Monday, April 23, 2007

Painting holidays in Spain


This is just a little update. We now have some very nice leaflets available for art clubs and painting classes and the like. If you'd like us to send you some, then contact me at pauliner@watercoloursinspain.co.uk, or use the contact form on the website.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Welcome to Watercolours in Spain

Hi! This is our blog about painting holidays in the Costa de la Luz. You can find a fuller description together with photographs on our website WatercoloursinSpain.

Would you like to learn a new skill, or improve your existing technique? Then our holiday courses are for you, whatever your age or ability.

Groups will be restricted to a maximum of 10 participants, though more usually group size will be between 6 and 8. Tuition will be from a professional artist with many years of experience of teaching drawing and watercolour to adults.

WHERE DO THEY TAKE PLACE?

Tuition will take place on our enormous penthouse terrace in the pretty and exclusive resort of Isla Canela. Isla Canela sits in the mouth of the Guadiana river, which runs between Spain and Portugal. It is right next door to the pretty working town of Ayamonte.

In Isla Canela you will find glorious golden beaches and shimmering sea, water-side cafes, pretty beach bars and fishing boats. A short trip to Ayamonte takes you to palm-fringed squares, cobbled streets and ancient buildings. Surrounding all are the abundant flora and fauna in the many protected areas.

Activities on your Watercolours in Spain course

Days will begin with coffee on the terrace while you take in the stunning views. If you can tear your eyes away, your tutor will explain the day's activities. This will probably comprise a short demonstration of technique followed by an opportunity to create a finished product for yourself. Most days there will also be an excursion 'into the field' to paint some scene or object that the tutor has identified for you.

After a light lunch back on the terrace, you can either continue with your painting, or explore the area further, though Nigel, our tutor, will be on hand to offer help or advice where needed.

In the evening there will either be dinner on the terrace, or we will visit one of the many local bars and restaurants to experience what the area has to offer.

Mid-week there will also be a day trip to historic Seville, where you can explore and enjoy this beautiful city, where Moorish and Christian traditions and architecture meet. Seville is particularly famed for tapas and flamenco; tapas is available at just about every bar, and you may even see a spontaneous outburst of flamenco while you eat.

Of course, every activity is optional - this is a holiday after all! - and if you feel so inclined there are other activities available.

The area offers 6 top-notch golf courses and we could arrange a session's golf if you were so inclined, or perhaps you would prefer a thrilling boat ride up the Guadiana river, or possibly even a jeep safari through the Donana National Park.

Non-painting partners are welcome, and will be included in all evening meals and the Seville excursion.

The accommodation

There are several grades of accommodation. The standard grade, upon which our costs are based, is normally in private apartments, all within an easy walk of the tutorial area. These apartments usually have 2 bedrooms and two bathrooms, a private terrace , kitchen and lounge. All linen is provided as well as a welcome pack of bread, milk, tea, coffee etc; however most of your meals will be taken either on our own terrace or at one of the local bars or restaurants.

Most of the apartments have sea views, but to be truthful, you won't be spending much time there!

Non-painting partners are welcome, and will be included in the Seville excursion and all evening meals. Golf lovers will be especially pleased with all the facilities locally, and we can arrange a day's golf for you should you require it.

It may be possible to accommodate you entirely privately, but there will be a supplement of £200 should that be the case.

Should you prefer hotel accommodation, there are three 4* hotels all within an easy walk, and it is perfectly possible to join us on a non-residential basis. If this is your choice we will send out a list of hotels for you to make your own booking, and the cost of the holiday will be reduced by £200.

The costs of your holiday


A watercolour painting of the beach at Isla Canela

For details of costings, weather reports, greater details about the tutor and pictures, please refer to our website at www.WatercoloursinSpain.co.uk.

However, if any of you have already looked, please note that we have now been able to include transfers from Faro airport as part of the package price.

And don't forget, if you would like to book our apartment at any other time, you can find it at my web address spain beach apartment.