30pm
Day 4 – Thursday 21 October 10:00am- 12:30pm
You will be set carefully structured tasks to complete between live sessions.
These classes will be recorded and available to view a couple of hours after the session ends so you can review and recap before the next morning session.
You will retain access to these recordings and course materials for a further six months so you can watch again and practice at your own pace
FAQs
Online Broadcast
How can I get help in choosing a course?
Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180
Do I need a webcam/any equipment.
For our webinar sessions which are broadcast on the internet and no webcam or microphone is needed as you just need to be able to see/hear hosts and you can communicate using the chat function. You can watch using a PC, Smart TV or tablet. A phone isn’t ideal as you will struggle to see enough unless you can miracast to a screen or smart TV.
For the longer online courses on Zoom you will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. If you have a PC without camera or speakers, you can purchase a plug and play webcam for approx £25 which connects to a usb port. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.
All the art materials and equipment needed to participate in the course will be listed in full on the online learning platform, for live webinars this will be a minimum of two weeks before the session starts.
I have registered for the webinar but I can't find my joining link
You can access all the resources and joining link for your webinar via our online learning platform. You will need to have set up an account on our online learning platform in advance. You can do this during the checkout process when purchasing your webinar. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, please contact info@schoolofpainting.co.uk. You can use a PC or tablet or even cast from your phone to watch on your Smart TV.
I paid for the session but missed it, how can I watch?
Currently all our online sessions are recorded and you can access the recording on our online learning platform until it expires. Usually 60 days for a webinar, 90 – 180 days for multipart webinars or online courses.
Studio Courses
How can I get help in choosing a course?
Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180
How do I get my work home?
Tutors have special techniques for transporting oil paintings and the school has plastic folders available in our shop for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.
For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home.
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.
Weekend Courses run 10am – 4pm on the first day but the final day starts at 9.30 and ends at 3.30 with a short lunch break to enable people to get home that evening.
Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?
The School is a very friendly and welcoming place for all ages and experience. Our drop-in life classes and August half-day workshops are ideal for those wanting to have a go for the first time. Most of our longer courses are also fine for novices.
If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up in the brochure and on the website.
Booking a Course
Can I pay by cheque?
Please get in touch by phone and we can hold your place for a few days whilst you post your cheque (made payable to: St Ives School of Painting) to us at St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios. St Ives TR26 1NG
How can I reserve a place?
We will hold a provisional reservation for 24 hours if you give us a call whilst you find accommodation. Otherwise please book online or by telephone 01736 797180.
You can reserve a place with a £100 deposit; balance is due 12 weeks before course start date.
About St Ives
Where do I park?
The nearest long stay public car parks are the Island and Barnoon both 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at the big top car park by the leisure centre and walk down into town. If you don’t fancy the walk up the hill at the end of the day there is a shuttle bus which runs from outside the cinema.
How do I get there?
Public Transport: If you are coming from further afield the main train line runs into St Erth which is a 15 min taxi ride away or you can take the St Ives Bay Line which runs approx. every 30 minutes. The School is a 10 minute walk from St Ives station.
Driving: M5 will take you to Exeter where we recommend that you take the A30 across Bodmin Moor and into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, leave the A30 at St Erth roundabout for St Ives. Turn right at the second roundabout. This road will take you through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives.
Where can I stay?
St Ives has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and self catering accommodation to choose from. Please browse the art holidays St Ives section on our website and give us a call if you would like any help.
