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Get Involved
Stay up to date with the latest content on our Instagram page @stivespainting. Share your artwork and hashtag #stivesschoolofpainting for your chance to be featured.
Gallery
How do we balance the heart and mind as artists when we paint? π
Develop a new understanding and confidence in your use of colour with this practical course led by artist Jill Eisele.
Inspiration from Bauhaus artist Johannes Itten, contrasted with the more lyrical approach of Winifred Nicholson, will open up a whole new world of possibilities. Revitalise your painting and use colour with renewed confidence.
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14-16 Apr - last chance!
π St Ives, Cornwall
π Link to book is in our bio
πΌ Penberth River, Jill Eisele, currently featured in βOf Land, Sea and Spiritβ @penwithgallery
βYou helped us develop our work, but most importantly you gave us the opportunity to be part of another world during a difficult period for us all.β π
Itβs been 5 years since we started teaching online, and we are so grateful to everyone whoβs joined us from around the world.
π Weβre excited for whatβs to come in 2025; keep an eye on our socials and sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date.
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#painting #onlinecoursecreator #onlineartclass #onlineart #contemporaryart #cornwall
Celebrating Spring Equinox β―οΈ
As we welcome the return of light and growth during spring equinox, we can also take the time to notice the change in the colours around us, as new life and opportunities appear.
Kate Southworthβs course, Calendrical Art, guides you through ways of using these symbolic transitional points throughout the seasons, and shares techniques and processes that can help you create work in tune with the qualities of the calendar year.
You can join the course at any point during the year - as part of the course, Kate will be holding the first of two live Q&Aβs on 4th April.
π Find out more via the link in our bio
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#equinox #spring #calendrical #contemporaryart #painting #onlineartclass
Must see π
βOf Land, Sea and Spiritβ at Penwith Gallery
Artist tutor Jill Eiseleβs work is currently featured alongside the work of four fellow Penwith Society members, all of whom share a passion for the ancient Cornish land.
Pop in and see Jillβs paintings alongside paintings, ceramics, and sculptures from Paula Downing, Colin Caffell, John Piper and Michael Praed - on display until 7 April.
π@penwithgallery
ποΈ 7 March - 7 April
π Browse Jillβs upcoming courses via the link in our bio
#contemporaryart #artexhibition #artgallery #stivescornwall #stives #cornwall #landscapes #seascape
βEvery person has the opportunity to be liberated by allowing themselves to try something newβ π«
Our online course, Approaching Intuitive Painting, with @carolinerobinsonartist will help to give you the confidence you need to paint what you feel. There is not one βcorrectβ way, learn to let go and have fun!
π Find out more via the link in our bio
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#painting #contemporaryart #onlineartclass #artcourse #cornwall #stivescornwall
New from behind the scenes πΈ
The team have been working on some very exciting projects during recent weeks...
We cannot wait to share them with you, but in the meantime we can all admire the stunning views from the studio, which @alicemumford has been doing too!
π Stay up to date with our latest releases by signing up to our newsletter - link is in our bio
Capturing St Ives π
Last week, a group of students discovered St Ives` hidden gems, as well as some of the famous locations that artists have lived and worked. Guided by @hilaryjeangibson.illustrator they captured buildings and streets using the simple approach of line and wash.
One location was @rumandcrabshack located on the harbour front!
Hilary`s running this course again in August and there`s still chance to book.
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18 - 20 Aug
π St Ives, Cornwall
π Link in bio to find out more
βTake a renewed appetite for colour, a desire to seek it outβ π₯
Discover an appreciation for the vibrant world of colour, seeking it out in the gardens, on the harbour and beaches, and in the back streets of St Ives. Harness it and then express it however you can in the studios, through water based paint, mixed-media and even collage.
π Looking for Colour with Camilla Dixon
ποΈ 14 - 16 July
πSt Ives, Cornwall
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#colour #colours #artcourses #stives #stivescornwall #cornwall #contemporary #contemporary
βIf you study colour you realise itβs more subjectiveβ π¨
Our new online course, Getting Started with Oil Painting, takes you on a step-by-step journey, giving you an extensive understanding of how to paint with oils.
The second chapter focuses on colour and marks, which looks at the painting palettes of other artists and lessons on colour mixing.
If you buy this course before 1 April 2025, you will get a free webinar worth Β£30!
π Buy now via the link in our bio
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#painting #beginnerspainting #oilpainting #artcourse
#contemporaryart #onlineartclass #onlineartcourse
Capture shifts of light and mood π«
Learn the subtle art of capturing the beauty of vases, bowls, bottles, fruit and flowers. Artist Eleanor Crow will introduce you to how masters including Morandi, William Scott, Diebenkorn and Gwen John used the domestic setting as a place for inspiration.
πΈ Still Life Variations
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22 - 24 Sep
π St Ives, Cornwall
π Link in our bio
Featured: Still life with French Pot, @e.crow.studio
Painting the Coast Path π¨
Cornwall is an Area of Outstanding Beauty and so much of the incredible scenery can be taken in from the iconic South West Coast Path, the UKβs longest national trail.
From St Ives, we are able to head out towards the rugged cliffs of Zennor or over towards the vast sand dunes of Hayle.
On our course, Painting the Coast Path with @greghumphriesart head towards Clodgy Point, a brisk 30 minute walk to boost your creativity. Work outside for most of the first day before consolidating sketchbook material into a painting that captures the essence of place.
ποΈ 4-6 August
π St Ives, Cornwall
π Link to book is in our bio
Kurinuki Pot Making with Nine Maidens Academy and @porthmeor_youngartists π«
As part of our ongoing inclusion project with Nine Maidens Academy, a group of seven young people had the opportunity to visit an art studio for the very first time last week!
At the beginning of our 5-week project, known as Culture Camp, the young people had never met an artist, never visited St Ives or an art studio, so there was some (expected) excitement and nerves as they were given a tour of the historic @porthmeorstudios with a trip to the iconic Studio 5, where they met artistsβ in residence.
The young people were then introduced to artist Emma Saffy Wilson, and learnt to make Kurinuki pots, with incredible outcomes. This was the first time most of them had ever touched clay, which makes their work even more inspirational.
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Nine Maidens is an alternative provision academy in Four Lanes, where young people go when they have been excluded from school. This is due to reasons such as low attendance from ill health, disengagement from learning, behavioural issues, and learning needs that their previous school couldnβt cater for.
Our inclusion projects help young people to see their own potential and we can support them to discover passions and talents they didnβt know they had β but itβs only possible when we reiceve funding and donations from our incredible community and sponsors.
π Find out how you can donate via the link in our bio
βIt was one of those March days, when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light and winter in the shadeβ - Charles Dickens
We think this quite accurately describes the current Cornish weather π«
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#stives #cornwall #stivescornwall #painting #contemporarypainting #contemporaryart #landscape
Spend a day in Barbara Hepworthβs magical sculpture garden, developing a journal of sketches to develop further back in the historic Porthmeor studios.
Add colour using a limited palette, and see how to capture the colours, textures and stones of the sculptural shapes against plants and buildings.
ποΈ 25-27 July
π St Ives, Cornwall
π Link in our bio
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Coming Soon: Summertimeπ
We are busy finalising our workshops which will be taking place throughout July and August. You can now register your interest so you will be the first to know when they are released!
π Visit the link in our bio to find out more
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#cornwall #stivescornwall #stives #contemporaryart #painting #landscapepainting #art #artcourses
New Online Course: Getting Started with Oil Painting π¨
This self-paced course will give you the tips and tools you need to start oil painting, from preparing your materials to executing your work.
βοΈ Professional tuition
βοΈ 4 hours of high quality, instructional footage
βοΈ 5 core chapters with bitesize videos
βοΈ 6 months access on demand
PLUS get access to a FREE webinar when you sign up before 1 April 2025!
Portray the atmosphere of sea, sky and coast π
From the calm harbour to the crashing waves and rocky headland of Porthmeor, learn how to capture a coastal landscape with a loose and impressionistic style using watercolours.
ποΈ 7 - 10 Jul
πSt Ives, Cornwall
π Follow Seascape Impressions via the link in our bio
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#watercolours #watercolour #watercolourpainting #contemporaryart #landscape #cornwall #artcourse #painting
Upcoming Exhibition | @adrianholmeswoodblock πΈ
We have just finished a wonderful weekend of Japanese Woodblock Printing with Adrian Holmes and we are thrilled to say that he will be returning to Porthmeor Studios in April for his upcoming exhibition.
You will be able to see a selection of new woodblock prints by Adrian, which are loosely inspired by botanical themes and his passion for abstraction and plants.
We hope to see you there!
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18 -21 April
π© PV: 18 April, 6-8pm
π Borlase Smart, @porthmeorstudios
Inspirational tuition from the comfort of your own home π«
We have more than 80 online courses to choose from, with more than 30 different tutors, each sharing their unique skills and knowledge.
βFraming the Landscapeβ with Maxine Hart is a 3-part webinar which looks at ways of creating effective compositions from photographs, and exploring how colour and texture can add atmosphere to your paintings.
π Find out more and discover all of our online courses through the link in our bio.
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#painting #contemporaryart #landscapepainting #onlineartclass #onlineartclasses #onlineartcourse #paint #artist #artists #cornwall
Last chance to work with artist Kerry Harding π«
Our upcoming courses with Kerry, which have a limited number of places available, will ensure that your creative energy is used in the most productive way, learning to put aside constricting expectations and be more open to where the process can take you.
Donβt miss your chance to book:
Poetry of Process
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17 β 19 Mar, last place
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8 β 10 Dec
π Link in our bio
Contemporary Landscape
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9 β 11 Jun, last place
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6 β 8 Oct, last 2 places
π Link in our bio
Featured artwork, Kerry Harding
Brand new bursary for emerging artists π©βπ¨
In partnership with The Roy Ray Legacy Fund and the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust, we are thrilled to launch a new bursary, which is available to emerging artists aged 19-25 who are living in Cornwall.
Aimed at young creatives taking their first steps into professional art practice, successful applicants will be able to choose an art course of their choice at St Ives School of Painting, and 80% of the fee will be covered by the bursary.
We couldnβt offer this incredible opportunity without the support of our funders and charitable donations from our wonderful students, so thank you.
π If you know an emerging artist or want to find out more about the bursary, follow the link in our bio
@barnsgraham
@porthmeor_youngartists
Capture the shades and tones of Autumn π
Enjoy one of the most tranquil times of year in St Ives, and discover how the rich palettes of Autumn can create a distinctive atmosphere, during our brand new course with landscape artist Andrew Barrowman.
πΉAutumn Seascapes in Oils
ποΈ 3-5 October
πSt Ives, Cornwall
π Visit the link in our bio
Artwork featured, Andrew Barrowman
Create mood, drama and atmosphere through the use of tone and colour πΌ
Discover the work of artist @julianvilarrubi who will be running a brand new course, `Landscape & Composition`, in September.
Drawing underpins all of Julian`s work and he will be sharing a comprehensive learning experience, with drawing being a fundamental starting point of the creative journey.
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29 Sep - 1 Oct
π St Ives, Cornwall
π Read more via the link in our bio
Featured: To the Sea, Costa Brava II, Julian Vilarrubi
Last chance to book for half-term β
We`re getting ready for the first half-term holiday of 2025, preparing our one day workshops!
There are a limited number of places remaining but you can still book the kids onto our 2 and a half hour workshop on Thursday 20 Feb! Perfect if you`re looking for a peaceful couple of hours...
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18 Feb, Discover Mixed Media (2 place)
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19 Feb, Oil Painting Essentials (1 place)
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20 Feb, Mindful Ways to Paint (Kids Class)
π Follow the link in our bio to book
Happy birthday to Borlase Smart, artist and founder of St Ives School of Painting in the 1930`s.
Borlase Smart to this day is regarded as a respected landscape marine painter. After the war he settled in St Ives, living for while in No 1 Porthmeor Studios. He was also on the committee of the @stivessociety of Artists from 1929 until the end of his life, organising regular shows throughout the country to help promote local artists. Smart studied as an artist himself, under Julius Olsson R.A. and in the 1930s he felt there was a need for a formal art school in the area, enlisting his old war colleague Leonard Fuller to the enterprise.
In 1938, Smart persuaded Fuller to open the St Ives School of Painting in No 11 Porthmeor Studios, which was an immediate success and, to this day, welcomes students locally, around the country and abroad.
πΈ 1) Borlase Smart in his studio @porthmeorstudios, Borlase Smart John Wells Trust
πΈ 2) Borlase Smart & Leonard Fuller outside the St Ives School of Painting
We have the final few places left on our Discover Painting courses for 2025 π«
Experience a fast track into painting from the heart, taking it all in from our spacious studios overlooking the ocean. Watch the full film on our YouTube page.
ποΈ 11 April (one place left)
ποΈ 17 October
π Follow the link in our bio
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#painting #contemporaryart #artcourses #artcourse #cornwall #stives
Looking for colour π
In any visual display, colour is arguably the first element we experience, and yet we often leave it till last when we plan a work of art. But what happens if we put it first?
In her brand new course, Camilla Dixon will take you on an inspiring journey to expand your skills and appreciation for the vibrant world of colour in the back streets, gardens and harbour of St Ives.
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14 - 16 July
π St Ives, Cornwall
π Find out more via the link in our bio
Featured: St Ives Memorial Gardens, @camilladixon1968 @looking_for_colour