4 Night Painting with Acrylic & Mixed Media on the Isle of Wight
Suitable for those with some experience of acrylic painting, this creative holiday focuses on using bright and vibrant acrylics with mixed media. Led by expert tutors, you’ll develop create several paintings each day. While most sessions take place inside the house, there will be opportunity to head outdoors if the sun is shining.
What you’ll love
- Learning how to use acrylic paints in combination with other media
- Taking advice and guidance from an expert tutor
- Expressing yourself through art and creating artworks
- Gaining confidence by using various techniques
- Working in small groups of 15 people or fewer
What’s included
- Expert tuition
- Loan of wooden A3 art boards
- Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information available in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards.
There will be full days practising your chosen discipline with breaks throughout the day for a cup of tea (or two!) and lunch. Most tuition and practice will take place inside the house, but if the sun is out, we may head into the grounds to take advantage of some fresh air.
In the evenings, you can relax in the house lounges and bar, socialise with other guests or take part in a wide range of house activities.
Depart after a leisurely breakfast. We’ll leave with new techniques and knowledge together with inspiration to continue painting in acrylics!
Freshwater Bay House
Chalky white cliffs and eyebrow-arching sea views set the tone for the delights that follow at this county house on the Isle of Wight - Queen Victoria's favourite island that’s just a ferry hop from the South Coast. The location is as gorgeous as it gets; to the south of the village of Freshwater, within pebble-throwing distance of its namesake bay, and just a skip from Tennyson Down. You’ll also be within easy reach of the area’s showstoppers, including the imposing Stag and Mermaid rocks, the multi-coloured sands of Alum Bay, the remarkable Ventnor Botanic Gardens, and the 125-million-year-old dinosaur footprints at Compton Bay. And then, of course, there’s the Needles Old Battery for the ubiquitous photo opportunity and the best views of The Needles.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Freshwater Bay House has 43 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surrounds. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: Rooms 19 and 20 on the first floor for their lovely sea views. Rooms 18 and 22 are both corner rooms overlooking the bay and Tennyson Downs. The more spacious Room 24 has five large windows overlooking the gardens and bay as well as a private sitting room. Room 39 on the second floor is a corner room with a bathtub.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Freshwater Bay House
Getting to Freshwater Bay House
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationEssential information
Below is a list of suggested equipment for your Painting with Acrylics & Mixed Media holiday:
Paints
- A set of acrylic paints in a variety of colours - good brands are Daler Rowney (System 3) and Windsor & Newton (Galeria)
- Colours: black, purple, red, orange, yellow, titanium, white, green, blue and brown
- For a palette, simply use foil, wrapped around some cardboard
[Optional: fluorescent pink and orange as an accent colour at times.]
Surfaces
- Canvas boards or canvas – approx. 10”x12”. It’s wise not to go larger than 12”x16”.
- You may like to bring a circular board as something a little different!
The tutor will be using 1 circular board, 4-5 rectangular boards 10”x12” and one 12”x16”
Brushes
- A palette knife
- A wash brush with a square edge
- A fine-tipped brush
[Any other additional brushes are a bonus!]
Pen
You need a good quality black ink pen or biro. The tutor uses a uni-ball eye micro ub-150 rollerball pen – in black.
Bits n’ Pieces
- Hairdryer – absolutely essential!
- A little tissue paper – any light colour
- An old brush for using the PVA glue
- Kitchen scourers
- Kitchen towel
- Baby wipes for cleaning yourself, and/or apron/old clothing
- Small mount tape or sellotape
What the Tutor will Bring
- Scissors
- Jam jars for water
- Cardboard to wrap your aluminium foil around for the palette
- PVA glue
- Cardboard/watercolour paper for some trees
- White gesso and salt
- Plastic plate to draw around
- A few paints, pens and canvas boards available for purchase in case something gets left behind
Freshwater Bay House Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Carl March
A qualified art teacher with over 25 years of experience, Carl enjoys experimenting with different mediums and helping people explore their creative side. He’s worked as a guest art lecturer on premium cruises worldwide and his many travels have inspired his work. Whether you’re a regular at the easel or have never picked up a paintbrush before, Carl’s patience as an expert tutor will help you create a piece of art of which you can be proud.
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
|
12 Nov - 16 Nov 2024 4 nights |
Art Single from £549 £504 Double from £549 £504 pp |
from £549 £504 pp |
from £549 £504 |
Save £45 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
4 nights
from
£549pp
£504pp
On offer
or call 020 3974 8865
For group bookings of 10+ guests click here