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Ilker Cinarel
I love sharing my knowledge and life experiences with others. My unique approach is to try to create individual, authentic voices in the curriculum within a conceptual and non conceptual framework. It’s great to be part of an historical, internationally renowned school.
My multifaceted practice incorporates artworks that embrace both contemporary and traditional processes, painting, drawing, sculpture, film, and performance with
the juxtaposition of materials, forms and processes blurring past, present and future.
What our students say
Ilker was a wonderful and inspirational tutor this week. Patient offering advice, constructive criticism and constant encouragement. I recommend this course to anyone wanting to explore a new subject.
Ilker has been a fantastic course leader, and his course was a real joy. I didn’t want it to be over! He is really generous, insightful and encouraging. I’m excited to be brave with making art.
Ilker being a great listener made everyone feel important, talented and able. His excitement was truly infectious. Making me feel all is possible. Gently pushing and challenging in a way that made me feel – yes! He never felt flippant – his comments never generic – always 100% giving of his own creativity. What a great mentor.
For a first experience at St Ives school of art I was so impressed with the quality of tutorship for this course! Ilker gave such a huge amount of energy and passion to challenge each one of us but from a place of playfulness and encouragement. It was just what I needed at this time in my practice and I feel a surge of courage and inspiration to push deeper into the ´content ’ of my art practice and move beyond the safety of the commercial appeal to a place of truth, vulnerability and honesty. Excellent value and investment.
I love the supportive and creative atmosphere at the school. It was well equipped and a joy to work in. Both Ilker and Liz were excellent tutors in their own individual ways and complimented each other very well.
It would be easier to say what I did not like – which was nothing.
In truth the course surpassed my expectations. I wasn’t quite sure what form the course would bring, but Ilker provided not only a framework to bring into – and help build – a regular practice but also a safe space for us to explore ideas while being gently challenged to delve deeper.
Extremely worthwhile – I’m still inwardly digesting what I learnt, not just about creativity but also myself.
I loved every moment of this course, it was an inspiration. Ilker led the 2 days with most generous open methods that drew us all in and made it possible for me to fly! Thank you Ilker – MORE, MORE!
The rich and diverse experience of Ilker and his sensitivity to my needs enabled me to realise just how far I’ve come and some of the ways in which I can move forward.
This course was literally a life changing experience for me. The tutor, Ilker , was brilliant . Inspirational and so supportive. It exceeded my expectations. Thank you so much!
I absolutely loved my time on this course, it was so immersive and all-consuming. It was wonderful to be in such a beautiful studio and I really enjoyed Ilker’s teaching. Everything was really well organised & set up so we could get stuck straight in
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
I absolutely loved my time on this course, it was so immersive and all-consuming. It was wonderful to be in such a beautiful studio and I really enjoyed Ilker’s teaching. Everything was really well organised & set up so we could get stuck straight in
Ilker was friendly, approachable, and helpful. He instilled confidence and encouraged us to have a go at things and think out of the box.
Inspiring instructors… Ilker Cinarel and Camilla Dixon made for a brilliant week of individual creativity and group discussions that went beyond art into emotions.
Ilker is inspirational teacher. His insight and knowledge of art enables each student to benefit in the most constructive way.
It was a very well rounded course. Ilker gave me lots of time to gain my confidence and explore my interest in Art. Challenging with lots of advice and it was fun!
A brilliant course, Ilker got it just right, there was a good mix of teaching and of course painting! I learnt so much over the three days. I left with a feeling of self belief.
Friendly, utterly knowledgable and inspiring teaching! I felt Inspired to create my own art.
I feel I understand Picasso so much more after listening and watching Ilker.
The resources and the space to work in were excellent. The tutoring was wonderfully inspiring and supportive. I felt encouraged and supported all through and learnt new things.
Courses with Ilker Cinarel
Artist Retreat Week
Liz Hough
Art Courses - Mixed Media - Personal Development
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000i3cv9
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BeDAIA0, 16-May-2025
Remember and revive your reasons for making art and reboot your practice. As part of a small group, benefit from directed exercises, peer feedback and 1-1 mentoring from two professional artists.
Artist Retreat Week
Art Courses - Mixed Media - Personal Development
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000i3cv9
Active Instance: a02Nz000009Bw3VIAS, 21-Nov-2025
Remember and revive your reasons for making art and reboot your practice. As part of a small group, benefit from directed exercises, peer feedback and 1-1 mentoring from two professional artists.
Artist Retreat Weekend - Autumn
Art Courses - Mixed Media
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000G2ceX
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BvFVIA0, 31-Oct-2025
A developmental weekend working with two professional artists, combining 1-1 tutorials with a fun practical weekend of painting. Aimed at those developing an art practice.
| 31 Oct - 2 Nov 2025 - 3 days - £525 | Book |
Discover Painting
Art Courses - Acrylic - Beginners
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000jsnpr
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BiyDIAS, 28-Feb-2025
A fast track into painting from the heart, this course follows Jackson Pollock's declaration that "painting is self-discovery." Learn to guide your own way through colour, composition and critique to paint with confidence.
Discover Painting
Art Courses - Acrylic - Beginners
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000jsnpr
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BuOHIA0, 17-Oct-2025
A fast track into painting from the heart, this course follows Jackson Pollock's declaration that "painting is self-discovery." Learn to guide your own way through colour, composition and critique to paint with confidence.
Figure - Inspired by Antony Gormley (recording)
Online Pre-recorded - Drawing - Figure
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000PHiAS
Active Instance: a024J00000DYYlyQAH, 01-Sep-2026
Join artist Ilker Cinarel for this experimental, expressive webinar inspired by Antony Gormley’s drawings and paintings of the human figure. Recorded from our studio in St Ives with a model, you are invited to join at home with guided exercises.
| £30 | Book |
Figure - Inspired by Picasso
Online Pre-recorded - Drawing - Figure
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000ISU7W
Active Instance: a024J00000CjKuoQAF, 01-Sep-2026
Join artist Ilker Cinarel from our studio in St Ives for this Picasso-inspired webinar with a clothed model.
| £30 | Book |
Figure - Picasso - Body in Space
Online Pre-recorded - Drawing - Figure
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J00000K4i2d
Active Instance: a024J00000CjKxCQAV, 01-Sep-2026
Join artist Ilker Cinarel from our studio in St Ives for this Picasso-inspired life drawing webinar.
| £30 | Book |
Telling Your Stories
Art Courses - Mixed Media
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000doxN7
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BpmnIAC, 27-Jun-2025
Are you ready for deeper story telling and meaning in your art? Do you struggle to get your ideas out of your head and onto canvas? Discover how to unleash your imagination, let go, and confidently make work that tells your unique story.
| 27 - 29 Jun 2025 - 3 days - £395 | Book |
The Essence of Form
Art Courses - Acrylic - Still Life
Active sort order:
Course ID: a004J000002hAM1
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BlCvIAK, 11-Apr-2025
How do we portray the essence of our subject matter? Working from a still life arrangement discover a fresh approach to the way we observe the world around us, simplifying forms on a path to abstraction.
| 11 - 13 Apr 2025 - 3 days - £395 | Book |
Unlocking Your Creativity
Art Courses - Mixed Media
Active sort order:
Course ID: a00w000000bCVkJ
Active Instance: a02Nz000009BtSDIA0, 08-Sep-2025
This transformational course gives you space to explore your personal approach to making art. Structured creative exercises will help silence those doubting gremlins, generate new ideas and reignite the artist in you.
| 8 - 10 Sep 2025 - 3 days - £425 | Book |