Join award-winning Artist & Tutor DJ, his wife & complementary therapist Karen, and their daughter and fellow artist Daisy (the boss) for a 5 day inspiring plein-air painting retreat in the stunning landscapes of North Devon.
Painting outdoors ‘en plein air’ is simply the best way to really immerse yourself in a landscape and connect with your subject, and the enchanting Westcott Barton estate will be our inspiration. Here we can explore the rich variety of subjects found within the extensive gardens in bloom, a magical ancient woodland and the historic farm buildings.
Alongside this, we will be taking 2 trips out to the North Devonshire coast to paint the stunning rugged coastline and beautiful beaches (weather permitting).
Painting outdoors in the environment (or from photos during bad weather) Dj will guide you with demonstrations and one- to one support. You will explore a variety of techniques for applying paint using brushes and palette knives. You will study and play with colour, light and textures, allowing for individual creative expression.
This course suits both beginners and those with more experience who wish to explore and expand their painting skills in the spectacular scenery around North Devon. The focus will be on learning how to paint successful ‘plein air’ paintings when possible, and using the amazing ‘Orangery’ studio to finish work as and where needed.
DJ is an experienced and enthusiastic teacher who ensures that all students have plenty of opportunity for personal attention, and beginners receive sensitive instruction in the basics of painting in oils or acrylics. It is always fun, and DJ is energetic and engaging!
Karen will be offering a ‘Calm Start’ to each day helping to prepare us for a day of painting adventures, and complementary therapies will be available to book throughout the course of the retreat.
Daisy will be bringing along her own unique voice and inspirations to our painting adventure.
DJ has been drawing and painting for as long as he can remember, and creating artwork has always been a driving force and passion in his life.
His style has developed through many years of experience working in professional fine art studios and working for international design companies - designing and producing artwork for hotels, restaurants, commercial spaces, public areas and private estates worldwide.
He is now a well established independent freelance artist, and has been teaching art classes and courses, running painting workshops and doing painting demonstrations throughout the UK & Europe for 17 years.
He is a regular contributor to the Leisure Painter magazine, and his artwork has been featured in national & International publications including International Artist magazine, Artist and Illustrator magazine, The Artist Magazine, Paint magazine, Trail Magazine and the Great Outdoors Magazine.
His work has been exhibited in many competitions and galleries throughout the UK including the Mall galleries in London, RWA Bristol and the RBSA in Birmingham.
Please visit DJ’s website for further information and to see examples of his work.
DJ is an inspirational, talented, positive and enigmatic artist and teacher. He has a rare and unwavering ability to arouse enthusiasm, positivity and optimism amongst all his students to enable them to improve, explore and ultimately shine. He has a zest for life and art that is contagious and attracts a loyal and keen following of all abilities. His flexible approach to tuition actually encourages disruption to tradition by encouraging risk taking, rule breaking and boundary pushing. His students are happy to ditch the fear of rigidity and embrace the process of mark making, but within a supportive and feedback orientated environment. He paints along with his classes encouraging all to embrace 'happy accidents' and repair unwanted results. All is done with smiles, encouragement and flair. His classes are overflowing with energy. Priceless!
Helen Gornall - Artist & Director of ‘Chez Helene’ art studios and Plein air painting holidays in Annecy
Upon arrival on Sunday afternoon, at around 3pm, you will be greeted by the team at Westcott. You will spend a relaxed afternoon settling into the accommodation, meeting fellow students and exploring the extensive grounds of Westcott Barton. The evening will finish with a group dinner. All meals are fully catered for, including a packed lunch for days out.
Breakfast will be served at 8.30am. After breakfast the day will begin with a well-being mindfulness session guided by Karen. This will create a clear and calm mindset ready for a day of inspiring painting adventures.
Days 1, 3 and 5 will be spent at Westcott enjoying the beautiful gardens, old buildings and many acres of land.
Days 2 and 4 will involve minibus trips out to local scenic spots (beaches, rugged coastline, etc) to paint. We aim to leave around 9.30am. We generally aim to be back between 2-3pm (this is weather and group dependent), leaving time for students to relax and/or do some more painting back at the studio.
Students are free to paint for as long as they please and take lunch as suits, with dinner then being served at 6.30pm every evening.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are freely available to help yourself to during studio sessions.
A packed lunch will be provided, if appropriate.
Evening dinner is at 6.30pm.
At the end of each day of painting, you can relax and unwind, relieving tension, with one of the treatments available from Karen.
Back, neck and shoulder massage, and Indian head massage will be available to book between 3pm & 6pm each day for an additional price of £25 per 20 minute treatment.
Karen has over 25 years of experience delivering complementary therapies, both with her own practice and within the NHS.
All painting abilities welcome.
Oils and Acrylics on canvas boards, stretched canvas or painting panels.
Artists will, need to bring their own oils or acrylic paints for plein air, landscape and coastal painting. DJ prefers to paint in oils for plein air painting, but will happily teach techniques for both mediums.
Your preferred paints (Oils or Acrylics), approx 5 canvas/appropriate painting surfaces measuring no more than 50 x 40cm.
A range of different canvas sizes and formats would be helpful. Suitable paint brushes and palette knives for your preferred paints, low odour paint thinner for oil painters, sketching tools if desired (pencils, charcoal etc), palette and other studio sundries. Camera/iPad/tablet for taking photographs and to work from reference images.
Artists who have plein-air, French or field easels are encouraged to bring these. For those artists travelling from overseas or via public transport, easels can be provided by prior arrangement. Studio chairs, tables and portable plein air stools will be provided.
A comprehensive list of what else to bring will be sent to you in advance.
Departure is on the Saturday morning, when DJ will discuss the best ways to ensure your work is taken home safely. Students are welcome to depart on the Friday evening if required.
Course spaces are limited to 12 participants to ensure DJ has the ability to provide you with personal advice and support during your time here.
- Tuition, accommodation and meals during your stay, including an evening meal on day of arrival and breakfast on day of departure.
Single occupancy in secure room, with own bathroom facilities: £1140 per person.
Single occupancy room or shared room (twin or double), but sharing bathroom facilities: £1095 per person (minimum booking for two and both must be participating in retreat).
Non-participating partners sharing a course participant's room are welcome: £775 per person (includes meals) . This option is subject to availability.
We welcome non-residential participants on our retreats/courses - please enquire for further details.
The form can either be printed and completed by hand or filled out on your computer (Adobe PDF reader required). If the latter, please make sure you save the PDF once you have added your details and then email this back to us.
RETREAT BOOKING FORM (PDF) - please right click and save to your computer.
If you are travelling to Westcott Barton by car, please refer to our Location page for directions.
We suggest you download what3words and then use Google Maps within the app to provide you with directions to us. Please enter our full address and not just the postcode.
It is possible to pre-book a taxi from Barnstaple station. Please contact either VIP Taxi on 07868 311 773 and speak to Martin, or B-Line Taxis on 01271 322117.
If you are planning to travel by another means of transport please contact us for assistance.