An introduction to your very special Art Retreat in Nidderdale
I'm really excited to offer you a real 'creative development' art  holiday in Nidderdale - an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Eastern edge of the North York Moors National Park.

We will be painting and drawing as much as we can outdoors over your three day min break art holiday taking our creative inspiration from the wonderful and unique landscape and surrounding valleys' moors and Dales. 

Direct contact with the landscape with first hand experiences en plain air will then be further developed in the roomy studio  (10 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 'going with the flow' in loose and expressive ways building dynamic interpretations and textures on different paper surfaces.

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 
Group and one to one tuition with lots of different demonstrations with full explanations and creative insights will be provided regularly during your art holiday.

You’ll get learn real art skills in practice during my informative demonstrations whilst developing plenty of your own artistic skills with many different types of media. 

Regular reviews and end of the day constructive assessments of your work as group work will take place each day during your three day art retreat. 

Structure of your typical painting days 

We will play each day by ear and work with the weather. 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 fellow students in the morning before the art 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.It will all depend on the weather.

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.

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
3 light lunches 
Welcome drinks, tea/coffee/biscuits during the day
Use of basic art materials (excluding paper and paint)

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 though)
Your Art materials to include paper etc (to be brought with you)

Self catering facilities are provided for guests who want to bring their own food or who have specific dietary requirements and prepare it themselves for lunchtime. This must be brought with you. It is not provided. 

In the evening we may well go out together as a group (for those who want to go) to a local pub at least one evening in our own separate or shared vehicles by arrangement.

Your art retreat in detail
Thursday evening 6.30pm to Sunday afternoon 4.00pm 

We will have a get together at 6.30pm on your first evening 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) we will have  an informal evening 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. 

We will return to Well House Haven after each mornings painting session for a light lunch and either return to a new painting location or remain in the studio to develop your mornings work. Tuition will be provided on group and one to one basis again too.

We will aim to finish each day at approximately 5pm which will include an informative review of your paintings. 

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 reasonable 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 different types of 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