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Alis Art Painting Holiday in the Algarve

Highlights

  • Tailored art tuition from Ali Hargreaves
  • Stunning accommodation with meals and airport transfers included
  • Outdoor terraces & infinity pool overlooking the river to relax and inspire
  • Unleash your creativity as you discover new techniques
  • Discover hidden gems as you visit local villages and paint en plein air
From £896 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Discover the gorgeous Algarve on this 8 day painting holiday with Ali Hargreaves, stay in a stunning riverside villa with amazing views, lovely gardens and elegant interior and learn new painting techniques or improve your skills.

Indulge in a truly immersive experience at Figs on the Funcho, where art comes alive under the expert guidance of the ever-enthusiastic art tutor Ali Hargreaves (Alisart). Prepare to be captivated as Ali ignites your creativity and takes your artistic abilities to new heights.

During your stay Ali’s teaching will be adapted to your needs, providing both group and individual attention. She has extensive experience, is a qualified teacher with infectious enthusiasm and will elevate your artistic journey, offering a range of lessons from short morning instructions to in-depth sessions that explore watercolours and mixed media.

Additionally, two carefully curated outings await you. The first, a visit to a charming coastal town nestled between magnificent cliffs, offers artistic inspiration, intriguing shops, and a chance to dine with breathtaking ocean views. The second outing takes you to Loule, where you’ll witness basket weaving, learn about crafting cataplana dishes, and explore the vibrant Moorish market or the timeless Loule Castle.

This artistic journey promises unforgettable memories, igniting your creativity. Book your spot for an extraordinary retreat that rejuvenates your soul and enhances your artistic abilities.

2024 Dates

14th – 21st June

 

Arrival Day

When you arrive at the river house enjoy a welcome drink on the terrace and  take time to settle in before enjoying a group welcome dinner.

Accommodation

Stay in an exceptional villa, lovingly known as ‘the river house’. Surrounded by countryside on a river-bend with an infinity pool to relax in and soak up the atmosphere. The villa boasts spectacular sunsets, sunrises and walking trails all around, and the town of Silves is just a 15 minute drive away.

The villa features 5 spacious and fully air-conditioned double bedrooms; 2 with ensuite bathrooms and a large communal bathroom. The comfortable rooms are stylishly decorated, maintaining many traditional features such as wooden beams. The upstairs rooms are flooded with natural light thanks to the skylights, and the downstairs rooms have double doors leading out onto the garden.

All rooms can have single beds upon request and feature WiFi, duvets, linens, towels, hairdryers (in bathrooms), walk-in showers with handlebars, anti-allergy fibre pillows, mosquito net doors, heating, and A/C. Some also have a TV.

The villa also boasts light and airy social spaces; a high-ceiling lounge and kitchen with a centre island and a cherry wood dining table. The lovely outdoor terrace is perfect for alfresco dining by the water.

Meals: Dinner

Natural Inspiration

 After breakfast Ali  will compose a dynamic still-life setup filled with beautiful flowers, local fruits and captivating artistic elements and will guide you through the process of breathing vitality into this composition using bold and vibrant colours, daring and eye-catching patterns, intriguing and alluring shapes, and confident and expressive brushstrokes. Brace yourself for an extraordinary experience, as this will be far from your typical still-life endeavour.

During the session you will learn a plethora of exciting techniques  including printing, resist methods, and even masking tape magic. Get ready to unleash your creativity like never before!

After the demo, it’s your turn to shine. You’ll have the opportunity to set up your own still life, with guidance on composition and more. But if still life isn’t your cup of tea (even after experiencing Ali’s exciting twists!) feel free to choose anything else to paint. Ali will be there to support you every step of the way as you create art that bursts with energy and passion! 

Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

When colour comes running

Today Ali will be sharing a ton of tips and tricks to help you loosen up your painting techniques. We’ll draw inspiration from the beautiful surroundings around us,  using them as our muse. I’ll guide you through various methods that will help you achieve that free and expressive style you’re aiming for.

So get ready to break free from rigid strokes and embrace the freedom of artistic expression. It’s time to paint in a loose style like never before!

Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Paint en plein air at a local seaside town

Today after breakfast you will be taking a trip out to  a charming local fisherman’s village nestled between magnificent cliffs of the Algarve,  a picturesque coastal town that’s an artist’s dream come true. Get ready to explore captivating scenes and unleash your creativity.

During our day trip you can take a leisurely stroll through intriguing gift shops,  discovering hidden gems along the way. When it’s time to satisfy your taste buds, there is a range of cafes and restau.

One of our personal favourite lunch spots offers stunning ocean views and majestic cliffs, providing an unforgettable backdrop for your meal.

But that’s not all. Today, you’ll be creating art en plein air, right on the coast.  Your tutor will provide guidance on tips and techniques for painting a seascape.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and let your creativity flow. This coastal trip is an opportunity to paint, learn, and discover your own artistic style, enjoy!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Ink and mixed media

Today you will learn the best ways to use sketches and why they’re an incredible tool for recording and enhancing your paintings. You’ll discover how sketches can inform and inspire your artistic process.

We’ll kick things off with a demonstration to get those creative juices flowing.  And here’s the best part: Ali will be there to guide and support you individually. Whether you find inspiration from the trip you took the day before, or the beautiful surroundings of your river side base, Ali will help you transform those sketches into stunning works of art.

Get ready to unlock the power of sketching and witness how it can elevate your painting skills.

Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Suggestive animals

Today prepare to be amazed by the local artisans as we witness the artistry of basket weaving and learn the intricate process of crafting a perfect cataplana, the traditional copper dish used for mouthwatering fish stews. 

Whilst you are there unleash your artistic skills and capture the vibrant essence of the Moorish market or the timeless beauty of the castle. Let your sketchbook be your guide as you recreate these incredible sights, ready to paint them back at the studio.

Lunch can be taken at the castle cellars where you will indulge in a delicious meal where you can take a well-deserved break and recharge.

We will also visit two well-known art galleries in the town showcasing the works of exceptionally talented artists. Get inspired by their creations and let their artistry fuel your own artistic journey.

Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Dive into the fascinating world of textures

Enjoy your breakfast by the river before learning how to create amazing textures for sand, rock, buildings, pathways, and more. Get ready to unleash your creativity using tools like clingfilm, table salt, palette knives, oil pastel resist, pen work, natural materials, and even acrylic inks.

You’ll learn all the tricks to bring these surfaces to life and add depth and dimension to your artwork.

 

Accommodation: The river house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

Departure Day

After our final breakfast, we will pack up and say our goodbyes before returning home.

 

What's included

Included

  • Airport transfers to and from Faro Airport (at a specified time)
  • Welcome drinks
  • 7 nights accommodation
  • Daily breakfast and delicious dinners, all lunches except for two days
  • Daily art tuition from day 2-7
  • Mid-week room clean and towel change
  • Bath and swimming pool towels
  • Wifi
Your local host

Cheryl and Graham

Cheryl and Graham look forward to welcoming you to their wonderful riverside home in the Algarve.

Cheryl and Graham look forward to welcoming you to their wonderful riverside home in the Algarve.

Cheryl and Graham image

Location

Stay in an exceptional villa tucked into the bend of a river in Portugal’s Algarve countryside, just 15 minutes from the town of Silves. Lovingly known as ‘the river house’, it will leave you feeling relaxed, inspired and very much at home. With terraces overlooking surrounding countryside, limitless walking trails and a starry night sky, there isn’t a more idyllic place to perfect your artistic skills.

Getting there

Please note that prices for the holidays do not include flights. We recommend using www.skyscanner.net to check flights.

Nearest airport:
Faro – 35 minutes away by car

Pre-booked transfers:

There is a complimentary transfer service from and to Faro airport offered by your hosts. On arrival day the  airport pick-up will be at 3pm for the group, if you wish to take this transfer please choose flights with this pick up time in mind.

Departure to Faro airport on your last day will be after breakfast at 9:30 am. Please ensure your flight departure time is not before 12:30 if you wish to take this transfer.

If you choose flights which will not work with these times we can arrange alternative airport transfers for an extra charge. 

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all painting levels from beginners to advanced
- Minimum age 18 with no upper age limit
- This is a mixed media painting holiday

Do I need art supplies?

- you will need to bring art supplies - we will let you know what to bring once you have booked.

I'm travelling solo - can I join?

- Solo travellers are more than encouraged to join as you will meet others with similar interests in the group
- You will have your own private room

What time is check-in?

Check in is after 2pm and check out is after breakfast on day 8. if you are taking advantage of the complimentary transfer checkin will be around 4:30 pm and check out at around 9am.

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