From time to time we leave London behind and take the studio somewhere beautiful. Our holidays are an opportunity to step out of the ordinary rhythm of life and give proper attention to painting, drawing, writing, good conversation and good food. Whilst we call these ‘holidays’ we’ve found that artists tend not to lounge around, they want to get on and practice their art. So we make sure that each of our events is led by a respected practising artist who has something genuine to offer – you will be challenged and you will raise your game.
They are run very much in the spirit of a house party rather than a packaged tour. People live and work together for the week, eat together, and get to know one another. That shared atmosphere matters. It creates the sort of ease and concentration in which good work tends to happen. Many artists become regulars.
Each holiday has its own character, shaped by the location and the artist leading it. Some focus on landscape, some on portraiture, some on writing and creative reflection. What they all share is the pleasure of working seriously during the day and enjoying the company of others in the evening.
A week of landscape painting in the Luberon with Benjamin Hope, working directly from life in the extraordinary light of Provence. Benjamin’s teaching encourages painters to work quickly and responsively while also developing a deeper understanding of structure, perception and the underlying logic of a picture.
Set in the hills inland from Málaga, this portrait retreat with Curtis Holder explores ways of going beyond mere likeness in portraiture. Curtis is known for portraits that combine careful observation with feeling and imagination, and the week encourages participants to explore both aspects in a relaxed and supportive setting.
Our Welsh holiday takes place in the Black Mountains landscape around Llwyn Celyn in Monmouthshire. Led by Purdey Williams, the week combines painting from life and from the imagination, drawing inspiration from the surrounding countryside, its history and atmosphere.
Join painter and tutor Simon Dunstan for a week of painting from life in Provence. Working in the landscape and around the house, this late summer holiday focuses on colour, light, and painterly truth, combining structured demonstrations with informal guidance in a relaxed, house-party atmosphere. Suitable for painters at a wide range of experience levels.
Join realist portrait painter Sam Clayden for a week of focused, high-level painting in the extraordinary landscape of Almería. This workshop focuses on portrait painting from life, exploring structure, likeness, colour and the psychology of portraiture. You will learn to handle paint with greater authority, and understand how to achieve a convincing likeness without overworking.
We communicate news and updates in our weekly newsletter. Subscribe to fully engage and get more from your drawing
