Description
Provence Painting Holiday with Simon Dunstan
Saturday 19th – Friday 25th September 2026
Figure and Landscape
This Provence painting holiday is led by Simon Dunstan, painter and founder of the Dulwich Art Group & School. The week offers an immersive and supportive environment in which to explore painting from life — working in the landscape, around the house, and with a life model. We will paint our model in the context of the landscape and aim to work on one painting to a finished standard whilst working on shorter pieces such as plein air landscapes or colour/compositional studies.
Set in the Luberon Valley, the holiday makes full use of the clarity of light and the beauty of the landscape. It is a generous, exploratory week, combining structured teaching with time to look, respond, and paint at your own pace.
The Focus of the Week
Simon’s teaching centres on helping painters see more clearly and work with greater confidence and freedom. The emphasis is on understanding rather than formula.
This week particularly suits painters interested in:
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Colour and light in direct observation
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Painterly mark-making and surface
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Composing figures and landscape in space
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Working intuitively without losing structure
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Developing a personal, truthful response to what is seen
Painting may take place en plein air, around the house, and occasionally indoors if conditions suggest it. Life drawing is usually done on the terrace lawn – just glorious!
Teaching & Support
Simon teaches through a combination of demonstration, structured exercises, and informal one-to-one discussion. His approach is practical, encouraging, and adaptable to different levels of experience.
You can expect:
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Regular demonstrations focusing on colour, light, and structure
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Clear explanations without rigid formulas
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Individual feedback tailored to your aims and working habits
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A supportive atmosphere that encourages experimentation
The teaching is designed to help you build confidence and clarity, whether you are consolidating foundations or looking to loosen and deepen an existing practice.
This holiday is suitable for painters at a wide range of levels, including those newer to painting from life, as well as more experienced artists seeking fresh perspective.
About Simon Dunstan
Simon Dunstan is a painter and teacher whose work focuses on figures, portraits, and landscape. He has painted all his life and has spent decades teaching observational drawing and painting to artists of varying experience.
He is the founder of the Dulwich Art Group & School, where he runs regular life drawing and painting sessions. His teaching draws on the figurative tradition while remaining open to contemporary themes, and responsive to the individual painter.
Simon is known for his clarity, warmth, and ability to articulate complex ideas in a way that feels accessible and grounded in practice.
Why Provence
We’re staying below Gordes, a celebrated village perché (hilltop village) in the Luberon valley. It’s a conservation area and it’s well looked after by the French. This is the France we remember from childhood, the region is known for its beautiful villages, vineyards, olive groves, and limestone landscapes, and it was here that the light inspired so many Impressionist painters. The climate is arguably the most agreeable in the world, long warm Summers, cooler Springs and Autumns and a short cold snap in the Winter. We always feel more alive here.
Life at the House
You will be staying in our Provençal bastide in the Luberon Valley, sharing the week with a small group of painters.
The atmosphere is informal and convivial, we are serious about painting but we also like to have a good time. Days are structured but unforced, with space for conversation, reflection, and enjoyment alongside focused work.
The house has a swimming pool, tennis court and petanque court if you feel like exercise. There is also plenty to paint around the house.
What’s Included
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Accommodation for six nights
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All meals, including wine with lunch and dinner
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Daily tuition, demonstrations, and individual feedback
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Life model fees where applicable
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Use of basic studio equipment (easels, solvents, etc.)
Pricing
- £2100 – Room with shared bathroom
- £2400 – Room with en-suite bathroom
- +£700 – Sharing with a painting partner
- +£550 – Sharing with a non-painting partner
If two painters share a room, both receive full tuition and support. The room-share supplement reflects this additional participation.
Prices are all-inclusive except for travel, staff gratuities, and discretionary spending while out.
Practical Details
Arrival: from 3:30pm on Sunday
Departure: before 10:30am on Saturday
Most guests travel via Marseille or Avignon and hire a car locally. We are happy to advise on travel or help coordinate shared transfers.
Materials can be provided if you prefer not to travel with your own — please let us know in advance.
Booking This Holiday
Places are limited to maintain a relaxed atmosphere and a high level of individual attention.
To book your place, please select your room option above and proceed to checkout.
If you have questions before booking, contact us at:
