Robert Dutton Fine Art

SGFA
Member of The Society of Graphic Fine Art

UK and international award-winning artist

NEW FOR SPRING 2027! 3 day Expressive Landscape course at Seaton Hall, East Yorkshire Coast

Seaton Hall, Staithes

I'm thrilled to offer you this, the second brand new 3 day (4 night) short art holiday for Spring 2027 at Seaton Hall, near Staithes on the East Coast of Yorkshire.

This theme is 'Expressive Landscapes' and we will be using 3 different types of media in combination to create our colourful and dramatic paintings together.

You will be combining Watercolour, Gouache and Soft Pastel in suptupus ways - perfect for artists who are looking for something new, want to develop a looser more expressive feel and look to their work and who also want to REALLY LEARN lots of fabulous techniques with a mixed media approach.

We will be creating colourful, dramatic and expressive landscapes in the spacious lovely studio at Seaton Hall (set in a unique, unspoilt coastal rural landscape close to the sea) which is inspiring in itself!

It really doesn't matter if you have never used the media together before or perhaps you are an artist wanting to create 'mixed media paintings instead of 'mixed mess' paintings, either way, you will learn the best way to combine the media  where and when so you too can create paintings with eye catching textures that are bright, fresh and engaging.

Please note, this course is suited to intermediate artists and above and not for beginner artists (whatever the media) as the techniques taught on this course may well be too advanced. It's important to know that my aim is for you to get the very best out of this art course and not for you to feel out of your depth. Unfortunately a pure beginner would.

The course is limited to 12 students only to ensure maximum tuition for all during the course.
Early booking highly recommended to secure your place.

Easels and paper are provided for you all that's required is for you to being your own other painting equipment such as brushes, paints, pastels, mixing pots and so on, together with fixative. Please bring with you your own painting reference that you wish to use tocreate your paintings from as these are not provided.

Students may choose from sketches, photographs and so on and I will teach you how to get the very best from them.

Some students use photographs as print outs on gloss paper, others their own iPad photographic references. IPads can be table propped or used on a stand such as a 'goose neck' (or similar) to dispaly their refence next to them. 

Course overview
Each day will start with a demonstration, insights into different mixed media techniques and examples of what can be created so when you too start to create your own expressive paintings you'll be off to a flying start!

During each days studio session there will be continuous one to one tuition and group demonstrations so you can develop your paintings with confidence in easy to follow inspiring progressive stages. 

In the evening we will relax together as a group or you may decide to take a walk along the spectacular Boulby Cliffs (a short walk from seaton Hall), a haven for seabirds and walkers alike.

At the end of each session we will have a short overview of your work as a group together - another great opportunity to learn from each other, gain further insights into slightly different and personal interpretations of subject with like minded artists in the group, all of us sharing the joy of painting techniques in this session to end each studio day.

Each studio painting day will start at 9.30am and finish at 5pm with breaks for lunch and coffee breaks beween the morning and afternoon sessions.

What to bring
Please bring with you a variety of professional Gouache and watercolour paints across the palette. Either or will do. No need to double up on colours.
Essential that you bring with you Permanant White Gouache to create opaque and semi opaque paint mixes.
Brushes of different sizes - the larger the better! Mopes, Hakes, Chisel and rounds in combination if you can. Riggers and a 'Swordliner' are highly recommended for those fine continuous details. 
Mixing pots and deep wells for large paint mixes. I use old saucers and side plates for my paint mixes
Soft graphite sticks/pencils such as 4B/6B and an eraser
Fixative (any brand) not hairspray
A wide variety of hard and soft pastels
Buldog clips and masking tape
Drawing board to clip your paper to a firm surface to work from
Protective papers and/or a folder to take your work home securely.

Provided
Easels, tables and chairs, and 2 full imperial sheets per student (22 x 30 inches) of top quality watercolour paper - Canson Heritage 300gsm (140lb) 'not' surface to use during the course. If you have a personal preference, please bring that with you.
 

About Seaton Hall
Nestled between coast and countryside, Seaton Hall is perfectly placed for exploring some of North Yorkshire’s most charming spots, from hidden fishing villages to sweeping clifftop walks, historic steam railways and sandy beaches.

Whether you’re looking for peaceful nature, seaside fun or cultural heritage, there’s something nearby for everyone. Our cottages are part of Seaton Hall, an ancient manor house with over a thousand years of recorded history. 

Seaton Hall has a fascinating past, it was named after the De Seton dynasty, who resided from 1130 to 1307, and whose family made allegiances with and marriages to the Scottish Royal family.

Passed down through generations, before slipping into disrepair, the present owner purchased the estate in 2002. He has employed a team of specialist masons and craftsmen to lovingly rebuild and restore this incredible place of local heritage.

What makes Seaton Hall especially distinctive is its setting. Perched between the Yorkshire moors and the sea, the Hall feels deeply connected to the land around it. Footpaths lead from the estate down into Staithes, while longer routes open out onto the dramatic clifftops of the Yorkshire Heritage Coast.

This relationship between building and landscape has remained constant for centuries, from medieval landholding to today’s walkers, families and visitors seeking space, quiet and connection.

Your accommodation
Exceptional and award winning accommodation which is individually designed with your comfort in mind. Each  is fully equiped to include your own washing maching (should you need it).
There's a variety of options for the cottages as your accommodation for the duration of the course which you can choose from when making your booking.
The cottages sleep between four and ten guests at a time  - the equivalent of 16 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. Seaton Hall will advise for your individual preferences and needs.

Food and meal times
All food and dietry requirements for each guest is catered for.
Breakfast 8-9am can either be arranged in individual cottages (if continental style) as all have kitchens, or we could offer a cooked option too.
Light lunch would be soup, sandwiches, quiche and so on.
There would be a 3 course dinner, with dietary requirements being catered for.
For dinner - people can have dinner between 6.30 and 7.30 and take as long as they want to eat and socialise. 
A large separate dining room/common room adjacent to the studio will be ours for use for meal times within the hall itself during the course.

Drinks
The premises are licensed but there is no bar. However, wine can be purchased at dinner and students can keep wine etc in their cottage fridges. 

 

How to book your place
Please contact Seaton Hall Booking Office directly on 01947 841829
or email enquiries@seatonhall.co.uk
Office hours Mon - Sat 9am to 5pm

Address
Seaton Hall, Staithes, TS13 5AT

Website
www.seatonhall.co.uk

Further information you may need to know about this unique art course
If you need to discuss any aspect about the art course please contact me on my mobile 0752 223 8822
or email me at rdcreativeartist@gmail.com 
Happy to help.


Costs

  • Tuition, top quality watercolour paper and accommodation to include breakfast, lunch and dinner : £680.00

Location: Seaton Hall, Staithes, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS13 5AT

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