Upcoming Workshops

This workshop will introduce you to painting on location with soft pastels. Explore the process of painting on location, from how to choose what to paint, to simplifying the scene and drawing up a thumbnail. Students will learn to create quick colour studies, before blocking in the big shapes, and moving towards a completed painting. The workshop will become bookable once we have confirmed the materials list. Please email us at workshops@truroartscompany.co.uk to register your interest.

In this workshop students will work on how to look objectively at the face, removing barriers of presumption and foreknowledge. You will draw from a model, starting with simple shapes to build up the form of the face, drawing on the use of construction lines. Hester will show you how to use devices that aid measuring distances and angles, and work to get an accurate structure. Students will then learn about tone, which will add volume and life to the work.

Make your watercolours sing and get the best results using simple and effective techniques and applications. Something to suit every watercolourist, from beginner to professional. Make the light the main focus in your paintings. There is nothing more beautiful than a painting filled with light and colour. Trevor demonstrates ways of reaching this goal in your work…it’s fun and easier than you think!

Design and make your own silver band ring. With full tuition from a BA qualified Silversmith you will learn the techniques to measure, form and texture your very own silver band ring. Perfect for beginners and anyone interested in having a go at the hugely enjoyable craft of jewellery making. Anna's 2019 workshop sold out, we recommend booking ASAP to avoid disappointment!

Amanda is a master of the sketchbook and uses her notes and sketches as a starting point for her painting. In this workshop she will show you how to use a sketchbook to inspire and inform your own work, using her own journals as examples in her demonstrations. She will encourage you to push the boundaries of your painting and experiment with mixed media, oils and pastels. Amanda has many years’ experience as a professional artist and tutor who has also published several magazine articles and books. Her work is known and loved throughout Cornwall and can be found in galleries across the Duchy.

This is an inspiring 2 day course for all abilities to try a portrait for the first time or improve on your existing portrait painting skills. Mark will demonstrate and guide you through his well-structured approach to painting a portrait, breaking it down into easy to follow steps. He will cover everything from his choice of materials and colour palette, and setting up, to colour-mixing, and how tone and colour temperature can be used to describe structure, shape and form.

Lin will start the workshop with a short introduction on how differences in quality of pastels achieve varying results. An initial class demonstration will introduce students to basic blending, then Lin will move on to ways in which techniques change the dynamics of an image. There will be plenty of one on one tuition given, punctuated with further demos, followed by a critique at the end if time allows. Lin feels that being a self-taught artist means that learning and progressing comes by way of playing and experimenting, and she is determined to infect her students with the fun and sense of achievement that can come from using pastels.

Gouache is the most versatile of all paint media yet relatively unknown and consequently under-used. Gouache is water-based, being like thick opaque watercolour enabling artists to paint in any style. No previous experience is needed for this workshop which will include using gouache as watercolour initially, then thicker applications for over-painting. Any mistakes can easily be rectified due to the high covering strength of gouache. Following a step-by-step format, Jeremy will demonstrate each stage of painting before you do it yourself. Students will learn to mix the correct colours and deal with any associated problems before moving onto the next stage. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and answers as Jeremy guides you through the creative process.

This workshop covers many well-known watercolour techniques and some unusual ones which help to create an appealing atmosphere within a painting. Using a limited palette of colours Jeremy will guide you in easy stages step-by-step, demonstrating each process of painting before you do it yourself. We build each stage, including mixing the correct colours, dealing with any associated problems before moving onto the next stage. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and answers as Jeremy guides you through the creative process.

Through expressive brushstrokes and strong colour, you will learn how to get the best out of the medium of acrylics. Practical demonstrations will provide helpful hints and tips, followed by one to one tuition throughout the day. This workshop is ideal for those who are looking to loosen up their painting style as well as those who are new to acrylics. Photographic reference will be provided on the day but feel free to bring your own personal photos.

This is an informative acrylic painting workshop, for those who are interested in colours and mark-making. Learn how to use large brushes and develop a bold approach to painting. You will paint a variety of subjects with less emphasis on obsessive drawing. Demonstrations and one to one guidance will be provided, and the course is suitable for anyone with an open mind. Photographic reference will be provided on the day but feel free to bring your own photos. There will…

Paint bold, loose watercolours using fabulous colour and expressive brush strokes. Jake will use his expertise to guide you through painting two pictures painting. You will learn mark making techniques such as wet in wet, dry brush.

What makes a portrait “speak” to us and how can we apply the unique properties of watercolour to this fascinating painting genre? Learn about the joys of controlling loose, running watercolour to our advantage and apply it to create your own personal portrait of a family member or friend from a photo. You will start the day looking at images and discussing questions on composition, focal points and the way light falls. Understand how to get the most from your materials, try out flesh tones and colour mixing to create your own unique portrait while developing your painting style.