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Course details
Enjoy creating dynamic landscape paintings from photographs in this new three-part series with artist Maxine Hart.
Photographs are a great way to capture the landscape around you, whether taken close to home or on holiday. However, they can look flatter than your real-life experiences, and painting dynamic compositions from them can be tricky. Taking snapshots and sketches as your starting point, this course teaches you how to breathe life back into your images.
Over three sessions, explore how to create effective compositions from photographs, and see how colour and texture can add atmosphere to your paintings. Learn how to work between realism and abstraction, adding colour through imagination and emotion rather than straightforward depiction. Maxine will take you through various processes and ways-in to create vibrant, expressive paintings. You will be encouraged to ‘find your own voice’ through colour palettes and mark-making; working from your chosen images and imagination to create a composite painting.
Sessions
Session 1: 1.5 hours – Composition – Watch Now
Bring your own photographs to the first session and Maxine will talk you through how to frame and compose a successful image. What to leave in and what to take out, and the freedom to borrow from other images if something works! Spend time sketching with a variety of mediums.
Session 2: 1.5 hours – Colour – Watch Now
Adding colour to your compositions, learn how to respond to the feelings and atmosphere that a landscape evokes. There are no ‘correct’ colours. Again, this is about seeing what works and what doesn’t when composing an image.
Session 3: 1.5 hours – Texture – 4.30pm 21st June
In this final session, add texture to your compositions through various found objects. See how to layer-up and pair-down your painting as well as to incorporate objects you may have found from your chosen landscape. At the end of the session, you have the option to share your work on our Facebook Alumni page.
What will I learn
Learn a new way to developing a painting.
Work between figuration and abstraction.
See how photographs can inspire a painting.
Work in a looser, more experimental and expressive way.
Learn about adding colour and texture to your paintings.
How does an online session work
Once you have booked, please login to our online learning platform to access the link to the sessions and to find details of any pre course tasks and materials.
If you haven’t yet created an account, you will be sent an email inviting you to do so after booking.
Your access will expire 180 days after purchase.
You can watch this on a PC, laptop or tablet and if you have chromecast or miracast you could even cast to your SmartTV from your phone.
Who would this course suit?
This course is suitable for all abilities. If you are interested in learning new skills and interests, or gaining confidence, experience, attitude and mobility in your painting practice, this course is for you.
Taught by
What our students say
I genuinely loved it, thank you.
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.