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 at Westcott Barton in North Devon.The whole experience exceeded our expectations from the beauty of Westcott Barton itself, the excellent catering and, 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."

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_‍_{I have tutored on many painting holidays in the UK, France and Italy for a number of years.}

Below are Painting Retreats/Holidays for 2025. Just drop me an email if you have any questions

2025

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1. Westcott Barton Retreat (North Devon) - A North Devon Sketchbook with Mark Warner - 14th - 19th May 2025 (Course Completed)

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2. Westcott Barton Retreat (North Devon)- Seascapes - Sea, Foam, Water and Shoreline - Painting and Sketching with Mark Warner - 3rd - 18th July 2025 (THIS COURSE IS NOW COMPLETED)

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3. Chateau Vary Painting Holiday 4th - 11th September 2025

(Please email for more information - Last few spaces)

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Painting at Chateau Vary in the Loire Valley 4th – 11th September 2025

My Painting Holiday at Chateau Vary in the beautiful Loire Valley, France. (4th - 11th September 2025) is now open for bookings

Please EMAIL

This holiday will enable you to experiment with sketching and painting in a truly gorgeous location, while sampling a bit of luxury in a beautifully renovated French Chateau.

What's more flights to Nantes are not expensive and transfers to and from Nantes to Chateau Vary are included.

The itinerary has been thoughtfully put together to include locations such as other chateaux, gardens, vineyard and the river Loire.

I will demonstrate how not to be afraid of using colour in the landscape and how drawing and sketching can inform and further your ‘plein air’ painting. You will have fun experimenting with techniques and processes. If you have ever wanted to try painting outside or indeed develop this further, come and join me in September 2025.

Chateau Vary – Loire Valley

It provides accommodation of the highest quality either in the 8 en-suite chateau rooms or in the cottages set in the grounds. It has recently undergone total refurbishment to an exceptionally high standard. Vary is set in its own grounds of 50 acres, 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, etc….

The views of chateaux stretching along the Loire river have captured the imagination of painters for centuries. From the fortress of Angers, the symmetry of Saumur, the elegant spires of Azay-le-Rideau and the crumbling ruins of Chinon castle, the majestic Loire flows through a series of magnificent backdrops that provide stunning landscape subjects.

Joseph Mallord William Turner 'Saumur, Loire Valley' (Not mine!)
This depiction of the old bridge and château of Saumur as seen from the west is one of several colour studies of this town which Turner worked up from his 1826 tour of the Loire Valley

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Sample Itinerary (Locations may change)

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Thursday 4th September - Transfer from Nantes airport/arrive by car. Settle in. Reception drinks and dinner.

Friday 5th September - Breakfast. Chateau Vary Landscapes – Selection of compositions from around the chateau grounds. Looking at composition/structure and how sketching can aid your painting. Adding colour. Lunch at the chateau. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau.

Saturday 6th September- Breakfast. Visit to Chateau de Plessis Bourre/picnic lunch provided. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau

Sunday 7th September - Breakfast. Free day visit to Angers or Saumur. Picnic lunch. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau

Monday 8th September - Breakfast. River/Landscape location. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau

Tuesday 9th September - Breakfast. Vineyard sketching/painting/wine tasting. Aperitifs/Dinner at the chateau

Wednesday 10th September - Breakfast. Revisiting paintings at Chateau Vary/Painting. Evening display and reception before final Aperitifs/Dinner.

Thursday 11th September - Breakfast. Transfer to airport/drive home.

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Transport UK – Nantes

Flights from numerous UK airports eg Manchester/Stanstead/Gatwick

Cheaper midweek flights with Ryanair/Easyjet

Chateau Vary - Nantes - Return Airport transfer included.

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Or travel by car from the UK.

Costs

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Room Double with en suite or private facilities. There is a variation in the rooms which can be found at www.chateauvary.com

Choice of room is made at the time of booking from rooms in the Chateau and cottages.

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Price per person £1995. Non-painting partner sharing room £1850

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Included

Includes all tuition fees and accommodation. Local transportation to all locations. Transfers to and from Nantes airport

All meals including breakfasts, gourmet picnics onlocation, pre-dinner aperitifs, dinner at the Chateau. Tea and coffee.

Chateau Vary prides itself in pairing regional finewines 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 are provided by Chateau Vary) You will be given a materials list.

Personal travel insurance

Payment £500 non-refundable deposit (Balance due 1st July)

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

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Participants are advised to purchase holiday insurance.

If you could also copy me in to any correspondence that would be great. (or drop me a line if you have any questions in the first instance)

It should be another fantastic week!

More info on Chateau Vary Website HERE

Any questions just ask.

Mark

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Art Retreats with Mark Warner in North Devon 2025

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Course 1. - 'A North Devon Sketchbook with Mark Warner'

Wednesday 14th May - Monday 19th May 2025

(Painting days: 15th - 18th May) COURSE COMPLETED

Four days of sketching and painting on location and in the studio, using water-soluble pencil, conte sticks, charcoal and acrylic washes/pencils.

On this four day workshop, we will experiment and develop work with various techniques in sketchbooks as well as on other pieces of paper. Visiting nearby locations by minibus as well as using the studio at Westcott.

Numerous demonstrations, coupled with plenty of one to one tuition. This will help you build up a body of work that aims to show the value of sketching from life and how it can, in turn, aid your painting.

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For me, the sketchbook/work on paper has proved integral to not only making a response while on location, but also in the development of a piece of work.

Come and join me for a great few days in May 2025 at Westcott Barton in North Devon!

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Course 2 - 'Seascapes - Sea, Foam, Water and Shoreline - Painting and Sketching with Mark Warner'

Thursday 3rd July - Tuesday 8th July 2025

THIS COURSE IN NOW FULL

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Join me for four days of sketching and painting on location and in the studio (using water-soluble pencil, acrylics/oils).

We will examine colour, depth and composition while looking at how water/foam/waves are incorporated into the painting.

Over the four days we will sketch and take photos on location as well as working on compositions back in the studio.

We will also explore how to create a sense of movement in water.

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Please book direct with Westcott Barton (Click on the courses above)

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Westcott Barton
Middle Marwood
Barnstaple
North Devon
EX31 4EF

T: +44(0)1271 813206
M: +44(0)7831 235 640
E: enquiries@westcottbarton.co.uk

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A four day course where we will be inspired by the magnificent 95 acre estate and look at how you can use drawing to develop your painting while analysing colour, composition and contrast within a landscape.

Mark is an artist and tutor with many years of teaching experience. Demonstrating for Art Societies and on workshops and painting holidays in the UK and France/Italy.

He has a large range of knowledge and expertise in painting and drawing which is delivered in a thoughtful and enthusiastic way. Mark adores using colour while interpreting the light and a love for the materials. He exhibits in both England and Wales andhas many works in private collections.

Mark is as passionate about supporting people in their creative journeys. Come and join him to explore the use of colour in the Landscape at Westcott Barton, North Devon.

Overview

Upon your arrival in the afternoon, at around 3pm, you will be greeted by the team at Westcott Barton.

The weekend will begin with a relaxed afternoon settling into the accommodation and viewing the immediate grounds whilst getting to know your tutor and fellow students. A demonstration will be given by Mark, followed by a group dinner.

Breakfast will be served at 8.30am and students will then gather in the studio at around 9.30am.

Tea coffee and biscuits are freely available to help yourself to during studio sessions.

Lunch will be served at 1pm with afternoon tutorials commencing from 2-5pm, followed by agroup dinner at 6.30pm.

Our courses are limited to 10 participants per retreat to ensure your tutor has the ability to provide you with personal advice and support during your time here.

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Painting Media

- All media welcomed.

- Mark will be demonstrating with Acrylics and aspects of sketching.

Skill Level

- All abilities welcome.

You will need to bring:

- The media you like to work with (paints, paper, brushes, palette, etc), plus a A4/3 sketchpad and graphite 2B/3B pencil. An up to date materials list will be sent to you nearer the time.

- A freestanding easel is recommended. chairs are provided at the venue but a small folding chair would be required if you want one as we go on location. eg. the coast.

- A limited number of easels are available to loan if requested prior to arrival and still available.

This course includes:

- 5 nights accommodation

- Evening meals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday if midweek course)

- Breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday (Wednesday, Thursday if Midweek course)

- Breakfast before departure on Monday at 10am. (Friday if Midweek course)

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Any questions just ask

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Best

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