*THIS RETREAT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED*
Sarah Holliday is a Fellow of the Royal Watercolour Society, based in London next door to Tate Modern. She has always painted in watercolour and gouache, finding it to be the most versatile, fascinating and thoroughly frustrating medium.
She has exhibited widely, especially in London, having been represented by the Curwen Gallery. She has also travelled with her paints, the most exciting journey being as Expedition Artist in Borneo with Raleigh International.
She has taught for many years, preferring the method of teaching through individual guidance and questioning, rather than demonstrating a more proscriptive set of techniques.
Sarah’s current work is quite abstract, but she has explored so many aspects of the world around us over the years.
Please visit Sarah’s website for further information and to view her gallery pages.
This will be an opportunity to use all the richness and diversity of nature in and around Westcott Barton to find inspiration. Sarah will encourage students to investigate the possibilities with a slightly different approach each day, each time developing their ideas beyond the obvious and enriching their own personal painted voice. This might range from looking at large-scale skies, the intimate growth patterns of leaves or the ripples and reflections in water.
Sarah will spend her time giving one-to-one guidance for each student using their own choice of media. This way of working means that each person achieves very individual development throughout the retreat. Students will come with a wide range of experience and skills, leading to a fascinating and mutually inspiring diversity of work and ideas.
Upon arrival on Monday afternoon, students will be greeted by the team at Westcott Barton.
The retreat will begin in a relaxed way, settling into the accommodation, meeting fellow students, and exploring the grounds. The group is limited to 12 students to ensure that everyone has a full opportunity to get the most out of the week.
Breakfast will be served at 8:30am and students will then gather in the studio at around 9:30am. Each morning, Sarah will begin with an in-depth discussion of the day’s challenge, illustrating the ideas with images from a wide range of artists.
Students are then free to work all day in whatever location they choose (with a break for lunch!) and Sarah will move round and support each person through the day.
The day will end with a group critique session back in the studio at about 4:30pm. This then gives people a chance to relax before dinner, which will be served at 7pm.
Anyone who still has the energy can carry on working in the studio whenever they choose
Tea and coffee are freely available to help yourself to in the studio.
There will be a couple of days spent ‘out-and-about’, where we will be taken by minibus to two locations on the coast to explore a different aspect of ‘The Wonder of Nature’.
Departure is after breakfast on Sunday morning.
- Any media welcomed.
- Sarah will send out a list of suggested other items to bring nearer the time.
- All abilities welcome.
- Accommodation and meals during your stay, including an evening meal on day of arrival and breakfast on day of departure.
Please click here to view a sample menu (PDF opens in new tab).
Single occupancy in secure room, with own bathroom facilities: £990 per person.
Single occupancy room or shared room (twin or double), but sharing bathroom facilities: £940 per person (minimum booking for two and both must be participating in the retreat).
Non-participating partners sharing a course participant's room are welcome: £590 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.
Please refer to our Location page for directions, if coming by car.
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.
If you are planning to travel by another means of transport please contact us for assistance.