Tips + Techniques
Gain expert insights, art tips and techniques from some of the professional artists who teach for us at St Ives School of Painting.

Sketchbook Tips from Artist Tutor Nina Squire
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 + the Mastery of Light + Grey
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….

Dame Laura Knight: ‘A Dark Pool’
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….

Earth Day: Meet Artist John Dyer
This Earth Day, we’re catching up with artist John Dyer, who will be teaching an upcoming course, ‘Painting St Ives: Your Narrative’, in September. However, tutoring is just one of John’s many ongoing projects, and today we are discussing his incredible work with regards to Last Chance to Paint, a not-for-profit project supported by the…

How to Choose the Right Online Oil Painting Course for You
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…

From Coast to Canvas: How to Capture St Ives in Spring
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…

Ithell Colquhoun: The Alchemist of Surrealism
Ithell Colquhoun (1906–1988) was a visionary artist who stood between surrealism and mysticism. Known for her profound exploration of the unconscious and her dedication to esoteric studies, Colquhoun’s legacy is enigmatic and fascinating. Colquhoun’s Foundations Born in India to British parents, Colquhoun’s early life was shaped by exposure to diverse cultures. Moving to England, she…

Celebrating the Legacy of Barbara Hepworth
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…

How to Develop Your Unique Artistic Style
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…

Give the Gift of Art
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.

What to expect from a still life drawing class
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!

What is the Abstract Art Movement?
Discover the origins of the abstract art movement and learn about the leading pioneers of this enticing subject.

How to Create a Colour Beginning
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….

Artists & Illustrators: The Art of Keeping it Simple
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…

How to Paint a Landscape
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…