There's nothing like an art course to fire up your enthusiasm!

Varying my inspiration along with my input!!

“To vary your inspiration, consider varying your inputs. Turn the sound off to watch a film, listen to the same song on repeat, read only the first word of each sentence in a short story, arrange stones by size or color, learn to lucid dream. Break habits. Look for differences. Notice connections.”

Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Cornwall - thank you! It’s been an inspirational week; the landscape never fails to replenish my creative well.

The weather behaved itself - mostly. The Cornish scenery is stunning; from the rocky cliffs and coastline, hidden coves, a colour palette that sings, the remnants and history of the tin mining industry and so much more…

Sunday evening was spent at Sennen Cove…sitting, absorbing the colours and the atmosphere, listening to the roll of the waves, with the scent of the sea snaking across the sand, watching the sun set…

…before the Monday morning, and the reason we were in Cornwall; Sam Boughton’s “Abstracting the Wild Coast'“ course, held at the Newlyn School of Art, and out on location.

I’ve long been an admirer of Sam’s work, and have followed her on Instagram for a number of years, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend one of her workshops, courtesy of my Other Half.

Now, in the interests of honesty, whenever I attend workshops, I always work myself up into a bundle of nerves. What am I doing here? Will I be good enough? Will I make myself look like an idiot? In other words, I have a big case of “Imposter Syndrome”.

Sam’s infectious enthusiasm soon dispelled all those thoughts and doubts!

The course was based at the Newlyn School of Art; one of the large school rooms providing ample space for working in, for demonstrations and for gathering around a refectory table for lunch amid much discussion and chat!!

Each day followed a similar (ish) format; an initial discussion and demonstration by Sam, time for us to experiment and play with the mediums, before heading out on location to put it all into practice…(!!!)

(Heads up - I became so engrossed in what I was doing that I forgot to take lots of photos…)

Over the three days, we visited three different locations; each one a place to try out the processes that Sam had shared…

…before returning to the school and reviewing the work, our thoughts and ‘light bulb’ moments!

And there you have the course in a ‘nutshell’, but that’s doing it, and Sam, a grave disservice.

As previously mentioned, Sam has boundless enthusiasm for her subject. She is very generous with the course content, going into great detail about her inspirations and processes. She shares the reasons why she paints in the way she does, and you get to see her processes up close, from sketchbook to finished painting.

Sam took the time to answer the myriad of questions coming her way; from queries about the best sketchbooks to use, to what materials to take out sketching through to colour mixing, grounds to use, framing and much more. She cultivated a friendly, open environment, encouraging each of us to voice our questions, queries, concerns and worries without judgment. When I struggled with the colour mixing she spent quite some considerable time helping me! Any ‘critique’ of your work was done in a gentle, constructive and positive way, providing you with the necessary information and tools to move forward.

Owing to the huge amount of content, the course is fast-paced - and the perfectionist in me would have liked more time to ‘master’ the techniques before heading out on location! I countered that by taking copious notes, acknowledging that I would have plenty of time, once home, to work through everything at my own pace.

Yes, the course is expensive, £450 for the three days, but that included everything. All the materials, and when I say all, I mean all. There was ample supplies; from various papers, to inks, to pencils, graphite, pastels, paint and brushes plus other tools. It also included the transport out to the various locations, which were carefully chosen; each providing a fabulous view of the landscape with plenty of space for us to walk around/settle down and work. There was also copious amounts of tea/coffee and biscuits whilst at the School. All the staff were friendly and helpful, and I felt very welcome and soon at ease.

Would I recommend Sam’s course? In a heartbeat. If you want to move away from representational work, to paint in a more abstract way, but still relate the work to back the landscape and nature, then definitely this course is for you! Sam’s love for her work, her enthusiasm and energy, along with her generosity means that I’ve come away with my creative well full to the brim!! If you need to replenish your ‘tank’ Sam is the person for the job - you can’t help but come away fired up and ready to go!!

I’m now back home, with time to let all the excitement, enjoyment and learning settle. For me to absorb all that the course offered; to work and practice, letting the processes evolve alongside my own…

"CREATIVITY INVOLVES NOT ONLY YEARS OF CONSCIOUS PREPARATION AND TRAINING, BUT UNCONSCIOUS PREPARATION AS WELL.

THIS INCUBATION PERIOD IS ESSENTIAL TO ALLOW THE SUBCONSCIOUS ASSIMILATION AND INCORPORATION OF ONE'S INFLUENCES AND SOURCES, TO REORGANISE AND SYNTHESISE THEM INTO SOMETHING OF ONE'S OWN."

Oliver Sacks

I can’t believe it’s this time again; the end of the month, and the Paid Subscribers Lucky Draw!! Where is the year going…? Anyhow, watch the video to find out if you’re this month’s winner!!

I will be in touch with the winner via email shortly - so keep an eye out in your inbox/spam!!

Until next time, happy painting,