Painting days: 11th - 13th September
Join Tom for three days of painting in the beautiful and expansive grounds of Westcott Barton—a perfect setting to immerse yourself in art and creativity under the guidance of an experienced tutor.
The middle day will include a trip out sketching, photographing, and painting on location at stunning spots in the surrounding area, including the breathtaking Devon coastline right on our doorstep!
The focus of this retreat is on enjoying your painting and having fun with it while developing your skills, knowledge, and artistic practice. The atmosphere is informal and welcoming, yet structured to ensure plenty of learning and growth. Tom is passionate about sharing his knowledge, with a special knack for helping painters of all abilities and styles to develop and grow.
Over the three days, we’ll explore the foundational principles of watercolour painting—composition, tone, and colour—as well as how to capture light, choose engaging subjects, and bring them to life in exciting and personal ways. Whether you’re just starting out and seeking direction, or you’re a seasoned painter looking for fresh inspiration, this retreat is designed to help you take your work to the next level.
With plenty of one-on-one tuition, Tom will help you identify what you want to achieve with your painting and how to get there. The retreat includes demonstrations to show principles in action, as well as guided painting sessions where Tom will be on hand to assist.
Weather permitting, we’ll spend as much time as possible painting outdoors, taking full advantage of the gorgeous surroundings. However, there’s also a studio base for those who prefer a mix of painting from life and photos. Ultimately, this retreat is your time to use as you wish—flexible, inspiring, and productive!
Tom has spent many years travelling up and down the UK teaching and demonstrating, he runs many of his own workshops and courses, and has led a number of painting holidays abroad. In this time he has become a highly regarded and much sought after tutor.
From beginners to more experienced artists, Tom loves to help others discover the joys of painting and is passionate about supporting them to develop and advance their own creative practices.
Tom started off his art career creating custom artwork on guitars using graffiti pens. Making a move towards a brush and more traditional mediums opened up a whole new world to Tom and he hasn’t looked back since. He has been featured in various publications, including Artists & Illustrators Magazine.
Tom's work has become widely collected in the UK and more recently, internationally. He has also been a highly commended finalist in the World renowned Wildlife Artist of the Year 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 Wednesday afternoon, at around 3pm, you will be greeted by the team at Westcott. After time settling in there will be a gathering and briefing in the main studio at around 6.30pm, followed by dinner at 7pm.
All meals are fully catered for. Including a packed lunch for our day out.
Breakfast is at 8.30am for a studio start at 9.30am.
There will be a morning and afternoon demonstration. Afternoon sessions/demos commence at around 2pm. 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.
On Day 2 we’ll take a minibus trip to local scenic spots — think beaches, harbours, and quaint towns — to sketch and paint. Departure is around 9 am, with a return between 2–3 pm, allowing time for studio work or relaxation. Often we rdo eturn earlier than this if the group is keen to get back and get on at the studio .
Day 3 will be spent in the grounds and in the stuido as per Day 1.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are readily available, along with afternoon cake in the studio.
The whole format is structured, but also informal and friendly. We find it makes for the most enjoyable yet also most productive atmosphere.
- Watercolour and/or acrylics are recommended for ease, but gouache, line and wash, pencil drawings, or even oils are welcome.
- Tom recommends choosing one primary medium for the retreat, but you’re free to explore.
All abilities are welcome, from absolute beginners to seasoned painters.
Students must bring their own materials. Tom is happy to provide advice on equipment and suppliesvia email or phone.
A detailed materials guide will be sent out a month before the retreat, but here’s a brief overview:
- Your chosen medium and related supplies.
- Optional: easel, tripod, or pochade box. Many prefer sketchbooks or lap work, especially forwatercolours.
- A foldout stool or chair if you like to sit while painting.
For questions or advice, Tom can be contacted at tom@tomshepherdart.com or 07980 611 267
This retreat is a unique opportunity to relax, learn, and grow in an inspiring and supportive environment. Whether you’re looking for new techniques, fresh perspectives, or simply time to focus on your painting, you’ll leave feeling motivated, confident, and full of ideas!
- 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: £735 per person.
Single occupancy room or shared room (twin or double), but sharing bathroom facilities: £690 per person (minimum booking for two and both must be participating in retreat).
Non-participating partners sharing a course participant's room are welcome: £425 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.