Hilary Jean Gibson
In 1995 I became a tutor at St Ives School of Painting. Offering inspiration through my passion for drawing, water-based media and art history I strive to liberate a creative vision through direct observation and en plein air. My fascination in old buildings with a story to tell connects me to the studio’s historic narrative. Working in the space can feel like being inside one of my own drawings.
My passion for drawing and perspective evolved at Saint Martins. This experience, along with a fascination for narrative and history, inspired me to explore the space between fact and fiction whilst Artist in Residence at
Godolphin and Trelissick N.T. I relish watercolour painting atop a windy cliff or drawing interiors in cold, dark, old buildings.
What our students say
Hilary has a really excellent manner. I had been worried about being an absolute beginner but she put us all quickly at our ease and I was able to really enjoy the course.
Excellent session with Hilary. The model was always in a super pose and all of us students got a lot of thoughtful help. Looking forward to the next time!
Great course – I have learnt so much that I will take home with me and enjoy creating art with.
With no painting experience whatever – this course was relaxed and inspirational. A small group so personal attention from a very patient tutor. I really enjoyed the course and I learnt a great deal. Thank you Hilary!
As a cook, to see the magic of the process of paint choices, applications, washes and light in a “recipe”, develop inspired by great painters from this very place and Hilary’s patience teaching us all about technique, colour, materials in 3 days was fantastic!
Fascinating and fun – thank you. Best art course I’ve ever been on!
It was a rare opportunity to focus entirely on drawing, without the distractions of working from home. I enjoyed going over the fundamentals of drawing because there was no thorough teaching of this on my degree course. I will certainly be more aware of these aspects of drawing as I develop my work at home. The course gave me a boost of confidence and i feel inspired to draw more regularly than I had been doing for a couple of years.
I thoroughly enjoyed this three day workshop – would love to stay for another three! Hilary was relaxed, informative and inspiring and I feel invigorated to continue to develop the new skills i’ve learned.
A big thank you to Hilary and Liz – a fantastic course! I look forward to continuing at home all I have learnt and will certainly be back for future courses.
Practising and experimenting with watercolour and trying different techniques has given me the confidence to develop my own style and detect the pleasure of painting.
A great course. Very useful. Packed with good tips and trials to progress ones work.
Absolutely love the way the course is designed and taught. Very encouraging, compassionate and multifaceted experience, and most definitely coming back! Thank you for your support, light energy and smiles.
I cannot believe how much I have learnt on this course. Watercolours are so versatile and I cant wait to explore this further. Thank you so much Hilary!
Hilary led us through the techniques to pencil portrait from a live model. I learnt a lot from her. It was very hard work but the results were amazing at the end of the two days!
I loved my tutors! The range they showed – between accurate drawing and having fun with different materials – was superb!
Great course – covered all the basic elements and techniques and gave me the confidence to experiment and develop going forward.
Courses with Hilary Jean Gibson
Capturing St Ives
Waterbased - Landscape - Art Courses (2-5 days)
Active sort order:
Course ID: a001r00000nKF2g
Active Instance: a024J000002wF9JQAU, 29-Mar-2021
Use the simple yet powerful technique of line and wash to study St Ives' buildings, cottages and cobbled streets in situ. Bring its unforgettable essence to life in the studio.
| 29 - 31 Mar 2021 - 3 days - £285 | Book |
Capturing St Ives
Waterbased - Landscape - Art Courses (2-5 days) - Creative Weekender
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J000002g5fk
Active Instance: a021r00000rx1RwAAI, 12-Jun-2020
Use the simple yet powerful technique of line and wash to study St Ives' buildings, cottages and cobbled streets. Bring its unforgettable essence to life back in the studio.
| 12 - 14 Jun - 3 days - £285 | Last 2 places | Book |
Developing Drawing Skills
Drawing - Art Courses (2-5 days)
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000bCVj2
Active Instance: a021r00000rx9FYAAY, 06-Jul-2020
Learn to master the power of the simple line. Working from subjects in and around the studios, create compelling observational drawings and equip yourself with a entirely new creative toolbox.
Developing Drawing Skills
Drawing - Art Courses (2-5 days)
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000bCVj2
Active Instance: a024J000002vBSiQAM, 23-Nov-2020
Learn to master the power of the simple line. Working from subjects in and around the studios, create compelling observational drawings and equip yourself with a entirely new creative toolbox.
Developing your Portraiture Painting
Drawing - Oil - Waterbased - Figure - Art Courses (2-5 days) - Intermediate
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000bCVjh
Active Instance: a024J000002vBAcQAM, 31-Aug-2020
Taking inspiration from the likes of Lucian Freud and Stanley Spencer, work from a clothed model to understand the anatomy, tone and composition of the face in gouache and oils.
Developing your Portraiture Painting
Gary Long
Drawing - Oil - Waterbased - Figure - Art Courses (2-5 days) - Intermediate
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000bCVjh
Active Instance: a024J000002vcCqQAI, 25-Jan-2021
Taking inspiration from the likes of Lucian Freud and Stanley Spencer, work from a clothed model to understand the anatomy, tone and composition of the face in gouache and oils.
Drawing From a Fishing Community
Drawing - Waterbased - Landscape - Art Courses (2-5 days) - New Courses
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J000002hAtk
Active Instance: a024J000002vOVoQAM, 05-Oct-2020
Master the subject of boats and the inspirational setting of St Ives fishing harbour. Using pencil, line and wash learn tips and techniques to embrace this evocative subject matter with confidence.
| 5 - 7 Oct - 3 days - £285 | Book |
Expressive Watercolour Landscape
Watercolour - Landscape - Art Courses (2-5 days)
Active sort order:
Course ID: a001r000010QvnF
Active Instance: a021r00000rwnQkAAI, 01-Jun-2020
Inspired by the cliffs and rock formations of Porthmeor, reveal the dynamism and energy of watercolour. Develop your colour mixing skills and experiment applying washes, pattern, texture at different scales.
Expressive Watercolour Landscape
Watercolour - Landscape - Art Courses (2-5 days)
Active sort order:
Course ID: a001r000010QvnF
Active Instance: a024J000003tbqFQAQ, 17-Aug-2020
Inspired by the cliffs and rock formations of Porthmeor, reveal the dynamism and energy of watercolour. Develop your colour mixing skills and experiment applying washes, pattern, texture at different scales.
Expressive Watercolour Landscape (3 days)
Watercolour - Landscape - Art Courses (2-5 days)
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J000002hKnB
Active Instance: a024J000002vcDUQAY, 01-Mar-2021
Inspired by the cliffs and rock formations of Porthmeor, reveal the dynamism and energy of watercolour. Develop your colour mixing skills and experiment applying washes, pattern, texture at different scales.
| 1 - 3 Mar 2021 - 3 days - £285 | Book |
Getting Started with Watercolour
Watercolour - Beginners - Art Courses (2-5 days) - Beginner
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000bCVjO
Active Instance: a021r00000rx96IAAQ, 22-Jun-2020
An ideal first step to watercolour painting, discover the essential techniques of this luminous and rewarding medium. Build confidence through demonstrations, theory and practice, using different papers, tools and approaches.
Getting Started with Watercolour
Watercolour - Beginners - Art Courses (2-5 days) - Beginner
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000bCVjO
Active Instance: a024J000002vBEtQAM, 19-Oct-2020
An ideal first step to watercolour painting, discover the essential techniques of this luminous and rewarding medium. Build confidence through demonstrations, theory and practice, using different papers, tools and approaches.
Getting Started with Watercolour
Watercolour - Beginners - Art Courses (2-5 days) - Beginner
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000bCVjO
Active Instance: a024J000002vek2QAA, 15-Feb-2021
An ideal first step to watercolour painting, discover the essential techniques of this luminous and rewarding medium. Build confidence through demonstrations, theory and practice, using different papers, tools and approaches.
Pencil Drawn Portrait
Drawing - Figure - Art Courses (2-5 days) - New Courses
Active sort order:
Course ID: a001r00000s1EpD
Active Instance: a024J000002vc5lQAA, 19-Nov-2020
Get to know the face through drawing, studying anatomy, line, tone and composition. Then move on to complete a sustained drawing in pencil, rendering skin tone and capturing likeness.
| 19 - 20 Nov - £190 | Book |
Turner Sea + Sky
Watercolour - Landscape - Art Courses (2-5 days) - Creative Weekender
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J000002gjmX
Active Instance: a024J000002vA1LQAU, 07-Aug-2020
Reveal a fresh and immediate approach to watercolour, emulating Turner's rapidly made and highly expressive studies, known as colour "beginnings". Create vibrant seascapes that evoke the boundlessness of sea and sky.
| 7 - 9 Aug - 3 days - £290 | Book |
Turner Sea + Sky
Waterbased - Watercolour - Landscape - Art Courses (2-5 days) - Creative Weekender
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000dogvP
Active Instance: a024J000002vfn7QAA, 15-Mar-2021
Reveal a fresh and immediate approach to watercolour, emulating Turner's rapidly made and highly expressive studies, known as colour "beginnings". Create vibrant seascapes that evoke the boundlessness of sea and sky.
| 15 - 17 Mar 2021 - 3 days - £290 | Book |