Mixed media abstract collage artwork by Liz Hough for St Ives art course.

Abstraction - Developing

Mixed Media / Landscape

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Course details

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.

It can be hard to know how to approach abstraction. In this course Liz gives you clear tools and processes enabling you to develop a fresh approach or make that leap. The works of renowned artists will be an important source of inspiration in these sessions. Liz will refer to various artists’ works including Prunella Clough, Eileen Agar, Paul Gauguin, Peter Lanyon, Paul Klee, Sandra Blow, and other contemporary artists. This will enrich your understanding of how artists go about creating a body of work and highlight useful approaches to the tasks set on the course by Liz.

It doesn’t matter at what point you start from, beginner or more advanced, this course will give you the chance to develop works in-depth. Using mixed media approaches, we will explore our own image making by pushing the possibilities to their limits.

There is a series of tasks to complete alongside the films and you have six months to review and watch as often as you like.

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Sessions

Session 1: 1 hour

Drawing From…

In the first session, you will look at the drawings of various artists to highlight the different techniques you will explore on the course. Using her in-depth knowledge of art history, Liz will guide you through how these artists have used a variety of mediums such as pencil and graphite powder, inks, charcoal and PVA glue to build up their own repertoire of mark-making techniques and visual language.

Session 2 : 1 hour

Monoprinting From…

In session 2, you will look at some of the student work from previous sessions. Liz will also show you a Powerpoint of different monotype examples.

Taking you through a step-by-step tutorial of several techniques, Liz will show you how to build-on previous work, building confidence in a more intuitive and experimental way of working. Taking the subject from a previously chosen painting, you will learn how to work your drawings into colour using layering, stencilling and various textures.

Please note, these monoprint techniques don’t require any specialist printing equipment. We will use acrylic paint, a sheet of acetate and general cartridge paper and paint brushes.

Session 3 : 1 hour

Painting From…

In this session, you will again be looking at the work of your peers.

Building on previous sessions, Liz will demonstrate how to develop your monoprints using paint, collage and folded papers and simple 3D constructions. This process can help you if you feel stuck. Liz will show you how, by returning to previous work, slowing down the methodology, and working through various pathways, you can find the answers through the process. In this session, you will learn how to work smaller studies into larger, mixed-media paintings.  

A series of tasks will be set for the final time.

Session 4: 1 hour

A review of previous 3 sessions in which Liz answers questions that have arisen as you come to the end of your journey together.

Follow up with Liz’s Abstraction – A Closer look

What will I learn?

Learn new techniques of drawing/simple printmaking/collage.

When you might get stuck, what can help you to move on.

Learn why looking closely is important.

Experiment and push an image to its limits.

Understand the importance of engaging with your subject.

To be patient and realise that not everything works out!

How does an online session work

Once you have booked you will be able to watch on demand immediately. 

You can pause, rewind and watch again as often as you like until the session expires 180 days after purchase

You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with our community of fellow students from around the world.

Who would this course suit?

Practising artists and someone who has already started on their artistic journey.

You don’t necessarily need to have completed Liz’s previous 5-month course to attend, although this may be an advantage.

Abstraction – Developing

Mixed Media / Landscape

Purchase

What you will need.

To give you a general idea you will be working with mixed media – drawing, collage charcoal, inks, pencil, oil pastel acrylics, acrylic mediums and oils. (Although not all at once!)

You will need access to the internet and either a Smart TV, PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable however you can cast your phone to a Smart TV.

Taught by

Liz
Hough

View Liz’s Work

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.

FAQs

Online Art Courses – All

How can I get help in choosing a course?

Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180

Do I need a webcam/any equipment?

For our webinar sessions which are broadcast on the internet and no webcam or microphone is needed as you just need to be able to see/hear hosts and you can communicate using the chat function. You can watch using a PC, Smart TV or tablet. A phone isn’t ideal as you will struggle to see enough unless you can miracast to a screen or smart TV.

For the longer online courses on Zoom you will need a laptop or tablet with audio and camera enabled so you can have a screen near where you are working. If you have a PC without camera or speakers, you can purchase a plug and play webcam for approx £25 which connects to a usb port. You will also need reasonable broadband connection and speed.

All the art materials and equipment needed to participate in the course will be listed in full on the online learning platform, for live webinars this will be a minimum of two weeks before the session starts.

I have registered for the webinar but I can't find my joining link

You can access all the resources and joining link for your webinar via our online learning platform. You will need to have set up an account on our online learning platform in advance. You can do this during the checkout process when purchasing your webinar. If you are having trouble accessing your online account, please contact [email protected]. You can use a PC or tablet or even cast from your phone to watch on your Smart TV.

I paid for the session but missed it, how can I watch?

Currently all our online sessions are recorded and you can access the recording on our online learning platform until it expires. Usually 60 days for a webinar, 90 – 180 days for multipart webinars or online courses.

Studio Courses

How can I get help in choosing a course?

Our friendly expert staff are always happy to discuss your needs and our courses in more detail to help you with your decision. Please call us on 01736 797180

How do I get my work home?

Tutors have special techniques for transporting oil paintings and the school has plastic folders available in our shop for £3.50 or do bring a portfolio.

For international students we are happy to arrange transportation of your work back home.

What do I need to bring?

Absolutely nothing! All materials and aprons are provided although some people do like to bring their own set of brushes.

What do I do for lunch?

Courses allow an hour’s break for lunch and there are numerous places nearby or you are welcome to bring a packed lunch into the studio.

What times do courses run?

Most of our courses start at 10am and end at 4.30pm on the first day. Subsequent days we start at 9.30am ending at 4pm.

Weekend Courses run 10am – 4pm on the first day but the final day starts at 9.30 and ends at 3.30 with a short lunch break to enable people to get home that evening.


Do you have to be experienced to come to the School?

The School is a very friendly and welcoming place for all ages and experience. Our drop-in life classes and August half-day workshops are ideal for those wanting to have a go for the first time. Most of our longer courses are also fine for novices.

If any of the courses do need a bit of experience we flag this up in the brochure and on the website.

Booking a Course

How can I reserve a place?

We will hold a provisional reservation for 24 hours if you give us a call whilst you find accommodation. Otherwise please book online or by telephone 01736 797180.

You can reserve a place with a £100 deposit; balance is due 12 weeks before course start date.

About St Ives

Where do I park?

The nearest long stay public car parks are the Island and Barnoon Long Stay Car Park, both a 5 minute walk away. In the peak summer months it may be easier to park at Trenwith Car Park by the leisure centre and walk down into town. If you don’t fancy the walk up the hill at the end of the day there is a shuttle bus which runs from outside the cinema.

How do I get there?

Public Transport: If you are coming from further afield the main train line runs into St Erth which is a 15 min taxi ride away or you can take the St Ives Bay Line which runs approx. every 30 minutes. The School is a 10 minute walk from St Ives station.

Driving: M5 will take you to Exeter where we recommend that you take the A30 across Bodmin Moor and into Cornwall. After passing Hayle, leave the A30 at St Erth roundabout for St Ives. Turn right at the second roundabout. This road will take you through Lelant and Carbis Bay into St Ives.

Where can I stay?

St Ives has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and self catering accommodation to choose from. Please browse the art holidays St Ives section on our website and give us a call if you would like any help.

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