- About us
- Contact us
- Get involved
- Booking & help
- Customers outside UK
- Reservations 0845 470 8558
Landscape Painting - UKVarious locations
Art & Crafts
From £325 - 3 to 7 nights
For all holidays:
Day 1: Arrival day
Please join us for tea between 4pm and 5pm to meet the leader and your fellow guests.
Before dinner there will be a brief introduction to the holiday programme.
Itinerary for:
Bourton-on-the-Water, 4 September 2013
Lulworth Cove, 15 September 2013
Centenary Holiday at Alnmouth - 3 August 2013 (7 nights) 
Arrival day
Your room will be available from 2.30pm onwards. Please join us for tea between 4pm and 5pm to meet your leader and fellow guests. After dinner there will be a short entertaining quiz.
Day 2: This morning Hilary will give a studio presentation on painting techniques. After a break for refreshments we’ll walk into Alnmouth to look for a subject and begin our picture, partaking of a picnic lunch either back at the house or in situ. We’ll return to the studio for tea/coffee and friendly critique whilst confirming next day’s events. Guests will then be free to continue painting, go for a walk or have a pre-dinner rest.
In the evening your leader will give a talk and slideshow.
Day 3: We’ll depart at 9.45am for a day’s painting in Craster, a small harbour with cottages, boats, rocky beaches and a distant view of Dunstanburgh Castle. In the afternoon we’ll visit a local gallery before leaving this pretty fishing village to return to the studio for tea/coffee and friendly critique. We may also view a DVD on landscape painting.
In the evening, after dinner, there will be an opportunity to improve your skills at a drawing workshop open to all guests staying at the House. (Approximately 1 hour).
Day 4: Our bus will depart from the house at 9.45 and take us to the ancient town of Warkworth. There is lots to paint here whether its architecture in the form of bridges, castle, cottages or the peaceful tree lined path running along side the river. This pretty town has something for everyone. We will return to the house at approx 4pm and before dinner we will finish viewing the art DVD started on Day 3.
In the evening join in with 1,000s of other HF Holidays' guests throughout the UK and Europe for our grand Centenary Quiz. Tackle 100 questions on a variety of subjects.
Day 5: Join us for a free-day excursion to Newcastle upon Tyne. Our guided tour will include the classical city centre, cathedrals and the castle. On the quayside we’ll see the many famous bridges, and have time for a walk over the acclaimed Gateshead Millennium Bridge. We visit the Angel of the North, and finish with free time in Newcastle city centre before returning to the house for dinner. Cost: £10 per person if pre-booked.
Day 6: We leave for Seahouses at 9.45am and take in views of Bamburgh Castle from the beach. The Cheviot Hills on the distant horizon to the west make this an ideal painting location. Finally, we visit the Grace Darling museum before returning to the house.
In the evening we will enjoy a Beetle Drive after dinner.
Day 7: Today we’ll spend some time in the studio, chatting about how to present our paintings and how to mount and frame them. We can also complete any work that might need finishing, either in the studio or in Alnmouth. Hilary will mount an in-house exhibition of work, which is entirely optional.
Conclude your holiday with a gala dinner - an opportunity to dress up and enjoy great food, sociable company and a live ceilidh band whilst celebrating 100 years of HF Holidays.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast.
Centenary Holiday at Haytor - 3 August 2013
Arrival day
Your room will be available from 2.30pm onwards. Please join us for tea between 4pm and 5pm to meet your leader and fellow guests. After dinner we’ll look through sketchbooks and discuss the joys of painting outdoors.
Day 2: This morning we’ll work in the grounds of the house and surrounds (weather permitting) and continue with this in the afternoon too.
In the evening we will join with the guests on the Yoga & Circle Dancing holiday for some circle dances from around the world. If any guests wish to continue painting then this can also be arranged, we may even have a painting quiz with prizes for those interested!
Day 3: We will leave the house at 9.15am for a day’s drawing and painting in Teignmouth. There is much to interest us here – harbour scenes, boats, jetties, distant rocks and a lighthouse. These are lovely subjects for the whole group to enjoy, with demonstrations from Peter along the way.
In the evening we can participate in some relaxing yoga with our fellow guests or if you wish to continue painting this can also be arranged.
Day 4: Today we travel to the picturesque village of Lustleigh with its thatched cottages and lovely church, just two of the great subjects to tackle during the day.
In the evening join in with 1,000s of other HF Holidays' guests throughout the UK and Europe for our grand Centenary Quiz. Tackle 100 questions on a variety of subjects.
Day 5: Join us for a free-day excursion on the steam railway from Paignton to Dartmouth, then cruise up the River Dart to Totnes. Cost: £28 per person if pre-booked.
Day 6: We’ll take the coach to Widecombe-in-the-Moor – on the way there are many good places to stop and sketch; the village is alive with subject matter for the outdoor painter.
In the evening Peter will give a painting demonstration for all guests at the house.
Day 7: Our final day will be spent doing field work in the grounds immediately outside the house (weather permitting), such as sketches and colour notes. We’ll finish off paintings started earlier in the week and get ready for an exhibition of our work in the evening; which is entirely optional.
Conclude your holiday with a gala dinner - an opportunity to dress up and enjoy great food, sociable company and a live ceilidh band whilst celebrating 100 years of HF Holidays.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast.
Freshwater Bay, 1 June 2013, with David Norris
Day 2: Freshwater Bay is in a distinctive area. Seen from the Military Road it has a panoramic setting and St. Agnes’ thatched church next to the entrance to the house has special architectural interest. They set the tone for the island’s unique atmosphere.
Day 3: Alum Bay, The Needles rocks and lighthouse, and the fisherman’s cottage at the foot of Alum Chine all help to
emphasise the distinctive colours which are to be found on the island. In the afternoon we will look at Yarmouth Castle, hidden away close to the ferry terminal.
Day 4: Calbourne is probably the most beautiful unspoiled village on the island and the flower covered houses in Winkle Street are the most distinctive. We will spend the morning painting this rural setting before going on to Newport to draw and paint the dockside and its boats.
Day 5: A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House.
Day 6: Godshill has changed little since the 18th century; the grand palladium mansion at Appuldurcombe is now mainly in ruins, and the magical small bay called Steephill Cove near Ventnor’s botanical gardens give an insight into the Isle of Wight’s history and all three venues are close together.
Day 7: A day for finishing off all the paintings in readiness for an exhibition.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast.
Lulworth Cove, 2 June 2013, 30 June 2013 and 15 September 2013, with Helen Halliday
Day 2: We spend the morning focusing on sketching thelandscape in pencil/pen, concentrating on composition. In the afternoon we’ll look at colour sketching in the landscape.
Day 3:
9.30-11.15: Painting the landscape
11.30 – 12.30: Colour Workshop
3.15: Painting the landscape
Day 4:
9.30-10.00: a demonstration on watercolour techniques
10.00-12.30: we venture a bit further afield for some colour sketching
3.15-5.15: painting on the beach
Day 5:
9.30-10.00: a review of the week so far and discussion.
10.00 -12.30: choice of venues for painting
3.15: painting in the cove, stair hole or garden – a chance to do more finished paintings
Day 6:
Please pack up and vacate the room before we start – luggage may be left in the lounge.
We’ll finish a discussion and review of our work, followed by sketching in the cove.
Depart after lunch.
Church Stretton, 9 June 2013, with Hilary Ganly
Day 2: Today we’ll be staying around the House, which has many outstanding views; choosing a subject will pose no problem.
Day 3: We’ll go by mini bus to historic Shrewsbury, birthplace of Charles Darwin. We will spend the day painting around the Abbey.
Day 4: Today we will spend our time painting on the water’s edge along side Ludlow Castle.
Day 5: A 13 mile trip will take us to Wenlock Edge, a small interesting town with splendid views across some of Shropshire’s fine countryside.
Day 6: An easy day during which we’ll further explore the Church Stretton area.
Day 7: Depart after breakfast.
Conistonwater, 22 June 2013, with Irene Sanderson
Day 2: The day starts with an overview of our aims for the holiday along with a quick look at techniques and methods for problem-solving. Monk Coniston grounds, the magnificent trees, the beautiful view and the hall itself will be the subjects for the day’s studies and painting. At the end of the afternoon we will return to the studio to look over what we have achieved and go over any topics that need attention.
Day 3: Up into the heights to Blea Tarn for the classic lake district view of the Langdale Pikes. We will then descend to Old Dungeon Ghyll set in the deepest and finest Lake District scenery. A chance to work in a wild landscape renowned for its spirituality. There will be an evening session to look over the day’s work and what topics have emerged.
Day 4: An excursion to Elterwater, where the valleys and river open out into commonland below the peaks. Here are houses of slate by a cascading river below towering ridges. We’ll take a final look over what we have achieved and how to mount and present work.
Day 5: Depart after Breakfast
Dovedale, 29 June 2013, with Yvonne Darby
Day 2: We start at 9.30 in the studio, looking at materials, papers and paints effects and Yvonne will give advice on how to select a starting palette of colours from your paints. Advice will be given on techniques, simplifying large amounts of information on view in landscapes and dealing with perspective. Using the house and grounds we begin our art; gardens, architecture, trees and flora give us our subject matter. Yvonne will be on hand all day to give further tips, help and instruction and there will be time at the end of the day for any questions and one to one attention.
Day 3: Today we’ll have a day out painting on location. Our first location is Ilam Park whi
ch is situated in the spectacular setting of Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The Park is located beside the river Manifold with great views of Dovedale. This provides us with far reaching views. After lunch it’s on to the beautiful village of Tissington, famed for its wells. Here we’ll be able to find a tea room if anyone wishes to stop for tea.
Day 4: Choose your subjects today; the tutor is on hand for advice and personal attention. Set out to the garden for perhaps some new paintings and in the studio you’ll be guided through putting the finishing touches of techniques to your art. There will be an informal exhibition after dinner of your artwork; your participation in this is of course at your own discretion.
Day 5: Depart after breakfast.
St Ives, 24 August 2013, with Linda Hollingshead
Day 2: Today will be spent at the house and grounds. We will look at the composition, working methods and process for creating a landscape painting. There will be painting demonstrations and painting exercises both indoors and outdoors.
Day 3: Today we will visit Zennor where there are lots of subjects to paint around the village.
Day 4: There are great views in the grounds of the House for us to paint today or we’ll walk into St Ives to paint. The focus will be on the centre of interest and good colour mixing.
Day 5: A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House.
Day 6: Today we will paint at Lamorna cove made famous by the Newlyn artists.
Day 7: Our final day’s panting will be based at Marazion with beautiful views of St Michael’s Mount. This evening we will display our landscape paintings.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast.
Bourton-on-the-Water, 4 September 2013, with Murray Ince
Day 2: We start the day with some short demonstrations followed by a foray into beautiful Bourton-on-the-Water where we can sketch and paint some fantastic honey coloured Cotswold stone buildings or the elegant stone bridges that cross the river Windrush, connecting the quintessentially English tea rooms and gift shops on either side of the river.
Day 3: We’ll take a short coach ride to the picturesque village of Lower Slaughter where quaint Cotswold stone cottages straddle the river Eye and the mill with its waterwheel sits at the end of the village whilst the church sits at the other end. 
The village is surrounded by the English countryside, truly subject matter for all.
We’ll return to the house to stage an exhibition of our works for those who would like to exhibit and to refresh and relax before dinner.
Day 4: Depart after breakfast
Guernsey, 14 September 2013, with Hilary Ganly
Day 2: Today we will walk down to the marina at St Peter Port, going along the pier towards Castle Cornet. Here you will have great views of St Peter Port and your first chance to take in the variety of subjects to sketch and paint.
Day 3: We’ll go by mini bus to Portland Bay, in the north west of the island, to a small sandy beach overlooking Fort
Grey with moored boats and a gentle rocky coastline.
Day 4: Today we go east to the South Quay at Bordeaux Harbour, overlooking the Island of Herm; this location has something for all artists.
Day 5: This is a free day to explore Guernsey’s many places of interest or to relax at the hotel.
Day 6: Saline Bay has the rugged Grande Rocques, a coastline with lots of drama. This contrasts on one side with wild flowers, birds, a long reaching beach and yet another fort. There will be plenty to keep each one of you busy.
Day 7: An easy day to further explore painting opportunities in St Peter Port.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast.
What to bring
General basics
- 2B pencil
- Pencil sharpener/craft knife
- Putty (kneadable) rubber
- A drawing board and masking tape
- Masking Fluid
- Large well rectangular palette
- Small piece of wax candle
- Water pot (any good-sized plastic pot)
- Roll of kitchen towel
Always purchase the best you can afford, cheap brushes and paints will produce disappointing results. Go for quality rather than quantity. A small set of student watercolours (tubes or pans), acrylics or pastels, according to your choice of medium, will be fine and then you can gradually build up your own selection as you become more experienced.
Watercolours:
Suggested colours:
Cadmium Yellow Winsor Yellow
Cadmium Red Alizarin Crimson
Ultramarine blue Cobalt blue
Indigo Burnt Umber
Burnt Sienna Dioxazine Violet
Raw Sienna Winsor Blue
Pthalo Blue Yellow Ochre
Paper:
For painting we recommend 140lbs/300gms watercolour paper - 38 x 28cms size sheets, or any other paper you are used to using. Some papers have a textured surface so choose the surface you prefer. You could bring a ‘blocked’ pad – that is one where all the sheets are gummed together on all four edges. These pads are expensive but save you having to use a board as you leave the paper on the pad whilst you paint. We would also recommend a pad of cartridge paper for sketching (A3).
Brushes:
Buy the most expensive you can afford. Sizes 4, 8 and 12 round will be sufficient. Sable/synthetic mix are fine.
Other mediums:
Please contact us if you wish to work in another medium and would like advice on what to bring. If your chosen medium is oil please ask us for advice as we are not always able to accommodate this.
All artists
For outdoor painting, a wide-brimmed hat or a plastic eye shade will eliminate glare and improve your comfort. An umbrella also provides shade (and can protect against a shower). If the weather is hot, remember your sun cream.
We suggest that you bring a lightweight folding chair and an easel if you like to use one. Remember that sitting still can make you chillier than you would expect, so bring some extra layers of warm, wind-proof clothing and include a thin pair of stretchy gloves. Strong, comfortable footwear with a good tread is essential.
Although we will always be working within reach of a café or pub, you may like to bring a vacuum flask, which can be filled using the tea and coffee making facilities in your room, for a drink at lunchtime.
Next steps
Book online
Or call our travel experts:
0845 470 8558
International customers please call:
+44 20 8732 1250
Our lines are open:
Monday to Friday 09:00 - 19:00
Saturday 09:00 - 13.00
Help and advice
Guest reviews
The painting holidays are very friendly and beginners will be able to settle down to learning the basics alongside artists of varying skills
Mr P Gosling
Our brochures
View online or order our brochures here.
Talk to us
Call our reservations team:
0845 470 8558
or email reservations
Mon to Fri 9am - 7pm
Sat 9am - 1pm
Or, Contact us
Keep in touch
Get the latest special offers, interesting news and competitions straight to your inbox in our monthly e-newsletter.
Recommend a friend
Recommend someone new to HF Holidays and you both can save £50.
