Riverside Painting Holiday

Arrival

Settle into the river house and your room 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 center island and a cherry wood dining table. The lovely outdoor terrace is perfect for alfresco dining by the water.

Natural Inspiration

Enjoy a relaxed introduction morning at the property getting to know each other and a chance to discuss your interests. Learn how to use different shapes, textures and form from the nature using various drawing techniques and materials including graphite, charcoal and pen. These tips and tricks will be ideal for those new to painting or a good refresher for the more experienced.

Enjoy an afternoon walk along the Via Algarviana to the church perched on the hill with gorgeous panoramic views.

Accommodation

When colour comes running

This will be a creative day exploring different colour and how it makes us feel, with the opportunity to try out different art materials like watercolour, acrylics, chalk pastel, wax resistance and much more. Create powerful abstract art using inspiration from different sources with vibrant colours and bold imagery.

In the afternoon, there will be massages for those who have booked. In the late afternoon, join Cheryl for a walk along the river to capture the sun setting behind the hills.

Accommodation

A river with a view

This will be a day of two halves as you use the stunning location of the river as inspiration for creating some landscape art. First, you will work together and discuss how to select your view, then compose a painting or drawing while on location. After lunch, continue with the landscapes back at the river house where you can tune the fine details with guidance from your tutor to create your own impressive work of art. Having a camera today will be helpful as the most difficult part of the day will be which view to choose!

The choice of medium is totally up to you but it may be a chance to try something new and see where the inspiration leads you.

Accommodation

Ink and mixed media

Learn all about using ink in various ways to create interesting work, followed by a morning of play and experimentation to discover how versatile this medium can be. Look at the possibilities when other mediums are used, from the application of ink from a pen for sketching, to brush work and the introduction of bleach and other unusual things.

Late afternoon head to the historical town, Silves on an optional trip at an additional cost. This is the one day dinner isn’t provided; you can have your own choice out on the town. Visit one of the best preserved Moorish castles in the area, the magnificent gothic cathedral and an archaeological museum, or sample the traditional Algarvian confectionary at the beautifully decorated tearoom, da Rosa, with Portuguese tiles. Seafood lovers can enjoy Rui’s seafood meals or enjoy your meal with accompanying live music at Café Inglês. Both restaurants are a stones throw from the castle. It’s recommended you wear trainers when exploring the cobbled streets.

The additional cost is the cost of a taxi (€90 round trip for a group of up to 8 people) and evening meal is not included). Please note: this trip is optional but the kitchen at the house will be closed on this evening, however, if a guest prefers not to go, soup and sandwiches will be provided.

Accommodation

Suggestive animals

A tips and tricks session on all things animal to help you master simple shapes into various species followed by the techniques needed to make fur and feather come alive. From the smallest mouse, to the biggest elephant, anything goes!

In the afternoon, there will be massages for those who have booked.

Accommodation

Departure

Enjoy your breakfast by the river before heading home.

Reviews (6)

Jo Ryder

Sunday 20th June, 2021

Just spent a wonderful week on this art retreat. A truly remarkable venue with great food and top hosts. Rooms were beautiful as was the setting, and the art workshops were a great way to spend the day. Thoroughly recommend and look forward to my nex...

Ann Peak

Monday 26th October, 2020

Just spent an amazing week at the River House on their residential course. Very well organised and run with a great art teacher who was patient and encouraging. Excellent accommodation and wonderful food provided by Cheryl and her husband Graham. Gre...

A Rose

Saturday 21st September, 2019

River views, fresh meals, local culture, and art lessons from a friendly skilled professional made for the perfect holiday retreat. The River House is a gem in the Algarve countryside. I spent a week relaxing to the peaceful sound of birds and goat bells, enjoying walks through the surrounding landscape, and lounging poolside after lively morning art sessions. Our host, Cheryl, and teacher, Tracy, were very knowledgeable and lovely to work with. I hope to make it back again someday.

M Gieling

Thursday 19th September, 2019

It was a lovely 5 days of painting and drawing with a fantastic teacher and a beautiful environment. The River House is a special hidden place in the Algarve! I was glad I was able to join the retreat as an Alagarve resident. I definitely recommend i...

R Ali

Saturday 14th September, 2019

This was an amazing holiday! The tuition was excellent - I learnt so much from Tracy and my confidence has increased. I am inspired to try painting more. The riverside house is a lovely villa set in beautiful surroundings. The owner Cheryl was very w...

S Pye

Saturday 15th June, 2019

This was a very different holiday for me and I loved it. A great relaxing location with fantastic views. Cheryl made us welcome and cooked some amazing vegetarian food from local fresh produce. Tracy our art teacher was extremely knowledgeable in a v...

From £877 pp