My Week Abstracting the Landscape at the Newlyn School of Art
- katherinestainton4
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
Last year, I spent a transformative week attending an Abstracting the Landscape course at the Newlyn School of Art in Cornwall with the hugely talented Anita Reynolds
As someone who usually works with fine oil painting techniques for marine life artworks, or delicate charcoal and pencil portraiture, this art retreat took me far outside my comfort zone. What I didn’t expect was just how freeing, mindful the week would become.
Stepping Into Abstract Landscape Painting
I’ve always admired abstract landscape painting, but I’d never truly let go of the need for precision in my own work. My artistic training and habits have always been rooted in detail—clean lines, careful composition, controlled execution.
The abstract art course at Newlyn School of Art was the complete opposite. Instead of focusing on perfecting the outcome, we were encouraged to embrace the process. It was about observing the world around us, feeling it, and allowing it to flow through us without judgment.
Immersed in the Landscape of Cornwall
South West Cornwall is one of my favourite places on earth. It holds a special place in my heart and my family’s history. Its rugged cliffs, wild coastline, and ever-changing light have always been a source of inspiration for artists.
Each day of the art retreat in Cornwall began with exploring and observing the landscape. I studied the patterns on a shell, the way seaweed draped over rocks, and the effortless flight of a seagull. These small, quiet details became the foundation of my abstract studies.
This act of slow observation felt deeply mindful—a gentle reminder to be present.
Playing with Materials Like a Child Again
Back at the Newlyn School of Art, the studio was a treasure trove of materials and mixed media. We were encouraged to experiment—to layer, to build, to let instinct lead.
For someone used to structure, this felt both strange and exhilarating. Like a child with a brand-new box of beads, I rediscovered the joy of play in art.
Letting Go of Control
As the days passed, I began to let go of my ingrained habits. No longer obsessing over composition and precision, I noticed how good work emerged naturally when I trusted the process.
The abstract painting techniques we explored taught me to layer emotion, energy, and movement into each piece. More importantly, it taught me to trust myself—to allow imperfection, spontaneity, and intuition to shine through.
This wasn’t just about learning a new artistic skill. It was about remembering why I create—not just to make something beautiful, but to explore, to feel, and to heal.
This experience has given me so much food for thought. I’m currently studying therapeutic practices alongside Saltbox Arts, and I’m excited to find ways to integrate abstract landscape painting into creative therapy in the future.
A Lasting Impression from Newlyn School of Art
My week at the Newlyn School of Art has stayed with me long after the paint dried. It was a turning point in my creative journey—a reminder that art isn’t only about the outcome, but the process itself.
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