Detailed course itinerary
Set in the unspoilt Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez is an eco retreat that will afford you the space, time and opportunity to unleash the creative within that promises a painting holiday with a difference. Please click on the ‘about the school’ tab to read more about the retreat and the ecological aspects of the course.
Your tutor and guide is Simon, a graduate of ‘Fine Art’ from Manchester School of Art as well as postgraduate at The Royal Academy Schools in London. As the retreat is also host to a residency for professional artists, you’ll benefit from time spent with a professional artist who will discuss materials and techniques with you during your stay.
This unique painting holiday focuses on botanical illustration. Enjoy an informal week of walking, field studies and studio work allowing you to discover new flora and new approaches to representing flora in your art work.
This week starts with an introduction to the ‘Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez’ from the environmental education officer of the botanical gardens of ‘Umbria de la Virgen’, Maite Frade Garcia.
Explore endemic and regional plant species looking at each slope, hollow, knoll and valley to identify a mosaic of different habitats guaranteed to inspire you to paint and draw. The field studies aspect of the course will be adapted to cater for anyone with mobility issues as a diversity of flora can be found close to the house as well as further afield.
Botanical illustration is a perfect course for all who are fascinated by the diversity and beauty of flora and those who wish to get closer to nature through the medium of paint.
Suitability
- Suitable for those completely new to art, those returning to something long neglected and current artists looking to escape distraction and develop their skills
- Minimum age: 18 (under 18’s are accepted if accompanied by an adult)
- Please note that if you are travelling solo, there are no single supplements making this an ideal singles holiday
Non Painting Partner?
- Non-painting partners sharing a room are welcome and will receive a discounted price, click on the costing and extras tab to see the price
Painting Course Start Days
- All arrivals are on Saturday afternoon and the painting course will finish on the following Saturday morning (7 nights / 8 days)
- If you can’t find the dates you need, we can be flexible so please email your ideal arrival date requirements to or call us on 08445 020445 and we’ll do what we can to accommodate you
- Please note that there are no minimum numbers on the course so if we confirm a date to you, it will definitely go ahead
Typical Painting Course Itinerary
Please note this itinerary is an example only and may change slightly due to time of year and the weather conditions.
Day 1 Saturday - Arrival day
- Check in any time after 2pm on Saturday (earlier arrivals may be accommodated on request)
- You will be welcomed on arrival by your hosts Simon and Donna
- Take the rest of the day to settle in, relax or maybe stroll around the land
- Simon is always keen to explain the ecology systems employed at the house and will happily show you around
- In the evening you will be joined by Simon, Donna and the resident artist for an informal and relaxed dinner at the house
Day 2-6 Sunday – Thursday
- Each day, enjoy a leisurely Spanish breakfast before setting off for your day with Simon
- Your first lesson of the day will take place in the studio and after that you’ll head out on a variety of field trips in keeping with the theme of your painting course
- On one of these mornings you will be invited to the resident artist’s studio and be introduced to their current work
- Enjoy lunch at the house or, if you are heading out for the day, a gourmet picnic
- In the evening you will enjoy dinner at the house with your hosts
- On one of these evenings the resident artist will be more than happy to give you a presentation of their work, their influences and their experiences in the professional world
Day 7 Friday - Penultimate day
- This morning, enjoy a leisurely Spanish breakfast before setting off for your day with Simon
- Enjoy a delicious lunch of locally produced foods at the house
- In the late afternoon you will review your week’s work, either together with other members of the group or, if you prefer, individually
- In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner with your hosts and resident artist
Day 8 Saturday – Departure day
- After breakfast you are kindly asked to check-out of your room ready for departure taking home with you new creative skills, and a commitment to yourself to pursue your work once you have returned back home
What Will I Learn On This Painting Course?
- Whether you are a beginner, a practising artist or someone wanting to return to their creative routes, you will learn the skills and confidence to boost your personal and artistic development
- You will be taught at a pace suited to you and will learn all aspects of the creative process with an emphasis on how to make art
- The course will start with an an introduction to the ‘Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez’ from the environmental education officer of the botanical gardens of ‘Umbria de la Virgen’, Maite Frade Garcia
About Your Tutor
- Your guide and tutor is Simon Beckmann, professional artist and ecologist Simon studied ‘Fine Art’ at Manchester School of Art before studying for a postgraduate at The Royal Academy Schools in London
- Afterwards he lived in Milan where he pursued his interest in the early Renaissance painters such as Sassetta di Siena
- Simon paints in oil but likes the portability of watercolour and favors the ‘simply’ executed and the thought provoking
- Simon is also an accomplished photographer
Painting Course Accommodation
This is an eco family refuge far from the noise of any city or town set in. Here the night sky is unpolluted by metropolitan light, on summer nights you can gaze at the stars for hours. In the daytime the air is hot and suffused with the pungent scent of pine trees. Skies are nearly always blue and sunlight is bountiful and with long warm days, the combination of all these elements makes an ideal location in which to exploit the natural resources and learn to paint and draw.
- You’ll stay in a 'carbon neutral' guest house sitting within the national park surrounded by 50 acres of land which is arable, almond and pine as well as an olive grove and orchard
- Heat and light from the sun, thermal winds and wood from the land combine in a system of solar panels, wind mills and fires to cook and create energy
- Rain water is harvested from the roof, waste water is managed and utilised through a system of reed beds and a grey water recovery system is used to irrigate the dry land
- However, being environmentally and socially responsible needn't compromise design and the house where you’ll stay was once 5 old farm houses, now converted into one very beautiful and luxurious space
- On the one hand great homage and respect has been given in its restoration to the simple vernacular architecture of the building, and on the other hand a crisp eye for detail has been employed which makes the place seem stunningly modern
- There are 6 double rooms, 2 of which are twins and 2 with disability access, all rooms have en suite bathrooms with wet rooms
- You may check in anytime after 2pm on your arrival day (earlier check-in’s are possible on request) and check out is by noon 8 days later
Meals
- All meals are included and are usually taken at the house with your hosts Simon and Donna and sometimes with the resident artist
- Breakfast will be typically Spanish style along with cereals and fresh fruits
- Lunch will be either at the house or a picnic hamper in the field
- Dinner is taken at the house and is cooked on a wood burning range and where possible cooked using seasonal food bought locally from the small market farmers and the local butcher
- The food is simple and infused with the flavors of our travels to India and north Africa as well as Spain
- Vegetarians are welcome and those with dietary requirements can be catered for if requested in advance of your arrival (add your dietary requirements to the special request box at the time of booking)
Revel in all that nature provides at this chic eco lodge and pursue your passion for painting and drawing on this painting holiday with a difference.