Mixed Media Painting Holiday

What You'll Do

Enjoy excellent painting tuition on this 7 night mixed media painting holiday in the picturesque Aquitaine region of France; set in a stunning 18th Century manor house located between the quaint Bastide towns in an area that has been inspiring artists for centuries.

2023 Dates:

13 May – 20 May
2 September – 9 September
9 September – 16 September

This gorgeous isolated setting offers a unique painting experience to combine stunning luxury accommodation with a chance to focus on refining or even getting started on your painting skills on this 7 night / 8 day painting holiday.

As well as learning the fundamentals of painting, this holiday is a real opportunity to hone in on seeing things new ways and capturing them on paper using the medium of your choice.

Your painting instructor will be on hand throughout the week with not only demonstrations but also to provide 1 to 1 guidance and tuition. Teamed with your hosts Martyn and Tas, who have made their home into an artistic haven, you will experience the best of the French countryside and have the chance to find your perfect subject and transfer your surroundings into your own art.

Your accommodation has been beautifully renovated to the highest standards; extensive gardens, private ponds, terraces, a balcony and two swimming pools all await you. After a day painting, head to the local bar with Martyn for a glass of wine before heading back to reward yourself with a 3 course meal served at the manor house with your fellow painters to compare notes on where the day and scenery took your art.

Experience
Highlights

Enjoy excursions to nearby towns

Learn some new techniques from a professional artist

Learn about the history and culture of the region and interact with locals

Experience Itinerary

Arrival

This is the day you arrive, relax, and settle in and make some new friends, explore the area, or make yourself at home in the manor house or dive right into the pool.

Feel free to take a hike and stretch those legs after the plane ride before tucking into dinner

Please note the itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and the weather.

Each day will follow the same basic format:
9am onwards: breakfast available
10am – 1pm: morning painting session
3 – 6.30(ish): afternoon session
7.30: Dinner and free time to enjoy your country home

Accommodation

The gorgeous manor house on this 18 acre estate accommodates up to 12 people, in single/twin or double rooms to suit your needs. This is a stunning estate, where you will find other historic buildings, mills, a pond, river walks, and so much more to take in the great French countryside during your time here. Feel free to use the swimming pools, go fishing, lounge in the sun, play table tennis, darts or pool in the games room and enjoy the garden.

The rooms are wonderfully spacious, remodelled for every modern convenience, yet retaining their old charm, while being furnished to the highest standards. There are 3 lounges that are used for communal spaces to enjoy a fire, a movie, or satellite TV – grab a book from the library or enjoy a glass of wine out on the terrace. Your hosts have thought of everything for you to make the most of your time and budget here, there is a fully equipped kitchen along with refrigerators, freezers, and all you need to cook, washers, kettles, hairdryers and free WiFi throughout the property.

Painting on the grounds

Your first full day there is a warm up day on which you’ll stay on the estate grounds and paint. There’s so much fantastic painting to be done on the grounds alone and this is a great gentle day to get into things, get settled and get used to painting outside. There will be a couple of small demonstrations and the basics will be covered

Later in the day, you’ll head out for a walk in the local village and see which subjects strike you; this is a great opportunity to snap some photos to work off later

Painting & local tour

In the morning you can continue your work on the grounds.

The afternoon will be led by your host Martyn on a relaxing tour of the surrounding area (via cars or minibus). The tour will give you an idea of the area, along with things you may wish to revisit and paint; again, a great time to snap some shots. The tour ends with a drink in the beautiful hilltop town of Monpazier, then back to the manor in time for dinner

Village excursion & free time

After breakfast, you’ll head over to the local medieval church and lovely village of Besse, offering the perfect place to sketch and paint a variety of subjects. Following this, you can enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant in either Besse, or another large town.

Depending on the general feeling the afternoon, you’ll be sketching and painting in the town, or head back to the estate to work.

Town day trip with painting & sketching

The morning will involve a lovely day trip to Monpazier, a classic French Bastide town up high with mesmerizing views. You can choose to focus on people, the square, sunlit cobbled streets, architecture, or the surrounding landscape – you’ll be spoiled for choice.

The afternoon will be at a more relaxed pace, with plenty of options for a break, lunch, or just people watching. There’s plenty of shade under the arches in this town with plenty of places to sit discreetly and paint/sketch.

Today everyone will be able to work at their own pace, and when we’re ready, have a drink and head back to the manor house for dinner.

Free time

Your last full day of the holiday is to be spent however you would like it!

Some may want to paint in the village down the road, some will perhaps stay and enjoy the manor and grounds, as always, the tutor will be making rounds for 1 on 1 support throughout the day.

Departure

After your final breakfast, you will have to check out and depart on your way home or further on with your travels. We hope you would have enjoyed the week and learnt some new painting techniques and tips to take home with you.

Location Information

Located in the Lot-et-Garonne (Aquitaine) region of France, lies a stunning 200 year old estate on 18 acres of private property, perfect for those looking to escape the city and explore this stunning area of France. Just minutes from vineyards, chateaux, medieval towns and vibrant markets, you’re sure to be fully immersed in the French way of life while living in the gorgeous manor house for the week.

Nearest airport: Bergerac (about 45 minutes by car)

Pre-booked transfers:
As there are no direct buses or trains and taxis being very expensive, your hosts offer a transfer of 75 Euros each way (per car load) from the airport. This transfer can be arranged after you have booked so transfers can be shared with fellow guests if possible.

Car hire is available at the airport for those guests who sometimes combine this holiday with an extended stay in France.

FAQs

Yes, the tutor can provide some equipment... however please do bring your best brushes, paints and canvas boards to get the most out of the week! If you have any questions about what to bring or if you're a beginner, let us know and your host will help any way they can.

Features
- Ideal location in Lot-et-Garonne (Aquitaine) region of France
- Within one hour of Bergerac Airport and just over 2 hours from Bordeaux Airport
- On the doorstep to wine country
- Countryside location with 18 acres of land to enjoy
- Accommodation in a luxury, restored manor house
- Large comfortable rooms, with warm and sophisticated décor maintaining many traditional features
- Private gardens and private parking
- Private fishing lake and pond
- Outdoor terrace and lounge areas
- Heated pool for adults and a children’s pool
- Three communal living rooms with a log burner, Sky TV, British TV, games, DVDs, libraries
- WiFi available in the manor house

From £1250 pp