The holiday combines art tuition with local activities. In the mornings our tutor will conduct a 2 hour art session and in the afternoon you can relax or explore the local heritage or take part in one of the activities available.

The courses are held in Olhão, Portugal, and in Sos, Gascony, France.

Portugal – Ohão is a short drive from Faro and is the Algarve’s biggest fishing port, with an active waterfront and pretty, bustling lanes in its old quarters. It is full of character with Moorish-style white terraced houses, an influence from past commercial links with Africa. There is a permanent morning fish and vegetable market on the waterfront – and on Saturday the local farmers bring their fresh and varied produce and set up harbourside market stalls.

Dating back to pre-Roman times is a typical French Village on a hilltop in Gascony surrounded by forest and sunflower fields. It is roughly half way between Bordeaux and Toulouse. Wine from the area is distilled into the famous Armagnac brandy. A few minutes from the village, the spacious former railway station sits in a valley and was bought and refurbished during 1993/4 to a high standard to provide comfortably furnished holiday accommodation.

Starting with charcoal and pencils, by the end of the week everyone will have produced a full work of art – a representation of their chosen subject – to take back home.

This is based in historic local buildings of interest, double/twin or single rooms based on preference. The ‘Art Studio’ is set up on site in one of the large light rooms, giving continuous access.

All meals are locally sourced and freshly prepared by us with emphasis on local flavours and ingredients, especially fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs.

These are organised in advance, are subject to availability and can include:

• Yoga
• Language tuition
• Water sports
• Cycling & Walking tours
• Wine tasting