Abstract Landscapes With Oil & Cold Wax - Sep 29th- Oct 2nd 2026

£545.00

A fun and experimental 4 day workshop for those who would like to learn more about painting abstractly with oil and cold wax (Coldwax is a wonderful medium that adds body, transparency and depth to oil paint and speeds up its drying time).

The workshop will be a deep dive into various techniques and processes and will focus on how you can create a series of atmospheric landscape paintings, full of layers, texture and depth.

Receive personalised support, experiment with various tools and materials, and learn how to incorporate powders and pigments.  The workshop will also cover an introduction to abstraction, tone and value, colour mixing, and how you can paint more freely and intuitively. It will also include plenty of tutor demonstrations, time for experimentation and play and opportunity for 1:1 feedback & mentoring. There will also be chance for you to connect with like minded artists in a supportive, inspiring and peaceful environment.

By the end of the 4 days you will of created a series of around 15 atmospheric landscapes on both paper and board.

Please note that you will also need to bring some reference material in relation to a landscape of your choice. More information will be sent out about this when booked.

Experience

No prior experience of oil and coldwax is needed, but some painting experience would be useful. You may of already participated in one of my shorter painting workshops or online webinars (available through The St Ives School of Painting) or worked independently with the medium. If this is the case you can build on your existing knowledge with my specialist support.

In terms of my own experience, I hold a full PGCE and have been teaching art for over 15 years. I have been a visiting lecturer at Falmouth University and regularly teach at Tate St Ives and The St Ives School of Painting. I also have a BA arts degree and completed my MA in fine art at Falmouth University in 2013.

Location

The workshop will take place at The Poly, which is a beautiful, historic arts venue in the heart of Falmouth, Cornwall. Falmouth is a bustling creative town, which has been shaped by its strong connection to the sea and has many fantastic independent shops, bars and restaurants.

Falmouth train station is less than a 10 min walk away and there is a public car park at the back of the building for easy access. The Poly also has a wonderful Cafe called Solskinn where you can order lunch and refreshments.

The Poly, 24 Church Street, Falmouth. Cornwall. TR11 3EG

Other Information

10.30am - 4.30 pm each day, with an hours lunch break

Price includes all specialist materials, tools & equipment.

Maximum participants 12

A split payment can be arranged if needs be. Please email me at studio@lauramenzies.co.uk.

My full refund policy can be found at the bottom of my website.

Do ask for accommodation recommendations if needed.

‘Laura’s workshop was all I had hoped for and expected but also so much more. The workshop filled in many gaps and allowed me to propel my learning forwards. Laura is an excellent, kind and patient teacher and gently leads- encouraging reflection and engagement at a steady pace. She was also extremely generous with her knowledge and resources. I feel the course was a catalyst for a new direction of work and I can’t wait to get back into the studio with this new understanding and sense of focus’.

‘I can’t recommend Laura’s cold wax and oil workshop highly enough. It’s a method I’ve been wanting to explore for some time . Her way of explaining the various mixing and layering techniques and her encouragement of intuitive, free and loose mark-making was exactly what I wanted. I’m now working on pieces at home and loving the process.’


"Laura is a gorgeously generous teacher - she gives so freely of her energy, enthusiasm, warmth and of course, knowledge and skill. Prior to joining her in-person 3-day Oil and Cold Wax workshop, I had undertaken her Creative Journaling online course, which seriously and wonderfully reinvigorated my personal practice, so I already knew I liked Laura's style of instruction and creative approach, as well as her art. The workshop turned out to be one of the best things I've ever done - truly a life-affirming experience. I learned so much about how to see, understand and engage in the artistic process. I've loved getting back into my own practice since, which had lapsed for some years due to lack of confidence. Gladly, Laura helped me tap back in and renew my creative spirit."

A fun and experimental 4 day workshop for those who would like to learn more about painting abstractly with oil and cold wax (Coldwax is a wonderful medium that adds body, transparency and depth to oil paint and speeds up its drying time).

The workshop will be a deep dive into various techniques and processes and will focus on how you can create a series of atmospheric landscape paintings, full of layers, texture and depth.

Receive personalised support, experiment with various tools and materials, and learn how to incorporate powders and pigments.  The workshop will also cover an introduction to abstraction, tone and value, colour mixing, and how you can paint more freely and intuitively. It will also include plenty of tutor demonstrations, time for experimentation and play and opportunity for 1:1 feedback & mentoring. There will also be chance for you to connect with like minded artists in a supportive, inspiring and peaceful environment.

By the end of the 4 days you will of created a series of around 15 atmospheric landscapes on both paper and board.

Please note that you will also need to bring some reference material in relation to a landscape of your choice. More information will be sent out about this when booked.

Experience

No prior experience of oil and coldwax is needed, but some painting experience would be useful. You may of already participated in one of my shorter painting workshops or online webinars (available through The St Ives School of Painting) or worked independently with the medium. If this is the case you can build on your existing knowledge with my specialist support.

In terms of my own experience, I hold a full PGCE and have been teaching art for over 15 years. I have been a visiting lecturer at Falmouth University and regularly teach at Tate St Ives and The St Ives School of Painting. I also have a BA arts degree and completed my MA in fine art at Falmouth University in 2013.

Location

The workshop will take place at The Poly, which is a beautiful, historic arts venue in the heart of Falmouth, Cornwall. Falmouth is a bustling creative town, which has been shaped by its strong connection to the sea and has many fantastic independent shops, bars and restaurants.

Falmouth train station is less than a 10 min walk away and there is a public car park at the back of the building for easy access. The Poly also has a wonderful Cafe called Solskinn where you can order lunch and refreshments.

The Poly, 24 Church Street, Falmouth. Cornwall. TR11 3EG

Other Information

10.30am - 4.30 pm each day, with an hours lunch break

Price includes all specialist materials, tools & equipment.

Maximum participants 12

A split payment can be arranged if needs be. Please email me at studio@lauramenzies.co.uk.

My full refund policy can be found at the bottom of my website.

Do ask for accommodation recommendations if needed.

‘Laura’s workshop was all I had hoped for and expected but also so much more. The workshop filled in many gaps and allowed me to propel my learning forwards. Laura is an excellent, kind and patient teacher and gently leads- encouraging reflection and engagement at a steady pace. She was also extremely generous with her knowledge and resources. I feel the course was a catalyst for a new direction of work and I can’t wait to get back into the studio with this new understanding and sense of focus’.

‘I can’t recommend Laura’s cold wax and oil workshop highly enough. It’s a method I’ve been wanting to explore for some time . Her way of explaining the various mixing and layering techniques and her encouragement of intuitive, free and loose mark-making was exactly what I wanted. I’m now working on pieces at home and loving the process.’


"Laura is a gorgeously generous teacher - she gives so freely of her energy, enthusiasm, warmth and of course, knowledge and skill. Prior to joining her in-person 3-day Oil and Cold Wax workshop, I had undertaken her Creative Journaling online course, which seriously and wonderfully reinvigorated my personal practice, so I already knew I liked Laura's style of instruction and creative approach, as well as her art. The workshop turned out to be one of the best things I've ever done - truly a life-affirming experience. I learned so much about how to see, understand and engage in the artistic process. I've loved getting back into my own practice since, which had lapsed for some years due to lack of confidence. Gladly, Laura helped me tap back in and renew my creative spirit."


The workshop will cover:

  • Working on paper & board

  • How to develop a series & find your personal voice

  • Introduction to abstraction

  • Scaling up

  • Tone and value

  • Line and shape

  • Basic colour theory & mixing

  • Compositional techniques

  • Experimental mark making techniques

  • How to build layers of colour (opaque and transparent)

  • Working wet into wet & also wet into dry

  • Working intuitively & how to loosen up your approach

  • How to incorporate oil sticks and drawing mediums

  • Drips, pours and glazes

  • Using additives such as powders, sand and pigments


Testimonials

‘Thank you so much for an amazing workshop. You gave me so much inspiration & I can’t thank you enough for sharing all your tips & tricks. I adore your work so it was a real treat to be able to work alongside you’

‘What a fun and engaging workshop. It was a joy to learn more about this diverse medium and to loosen up my approach. I now have so many ideas i would like to develop. Thank you so much Laura’