Studio based semi abstract /abstract course to landscape using acrylic inks, acrylic paints, acrylic auxiliaries and mediums together with soft oil pastels and different drawing media (coloured pencils and graphite), aimed at artists experienced and intermediate level artists in practice who want much less representational aspects in their painting style and who want to become much more abstract/semi-abstract in their landscape painting approach.

Sorry, the course is NOT suitable for beginners as techniques taught are likely to be too advanced and I dont want you to be out of your depth, despite your keenness to learn.

On the course we will be using different visual reference material from a number of sources (YOUR OWN sketches, photographs, drawings and so on) with a semi abstract approach with a particular leaning towards more abstract and exploritory direction throughout the week. The exciting techniques you will learn and put into practice yourself provide the perfect creative techniques for your own personal creative development after the course as well. 

I'm delighted to present the first of two brand new 3 day (4 night) short expressive art courses for Spring 2027 at Seaton Hall, near Staithes on the East Coast of Yorkshire - 'Expressive Seascapes'.

This being the first, will focus on soft pastel techniques and is 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 this beautiful and versatile media.

Creating colourful, dramatic and expressive seascapes in the spacious lovely studio at Seaton Hall (being a stones throw from the sea itself) could not be more inspiring!

It really doesn't matter if you are new to pastels, a seasoned pastel artist or an artist experinced in using different media who really wants to know and experience using pastels for the first time, the course is suitable for all of you. 

However, 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. Its 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.

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.

Brand new for Autumn 2027, a fantastic art holiday awaits for artists wanting to really gain a thorough in-depth experience with the versatile and expressive medium of soft pastels, in an unspoilt region of southern Spain!

Artists will immerse themselves in a relaxing and rewarding six night, five day art holiday and stay in a beautiful traditional but modern Spanish home of Casa de los Cuadros (the 'House of Pictures') deep in the mountains of Andalusia in the Sierra de Grazalema, region just south of the famous Spanish town of Ronda. When the house rooms are full, traditional village hotel accommodation will also be used and discussed with the painter prior to booking.

The art holiday is restricted to a maximum of 10 participating artists only, to ensure plenty of one to one tuition and personal mentoring during your rewarding art holiday with me, in relaxed and friendly sessions with like minded artists. Non painting partners are warmly welcome too.

Location, location location!
Situated in an unspoiled and authentic white village, Villaluenga Del Rosario, Casa de los Cuadros (House of Pictures) is a beautiful, spacious, typical Andalucian house, where you can enjoy the fabulous surroundings of Sierra de Grazalema, from your doorstep.

Inspiring views are everywhere, to include white washed Spanish mountain villages nestling in the hills and valleys, surrounded by olive groves and dramatic mountain scenery.

This fully inclusive art holiday has a wonderful studio space (portable easels, drawing boards and fixative provided) but for the most part we will be spending as much time as we can on location, experiencing the inspirational countryside (weather permitting) with white Spanish villages, wooded valleys, distant mountain views…and so much more!

Whether you are a more experienced artist looking for new directions with your art and wanting to experience the joys of en plein air pastel techniques or, if you are a beginner wanting to explore many different pastel techniques, this art holiday is for you. 

Your tuition
Every artist will gain so much on this art holiday with both personal, regular one to one guidance in the field, with group demonstrations too. No artist will be out of their depth or left behind. The tuition isn’t pressured. We go at a steady and enjoyable pace so you gain the most from each and every rewarding day and inspiring location.