Tips + Techniques

April 2026 marks the end of a year-long celebration: 250 years since the birth of J.M.W. Turner, one of Britain’s most influential and visionary painters. Across galleries, museums, and coastal landscapes, Turner has been celebrated not just as a historical figure, but as an artist who changed how we see the natural world.  Born on 23 April 1775, Turner was fascinated…

Ahead of his upcoming courses, we caught up with Brighton-based artist, Julian Vilarrubi. There’s something compelling about an artist who refuses to stay still – someone whose work is shaped as much by movement and observation as it is by tradition. Julian Vilarrubi is one of those artists. Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy Schools…

At the heart of the studio is Meg, our Studio Manager, whose role weaves together organisation, creativity, and care. We caught up with her to hear more about her day-to-day, her own artistic practice, and what makes the studio such a special place to be. Meg, Studio Manager Life in the Studio First thing on…

We’re pleased to welcome artist Lesley Plumridge to our team of artist tutors for 2026. Based at the creative hub of Krowji in Redruth, Lesley is a mixed media designer and maker whose work thrives on experimentation, curiosity, and play. A graduate of Falmouth University (BA First Class Honours in Textile Design, 2005), her practice…

We often hear from people who haven’t painted in years and aren’t sure where to begin. Recently, one of our own team decided to find out for herself. From Office Manager to Amateur Artist “I haven’t painted in over 20 years… where do I even start?” It’s something we hear all the time from prospective…

Why painting might be the antidote to our distracted world. We spend much of our day looking – but rarely noticing. Painting asks something very different of us. To create art, you have to slow down. You have to look carefully. The subtle colours inside a shadow, the way light shifts across a surface, the…

Few British artists are as inseparable from place as Peter Lanyon. His art is not just inspired by Cornwall – it moves through it, shaped by wind, cliffs, sea, and lived experience. Nowhere is this connection more felt than in St Ives, the artistic community that became both his home and the centre of his…

We’re pleased to welcome artist Helen Ward to our team of artist tutors for 2026. Helen is a visual artist whose work embraces experimentation, chance, and the creative possibilities of “mistake making,” developing a distinctive visual language that captures both observation and thought. Helen graduated from Farnham University with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art,…

Somewhere along the way, making art can start to feel complicated. Life gets busy. Energy gets stretched. Expectations creep in. And the thing that once felt freeing slowly turns into something we keep meaning to get back to. “I’ll make time when things calm down.”“I’ll start again when I feel inspired.”“I don’t want to make…

In recent years, Gelli Printing has surged in popularity across the creative world. From professional artists and illustrators to hobbyists, teachers, and journalers, more people than ever are discovering the joy of this accessible and experimental form of printmaking. Scroll through social media or wander into a modern art studio, and chances are you’ll spot…

We’re pleased to welcome artist Neil Canning to our team of artist tutors for 2026! We caught up with Neil ahead of his first studio course taking place in June. Although on the surface Neil’s work may appear to be quite abstract, it remains very much a part of the landscape/seascape tradition. Rather than taking…

5 reasons why staying creative is good for your wellbeing Creativity is often seen as something reserved for artists or professionals, but in reality it’s a vital part of being human. Whether you paint, write, cook, make music, or simply enjoy learning something new, staying creative has powerful benefits for your emotional and physical wellbeing….

Wondering where to go on holiday this year? If you are looking for a slower pace, space to disconnect and reset – St Ives could be an ideal location. St Ives has long been celebrated as one of the UK’s most inspiring coastal towns. With its unique light, artistic heritage, and slower pace of life,…

January doesn’t need to be about becoming a new creative. For many, this time of year is quieter, slower, and a little disorienting. You might feel creatively flat after the Christmas break – or you might be standing at the beginning, unsure where to start. This guide isn’t about fixing yourself or setting ambitious resolutions….

We’re pleased to welcome artist Ella Carty to our team of artist tutors for 2026! We managed to catch her during a packed schedule, so we took the chance to sit down and learn more about her practice and the way she works. Ella Carty is a painter who investigates her own experiences of the…

At St Ives School of Painting, we’ve been welcoming artists of all levels since 1938 – from those who’ve studied for years to those discovering the joy of making art for the first time. That’s why Kate Bryan’s brilliant new book, How to Art, feels like such a kindred spirit to what we do. It’s…

Joan Eardley remains an evocative and powerful figure in twentieth-century British art. Though born in England, she made her name in Scotland, capturing the grit of post-war Glasgow children and the elemental force of the Scottish coast. Her work is deeply rooted in place, people, and landscape – three intertwined strands that shaped her life…

This month, as we celebrate the birthday of Sir Terry Frost RA (1915–2003), we reflect on his bold arcs, circles, and vivid contrasts that defined post-war modern art – and on the extraordinary journey that led him there.

This August marked 100 years since Alfred Wallis first picked up a paintbrush – beginning a remarkable, self-taught artistic career that continues to resonate across the art world. Read more about his incredible life and career, and discover how his paintings are still being appreciated today. Born on 8 August 1855 in Devonport, Plymouth, Alfred…

The Cornish coast has a way of staying with you. It’s not just the dramatic cliffs or the expanse of sea, but the constant change – the weather, the light, the tide. For abstract artists, it’s less about painting a literal view and more about capturing the patterns, shapes, and moods that emerge in this…

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…