An introduction to your very special Art Retreat in Nidderdale

We will be painting and drawing as much as we can outdoors over your four day min break art holiday taking our creative inspiration from the wonderful and unique unspoilt landscape to include rivers, waterfalls, gorges, historic stone villages and so much more.

Direct contact with the landscape with first hand experiences en plain air will then be further developed in the roomy studio (8 students maximum) at Well House Haven in further exciting ways using mixed media. The emphasis will be on creating experimental pieces using drawing and painting media  in loose, expressive and semi abstract ways.

You'll be able to relax into your practice, develop your creative skills with confidence and engage in a really mindful way in new and exciting creative directions with like minded artists.

Professional tuition and creative practical experiences 

You’ll get to learn real art skills in practice following my regular and informative demonstrations whilst giving youy plenty of opportunities to develop your own artistic skills in practice. There will be lots of one to one and group tuition too using different types of media too.

Regular reviews and end of the day constructive assessments of your work as a group will take place each day during your three day art retreat in the field or in the studio itself. 

Structure of your typical painting days 

We will play each day by ear and work with the weather. Painting will be outdoors as much as possible, studio when necessary.

The days will be roughly organised as follows:

After breakfast we meet in the studio for a prompt start at 10am. This gives students staying locally but not at Well House Haven ample time to travel to Well House Haven to meet with the rest of the group before the day begins.

Your art days may well be organised into a morning outdoor painting session and then back to Well House Haven for lunch with another outdoor painting session in the afternoon. We may have a full day in the field taking a packed lunch with us or going to a local pub or tea shop and having something there. It will all depend on the weather and the locations chosen to visit.

Points to note
We will take short walks through different types of terrain - some a little rough and sometimes somewhat steep also to paint and draw so a descent level of fitness is best.

The studio is situated on the first floor. Please bear this in mind when considering booking your art retreat at Well House Haven.

What's included in your art holiday
3 days’ painting workshops with demonstrations, art guidance and lots of 1-1 support
Welcome drinks, tea/coffee/biscuits during the day
Tuition throughout the entire course on a regular basis - group, one to one and individual mentoring.

What's not included in your art holiday
Accommodation (book separately with Karen who owns Well House Haven)

Breakfast, evening meals and drinks (self catering facilities are freely and readily available for us all to use thoughout the art holiday).

Bring your own art materials to include paper etc as these are not included.

Self catering facilities are provided for guests who want to bring their own food or who have specific dietary requirements and prepare it themselves when needed. This must be brought with you. It is not provided.
Bring with you what you want to use.
I will be using acrylic inks, Gouache, Watercolour, Soft Pastels (with fixative) and a variety of drawing media and will be using different types of watercolour and pastel papers

In the evening we will go out together as a group (for those who want to go) to a local pub at least one evening during the art retreat. We will get there  in our own separate or shared vehicles by arrangement.
 

Your art retreat in detail
Thursday afternoon 4.30pm to Sunday afternoon 4.00pm 

We will have a get together at 4.30pm on your first day so arriving earlier is a highly recommended to ensure you have settled in good time before we all meet together as a group.

Over light refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits etc) we will have an informal afternoon get together to get to know one another and for you to settle in a bit more. If you are staying off site it’s a good idea to bring your art things with you to the welcome meeting to collect from the studio at Well House Haven to ensure a prompt start on your first main painting day - 10am on Friday morning. 

On Thursday evening we will go out for a meal at a local pub (guest to pay for themselves). You are free to stay at Well House Haven instead and make your own meal if you prefer. 

Days will either be split with a return to Well House Haven after each mornings painting session for lunch (guests to make their own) or we will remain 'in the field' taking a break with lunch at a local pub or tea shop/cafe (students to pay for) or having the option to have their own packed lunch on site.

In the afternoon we will move to a new painting location or return to the studio to develop your mornings work - it will be weather dependent on what we do and where we go either walking to the next location or students being taken there by car(s).

We will aim to finish each day at approximately 5pm which will include an informative review of your paintings back in the studio or on site. We will play it by ear with the time and locations. 
 

Artistic ability of students wanting to partake 
Artists who have been practicing for a while who are at an intermediate level or above will gain the most from this art holiday. 

A good level of fitness is also required to walk some distances over mixed terrain (some rugged) to get to painting locations. 

Tuition given to every student will be way beyond the basic because this exciting art retreat and course aims to develop more of an engagement with landscape with ethos, creative intent and practice being the focus for greater artistic development. 

You can have a chat with me in confidence on 07522 238822 to see if the art retreat is right for you if you wish before booking.

Accommodation
There are several options at Well house Haven to choose from ranging from double, and twin rooms with en suite bathrooms. There is also a Shepherds Hut on offer for the more adventurous and an area for camping too.For art students attending the art course but not staying at Well house Haven there are a number of choices for you locally ranging from B&B’s, self catering chalets and pubs and hotels to stay at.

For a full list of available options please contact Karen directly on hello@karenblacklock.co.uk 

or look at the Accommodation pages on 
https://www.karenblacklock.co.uk/

Please note:
You will book your tuition directly with me via this web page in full. If you do not wish to use Paypal please contact me directly to arrange an alternative method.

You will book your ccommodation independently with Karen. It is not included in the tuition price but separate by arrangement to suit your budget, preference particular needs as there are different prices per room Karen offers.

Students who do not wish to stay at Well House Haven have a choice of lots of different types of great accommodation locally. Karen will advise.

(There is a great link on the How Stean Gorge website that details all local accommodation which is at:
https://www.howstean.co.uk/accommodation/accommodation-in-nidderdale/

How Stean itself also has some good accommodation for small groups in lodges see the same website.

Please note:
No amount of your art tuition is refundable either before or during your art retreat break once booked. 

Refunds
100% refund given if tutor cancels the course

0% refund given to students wishing to cancel at any time before the course is due to commence after booking.  

0% Cancellation refund at anytime during the art course.

Tuition fee
The total cost of your art tuition will be £400 for the full course.

Your tuition fee is separate from any accommodation you choose to book either directly with Karen or independently elsewhere.

To book your place please click on the PayPal button below. If you do not wish to use Paypal you can pay directly with BACS. Please email me directly on rdcreativeartist@gmail.com or call me on  07522 238822 to discuss an alternative method.

Final points
I’m really thrilled to be able to offer you this really different and unique art retreat in the heart of Nidderdale, North Yorkshire in Karen’s very special home and art studio and look forward to teaching you some really great art techniques to inspire your future development.

For further information about your art venue please contact Karen at:
Well House Haven Art Venue 
Well House Stean 
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG3 5SZ

01423 755255 
0791 276 3003 
hello@karenblacklock.co.uk 
www.karenblacklock.co.uk