Studio Journal
Welcome to our Studio Journal, where we share creative inspiration and ideas, stories from artists past and present, and useful guides to St Ives and beyond.
In Conversation: Louise Rainbow
For artist Louise Rainbow, teaching is about helping people recognise the possibilities in their own work. She finds it especially rewarding to see students grow in confidence, experiment more freely and develop an artistic voice of their own. A practising artist working across painting, printmaking and ceramics, Louise explores colour, landscape, memory and observation. Her…
A Year in the Making: Inside the School’s Programme Planning
More than 90 courses, over 30 artists and a year of ideas to bring together – putting together the School’s programme takes plenty of thought, collaboration and colour-coded planning. We caught up with our Programme Manager and artist Suzie Cumming to find out how she builds the year, what she looks for in a new…
In Conversation: Alison Orchard
Alison Orchard first came to St Ives School of Painting at 14, when she and her mum spent a week painting on the cliffs, sketching the cobbled streets and trying life drawing. Now, returning as a tutor and exhibiting next door at the Penwith Gallery, she describes it as “completing the circle”. After studying sculpture,…
In Conversation: Hester Berry
From the shifting light of the Devon landscape to the challenge of knowing when a painting is finished, we speak to new tutor Hester Berry about observation, artistic influence and helping students find a painting language of their own. For Hester Berry, almost any landscape can become the beginning of a painting. It does not…
A Guide to St Ives in Autumn | Tourist Guide
Summer may be over, but autumn is one of the loveliest times to experience St Ives. The streets are quieter, the coastline begins to change and there is still plenty happening in its shops, galleries, cafés and studios. Whether you are visiting for an art course, planning a short break or spending a day here,…
The Turning Point: How St Ives School of Painting Survived + Evolved
Through our new short film, The Turning Point, we explore a pivotal period in the School’s history: from its founding in 1938 to its decline, renewal and continuing purpose today.
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Life + Legacy
This autumn, a major retrospective at Tate St Ives will bring together more than 170 paintings, drawings, prints and rarely seen archival materials by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. Spanning eight decades, the exhibition offers an opportunity to look again at an artist whose work was continually evolving – moving between landscape, geometry, colour and abstraction with remarkable…
In the Age of AI, Why Make Art by Hand?
In an age of instant image generation, why is it still important to make art by hand, whether through drawing, painting, collage or printmaking? Explore the value of observation, mistakes and creative choice.
A Glimpse Inside St Ives School of Painting in 1948
Historic footage of our founder Leonard Fuller offers a rare window into the early years of St Ives School of Painting – and reveals how much of its creative spirit remains familiar today. Another World, a short film preserved by the BFI National Archive, takes viewers through the streets, harbour and artistic community of post-war…
Remembering David Hockney: A Life of Looking
Following the passing of David Hockney, and as we approach what would have been his 89th birthday, we are taking a moment to reflect on the extraordinary legacy of one of Britain’s most influential artists. Born in Bradford in 1937, Hockney’s career spanned more than seven decades, moving through drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, stage design…
The Best Gifts for an Artist in 2026 | A Gift Guide for Creative People
So, you know that a friend or loved one is creative. Maybe they are an artist at any stage of their practice. Maybe they have just finished art college and are looking for ways to keep going. Or maybe you are the one who sees just how creative they really are – even if they…
Art Club Collective: Term Three
Welcome to the third edition of The Art Club Collective – a space where we gather together the stories, moments, and artwork that emerge from inside Art Club each month. At the end of every term, we will take a step back and look at what’s been created – the small wins, the breakthroughs, the…
Online Art Club: Gallery
During the third term of Online Art Club, we explored Landscape – taking inspiration from wherever you are, urban or rural, a view from a window, an imaginary place or memory. In the final session, Iona Sanders paid a fitting tribute to the late, great David Hockney, learning about his bold use of colour, his…
Sign up to our Newsletter
Join our community and get more than just updates. Our weekly newsletters are packed with practical tips, creative inspiration, and behind-the-scenes insights from St Ives.
Browse our Courses
From 3- or 4- day art courses in St Ives to high-quality art tuition from the comfort of your home through our online courses, find the right tuition for you.