An Exciting Art Course I Attended at St. Ives School of Painting: Finally Feeling Like An Artist!

[@templemoore3799]

Helen I could feel the difference in your paintings this time. And then you expressed what this course meant to you towards the end and that feeling matched what you expressed. I’m so glad you’ve kept at these courses as they seem to be moving you along your journey. You ARE an artist. Embrace it. Your paintings were great, big, bold and expressive. I love that technique with the black. I may give it a try using the black tempera sticks to start a loose sketch too. I remember your first class there, how you gazed out that window…this new teacher got you out of hiding 😊. So many lovely paintings to come home with…lots of food for thought on future work. And it was nice how she gave you all a surprise exhibition at the end…what a great finale. So good you gave yourself that time later to reflect on your experience in your journal. Will be interesting for you to go back to it & then see how you feel this time next year. Congrats on such a fruitful experience 👏💐💜

[@helencryer]

Thanks so very much! It means a lot that the paintings feel different! Yes, I didn't really grow much from my first couple of classes, but this one just felt right, and I'm so grateful for it. I don't even need my paintings to be 'better' - I just feel different in myself.

[@AliceDel]

the painting you did 'in five minutes, to use up leftover paint' is my favorite! the colors, the sense of movement, the expressive brush strokes. the teacher of this course must have been an amazing teacher. your work is so much looser and more expressive. it might be too late, but i wish i could convince you not to work any more on the paintings you did at at the course. they are absolutely wonderful as they are now. i wish you would keep them all, 'as is', as a reminder of everything that you learned and discovered! i've heard some artists say that not every piece needs to be a 'finished painting'. there is so much value in artwork that conveys your emotional response to the landscape (or seascape). i think that's exactly what you've demonstrated here. thank you so much for sharing your experience.

[@helencryer]

Thank you very much! I haven't done much to them at all - just the odd tweak. I think as you say I'd like them as a reminder!

[@teekierudite5108]

I love the paintings you did at the art course. They do look different, and yet they feel the same. Especially your coastal pieces, I can really tell that even though they look different, they are your pieces. Love seeing you explore different processes and trying new things! Keep up the wonderful work!

[@helencryer]

Thank you! I'm so happy they still seem like mine!

[@beedee4427]

Helen, I'm glad you used the word "emotional" because I was absolutely feeling that whilst you were showing your experience within those precious few days. Thank you for recording it for us all. What an incredible gift to give to yourself as an Artist. Because, of course you are an Artist (with a capital A) and I've never thought of you as anything other than this. You make art and people buy your art at your craft market. Your followers also watch and learn from you. We do this because you have a lot to give as an Artist. I can't quite believe how much art you were able to create in such a short period of time. This was obviously due to the teacher and her methods of working. Just fabulous pieces. I actually LOVED the first piece you did. I also loved the more basic landscapes. Your colour palettes were just perfect. If I am ever well enough to be able to travel back to the UK again, I am definitely booking at least one course at this school. When you'd shown it before I was impressed but this just sold me on it. A sublime place to spend time, learn, make human connections and basically emerse yourself in the things you love. Another thing, isn't it interesting that when you produce larger pieces, it really feels like "Art". I only ever work reasonably small as a watercolourist (mainly) and big scares me. Anyway, thanks again, I will definitely watch this again 😊

[@helencryer]

I love that you 'get it'!! It was all just so special. I hope you get the chance for yourself. Another big thing (for me) that I decided, is to try and find some sort of studio space so that I can keep trying to go big! I've no idea how it will work out, but keep your fingers crossed for me!

[@waterlovindog2256]

Seeing :”Finally Feeling Like An Artist” in your title brought tears to my eyes. I just started watching your channel about a month ago and have been so impressed with the work you’ve shown throughout your hauls. It really helped me, since I have just started my visual art journey, in my retirement. Thank you for sharing this.

[@helencryer]

That's so sweet - thank you!! I wish you a very happy art journey!

[@SewArtyAnna]

They have so much movement and you can almost feel the blustery day. It sounds like a lot of what you don’t like started from a photo. They are all lovely and loose. You are an artist. Shout it from the the beachside

[@helencryer]

Haha, thanks so much!!

[@paxy2011]

Nice paintings! Keep them fresh the way they are ❤

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@melissaamyx2196]

This was fun! And a brilliant idea to switch to a different painting when you start to get a bit stuck on one. I really love the pieces you did!!! And how awesome to have a "gallery showing" at the end 😀

[@helencryer]

Thanks!!

[@janemcgrath9615]

I loved all the work you did on this course especially the woods painting,if you do do anymore to it would love to see it,I actually like it as it is. Thanks for taking the time to take us all along with you,it was great.

[@helencryer]

Thank you! If I do any more to the paintings, it will have to get with great thought, because I don't want to lose the looseness.

[@firdyk]

Lovely loose style. Thank you for taking us along to your class❤

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@SAP64]

Really like the work you did in this course.The large forest one and pinkish sculptures were my favourite. Stopping one painting and starting another when you’re not sure what direction to go is a great idea.

[@helencryer]

Thank you! Yes, I can't believe how freeing that was! I looked at a photo of the half completed ones, in the evenings, and could better see something I could add or change.

[@kanamichelle7404]

Wonderful video and beautiful work. I loved seeing everyone’s work from the class too. The one you didn’t like of the abstract sculptural pieces kind of reminds me of oysters on the half shell. It goes with the whole ocean theme too.🙂 Really novel technique, and I think I will try it! Thank you for sharing!

[@helencryer]

Thanks ever so much! Yes - definitely give it a go!

[@jillbattaglia]

Very fun adventure! Thank you for taking us along!😁 I really enjoy your work…..even the unfinished ones…..

[@helencryer]

Thanks ever so much!

[@suzannemarshall7458]

Beautiful work every one. Enjoyed going to class. Would love a class like that. You are an Artist!!!!!

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much 🙂

[@jomassey4207]

What an amazing challenge for you. I can see the joy in your being loose. The paintings have movement and your individual expresssion. I too, think having a few on the go is a good time. I think you are a very talented artist after seeing how easily you took to this course. The way you express your feeling of freedom, and happiness is wonderful!!! You should be so proud of yourself. Try not to be so judgemental of your art, please. So happy for you! Jo.😊The painting without any reference picture is absolutely perfect.

[@helencryer]

That is so so nice of you - thank you!!

[@lisaharner3720]

What a great experience! Thanks for sharing your art adventures with us. It’s a great body of work from the class. I especially loved the free look of the trees painting. I’m looking forward to seeing how you adapt your style from this class!

[@helencryer]

Thank you!! I've had a busy week and haven't had chance to paint again, but I'm a bit nervous in case I don't know how to move forwards with it!

[@lisaharner3720]

@@helencryerI’m sure you will do fine. You are very good at learning and adapting to new challenges.

[@dianemeldi2377]

You have always been an artist and i love that you took us on your experience.

[@helencryer]

Thank you so much!

[@Flora-v6u]

I’m so happy for you, it’s wonderful to experience something revelatory like that and you’ve done some really good work. Congratulations & enjoy exploring in new directions, I look forward to seeing the results to come. 😊

[@helencryer]

Thank you very much!

[@rachelsmith7462]

It seems like it was a wonderful, freeing, mind opening experience and your paintings are just wonderful. You must be very proud. You have a great body of future work there! I like the idea of a single ground colour and black drawing lines being blocked in, will give it a try. Thanks for sharing Helen.

[@helencryer]

Thank you!! Yes - really - give it a go!

[@Samantha_tookey197]

You’ve done some beautiful pieces. You’re very talented and a natural at landscape painting x

[@helencryer]

Thanks so very much!

[@snowpony001]

What a great course! I actually really liked the water in the piece that you didn’t. I could really see and feel the movement of the water, the push and pull of the waves.😊

[@helencryer]

Thank you!!

[@margaretspringer9197]

There's so much movement in most of these paintings! Don't overwork them now! Iona Sanders sounds like a great teacher. You are definitely an artist (always have been), but how wonderful that you now feel like one!

[@helencryer]

Thank you very much!

[@riverAmazonNZ]

13:28 I really like the sea. Looks a little wild and surging

[@helencryer]

Thank you! Maybe I won't change it!

[@lisaboutin821]

I really enjoyed this video. It was interesting seeing the new techniques used. It's all so fun experimenting and seeing what will happen and the oil pastel on the rocks was nifty for texture. Great stuff, thank you.

[@helencryer]

Thanks ever so much!

[@paulawilliams9645]

Thank you for sharing your lovely work. The course I did earlier in the year was Expressive Botanicals with Liz Luckwell which was fabulous I can't wait to go back

[@helencryer]

Oh lovely!! It's such a special place, isn't it?!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Oh I really love 💕 how these look. They look like beautiful abstract landscapes. I can definitely see the growth in your art skills. I usually paint in A4 or smaller so I understand your feelings about painting large. Looks like the inspirational views of the area are breathtaking. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

[@helencryer]

Thank you so much!!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

@@helencryer You’re welcomed 😊!

[@TheFeralGoatCreative]

I really love where you went in this course!!

[@helencryer]

Yes, it feels a magical place!

[@TheFeralGoatCreative]

@@helencryer st Ives is pretty. Was talking about your pieces!

[@helencryer]

Oh, ha! Thank you!!

[@zenlife1200]

I envy you having art classes near you to try. St Ives looks like a lovely place to visit. So many urban scenes to sketch. 😀 I probably need to work bigger myself. I had this idea that an A6 sketchbook would allow me to draw really quick and loose urban sketches but conversely I actually end up drawing really detailed tiny pictures 🤪 So I usually work in A5 size. Purely because it's cheaper for me to buy nice quality sketchbooks that size and they're so easily carried around. A5 has been my favorite journal size for notes for years. I don't like A4 as a shape or size, it's like 3:2 in 35mm film, too long a rectangle for my tastes. In photography I prefer a shorter fatter rectangle like 4:3 or 5:4 or even 1:1 square. 9x12 is my favorite art pad size which is a 4:3 aspect ratio and those 8x10 sketchbooks from Stillman and Birn are 5:4 ratio. I wish they were more affordable in that size. Anyway, waffling aside, I've avoided bigger sizes because I feel like it would give me even more space for details but maybe it will work opposite to the A6 size 🤔

[@helencryer]

Yes I totally get that - A5 has been my go-to shetchbook size. I'm not keen on square though - I find it harder to get composition right on it. I was surprised how good it felt at the big size. Some of the secret too though is brush size - go BIG!!

[@SandiSchario]

You can feel the confidence you acquired in taking this course. Never doubt that you are an artist! Enjoy so much going along on your experiences.

[@helencryer]

That's really lovely - thank you!

[@eviedivadoodles]

I was hoping you'd post a video after seeing a post on Instagram of this new style of work. Absolutely stunning results Helen, thank you for sharing with us!

[@helencryer]

Thank you!!!

[@zephyr2010ac]

Hi there, I've recently found and subscribed to your wonderful channel. I really enjoy your videos and this one brought back lovely memories of holidays in Cornwall. I haven't been since my son, now 25, was 6 months old. We used to stay at Tower Farm camp site in St Buryan, which, back in the 80's was owned by an old farmer called Jim Hoskins, a lovely man who would bring his donkey and little cart around the site every morning for the children to ride. He'd also arrange tournaments for the campers in the evenings and split us into groups of 6 to play pool, cricket, rounders, table tennis etc. and whichever team had the highest score was the winner. It was fantastic, he did all that as well as milking the cows and generally running his farm. The last time we stayed, old Jim had gone and his family sold the farm but the new owners had a bungalow in St Buryan that they rented out to us being as we had our 6 month old baby boy. It rained most of the week but it didn't matter because rain or shine Cornwall is beautiful. I live in North Wales, which is very beautiful but Cornwall is special too and of course we speak the same Cymric language. I really like the painting technique and the paintings you did at that fabulous course you attended, it reminds me of a channel called "Freedom of Acrylics with Jane Slivka" her technique is very similar, she uses Princeton Dakota angle brushes in 1" and 1/2" on big canvases which I'm hoping to have a go at. You've inspired me to try watercolours again, i used to paint in oils and watercolours 30 odd years ago and have recently taken up painting again. Thank you for wonderful videos

[@helencryer]

Thank you so much for this lovely glimpse into your precious family holidays! I never went to Cornwall when I was younger - but have very fond memories of family holidays in North Wales!! I haven't heard of Jane Slivka, so will look her up - thank you! I really hope you enjoy getting back into painting!

[@TheYellowsun76]

How wonderful!! I love all of your pieces! I am thinking big canvas and boards are freeing and with a great instructor very inspiring. I am so happy for you and your experience there and look forward to seeing where it takes you.

[@helencryer]

Thank you!! I think having unlimited boards and paint helped too!

[@pastelsgirl]

Oh, Helen, this video was beautiful and most interesting on so many levels! Thank you for sharing with us your experiences ❤

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much!

[@tdelphia1]

I absolutely love when you take us along to your classes! Helen, you ARE an artist. I think the advice to step away at times is super valuable. In a few of your demos over the year, there have been times where I liked a stage near the end better than where you ended up. That doesn't necessarily mean something was overworked (because we all have different tastes and YOU are the artist with a vision), but Iona's advice to step away when not absolutely sure of a next step is a good way to take a timeout, have a cuppa perhaps, and then look with fresh eyes. I'm fascinated by the large formats! Are these paintings making you feel like maybe a more impressionistic style is your thing versus realism? Or is something you hadn't considered as much until this class? You have such a good eye for shapes and value 😊

[@helencryer]

Thank you so much!! I think I've always been drawn to wanting to be more impressionistic, but didn't really know how to loosen up. For some reason, using the black lines just really clicked. I'm a very literal person, and my art leans that way, but that's not the art I actually like looking at or want to do!

[@reneeugrin7037]

Thank you for sharing the workshop and your wonderful exploratory paintings.

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@Everywhere2]

I'm very, very, very happy for you!!!!

[@helencryer]

🙂 Thank you, that's so nice!

[@dustydesert1674]

OMG these are wonderful! And you’re so productive - that’s a lot of work in only three days. Outstanding class and lovely video!

[@helencryer]

Thanks ever so much!

[@debsllewelyn230]

Well done Helen, great work xx

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@awatercolourist]

9:24 love the shadows!

[@helencryer]

Me too! It was bliss sitting there!

[@lulabelle33]

Love the art you created in the class.

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@awatercolourist]

8:55 You really do have an artistic touch!

[@helencryer]

That's very kind of you, thank you!

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer Just stating the obvious 🙂.

[@twisteddyekitchenmyfiberjo4577]

My how wonderful this class and setting was to experience. I can really tell how free your style grew in each painting. The brush strokes added lovely textures and the colored background was a special effect to your paintings. The second to last painting, one that took about 5 minutes is amazing. Just love all of them. I can't wait to see more. Will you be working more with acrylics than watercolors in the future?

[@helencryer]

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I definitely want to try and do more acrylics like this in future, but I also deeply love watercolours as part of mixed media, so I guess I'll just keep doing whatever I feel like on any given day!

[@kymcrowart7876]

What a great class! Thanks for sharing it with us. All of the paintings you did are wonderful and give the feeling of the freedom you were feeling.

[@helencryer]

Thanks ever so much!

[@joannrabideau1657]

I love your tree picture you show at the end of video. Lovely

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much!

[@HappyBreathCreations]

What a picturesque area!! Can’t believe a seal popped up to say hi!! I’m so jealous! I love your dedication to continued learning, playing, and experimentation! I think that’s such an important part of being an artist. ❤ actually, I think it’s an important part of being a human, honestly!

[@helencryer]

Thank you! St.Ives is so beautiful and imbued with art - I couldn't do it justice. Letting myself do these courses is my biggest treat to myself!

[@annferguson3581]

What a wonderful experience, Helen !

[@helencryer]

It really was!

[@karenirving7088]

I love these videos. Could you make one at your craft market please?

[@helencryer]

I'm not sure it will happen I'm afraid. Too many permissions to gather off people, plus I'm always quite busy at them.

[@karenirving7088]

@@helencryer bummer 😓

[@triciabennetts6578]

Beautiful body of work Helen ❤ I love using a coloured ground and letting bits of it peak through willy nilly- creating light/warmth and cohesion 😊

[@helencryer]

Thanks! What surprised me is that even when I just picked random background colours, they still seemed to work!

[@triciabennetts6578]

@@helencryer Must give that a go 😊

[@ChantelleArts]

This sounds like such a brilliant experience ☺☺

[@helencryer]

It really was!

[@FaithAnnNB]

Love seeing the large, loose pieces… they’re lovely!! I also really like seeing brush marks in pieces. The painting where you questioned whether or not you liked the sea, was one where I had just been thinking how much I loved how you did the sea 😅. The forest painting is wonderful too; sometimes nice to work on a different subject! It really sounds like an amazing course. (Although I think painting is my “artistic love”, I’m currently taking a month-long pottery course on weekends… doing something different is a fun change.)

[@helencryer]

Thank you!! Oooo - pottery is something I'd love to try too - I hope you're having a great time!

[@alineroberts]

I am glad that you enjoyed your time learning a new technique. It sounds like it was liberating to try something new. 🙂

[@helencryer]

Thank you! It really was!

[@maggiemae6867]

STUNNING! These are absolutely beautiful. Your colors flow so beautifully together. That's what i have trouble with. I use bold and bright colors, and people always tell me it's too much. Im trying to tone it down. I will say the matte paint just makes the painting. I love the look.

[@helencryer]

☺️ Thank you so very much!

[@jeckslynne]

Lovely enjoy!

[@lynneellis2647]

What a wonderful experience. I think you need to rethink the idea that these are unfinished. Each one has something special to offer and the atmosphere, inspirations and teaching brought them to the point where they are, a snapshot in time. Please love them as they are.❤ I also found it interesting that you felt like a fraud calling yourself an artist. I felt like that most of my life. Now I'm 68 and I call myself an artist. If some don't agree, they can move on. Lol

[@helencryer]

Thank you - I will definitely spend a bit of time pondering this! The artist thing, I think for me has little to do with external work produced, but seems to be about an inner change - an acknowledgement of how precious something about art, is to me. I just feel so at home in St. Ives surrounded by people, and a history of people who feel it's such a big part of their lives.

[@lynneellis2647]

@@helencryer that is a lovely description of the artist thing. I love the journey and always want to grow.

[@amybandel1004]

I really like this technique

[@mayuloves858]

The exercises were really cool. I love being loose on a larger scale, I just don't have the space for canvases sadly so I use a big A3 sketchbook to have fun and tbh just getting a bit lost with my art materials but in a curious way if that makes sense 😅 Your paintings look really good .

[@helencryer]

No, I'll have a real problem with space too! Maybe I should start with a bigger sketchbook for starters - thanks! I'm going to try and manifest some kind of studio space!!

[@mayuloves858]

@@helencryer a studio space would be heaven, one can dream :D

[@melissamartinart]

I don’t know Helen, I think each of the paintings you showed at the end are beautiful as they are, and if it were me they’d be proudly hung on my wall!

[@helencryer]

Haha, thanks Melissa!

[@rogergoldfinchelectrical4159]

I was going to write the 'highlights' I like, but there are many! Sky (11:50), sky & beach (12:50), foreground, sea & sky (13:20), overall (14:00) and the 'sunlight' (14:40)🤩

[@helencryer]

That is so nice of you - thank you!!

[@inlesinlet]

Of course you are an artist. There are paintings you did on this course that I certainly wouldn't mind having on my wall :)

[@helencryer]

That's very sweet of you, thank you!

[@racechick2033]

This style reminds me a bit of some of Tony Giles's work.

[@madebylora]

It’s funny how we hold back from calling ourselves artists, isn’t it! I commented on a video recently that I consider myself to be artistic, but still hold back from saying I’m an artist. Someone replied and said something along the lines of ‘if you make art, you are an artist’ and they also made the point that someone who does knitting, for example, would call themselves a knitter.

[@helencryer]

Yes definitely! In a superficial way it's because I think generally people think 'artist' equals making 'good' art, and making a living from it, and I haven't felt able to identify with that. Then on a deeper level I felt that artists were people that didn't necessarily need to make 'good' art, but that they were people trying to express feelings or a message through their art, and took it seriously, which I didn't relate to either. Now though, I just recognise that art for me is more than a bit of a hobby, but something deep in me that I've got to keep working at in order to reach those elusive moments of joy in the process/result.

[@madebylora]

@ yes that’s so true! The feeling that it needs to be good, but also not “good” but meaningful. We can never match up to the contradictions of being an artist in that sense! Haha. I guess if I put a “label” on myself I’m a Jack of all trades haha (or should I say a Jill of all crafts?)

[@helencryer]

Oh gosh - so relatable - me too... the cardmaking, scrapbooking, journaling, cross stitch, quilting and sewing, cake decorating, photography, earring making, felt stuff, lino cutting, calligraphy, Fimo... you name it!

[@awatercolourist]

Sorry, are these acrylics, oils or gouache?

[@helencryer]

Acrylics.

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer Thanks!

[@rebeccamettert]

Love you paintings ❤❤

[@helencryer]

Thank you!

[@Flatshader]

In my eyes your pieces are wonderful……..we are our own worse critics! Enjoyed your video

[@helencryer]

Thanks so much!

[@awatercolourist]

You should move to St. Ives 😂.

[@helencryer]

I don't even want to like St.Ives because it's such a cliché to, but I can't help it - it feels magical to me! And my husband was kind enough to book us a house there for most of January, just for fun!

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer Lucky you! 😄

[@helencryer]

Yesss! I can't wait!

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer I imagine you’ll be sketching outside everyday… in the biting cold. Hmmmm.

[@helencryer]

​@@awatercolourist Not worried about the cold after sketching in the Himalayas last year, but it might be a bit soggy! Luckily there are lots of nice places to hang out still.

[@awatercolourist]

I really can’t understand all these modern art sculptures. Wait, what am I saying! I don’t even understand art to begin with 😂.

[@helencryer]

I'm reading an interesting art book at the moment (called Your Art Matters) that's talking about the difference between fleetingly viewing an artwork, and learning to 'read' an artwork. I generally do the first, and don't 'like' lots of modern art, but I can see some advantage to acquiring the skill to getting something more out of it.

[@awatercolourist]

@@helencryer Thanks! I might give it a read. Your Art Matters. Thanks.