I have tutored many painting holidays in the UK, France and Italy for a number of years.
Below are my painting holidays for 2027
Just drop me an email if you have any questions
5 day painting retreat in North Devon
'Sea, rocks waves & boats'
11th - 17th July 2027 (Painting days 12th - 16th July)
Five days of painting and sketching in the studio and on location (one day visit to the coast to gather reference materials/sketch) using acrylics and water-soluble pencils.
Step away from the everyday and give yourself the time and space to paint. Set in a secluded North Devon valley, this welcoming five-day retreat combines guided creative practice with unhurried time to explore your own ideas, surrounded by gardens, woodland, water and open countryside.
Whether you are rediscovering a love of painting or developing an established practice, you will find encouragement, fresh inspiration and a supportive small-group atmosphere. The pace is relaxed, with a thoughtful balance of tutor-led sessions, independent painting and time to reflect on work created.
Mark will give numerous painting demos as well as tutoring workshops on various aspects of seascapes in Acrylics. (You may also bring the painting media of your choice, but Mark will be demonstrating with Acrylics and black water-soluble pencil.)
Testimonials
"Mark has the ability and professionalism to make you feel at ease and as a beginner to the world of painting this approach is very encouraging. Tuition was delivered in group and also one to one which helped me a lot. Mark's tuition is brilliant for all levels of ability and it was wonderful to see the lovely artwork produced by the more experienced painter. The holiday was extremely well organised and Mark did everything possible to make this a lovely experience for all.”
“I always promised myself, one day I would have a painting holiday. What a wonderful experience it was too. A group of strangers became a group of friends. Mark guided us through our week with support, encouragement and enthusiasm. I can honestly say that I had a really amazing time. Mark inspired me to keep up my painting and taught me to be more observant, improved my colour mixing and loosen up!"
Painting Media
- All media welcomed.
- Mark will be demonstrating with Acrylics and water-soluble pencil.
Skill Level
- This retreat is designed for all abilities.
You will need to bring:
- Mark will provide a materials list nearer the course but it will depend upon the media you choose to work with.
- Mark can be contacted to advise, if needed, via: mark@brushmark.co.uk
This retreat includes:
- Tuition, accommodation and all meals during your stay, including an evening meal on day of arrival and breakfast on day of departure.
Cost of Course
Single occupancy in secure room, with own bathroom facilities: £1160 per person.
Single occupancy room or shared room (twin or double), but sharing bathroom facilities: £1115 per person (minimum booking for two and both must be participating in the retreat).
Non-participating partners sharing a course participant's room are welcome: £675 per person (includes meals) . This option is subject to availability.
We welcome non-residential participants on our retreats/courses - please enquire for further details.
Retreat Booking Form
Westcott Barton take all the bookings so please contact enquiries@westcottbarton.co.uk
Any questions at all, drop me an email at mark@brushmark.co.uk
My next Painting Holiday in France will be on the first week in September 2027.
(Exact dates available when flights are released soon.)
1. Chateau Vary Painting Holiday (September 2027)
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 another fabulous holiday this year, I will be tutoring again at Chateau Vary in the wonderful Loire valley in 2027.
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)
Day 1 - Transfer from airport/arrive by car. Settle in. Reception drinks and dinner.
Day 2- 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.
Day 3 - Breakfast. Visit to Chateau Saumur or Chateau de Plessis Bourre/picnic lunch provided. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau
Day 4 - Breakfast. Free day visit to Angers or Saumur. Aperitifs/Dinner at Chateau Vary. (Lunch not included on free day).
Day 5 - Breakfast. River/Landscape location. Picnic lunch. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau
Day 6 - Breakfast. Vineyard sketching/painting/wine tasting. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau
Day 7- Breakfast. Revisiting paintings at Chateau Vary/Painting. Lunch at Chateau Vary. Evening display and reception before final dinner.
Last morning leave after breakfast - Breakfast. Transfer to airport/drive home.
Getting there - Fly to Nantes
Flights from UK airports eg. Manchester, Gatwick
Holiday price 2027
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 and the last meal is breakfast.
There is a free day to explore Angers, lunch is not included on this day. (Transfers included)
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, 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!
