Tips + Techniques

Artist and tutor Nina Squire recently shared her expert tips for creating easy and effective sketchbook studies using pastels in the latest issue of Leisure Painter magazine. While watercolour and pencil are popular go-to mediums for outdoor sketching due to their portability and ease of use, Nina shares why soft pastels work as a great…

Anne Redpath OBE ARA (1895–1965) remains one of Scotland’s most celebrated painters, renowned for her richly textured still lifes and evocative interiors. Often grouped with the Scottish Colourists for her vibrant palette and expressive brushwork, Redpath also developed a distinct visual language rooted in subtlety; especially in her masterful use of greys and nuanced light….

Few artists captured the vitality of early 20th-century Britain quite like Dame Laura Knight. Known for her luminous palette, bold compositions, and commitment to painting the world around her, Knight carved out a space for herself in a male-dominated art world, and in doing so, redefined what it meant to be a modern British artist….

With the rise of online learning, we now have access to a wealth of oil painting courses at our fingertips. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, choosing the right course can make all the difference. But with so many options available, how do you know which is best suited for…

There’s no doubt that artist’s have long been drawn to the challenge of painting coastal landscapes. Evoking a range of emotions, from the tranquillity of a calm beach at sunset, to the power of the waves crashing against the cliffs or rocks; there is something inherently mesmerising about the meeting of land and sea. Here…

Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975) stands as one of the most celebrated sculptors of the 20th century, a trailblazer who redefined modern art through her innovative use of form, space, and material. Born in Wakefield, England, Hepworth’s artistic journey spanned decades, during which she created an extensive body of work that continues to inspire today. Hepworth’s art…

At times, we can all feel isolated and stuck within our creative boundaries, or within our art practices. Artists spend so much time alone, in their homes or studios, trying to create fresh work, but without the motivation or critical eye of supportive peers. Read more on how to develop your unique artistic style. One…

Are you pondering on what to get your creative loved ones this Christmas?
What about an unforgettable experience, which will leave them feeling creatively inspired as we go into the new year.

We are fairly experienced when it comes to life drawing, in fact our weekly regular life drawing classes can be dated back to the early 1970s!

Discover the origins of the abstract art movement and learn about the leading pioneers of this enticing subject.

As seen in… A Fresh Start JMW Turner expert Hilary Gibson reveals how ‘colour beginnings’ formed the basis of the artist’s greatest oil paintings and shows you how to create one at home. During my career as an illustrator and art tutor, JMW Turner’s draughtsmanship and ‘colour beginnings’ have been a constant joy and inspiration….

As seen in… Artists and two of tutors Liz Luckwell and Marion Taylor share their insights to achieving modernist minimalism in a modern time frame. Harness the powerful abstract potential of the still life, inspired by modernist icons William Scott and Ben Nicholson. Though still resolutely abstract, these 1940s paintings had a domestic quality to…

As seen in… Landscape painting from artists’ perspective Words by Katie Avis-Riordan Three landscape artists, who also teach at St Ives School of Painting, reveal their top tips on how to paint a landscape painting for beginners. Find out how to paint landscapes using the recommended materials and techniques; and discover how to get inspired by…