Workshops, Classes & Events
We offer a variety of workshops and events throughout the year - these are usually stand alone events, suitable for all ages and abilities. Scroll down the page for details or visit the Calender page for date order.
TO BOOK:
EMAIL: [email protected]
ONLINE: Some events can be booked online via EVENTBRITE (see event description)
IN PERSON: Pop in to the gallery at Barnoon Arts, Westcotts Quay, St Ives TR26 2DY
TELEPHONE: Call or message 0790 0095203
PRIVATE PARTIES, School Visits, Large Groups, any of the subjects below can be booked for bespoke sessions. See additional details at bottom of page. Please contact us via email for inquiries.
GIFT EXPERIENCES: If you would you like to gift any of our our courses or private art lessons, head to the Shop page for a range of gift vouchers.
Open Drawing Class 2025
MONDAYS 10 - 12 AM -
until 27 July
COST: £12 Per Session inc. materials
VENUE : Upstairs Theatre Room at St Ives Arts Club
SUITABLE FOR: Adults & Accompanied Children, beginners & practiced artists
Would you like to Learn to draw? Or practise and develop your existing drawing skills? We offer a set theme at each stand alone session each week, from botanicals to still life, with materials provided. Held in the historic St Ives Arts Club, these stand alone sessions allow you to attend just one session, or a regular basis. A social and creative way to start your week! There's help and guidance on hand, with approaches to techniques and chosen media, with Tutor Pete Giles and occasional guest tutors. Click on link above - or email to reserve your place.
Sketch Booking: A Sense Of Place
Price £25 per person inc materials
10.30 - 12.30
Dates: Selected Wednesdays from April Wed 8th
Join us for one of our stand‑alone Mixed Media Sketchbook Sessions, exploring different inspiring locations around St Ives. Each session focuses on a new space — from cosy cafés, theatres, galleries, library and chapels, to harbour viewpoints, beach scenes, pretty streets, and gardens.
Sketch-booking is a wonderful way to capture memories and experiences through a visual lens. In each session, you’ll learn practical tips for observing and recording the unique character of a place — whether that’s people, views, wildlife, architecture, seascapes or gardens. You’ll experiment with a range of mixed media materials, including pens, graphite, collage, coloured pencils, and wash, building confidence as you go. These sessions are relaxed, friendly, and open to all ages and abilities. Everything is provided, including an A5 sketchbook.
Booking : contact us or via the Eventbrite link above.
Draw St Ives!
Thursdays 10.30 - 12:00 Starting From April 2026
£12 per person (includes all materials)
Suitable For Adults and Children of all Ages
Discover the joy of sketching outdoors, in this relaxed and informal session, led by Pete Giles. Capture the charm of St Ives through a series of sketches using fine liner pens and graphite on high-quality drawing paper. Whether you're picking up a pencil for the first time or refining your existing skills, these sessions are perfect for all levels. With guidance and tips at every stage, you'll gain confidence in translating what you see into beautiful artwork. Join us and let your creativity flow! In bad weather we may have to work indoors, or cancel the session.
Reserve your place on Eventbrite and payment can be made on the day.
St Ives in Watercolour
Tuesdays 10.30 - 12:30 (from April )
£25 per person (includes all materials)
Suitable For Adults and Children of all Ages, from complete beginners
Experience the charm of St Ives through the gentle, expressive medium of watercolour in this informal outdoor class led by Zoe Eaton. Each stand‑alone session takes place just a short walk from the gallery, with locations chosen to suit the day’s theme and weather. You’ll have the chance to create several pieces, drawing inspiration from the scenery around you — from sweeping seascapes and beach views to the harbour, tucked‑away streets, or hidden gardens. Zoe offers guidance and support throughout, and all materials are provided. This workshop is held entirely outdoors. In the event of very bad weather, we may move indoors or, if necessary, cancel the session. Meet at Barnoon Arts, Westcotts Quay.
Watercolour Workshop Package - Harbour Hotel
Sunday 19 April - 2pm
£80 per person all inclusive
St Ives Harbour Hotel
Let your creativity flourish with a watercolour workshop hosted by Barnoon Arts at Harbour Hotel St Ives on Sunday 19th April for only £80 per person.
There is a cream tea on arrival - before the watercolour led workshop, painting the stunning views over St Ives Bay. Suitable for complete beginners to experienced artists - with all materials included. We start with a demonstration on watercolour techniques, and tips on capturing your view point. You will have time to create one or several watercolours views using quality materials.
Enjoy a post-workshop drink in the lounge, followed by a delicious dinner in the restaurant. Booking via the Harbour Hotel link above.
ABSTRACT DRAWING with Peter Giles
£40
Tuesday 2 June 2026, 2 - 4.30 pm /
St Ives Arts Club, Westcotts Quay St Ives
Mon 14 September, Bay Space, Fernlea Terrace, st Ives.
Delve into the world of patterns and abstraction, with artist Peter Giles. Suitable for all levels of drawing ability, from complete beginners, to those who wish to find a different way to draw and discover a new language. During the session we will be using a combination of exploration exercises and discussion and finish with a final piece on larger paper. First we will explore shapes and lines, as a basis for building pattern - then Introduce colour with coloured pencils, markers pens and more. An afternoon to dive into the abstract and explore. Book tickets via Eventbrite link above.
Expressive Landscape Painting with Acrylics
£40 inc materials (child price aged 15 and under £25)
Capture the stunning scenery of St Ives in bold, expressive acrylics. In this outdoor workshop, we’ll walk to a nearby viewpoint and paint a semi‑abstract interpretation of the landscape, on canvas board. You’ll receive friendly guidance on composition, colour mixing, and brushwork, along with tips for handling acrylics with confidence. By the end of the session, you’ll have a finished painting that reflects your personal response to the place. All materials are provided, and the workshop is suitable for all ages and abilities. Please dress for the ever‑changing Cornish weather, and messy painting! . Book your place via the Eventbrite date link above.
Intuitive Abstract Painting
Price £40 / Under 16 £20 / includes materials and refreshments
Tues 15th Sept 10 - 12.30 am
VENUE Bayspace, Fernlea Terrace, St Ives
Have you wanted to try abstract painting? This workshop with Zoe Eaton looks at intuitive approaches to creating abstracts, using a series of playful and creative exercises, designed to tap into your inner sense of colour, form and composition. The workshop coincides with a solo exhibition by Zoe at St Ives Arts Club: Happiness Is A Form of Resistance Get to experiment with mixed media including gouache, pastels and collage. Zoe shares her methods of finding inspirations, keeping a sketchbook and creating a variety of study pieces, to develop ideas. Leave with an A5 sketchbook filled with your studies, and a finished piece on quality papers. Suitable for all levels of ability including beginners. To book, message us to reserve your place or purchase your ticket, above via Eventbrite link.
Portraits From Life
Thursdays 10 - 12.00
October 1st, 15th, 29th/ November 12th, 26th / December 3rd, 17th
£15 per session
Suitable for: Beginners to experienced artists
VENUE : BAYSPACE ST IVES, Fernlea Terrace, St Ives
TO BOOK via Eventbrite ticket link
Our relaxed and informal sessions offer you the opportunity to draw portraits from a different live model at each stand alone session. Get to try a variety of approaches and drawing media, or just use the opportunity to draw from a model. Starting with a series of quick 5 minute posses, followed by longer poses. Our tutors will be on hand to offer guidance throughout. The sessions are designed for complete beginners, to experienced artists. Materials are provided including an A4 drawing board, drawing materials and paper (but feel free to bring along your own drawing materials ). Held in the beautiful and fully accessible Orangery room with, on-site café for refreshments. BOOKING REQUIRED: Please email to reserve your space or buy tickets from link above. EXHIBITION: CITIZENS OF ST IVES / All Participants are invited to showcase their portraits in our upcoming exhibition, ‘Citizens of St Ives’,
Colourful Language! How to Apply Colour Theory
Date TBA
Price £40 per person
Suitable for all ages and abilities
Venue: Upstairs theatre room, St Ives Arts club, Westcotts Quay
Explore the vibrant world of colour theory in a fun, hands-on workshop designed for creatives and anyone keen on mastering colour application. Led by artist Zoe Eaton, this session delves into practical exercises and engaging discussions, providing valuable insights into colour mixing and its application in your creative practice.
Colour Theory : Understand principles of colour theory. and create a 12-part colour wheel. Identify the Components of Colour: Hue, Saturation and Bias. Learn how to mix any colour, without wasting time and pigments.
Application Of Colour: Investigate how colours interact with each other and explore concepts such as complementary, , harmonious and neutral colours. Explore colour application in design, and the work of artists..
Leave the workshop with a notebook full of colour exercises, a colour wheel and recipes for future reference.
PRIVATE & GROUP BOOKINGS
We offer customized sessions that cater to a variety of group sizes, from individual or small group tutoring to larger gatherings such as schools, private parties, and clubs. Conducted either outdoors, or in local venue spaces indoors. Please contact us to discuss your particular requirements, subject matter, or session times.
Pick Your Subject: We offer a variety of subjects, listed below or ask.
Time Slot: Most are for about 2 hours, at 10 am or 2 pm
Cost: A minimum price applies per group, or price per head whichever is greatest. Includes all materials
OUTDOOR SESSIONS
Enjoy the immediacy of working outdoors! Capture the stunning views of St Ives through sketching or painting.
DRAW ST IVES: 90 min session/ minimum price £150 or £12 per head, Guided outdoor sketching techniques with pen and pencil.
WATER COLOURS: Choose landscape/seascape scenes/ gardens and botanics/ approx 2 hours plus/ finish with paintings on quality papers. Minimum session price £200, or £25 per head
Sketchbook Journals: 2 hour session. Tips and techniques using mixed media - min price £200 or £25 per head
Landscape in Acrylic Paint : 2.5 hour session: You’ll receive assistance with composition, colour mixing, mastering paint and brush techniques, to create a finished painting on a small canvas or canvas board. Min Price £200 or £45 per head .
INDOOR WORKSHOPS
We use local spaces/rooms in St Ives, depending on your group size and availability. Select from any of the subjects mentioned above, plus additional options below. For schools or groups larger than 20 people, please get in touch for an individual quote.
Local scenes or still life - choose from watercolour, gouache or mixed media on paper: £25 per person (minimum £200)
Portrait Drawing £20 per person - minimum £200
Abstract Drawing with Peter Giles (£35 per head ) min £200
Acrylic Painting on Canvas - Choose subject from local scenes, still life or abstract (£40 per head) min £200
