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Course details
Demystify abstract painting and explore alternative ways of seeing the world around you. Fire up your creativity with this series of one hour, live online sessions, designed to inspire you to get making and investigating at home delivered by artist Liz Hough.
Each one has a different theme but will work best if seen together. There will be an opportunity for students to pose questions to Liz during the session. You can watch the session live or later.
She will set you an optional project to work on during the week. This encourages you to make your own discoveries and enjoy doing research based on your fresh insights.
Once you have booked a session, you will receive an invite to register with Zoom. You can put questions to Liz during the session using the question and answer function. We record the session so we can let you revisit the session to refresh your memory for up to two weeks after. You will also be invited to join our brand new Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with our community of fellow students from around the world.
Painting by Liz Hough 
Painting by Liz Hough
Sessions
Each session starts with a presentation slide show, sometimes this might be illustrated further with a demo. There will then be time for questions from the audience and then a task set for you to do at home. Webinars start at 4.30pm BST/London time and last for 1 hr.
Session 1, Thursday August 20th
Looking at Ways of Abstracting
We will explore what abstract art can be about, or the possibilities it contains with examples and practical demonstrations and tasks set.
Session 2, Thursday August 27th
Looking at Ways of Creating Space
We will use these explorations to develop further the notion of creating space in your paintings. Looking at the importance of composition, with examples, what goes where? Demonstrations. Plus a set task.
If you miss session 1 there is an option to buy a recording available to view until 28th August.
What will I learn?
Learn the secret of creating lively and contemporary landscapes inspired by Peter Lanyon.
Insights into how to create dynamic compositions using paint, mixed media and collage
Approaches to loosening up your way of working
Who would this course suit?
Anyone with an interest in art, not just painters. This is an ideal session if you need to loosen up your approach and equally rewarding for beginners. Great for those who would like to get more out of their visits to galleries.
How Does an online session work?
Once you have booked a session, we will send you an invite to the session so you can register with Zoom and join us. It’s a good idea to register straight away and Zoom will then send you a link that you keep safe ready to use to get access to the webinar on the day.
You can put questions to Liz using the question and answer function during the webinar. We plan to record them so you can revisit the session to refresh your memory for up to two weeks after. You will also be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world.
Taught by
What to Bring
You don’t need to bring any materials to the session.
You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC or laptop or a tablet with audio. Phones are not really suitable to watch a webinar on as the presenter will be hard to see when she shares her screen with you. But we will be sending you a recording of the session so you can revisit it. The exercise to do at home we will also email to you afterwards.
Timings and Breaks
As soon as you receive your confirmation from us make sure you follow the link and register with Zoom. Zoom will then send you a second link. Keep this safe. At about 4.15pm follow this link to go to your session’s waiting room. We will play a video with audio of students artwork we have collated so far in response these session. So you can check you are connecting ok. Any issues get in touch via email at [email protected], we will do our best to help.
We will start the session at 4.30pm. We expect each session to last about one hour. If you have any problems receiving your link email from us or from Zoom email us and we can get that sorted before the start time. In the session if you have questions you can use the chat function and we will do our best to advise.
FAQs
Online Broadcast
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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