Recent Testimonial
“My wife and I had the pleasure, last week, to join with Mark and his other subscribers on his residential sketching and painting course in North Devon. The whole experience exceeded our expectations most importantly, Mark’s approach to helping us improve our work. We covered sketching, the use of water soluble pencils, painting techniques and perspective. Furthermore we were able to apply our learning, under Mark’s guidance, to sea scapes, boats and the beautiful grounds and buildings of Westcott Barton itself.
We found Mark to be an extremely genial person with a great sense of humour and a very positive approach to helping those of us less talented to improve our work.
We are very happy to recommend him to anyone wishing to understand more about the art of painting and sketching during one of his residential programmes."
I have tutored on many painting holidays in the UK, France and Italy for a number of years.
Below are Painting Holidays for 2026. Just drop me an email if you have any questions
2026
1. Chateau Vary Painting Holiday (2nd - 9th September 2026)
Come and join me at the beautiful Chateau Vary in the heart of the Loire valley next September...
Non-painting partners welcome. (Lots to do and see locally)
Following a great holiday this year, I will be tutoring again at Chateau Vary in the wonderful Loire valley, from Wednesday 2nd - Wednesday 9th September 2026.
It is a magical place.
This relaxing and inspiring course is designed with all abilities in mind to experiment with techniques and develop your painting.
The Chateau grounds extends over a vast fifteen-hectare park, harmoniously combining gardens, green lawns and mysterious forests, a true ode to the beauty of nature.
Mark's course at Chateau Vary in the Loire valley will focus on aspects of line, colour and composition. With a relaxed yet informative manner, Mark will demonstrate how not to be afraid of using colour in the landscape and how drawing and sketching can inform and further your painting. You will have fun experimenting with techniques and processes, during a productive and relaxing week in a truly fantastic location.
Mark will provide daily demonstrations on location while offering plenty of personal tuition. He uses Acrylics and various drawing techniques that will aid the development of a piece. You may of course, work in any medium.
Chateau Vary provides accommodation of the highest quality either in the 8 en-suite chateau rooms or in the cottages set in the grounds. It has undergone total refurbishment to an exceptionally high standard. The chateau is set in its own beautiful grounds, which is a mixture of garden, lawns, forest and farmland. It provides a unique setting for a stay in the Loire Valley. It has an outdoor pool and a heated indoor pool, access for forest walks, table tennis, jet spa, petanque court, use of bikes…..
Sample Itinerary (locations may change)
Wednesday 2nd September - Transfer from airport/arrive by car. Settle in. Reception drinks and dinner.
Thursday 3rd September - Breakfast. Chateau Vary Landscapes – Selection of compositions from around the chateau grounds. Looking at composition/structure and how sketching can aid your painting. Lunch at the chateau. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau.
Friday 4th September - Breakfast. Visit to Chateau de Plessis Bourre/picnic lunch provided. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau
Saturday 5th September - Breakfast. Free day visit to Angers or Saumur. Aperitifs/Dinner at Chateau Vary. (Lunch not included on free day).
Sunday 6th September - Breakfast. River/Landscape location. Picnic lunch. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau
Monday 7th September - Breakfast. Vineyard sketching/painting/wine tasting. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau
Tuesday 8th September - Breakfast. Revisiting paintings at Chateau Vary/Painting. Lunch at Chateau Vary. Evening display and reception before final dinner.
Wednesday 9th September - Breakfast. Transfer to airport/drive home.
Getting there - Fly to Nantes
Manchester (Ryanair) Wednesday 2nd September 2026 – 1hr 35 mins
Depart 11.50am arrive Nantes 2.25pm (Currently £37)
Gatwick (Easyjet) Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Depart 08.45am arrive Nantes 11.10 (Currently £72)
Returning - from Nantes
Nantes (Ryanair) Wednesday 9th September 2026 – 1hr 35
Depart 14.50pm arrives Manchester 15.25pm (Currently £35)
Nantes (Easyjet) Wednesday 9th September 2026 – 1hr 35
Depart 11.45am arrives Gatwick 12.00pm (Currently £49)
Holiday price 2026
Room Double with en suite bathroom or private facilities. Rooms can be found on the Chateau Vary website at www.chateauvary.com
Choice of room is made at the time of booking from rooms in the Chateau and cottages.
Price per person:
Chateau Painter £1995 (€2394) Non- painter £1850 (€2220)
Cottages Painter £1945 (€2334) Non-painter £1800 (€2060)
Included:
Includes all tuition fees and accommodation. Local transportation to all locations. Transfers to and from Nantes airport
All meals including breakfasts, picnics on location, pre-dinner aperitifs, 3 course dinner at the Chateau. Tea and coffee. The first meal provided at Chateau Vary is dinner on 2nd September and the last meal is breakfast on 9th September.
There is a free day to explore Angers lunch is not included on this day.
Chateau Vary prides itself in pairing regional fine wines with meals. A glass of wine is included with your evening meal and further bottles are available to purchase if required.
Not included
Your travel and related charges. (Transfers to and from Nantes airport included)
Painting equipment (Easels and boards and chairs are provided by Chateau Vary)
Entry fees to visit chateaux and grounds on painting trips out.
Personal travel insurance
Payment £500 non-refundable deposit. Second payment £500 1st January. Balance due 1st May Once each payment has been made they are non-refundable. It is advisable to take an insurance that covers ill health, family bereavement, accident and repatriation, at the time of booking and paying the initial deposit.
Rooms allocated on a first come first served basis. (Rooms can be viewed on Chateau Vary website)
To make your booking/enquire contact Bénédicte at info@chateauvary.com
If you make an enquiry, please copy me in so I am in the loop!
