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Liz Hough
Liz Hough’s paintings offer a vivid exploration of seasonal moments, drawing the viewer into intimate narratives of place and memory. Each painting is carefully selected to convey time spent in both summer and winter, where the artist’s use of colour and mixed media brings life to the black-and-white sketches she creates en plein air. Relying on her memory to evoke the atmosphere and hues of these landscapes, Hough’s work captures the elusive feeling of a “Perfect Day”—whether through the depiction of ideal weather, a serene mood, or the distinct atmosphere of a place. These paintings, deeply personal yet universally resonant, tell stories of moments that hold particular significance to the artist, rendered with a vibrant palette that speaks to her emotional connection to the scenes she portrays.
Responding directly to the ancient, rugged Cornish landscape, Liz Hough uses collage, painted papers, acrylics and oils to capture the essence of a place. After studying Fine Art at Manchester Polytechnic, Liz attended the Royal Academy Schools where she was awarded the prestigious Daler Rowney Prize and the Creswick Prize for Landscape Painting in Oils. She was also featured in multiple editions of the Royal Academies Premiums Exhibitions.
Following the Modern British Tradition, Liz takes simple shapes, abstracted from nature, and arranges them into strong compositions using vibrant colours alongside naturalistic tones. She has exhibited her paintings widely and is represented by Oliver Contemporary in London. Her work is held in national and international collections. Having also studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Perugia, Liz has spent time living and studying in rural Italy. She now lives and works in St Ives.
What our students say
What an inspirational course. Liz Hough took us through the process in a most helpful and accessible way – we just didn’t want it to end. Many, many thanks.
Well resourced, relaxed, efficient, well paced, brilliant interface with the students on a group and individual basis, encouraging and challenging and fun!
I loved the multi faceted approach and Liz’s ability to react to individual needs and approaches. I loved the way that she highlighted a range of artists and also how she directed our gaze to each other’s work as potential for ideas. My understanding of the whole artistic process really improved and I feel more able to respond in a deeper way to mine and others work. Incredible experience.
I came with high expectations and amazingly they were exceeded!
It was just perfect and the back up from other staff members of the School of Painting was outstanding. For me it was the best painting course I’ve experienced together with venue, studios, equipment and location.
Warm, welcoming and engaged tutor, the course was well structured and well organised, lovely atmosphere, all necessary materials supplied, the studio was bright and airy – and then there was the landscape!
Liz was a lovely inspiration…and made us all feel very relaxed as a group, so you still felt like you were having a creative break away, but at the same time able to push your self forward creatively.
Well resourced, relaxed, efficient, well paced, brilliant interface with the students on a group and individual basis, encouraging and challenging and fun.
A wonderful school and inspiring teacher who encouraged and helped us to explore our own practice whilst pushing us beyond our perceived limitations – excellent .
I feel very lucky to have been part of this weeks course and hope to be able to come back to St Ives Painting School sometime in the future. Everybody we met in the school was friendly and welcoming.
The pace was just right. I enjoyed the 3 different media- sketching, collage then painting. We were eased into it gently. It was relaxing, interesting and fun as well as inspiring. Thank you for a fantastic, relaxing time.
Actually it exceeded my expectations. While looking forward to attending, I was concerned that I had only a year’s experience of painting and that I might be out of my depth. But Liz’s teaching was made me feel at home.
I liked the group. I also liked the town, the centre d’arte, and as always Liz is a very intuitive, stimulating tutor. Very well researched course that was constructive as well as being fun.
The fact that this was my third experience of this course and each time I have learned more and it has had changes that continued to challenge says it all.
Inspiring course, well guided and paced. Excellent tutor who helps you get the best out of your painting experience.
I want to just say how much I’ve enjoyed this course! Liz has made it so interesting and inspiring. I’ll be signing up for her upcoming online course!
I just wanted to say how brilliant Liz is – she is a great teacher – so calm, kind and inspiring – can’t wait to get out there with my camera!
Your teachers seem to have a unique ability that I haven’t found often in being able to direct their teaching to both beginners and more advanced students. Keep going and thank you!
I just loved the tasks and I am expanding them because of Liz’s suggestions & ideas. I am so grateful for her enabling me to do it so confidently.
The weekend was well organised with plenty for us to get our teeth into. Great explanations and demonstrations from Liz, lots of food for thought from Ilker
Actually exceeded my expectations. While looking forward to attending, I was concerned that I only have a years experience of painting and that i might be out of my depth. Liz’s teaching made me feel at home.
Liz Hough is not only a brilliant artist but she’s also a fabulous teacher – a rare combination. The course was extremely well structured and clearly explained. Liz has furnished me with a solid working process which I can now use to take my work forward. She is also a generous, gentle, and encouraging teacher and made the whole week a real pleasure.
I love Liz’s gentle and knowledgeable manner, her wonderful exercises, and way of teaching.
Liz is such a wonderful, generous teacher, with a lovely, calm demeanor. I wish I lived closer as I’d would love to take a class in person with her. Hopefully, someday I will manage to do so!
There was a lot more in the course than expected. Liz’s demonstration broke down any sense of preciousness. Her openness, instinct, love of materials and creative ‘play’ are terrifically inspiring to let go and explore.
…the course fulfilled all its promises – providing lots of excellent teaching, new methods to try and lots of ideas and individual advice for taking work further during lockdown.
Such a fascinating process and challenging!
I just wanted to say how brilliant Liz is – she is a great teacher – so calm, kind and inspiring – and I can’t wait now to get out there with my camera!
Courses with Liz Hough
Abstraction - A Closer Look
Online Pre-recorded - Mixed Media - Landscape
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000NYNaF
Active Instance: a024J00000DPmySQAT, 01-Sep-2026
Over 3 sessions, Liz takes you through common questions asked on her previous courses: finding your own, unique content; form versus line; and scaling up.
| £120 | Book |
Abstraction - Developing
Online Pre-recorded - Mixed Media - Landscape
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000FFGfL
Active Instance: a024J000008PxZkQAK, 01-Sep-2026
Over 4 recordings, explore Liz's processes of painting, collage and print. Emerge confident in experimentation with a cohesive collection of new works and ideas.
| £120 | Book |
Artist Retreat Week
Art Courses - Mixed Media - Personal Development
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000i3cv9
Active Instance: a024J00000DzNWvQAN, 09-Dec-2024
Remember and revive your reasons for making art and reboot your practice. As part of a small group, benefit from directed exercises, peer feedback and 1-1 mentoring from two professional artists.
Artist Retreat Week
Art Courses - Mixed Media - Personal Development
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000i3cv9
Active Instance: a02Nz000009Bw3VIAS, 21-Nov-2025
Remember and revive your reasons for making art and reboot your practice. As part of a small group, benefit from directed exercises, peer feedback and 1-1 mentoring from two professional artists.
Artist Retreat Weekend - Autumn
Art Courses - Mixed Media
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000G2ceX
Active Instance: a024J00000DzNmTQAV, 22-Nov-2024
A developmental weekend working with two professional artists, combining 1-1 tutorials with a fun practical weekend of painting. Aimed at those developing an art practice.
Artist Retreat Weekend - Autumn
Art Courses - Mixed Media
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000G2ceX
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BvFVIA0, 31-Oct-2025
A developmental weekend working with two professional artists, combining 1-1 tutorials with a fun practical weekend of painting. Aimed at those developing an art practice.
Lanyon's Landscapes
Art Courses - Mixed Media - Abstract
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000K5mqA
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BlUhIAK, 02-Jun-2025
Create lively contemporary paintings inspired by the landscapes that Peter Lanyon knew and loved.
| 2 - 6 Jun 2025 - 5 days - £590 | Book |
Ways of Abstracting
Online Pre-recorded - Mixed Media - Abstract
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000AAlon
Active Instance: a024J00000BeEcZQAV, 01-Sep-2026
Join artist Liz Hough in our studio to demystify abstract painting and explore alternative ways of seeing the world around you. Fire up your creativity with this one hour live online session designed to inspire and get you making and investigating at home.
| £30 | Book |