Pink foxgloves, distant headlands, expressive seas, atmospheric skies and delicate studio flowers—these are the joys that define the work of renowned impressionist oil painter and teacher Amanda Hoskin.
Represented by Beside the Wave since the early 2000s, with a style instantaneously recognisable, Amanda’s landscapes of the Cornish coastline and the Isles of Scilly, alongside her evocative still-life florals, have awarded her many admirers and collectors over the years. 2025 marks an exciting milestone, with four new collections to be anticipated, defined and inspired by the seasons and the ever-changing rhythms of nature.
Settling into the landscape, Amanda has chosen to meet Luke and me at Mylor, one of her most loved painting spots, just as the sun makes a welcome appearance.
Sketching is at the heart of Amanda’s ethereal paintings. When working outdoors, Amanda typically will be working on two or three sketchbooks at any one time, allowing pages to dry and preventing any from being overworked.
With no rigid routines nor rituals, Amanda is a painter of spontaneity and freedom. Rather than working from photos, Amanda has an affinity for sketches and the fleeting emotions a quick glance at the landscape can evoke. With her back facing away from the expansive sea at Mylor, Amanda explains how her intention is not to copy the scene in front of her, but instead, to work from the ‘impression’ it leaves, exaggerating colours, altering tones, and instilling something of herself into every piece.
‘There’s nothing to be fearful about. If you don’t try it, you won’t know if it worked or not.’
Amanda’s confident approach is rooted in a desire to be playful and bold, embracing uncertainty, relinquishing control, and most importantly, having fun—allowing the painting to take you on a journey of its own. The process begins with painting straight onto the paper, working from the sky downward. Amanda starts quickly, bringing the piece alive by infusing the sky with light and energy, before slowing down in the final stages to make each piece pop.
‘It’s quite simple,’ she says—a statement that speaks volumes of her natural, unwavering talent.
Amanda’s previous careers as both a wildlife illustrator in London and a sailing instructor in Cornwall have deeply influenced her technique. The former gave her an appreciation for detail, instilling life into the foreground before working outward, whilst the latter imparted her with an astute understanding of the Cornish seas and skies— the wind on the water, the shifting currents, and the ever-changing light.
With several works in progress at any given time, Amanda possesses an intuitive sense of when a painting is complete. There is no set timeframe—but rather a feeling, a mastery honed through years of experience. Incorporating brushes, palette knives, and even her fingers, Amanda strikes the balance between control and creative autonomy, trusting the forgiving nature of oil paint — ‘Oil paints looks after you. They’re kind’.
A closing piece of advice to her students? ‘Know your story. Once that’s clear, the rest is easy’. A connection, an energy, an impression—this is what truly brings a painting to life. With a new year of collections on the horizon, we can’t wait to see Amanda’s vision unfold, and her love of Cornwall and the natural world prevail.