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Course details
Join practising artist, Victoria Gillow, in this playful exploration of building history and narratives into paintings, through the use of coloured grounds and under painting.
The ‘well grounded’ webinar aims to enable artists to playfully identify and work with ideas around a painter’s choice of ground and how this can then inform how an artist starts to layer and build a painting, as well as how it can influence the way a painting is created and subsequently read/viewed, interacted with and enjoyed.
Every layer of colour, texture and mark adds to the history and narrative in a painting. Coloured grounds and under painting can be literal with a colour taken from the place observed or remembered. The choice of ground can also be an emotional one, informed by a true and deep connection with place – so it can work on two levels. We will look at different ways we can play with these ideas.
Taking inspiration from artists such as John Constable, Peter Lanyon and March Rothko, amongst others, Victoria will guide you on how to find balance, patterns and rhythms of colour and on how colours works with or against each other.
Working from your chosen images or from direct observation, Victoria will be showing you how to create paintings from the ground up. Learn about building grounds with colour and the possibilities of impasto, textured, and collaged grounds. Take the time to consider the way you apply the paint and how to create the energy in a brush stroke. You will be encouraged to ‘find your own voice’ through mark making and layers, paint and texture; to create a series of artwork.
The workshop promises to be playful and fun, with layers informing the reading of the paintings and artworks we produce. Everyone will have their own connection with a place, perhaps an immediate emotive response or maybe layers of memory and reflection.
Who is this course for?
This course would suit artists with experience and beginners a like. There will be something for everyone with the emphasis on accessing creativity a well as freeing up and enabling reverie in process based practice.
An interest in landscape/seascape painting would be useful.
What will I learn?
- How to bring new life and energy to a painting
- Explore how a painting can work from the ground up
- How layers work in paintings
- How a narrative and feeling can be built layer by layer
- Basic colour mixing
- Build confidence in using acrylic paints and mediums
How does an online session work?
We record the sessions so you can watch on demand, as often as you like, for up to 60 days after purchase. This way you can pause a scene, rewind and finish your painting. You can watch on a PC, laptop or tablet and if you have chromecast or miracast you could even cast to your SmartTV from your phone.
You will be invited to join our Facebook Alumni group so you can share your discoveries with fellow students from around the world. You can also share your work live with others on social media using the #schoolofpainting and tagging us @stives painting.
Taught by
What to Bring
A list of materials will be available to see in your account upon booking the course. You will need access to the internet and ideally a PC, laptop or a tablet with audio.
You can revisit as often as you like for up to 60 days after the start of the course via the same links as the live events.
What our students say
It was great to learn how to start a painting, from standing at your favourite spot and starting sketching. There were so many tips to guide the painter. I particularly loved how Victoria teaches to build the layers of colours and make it exciting, explaining how to use mediums and other tips to create texture etc. Victoria is a great and generous teacher and I would love to attend her course in person one day.
What a great tutor! Victoria’s passion for her environment and her work was contagious, everything she did in the webinar – and she did a lot – was done with such enthusiasm; and even when she was talking us through quite basic things like colour mixing and sketching, she was so enthusiastic and empowering that it all felt really fresh and exciting. As Victoria shared her process the webinar just flowed so naturally and spontaneously, and it was so skillful that she could talk directly, answer questions, and while doing so produce really lovely work.
An action packed lesson, I learnt so much, itching to get outside and get painting!
A really enjoyable experience. Victoria Gillow is an outstanding and inspiring teacher.
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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