Inspiration and Ideas
Explore ideas, tips and practical advice to inspire your creativity and help you find new ways into making art.
How to Start Painting after 20 Years
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…
The Art of Paying Attention
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…
The Art of Regular Creativity
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…
The Rise of Gelli Printing: Why This Playful Printmaking Technique Is Everywhere
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…
How Art Could Help You Live Longer
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….
Why St Ives Is The Perfect Place For A Creative Escape
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,…
How to Get Back Into Making Art
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….
What You Can Learn From Kate Bryan’s ‘How to Art’
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…
How the Cornish Coast Inspires Abstract Artists
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…
Supporting the Next Generation of Cornish Artists
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news: a new collaboration between three charitable trusts is helping us open our studio doors even wider to young artists across Cornwall. Thanks to the combined generosity of the Roy Ray Legacy Fund, the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust, and – newly joining us this summer – the Little Parc Owles…
In conversation with Porthmeor Programme Alumnus, Gwynne Penny
We caught up with Porthmeor Programme alumnus Sue Watt to get an insight into life before, during and after the programme. Sue lets us in on her daily routine, her artistic inspiration and her upcoming show (at the time) at Penwith Gallery.
In conversation with Porthmeor Programme Alumnus, Alison Cook
We caught up with Porthmeor Programme alumnus Sue Watt to get an insight into life before, during and after the programme. Sue lets us in on her daily routine, her artistic inspiration and her upcoming show (at the time) at Penwith Gallery.
In conversation with Porthmeor Programme Alumnus, Sue Watt
We caught up with Porthmeor Programme alumnus Sue Watt to get an insight into life before, during and after the programme. Sue lets us in on her daily routine, her artistic inspiration and her upcoming show (at the time) at Penwith Gallery.
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…
The Guardian – How I learned to paint in St Ives
In November 2024, we were joined by author and journalist, Wyl Meinmuir on our Discover Painting course led by Ilker Cinarel. From a novice painter’s perspective, he followed the course with a write up for readers of The Guardian, you can read more below! Written by Wyl Meinmuir A novice painter finds the artistic heritage…
Celebrating our Future Artists
Did you know that every penny of income we receive goes directly back into teaching art and giving local youngsters the opportunity to explore their creativity? Thanks to our donations from you, and investments from our incredible funders, 2024 saw a record-breaking year for our Young Artists Programme. 2024 saw the Young Artist’s programme expand,…
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…
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….
Thinking Allowed with Alice Mumford
We invited artist and St Ives School of Painting tutor, Alice Mumford, onto a free interactive webinar where she grappled with some of the key burning questions for artists. Is Competition Good for Creativity? Discussion led by Alice Mumford Picasso and Braque forged a relationship that was part intimate friendship, part rivalry. The two artists…
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…
The Sunday Times: The Art of Learning
As seen in… Is it a bird, is it a plane? Our budding Rothko, Sean Newsom, signs up for an abstract art class in St Ives. Can I remind you that this jumble of fisherman cottages and harbour walls was also – for a time – the forcing house of British abstract art? – When…
The Wall Street Journal: A Brush With St. Ives
As seen in… Anne-Marie Conway visits St Ives and joins us at the School of Painting to experience art lessons in Cornwall, in our stunning location above the beach during the quieter months. “Tape the paper down on your clipboard, you don’t want it blowing away,” advised our tutor, Liz Luckwell, as she led us out…
The Independent: Barbara Hepworth’s St Ives
As seen in… Words by Jonathan Lorie As a major exhibition of the British sculptor opened, Jonathan Lorie travelled to St Ives, the town that inspired Barbara Hepworth, to feel its draw for himself. “Are you OK to get a bit mucky?” asks the drawing teacher as he hands me a stick of charcoal on…
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…