*THIS COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED*
Peter is an award-winning, professional artist. Trained at Cardiff School of Art and working in oils, Peter is represented by several galleries across southern England. He is a highly experienced, accomplished and sought after tutor, having taught art workshops, holidays and courses across the UK.
Peter is an elected member of the Buckinghamshire Art Society and the Oxford Art Society. He is an ambassador for Michael Harding Oil Paints and Rosemary & Co brushes, co-presents the podcast Ask an Artist and is a regular contributor to The Artist magazine.
Join award-winning painter and sought after tutor Peter Keegan, for a 5 day plein-air painting retreat where you will explore and paint in the glorious gardens of Westcott Barton when they are in full bloom. Alongside this, you will take a trip out to the stunning North Devonshire coast to capture scenes including the rugged coast and beautiful estuaries.
Suitable for oil, acrylic and gouache painters, Peter will cover a range of painting principles and techniques including;
- Building strong compositions
- Using values to enhance depth and space
- Exploring exciting vibrant colour harmonies
- A looser and more expressive approach to painting
The 5 day workshop will include some painting tools and materials and is suitable for all abilities. A comprehensive list of what else to bring will be sent to you in advance. The workshop will be particularly helpful for artists looking to learn how to paint successful plein air paintings whilst using the studio to finish work as and where needed.
For further information visit:
Upon your arrival on the Sunday afternoon, at around 3pm, you will be greeted by the team at Westcott Barton.
The week will begin with a relaxed afternoon, settling into the accommodation, meeting fellow students and going on a guided tour with Peter around the grounds of Westcott Barton. The evening will finish with a group dinner.
Breakfast will be served daily from 8.30am and students will then gather in the studio at around 9.30am for a morning demonstration.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are freely available to help yourself to during studio breaks.
Lunch is served at 1pm. Afternoons will be dedicated to your own studio painting time, with Peter on hand to guide you.
A packed lunch will be provided, if appropriate.
Evening dinner is at 6.30pm.
Students are welcome to continue working in the studio outside of the designated teaching time.
Departure is on the Saturday morning, when Peter will discuss the best ways to ensure your work is taken home safely. Students are welcome to depart on the Friday evening if required.
Some days will be set aside for sketching/painting outside (weather permitting) although artists are welcome to work in the studio if preferred.
A trip to the North Devon coast will take place during the week (weather permitting) with transport included, for sketching, painting and photography.
Course spaces are limited to 12 participants to ensure Peter has the ability to provide you with personal advice and support during your time here.
All painting abilities (even complete beginners) are warmly welcome.
Oils, Acrylics or Gouache on canvas.
Peter is a brand ambassador for Michael Harding paints and is able to include the use of oil paints for participants wishing to use this paint as part of the course. Artists are welcome to bring their own oils, acrylics or gouache paints if preferred which are all suited for plein air, landscape and coastal painting. Peter will demonstrate and teach in all these mediums during the retreat.
Your preferred paints (oils, acrylics or gouache), approx 4 or 5 canvas/appropriate painting grounds measuring no more than 50 x 40cm. A range of different canvas sizes and formats would be helpful. Suitable paint brushes for your prefered paints, low odour paint thinner for oil painters, sketchpad and preferred sketching tools (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
Tuition, 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: £1045 per person.
Single occupancy room or shared room (twin or double), but sharing bathroom facilities: £1000 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: £480 per person (includes meals) . This option is subject to availability.
We welcome non-residential participants on our retreats/courses - please enquire for further details.
*THIS COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED*
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.