This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Course details
Reconnect with the supportive resources of a professional artist tutor; the Porthmeor Studios and an intimate peer group familiar with the unique experience of your artistic journey as an alumni.
Feeling a Porthmeor Programme shaped hole in your life? The Porthmeor Alumni Long Weekends are a series of stepping stones leading on from the solid foundations you have built over the year. Reconnect with the supportive resources of a professional artist tutor; the Porthmeor Studios and an intimate peer group familiar with the unique experience of your artistic journey as a Porthmeor Programme alumni.
Enjoy the input of your peers in an appraisal facilitated by artist tutor Liz Hough and immerse yourself in a specialist workshop led by your guest tutor on the second day. These experiences will expose avenues that might not have occurred to you in your solo practice, enabling you to return to your own work with a sharper focus and fresh perspective.
The one-to-one tutorials with Liz Hough are an invaluable opportunity to focus in on your work with the undivided attention of a professional artist and tutor, helping you to plot the course for your independent practice.
We offer the Porthmeor Alumni Weekends on a first come, first serve basis and they are open to all Porthmeor Programme alumni. There are eight places available on each course, and you can book on to as many as you like. Guest tutors to be confirmed.
The weekend is an affirming experience of making art in a familiar space and will leave you feeling liberated and reenergised for the road ahead.
Friday
The group will work with the guest artist on a practical art making session
Saturday
Your lead tutor, Liz Hough, will take one to one tutorials while the lead artist continues with creative session
Sunday
A day of self study. Liz will continue to deliver one to one tutorials while students continue to work on the creative project started with the guest tutor.
Different Sessions
December Session
Guest tutor Adrian Holmes will join lead tutor Liz Hough to guide you through the ancient skill of Japanese watercolour woodblock printing. Traditionally made as a homage to the sweeping landscape, dramatic landforms and rich culture of Japan, artist practitioner Adrian Holmes offers you a contemporary take on the process. Learn to compose, carve and print your own designs using authentic Japanese tools and paper.
Further Sessions will be added for 2022 in due course
Taught by
What to Bring
Our studios are fully equipped and we provide you with all the materials you need for your course. However, if you have a favourite set of brushes or any specialist materials that you would prefer to use, please bring them with you.
Our studios are fully equipped and we provide you with all the materials you need for your course. However, if you have a favourite set of brushes or any specialist materials that you would prefer to use, please bring them with you.
Timings and Breaks
The first day starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm, please aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the start time.
All course days after that start at 9.30am and end at 4pm. There are plenty of nearby places to eat and we will serve tea and coffee at break times during the day.
The first day starts at 10am and finishes at 4.30pm, please aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before the start time.
All course days after that start at 9.30am and finish at 4pm and there will be an hour for lunch. There are plenty of nearby places to eat and we will serve tea and coffee at break times during the day.
What our students say
Kieran was very generous and open in answering all our questions about his practice and processes. He was very approachable and had a good way of explaining things clearly.
It was lovely to be back at the school, wonderful to meet more Porthmeor Alumni and Kieran was a brilliant and very knowledgeable tutor. It was also lovely to see Greg again and have the 1-1 session with him.
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
FAQs
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.
You might also like...
Porthmeor Programme - Studio Based
Kate Southworth
A ten month intensive course to develop you as an artist, enabling you to find and express your individual creative voice. Led by a personal tutor and a host of guest artists.
Joan Eardley- The Calligraphy of People + Place
Jill Eisele
Explore the calligraphic mark making of Joan Eardley and learn how as artists today we can find inspiration for our own painting.
Beginners Oil Painting
Mon 21 - Wed 23 Jul 2025 - 3 days
Greg Humphries
A thorough introduction to this versatile and accessible medium: learn simple and dynamic approaches to painting with oils, responding to landscape and working from still life in the studio.
Ink, Paint + Paper
Steven Buckler
Learn how to create atmospheric art works on paper, in response to the wild landscape above Zennor, using acrylic inks and paint.
Banish Fear of Failure
Mon 20 - Wed 22 Jan 2025 - 3 days
Iona Sanders
An introduction to finding ways into creating lively, expressive paintings through intuitive and instinctual responses to the world around you.
Artist Landmarks - St Ives Bay with Victoria Gillow R
Victoria Gillow
Local artist, Victoria Gillow, shares new ways of working to inspire your creative process and help you paint the places you love. Discover techniques to create vibrant and expressive paintings.
Not So Still Life
Sat 1 - Sun 2 Feb 2025 - 2 days
Roger Towndrow
Experience still life in a new and dynamic way with this exploratory drawing course with an emphasis on enjoying the process of drawing as much as making a finished piece.