Art Holidays - Resources for Artists

Thinking of going on a 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. Summary below - click the link to read on..........

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: 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 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.

Advice for painting holiday hosts 

A consumer perspective

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)

workshops
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