Painting days: 20th - 24th July
The ideal chance to dive into 5 days of watercolour fun – getting to grips with this wonderful medium while finding and developing your own artistic voice, whatever your current level. It’s also the perfect introduction to painting from life and working outdoors.
Set in the beautiful and extensive grounds of Westcott Barton in Devon, this is the perfect place to immerse yourself in watercolour, switch off from everyday life, and simply enjoy painting in a supportive and inspiring environment.
One of the days we’ll also head out further afield to sketch and paint at carefully chosen spots nearby – with the stunning Devon coastline right on our doorstep!
The week has a gentle structure that steadily builds over the 5 days, equipping you with the foundations of watercolour: tonal values, composition, colour mixing, edges, and how to bring everything together – including how to look at your subject, which can sometimes feel overwhelming, and translate it into a painting.
Along the way you’ll paint from life, photos, and sketches, while exploring different approaches to the medium. A continual thread runs through it all – capturing the light and creating lively, dramatic watercolours.
Tom’s speciality as a tutor is not only in making the principles and techniques of watercolour clear, fun, and exciting – but also in helping you discover your way of painting.
Expect plenty of demonstrations, guided exercises, and one-to-one support throughout the retreat.
Above all, the emphasis is on enjoying the medium. You’ll be encouraged to play, to take risks, and to develop your own practice – in whichever direction feels right for you.
Weather allowing, we’ll be painting outdoors in the grounds as much as possible. But there’s also a welcoming studio space for when you prefer to work indoors, or to balance life painting with photos and sketches. Ultimately, this is your retreat – a chance to learn, recharge, and take your watercolour painting to the next level.
Tom has spent many years travelling up and down the UK teaching and demonstrating. He runs a wide range of his own workshops and courses, and has also led many painting holidays abroad. In that time, he has become a highly regarded and much sought-after tutor.
From complete beginners to more experienced artists, Tom loves helping others discover the joys of painting. He is passionate about supporting people to grow in confidence, develop their skills, and advance their own creative practice.
Tom’s art journey began in an unusual place – creating custom artwork on guitars with graffiti pens. A move towards brushes and more traditional mediums opened up an entirely new world, and he hasn’t looked back since. His work has been featured in publications such as Artists & Illustrators Magazine and is widely collected across the UK and, more recently, internationally.
He has also been a highly commended finalist in the world-renowned Wildlife Artist of the Year competition on several occasions.
Please visit Tom’s website for further information and to see examples of his work.
"Tom's skills are not just in composing and progressing his own work to a high standard, but in encouraging and developing the potential in others. He shows patience, enthusiasm and a natural empathy with aspiring artists that makes his workshops a real joy to attend, with excellent results."
"Thank you for the fabulous workshop you tutored here on Saturday. It really was tremendously enjoyable as well as beneficial in so many ways.
I have already had such positive feedback and mostly asking for a return visit Next year. Thank you for sharing all your secrets with us and mostly for the exceptionally generous individual attention you gave to each member, we were spoilt"
"I have attended several of Tom's painting workshops and have found them to be most enjoyable.
Tom is an enthusiastic and friendly teacher introducing us to new techniques and keen for us to improve our painting style while having fun.
Like my fellow student I leave the class looking forward to the next workshop."
Upon arrival on Sunday afternoon, you’ll be greeted by the team at Westcott. After settling in, there will be a welcome gathering and briefing in the main studio at around 5:45pm, followed by dinner at 6:15pm.
All meals are fully catered, with delicious home-cooked food throughout the week, and a packed lunch provided for our day out.
Four of the five days will be spent painting in the beautiful grounds. We’ll have a fully equipped studio to work in, but – weather permitting – we’ll be outdoors as much as possible. The studio remains open at all times, so you can use it as much or as little as you like. Breakfast is served at 8:30am before a studio start at 9:30am.
Each day will feature both a morning and an afternoon demonstration. Afternoon sessions generally begin around 2pm, but timings are kept flexible and informal so the group can find its own rhythm. Students are free to paint for as long as they wish and take lunch when it suits them. Dinner is then served at 6:30pm each evening.
One of the days – ideally Wednesday (the middle day), depending on the weather – we’ll head out by minibus to local scenic spots such as beaches and harbour towns to sketch and paint. We usually set off around 9:30am and return between 3–4pm, leaving time to relax or continue painting back at the studio if you’d like (though there’s no pressure!).
Tea, coffee, and biscuits are always on hand, with afternoon cake in the studio to keep us fuelled.
The whole format is structured yet informal and friendly – a balance that creates the most enjoyable and productive atmosphere for everyone.
Whilst this is a watercolour week, with all demonstrations in watercolour, Tom is very happy for you to bring along other mediums as well (or even instead of)
Tom has extensive experience teaching and guiding artists across all mediums, and while the technicalities may differ, many of the core concepts and principles are entirely transferable. This could include line and wash, pen, pencil, or even charcoal sketching. Gouache or acrylics also work beautifully, and even oils are very welcome.
In short — any medium is welcome, though the focus of the week, in terms of demonstrations and group tuition, will be on watercolour.
All abilities very much welcome and easily catered for!
Students will need to bring their own painting equipment. Tom is very happy to advise in detail on any aspect – from colour choices to setup – either by email or over the phone.
As a general overview, you’ll need your chosen medium and the equipment you normally use with it.
Many students enjoy using the retreat as an opportunity to fill a sketchbook, while others prefer working on larger sheets of paper – or anywhere in between. Sketchbooks are especially handy for our day out, though bringing a more substantial setup is also absolutely fine.
Stools and small tables, plus foldout easels, and small boards are available to take out on the grounds and stools on the day out. All though many like to bring their own stools too.
If you are travelling form abroad and don’t wish to carry lots of heavy or large equipment (just your actual painting gear), we can sort things for you.
Some people are comfortable working on their laps, particularly with watercolour and sketching. Others may prefer a standing easel, tripod, or pochade box. You might also want to bring a lightweight fold-out stool or chair if you’d like to work seated.
The main thing is to think about the medium(s) you plan to work with, and how you like to paint.
A more detailed materials guide will be sent out about a month before the retreat. In the meantime, Tom is very happy to chat through equipment and materials can be contacted to discuss and advise regarding equipment and materials via: tom@tomshepherdart.com or 07980 611 267.
- 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: £1110 per person.
Single occupancy room or shared room (twin or double), but sharing bathroom facilities: £965 per person (minimum booking for two and both must be participating in retreat).
Non-participating partners sharing a course participant's room are welcome: £750 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.