Paul is an experienced art tutor and demonstrator who enjoys passing on his painting skills to others. Painting in oils or acrylics, Paul specialises in landscape painting, including en plein air and in the studio. Paul has a positive approach to all his students, looking to bring a happy and creative environment wherever he teaches.
Paul regularly demonstrates at Westcott Barton and tutors workshops at art groups around southern England and also runs painting courses from his studio in Wiltshire. Self-taught, his influences range from Edward Seago and Joaquin Sorolla through to Claude Monet.
People who’ve been on Paul’s workshops have said:
I have been going to Paul’s workshops for some time now and they are so helpful. He is very patient and gives great instructions if you want it. I would highly recommend them.’
‘Paul is a very patient excellent teacher who brings the best out of his students. His courses are interesting and worry free.’
‘Having been on many of Paul’s courses his constant enthusiasm and ability to pass on knowledge makes for a very fulfilling experience. He creates a very relaxed and creative atmosphere and his constructive and supportive criticism is always extremely helpful.’
Please visit Paul’s website for further information and to see examples of his work.
Set in the beautiful Devon countryside, the first three days of this course have been designed to allow you to work on techniques to help bring vibrancy and life to your landscape paintings. Through sketching and painting in the grounds of Westcott Barton, on the Devon coast and back in the studio, we’ll look at how decisions about composition, value and colour can enhance your landscape paintings.
Day four will allow you to develop your sketches and en plein air paintings into a larger, studio painting. Paul will work with you to develop your ideas and help bring your painting to life.
After settling in to your accommodation and meeting your fellow artists, Paul will talk to you about the plan for the next 4 days before time to enjoy dinner together and the chance to wander in the grounds to find inspiring places to draw and paint.
Breakfast is served at 8.30 with each painting day starting at 9.30am. Lunch is at 1pm, with a packed lunch provided if we’re heading off to paint on the coast. Enjoy tea and cake to keep you going in the afternoon. The painting day will finish late afternoon, with dinner served at 6.30pm.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are freely available to help yourself to during studio sessions.
Our courses are limited to around 12 participants per retreat to ensure your tutor has the ability to provide you with personal advice and support during your time here.
During the four days of the course Paul will help you develop your landscape painting skills. This will be through a mix of demonstrations and painting studies, with plenty of time for artists to develop their work in the studio or the gardens and farmland at Westcott Barton.
In particular this course will be looking at:
- Establishing a good composition and the importance of sketching to get this right
- Understanding the importance of values (light and dark) in your landscape painting
- Colour mixing – avoiding mud (unless you’re painting mud of course!)
Days 1-3:
The course will principally be based in the studio and grounds of Westcott Barton, however (weather permitting) you’ll also have the opportunity to visit the coast and paint with a day trip to Instow and Appledore included in the itinerary.
Day 4
Spend the day in the studio developing your sketches and paintings from days 1-3 into a larger landscape painting. Day 4 will include a demonstration to illustrate some of the techniques you may find useful in working up your earlier work in the grounds or on the coast into a studio masterpiece!
All painting abilities welcome.
Oil or Acrylic paint.
All your own materials and equipment including an easel you can use outdoors.
A list of suggested materials and equipment will be available after your booking is confirmed.
- 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: £910 per person.
Single occupancy room or shared room (twin or double), but sharing bathroom facilities: £865 per person (minimum booking for two and both must be participating in retreat).
Non-participating partners sharing a course participant's room are welcome: £495 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.