Art Holidays - Resources for Artists

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Booking or providing an art holiday - things to think about

you ever thought about going on a painting holiday? Maybe you'd like to improve on your experience last time? Or maybe you're thinking of providing painting holidays or workshops and are wondering what you need to do.

This site is designed for both consumers and providers of painting holidays. Don't forget to make use of the comments to let me know what you think - about the lens or painting holidays!

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POLL: Have you ever been on a painting holiday?

Going away from home to attend an art workshop or go on a painting holiday is a much bigger challenge than attending local classes or workshops. For one thing you don't get to sleep in your own bed at night. For another the cost of accommodation and travel on top of the cost of the holiday or workshop can mean this is not a cheap option! Plus not everybody is used to being away from home on their own - even if in the company of strangers.

This site aims to help you make the most of the options available so you can have as enjoyable and beneficial a time as possible

However first a little bit about you!

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Thinking of going on a painting holiday?

In May 2008 I did a mini-series of posts on my blog Making A Mark. These posts - and the pdf files of the articles which are available for download for free - are for people thinking about going on holiday. They
- identify some of the reasons why people go on painting holidays
- offer advice on how to choose a good one and
- how to make the most of your holiday.

Here's some of the things to think about

Is this a business-like operation?
* How long has the painting holiday business been operating?
* How well qualified are they to deliver a painting holiday?
* What does the documentation say?

Is the tutor competent and effective?
* What sort of work does the tutor do?
* What sort of approach is proposed?
* How much time is given over to painting?
* How much time is given to each student?

Do the logistics work for you?
* Accommodation and meals: what's included?
* Travel - what's included?
* Insurance - how does this work?
* Where are essential local facilities?

MAKING A MARK Painting Holidays - Making A Mark Guides by Katherine Tyrrell
Painting Holidays - Publications by Katherine Tyrrell suitable for people thinking about going on a painting holiday and those wanting to learn more about them. DOWNLOAD FREE pdf files to help you make wise choices and get the most out of your painting holiday
Making a Mark: Why choose a painting holiday?
A painting holiday can teach you new skills and reinvigorate your art. At the same time it can also provide you with a complete break from daily life and your normal live/work balance and enable you to meet interesting people and make some great friends. However, it's also possible for a painting holiday to cause some people anxiety and/or grief. I've been on a lot which did the former and experienced a little of the latter. This is what I've learned in the last 20 years.
Making a Mark: How to choose a painting holiday
A checklist of things to think about when choosing a painting holiday.
Making a Mark: How to make the most of a painting holiday
Once you've booked, how can you get the most out of your painting holiday? This post provides an overview about:
* Art materials
* Timing
* The best way to enjoy yourself
* The best source of advice about future painting holidays
Making a Mark: The big gap in the painting holiday market
So - what's the BIG GAP in the painting holiday market? It's very simple. It's the peer group painting holiday.

How do you find a painting holiday or art workshop?

How do you find out what's available?

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How to find a painting holiday

Making a Mark: How to find a painting holiday website
This is an introduction to ways of finding a painting holiday. My general recommendation would be to read lots of literature before making a decision. You may want to consult previous posts in this series to help you make that decision.
about.com: Painting | Painting Holidays Workshops -- Selecting a Painting Holiday or Workshop
What to consider before you book a painting holiday or workshop.

Things to think about if attending an art workshop

jackie simmonds artyfacts: ATTENDING A WORKSHOP
One (or two+) day workshops are great fun, but are rather different to longer painting holidays, which I will look at another time, since a painting holiday can be more relaxed, with the emphasis on the word "holiday". A workshop is quite a different matter, and requires a certain amount of preparation - mentally as well as physically! Here are some of my thoughts, based not only on my experience as a tutor, but also as a participant.

Advice for painting holiday hosts

A consumer perspective

For those thinking about organising a painting holiday or those thinking about how to improve what they already do
Making a Mark: A checklist for painting holiday hosts
I've found over the years that my reasons for leaning towards one rather than another is usually decided by two things - the quality of the literature and the quality of the response to enquiries. This post explains one consumer's perspective and advice on what I like to see and experience.
Making a Mark: The end of the art holiday exhibition
Most art holidays have a review of people's work at the end. One way of doing this is to sit in a room with people displaying examples of their work one by one. It can be very interesting but I've also known it to be very tedious depending on the tutor.

Personally, I've always found that a review has much more impact when an exhibition is created of people's work. Plus it can also make for a much more interesting and valuable crit session.

Links to reputable artists providing art holidays/workshops

Royal Watercolour Society Events - including workshops and painting holidays
Royal Watercolour Society Events and Educational Events
Includes painting holidays led by RWS members or associates
Coombe Farm Studios
Paul Riley's watercolour painting tuition courses for beginners and experienced painters in Devon, UK, as well as exciting locations abroad. I used Riley Arts for years for my painting holidays because they were so much better than other people. I haven't been for a while now but I'm sure they keep up the same standard as they've been doing it for years. You can see Paul Riley's work in articles in The Artist and in his art instruction books - as well as on the website.
Julie Douglas - Weekly and weekend art courses at locations throughout Ireland.
Julie Douglas - Weekly and weekend art classes and Bed and Breakfast in Killanena, Co.Clare, Ireland
Carol Marine - Artist - Workshops (USA)
Whether you are painting for a living or hobby, painting small and often is a powerful way to rapidly improve your skills. There is a fast growing group of people, called daily painters, who do small paintings every day, post photo
Workshops by Michael Chesley Johnson - Landscape En Plein Air Painter in Pastel , Oil (USA and Canada)
Michael Chesley Johnson, PSA - Landscape En Plein Air Painter in Pastel , Oil
DEBORAH PARIS: Workshops
DEBORAH PARIS Workshops & Online Classes
Focuses on landscape painting with a tonalism emphasis
Special Interest Art Breaks | Field Breaks
Enjoyable and informative botanical illustration and landscape painting workshops with experienced professional tutors, in relaxing locations around the UK.

Making A Mark

Artist and writer Katherine Tyrrell draws and writes about art for artists and art lovers

Topics include: drawing, painting, art blogs, visual artists, art competitions, art exhibitions, art history; art techniques and tips; art business and marketing; the art economy and making a mark with pastels, coloured pencils and pen & ink
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Travels with a Sketchbook

When I travel, I sketch. When I sketch on my travels I record it here

Plus information about the history and facilities of places I visit and lots of related links for those who want to know more
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  • Reply
    JaguarJulie Oct 5, 2010 @ 4:55 pm | delete
    Going on a painting holiday? Gosh, with all this Squidoo-ing, there is no time for a holiday. ;)
  • Reply
    Paroshep Apr 29, 2010 @ 7:50 am | delete
    Hi, As an art holiday provider I am glad to see this lens on Squidoo. Now that I have seen and read this lens I need to get busy and upgrade mine.
    Cheers,
  • Reply
    saara Nov 28, 2009 @ 1:03 pm | delete
    Art holidays are always a rich experience both for amateurs as it helps them to get started drawing and learning and the advanced levels.. The atmosphere is so relaxed.. and this really helps one develop their skills..

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I'm an artist and writer who enjoys sharing information about art. Making A Mark is rated #3 in the top 25 UK art blogs. I'm also a member of the Giants... more »

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