Holiday itinerary
This is not your standard painting holiday. If you love art and have a passion for adventure and trying something new, this paint safari holiday is the perfect creative course for you. This unique creative and cultural holiday will leave your senses stretched and fulfilled and your artwork scaling new heights.
Set in the unspoilt Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez, you will stay at a stunning eco retreat providing you with the space, time and opportunity to unleash the creative within that promises a painting holiday with a difference.
Every morning you will be taken by Land Rover to one of the numerous, fabulous and virtually hidden locations known only to Simon and very few others, to spend the day painting.
The region is a painter's landscape and here you will have the opportunity to venture into the wilderness and have the space and time to paint the awe-inspiring sights you encounter, including almond blossom, poppies and wild flowers, rolling hills, orchards, olive groves, rocky mountains and desert-like scenes.
Groups are kept to a maximum size of just three so you can easily access the nooks and crannies of the Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez together and totally relax on your own personalised painting safari.
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. Simon and his wife Donna also host residencies for professional artists who will typically be on hand during your stay to discuss techniques and all things creative with you, as well as other guests on the course.
Donna will be doing all of the catering and she cooks to a very high standard and creates dishes she has picked up from her extensive travels around the world including North African and Mediterranean cuisine, and all guests will come together to socialise and relax over delicious food at mealtimes.
Be inspired by nature and the natural landscape to create your own unique work of art during your week on this paint safari holiday with a difference.
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
Paint Safari 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 in the Land Rover with Simon
- Enjoy a gourmet picnic prepared for you in the open air whilst you are settling in to your day's painting
- 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 on safari with Simon
- Enjoy another delicious picnic lunch surrounded by nature
- 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 Creative 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 painting process
- This course is unique in that you have the opportunity to travel deep into the Parque Natural Sierra María-Los Vélez and let your creative spirit run wild
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 (lunch on safari) with your hosts Simon and Donna and sometimes with the resident artist
- Breakfast will be typically Spanish style along with cereals and fresh fruits
- 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 paint safari painting holiday with a difference.