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.
Your Monthly Roundup: December
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
In Conversation: Ella Carty
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…
Your Monthly Roundup: November
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
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…
Joan Eardley (1921–1963)
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…
Sir Terry Frost RA: A Life in Colour + Light
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.
Your Monthly Roundup: September
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
Alfred Wallis: 100 Years On
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…
Your Monthly Roundup: August
A monthly round up of the latest news, insights and events. Sign up to our newsletter to receive this update straight to your inbox!
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…
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…
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…
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