Painting and Drawing holidays in Spain

Conquistador Palace Holiday - painting and drawing

"I have learned that what I have not drawn I have not really seen, and that when I start drawing an ordinary thing - I realise how extraordinary it is" from The Zen of Seeing

7 nights/8 days ~ £980 per person, no single supplement

EXTREMADURA with its fine historic towns offers an enticing slice of unspoiled Spain. It is known for its wildlife and birds come from all over Europe and Africa to breed. The intense clear sunshine and evocative birdsong mark the changing seasons. Exhuberant wild flowers with the sound of cuckoos and hoopoes in the spring and early summer. Changing colours lead to the harvesting of figs and grapes in late summer and the departure of the bee eaters and golden orioles.

TRUJILLO ~ the walled town of Trujillo (2.5 hours SW of Madrid) is perched on a hill overlooking a vast plain. It is one of the best kept secrets of Spain and dates back to 600BC. Once home to the most powerful Conquistadors, its architecture combines Moorish (with a splendid castle), Roman and the beautiful mansions and monuments built by the wealthy families of the Conquistadors in the sixteenth century.

This art holiday is suitable for all levels of experience. We spend time sketching and painting in and around the town of Trujillo, as well as working in the palacio studio with fine views of the Plaza Mayor.

We also visit and sketch in the historic towns of Merida and Caceres ~ which along with Trujillo form the Cultural Triangle of Extremadura.

Possible subjects to work from are : the magnificent Plaza Mayor, an almost theatrical space surrounded by historic buildings, cafes and the bustle of people - you can either sketch and paint in the Plaza itself, or from the studio and adjoining loggia overlooking the Plaza. The grand and intimate architecture and churches of the town; the views from the town walls of olive groves and plain below. The atmospheric lanes lined with secret gardens - jasmine, cypruses and orange trees glimpsed over walls; or the beautiful interiors and gardens of Palacio de Piedras Albas itself.

Noelle will teach individually according to the level of experience - teaching basic observational skills for novices or beginners, whilst helping to improve existing skills and developing subject matter and direction for the more experienced. You can choose whether to paint in Trujillo directly from observation, or use your sketches as a starting point for making paintings in the studio that are an imaginative response to the subject.

Tuition for all levels will include:

How to find interesting compositions alongside simplification of subject.

Handling of materials alongside markmaking, colour and tone.

How to develop your sketches away from the subject. Creative exercises will help free the imagination and encourage a different way of looking at your subject, as well as being fun!

The ART COURSE is joined by a friend, Pippa Sharman, and her CREATIVE COOKERY COURSE students. This will create not only an enjoyable mix of guests, but means we will be lucky enough to enjoy the dishes they create, as well as meals prepared by Pippa herself. The emphasis for the food is Iberic, with the Conquistadors' discoveries from South America, alongside a Moorish influence. A fusion of ingredients and tastes that reflect the history of Trujillo itself, with its Moorish castle and fine houses and palaces built by the returning Conquistadors in the sixteenth century.

What could be better than food and art in the same beautiful place? Although we are running separate courses we share trips and will all meet for meals to share impressions and enjoy food and wine in a most convivial atmosphere.

Pippa Sharman (who studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute, London) will give us a guided cultural tour of Trujillo on our first day, as well as tours of Merida and Caceres.

VENUE ~ Palacio de Piedras Albas is one of the finest of the mansions built by the Conquistadors returning from South America in the Sixteenth Century. Situated on the magnificent Plaza Mayor, the large stone balcony offers unrivalled views over the square as you enjoy your evening meal.

Palacio de Piedras Albas is furnished in the classic local style. The impressive front door opens into a top-lit stone-flagged patio and staircase leading to a formal dining room and living rooms. The walled gardens behind offer peace and seclusion, with a swimming pool and a large shaded dining area for al fresco lunches.

ACCOMMODATION: 6 bedrooms. Two master bedrooms (ensuite bathroom with WC, basin, bath and shower). Two twin bedrooms (share a bathroom with WC, basin, bath and shower). Two twin bedrooms (share a bathroom with WC, basin, bath and shower). All rooms suitable for single or shared occupancy. Each of the bedrooms has its own character and style. At the time of booking you can choose your room from photographs and descriptions.

YOUR COURSE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: ACCOMMODATION and BREAKFASTS at Palacio de Piedras Albas for 7 nights. 6 days PAINTING and DRAWING TUITION with Noelle Griffiths: 4 days in Trujillo, 1 day sketching Merida and 1 day sketching in Caceres. DINNER every evening and four LUNCHES at Palacio de Piedras Albas. 2 days of TRIPS to MERIDA and CACERES ~ food, beverages and entrance fees whilst on trips not included.

The following daily programme of 6 days drawing and painting tuition.

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL AT PALACIO DE PIEDRAS ALBAS : Time to get to know your surroundings, meet the other guests and relax after your journey. Welcome drinks on the stone balcony overlooking the Plaza Mayor. DINNER prepared by Pippa Sharman.

DAY 2 : PAINTING AND DRAWING : Breakfast. 10.00-14.00 - After an introduction to the course we start sketching, painting and drawing in the Plaza Mayor with Noelle. Lunch is a healthy light salad with local cheeses or jamon, fresh bread and maybe a juice, smoothie or spritzer. Time to relax, a siesta, a walk, a swim or paint in the studio. 17.00-18.00 A guided walk with Pippa showing us the highlights of Trujillo. 20.30 - drinks. Dinner with a Moroccan influence cooked by Pippa and students at 21.00'ish.

DAY 3 : PAINTING AND DRAWING : Breakfast. 10.00-14.00 - tutored session in and around Trujillo. Lunch. Time to relax or in the studio. 17.00-18.00 - review of day's work or group workshop. 20.30 - drinks. Dinner with a New World influence prepared by Pippa and students at 21.00'ish.

DAY 4 : CULTURAL TOUR OF MERIDA WITH SKETCHING : Breakfast. 10.00-14.00 - cultural tour of this amazing Roman city with Pippa and sketching with Noelle. Merida has the largest collection of Roman ruins oustide of Rome and a superb Museum of Roman Art. We will also visit the traditional covered market. Lunch - in a traditional bodega. Time to relax or in the studio. 17.00-18.00 - review of day's work or group workshop. 20.30 - drinks. Dinner prepared by Pippa at 21.00'ish.

DAY 5 : PAINTING AND DRAWING : Breakfast. 10.00-14.00 - tutored session in and around Trujillo. Lunch. Time to relax or in the studio. 17.00-18.00 - review of day's work or group workshop. 20.30 - drinks. DINNER with typical dishes from Extremadura prepared by Pippa and students at 21.00'ish.

DAY 6 : CULTURAL TOUR OF CACERES WITH SKETCHING : Breakfast. 10.00-14.00 - cultural tour of this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage town with Pippa and sketching with Noelle. We visit the quirky Wolf Vostrell Museum outside of Caceres - an area of huge granite boulders home to a huge stork colony. A guided walk through the medieval town in Caceres, Moorish algibe and contemporary art gallery. LUNCH - in a typical bodega. Time to relax or in the studio. 17.00-18.00 - review of day's work or group workshop. 20.30 - drinks. Dinner prepared by Pippa at 21.00'ish.

DAY 7 : PAINTING AND DRAWING : Breakfast. 10.00-14.00 - tutored session in and around Trujillo. Lunch. Time to relax or in the studio. 17.00-18.00 - review of week's work with tips and advice about developing work after the course. 20.30 - drinks. The art students decorate the table to celebrate the FAREWELL CONQUISTador Feast in the formal dining room prepared by Pippa and students at 21.00'ish.

DAY 8 : FAREWELL AND DEPARTURE after breakfast.

Lunches are served in the gardens by the pool. Pre-dinner drinks are served on the stone loggia balcony overlooking the Plaza Mayor. Dinners are served on the balcony or in the formal dining room. All dinners are served with local wine.

For more information about the dishes prepared by Pippa and her students see www.cooking-extremadura.blogspot.com.

PRICE INCLUDES see prices and dates

~ We can meet you at Madrid airport and provide return transfers for an additional £50 pp. Or you can travel independently to Trujillo - please ask for independent travel information when you book.

~ 7 nights accommodation at Palacio de Piedras Albas, Trujillo (no single supplement)

~ All meals (exc lunches in Merida and Caceres)

~ All drawing and painting tuition with Noelle Griffiths. Boards, easels, tables along with a limited supply of cheap paints in a limited palette provided.

~ Transport on trips to Merida and Caceres

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

~ Flights to Madrid or Seville airports. We can meet you at Madrid airport and provide return transfers for an additional £50 pp. Or you can travel independently to Trujillo - please ask for independent travel information when you book.

~ Entrance fees (where applicable)

~ Medical, travel and cancellation insurance

~ Art materials (list of what to bring will be provided). A selection of A1 cartridge and 56x76cm watercolour paper, 40x50cm and 50x60cm canvases are available at cost price.

SINGLE DAY ART TUTORIALS for the independent traveller see prices and dates

ITINERARY : 10.00 - 18.00 ~ join the painting students for the day (lunch included).

Caceres

Merida