Our Courses

Our courses have been established to inspire our students by using many techniques: listening, talking, learning, observing, peaceful pondering, action and, of course, our excellent tutors.

Each person will discover and improve their artistic dreams and, through constructive discussion and support, feed their abilities and burst with inspiration.

We don’t just teach you while you are here, we help you build plans for your next steps in creativity, to push your boundaries, and discuss any problems you may encounter in order to help your art flourish.

The peace and quiet of our perfect location encourage deep thought and proper conversation, intense study of your subject while enriching your creativity.

Savour new and wonderful experiences alongside likeminded people on our carefully organised days out, particularly on the exciting cross-cultural study day at the beautiful local art college where you will have the opportunity to observe and learn from local artists.

Our courses are for those from all walks of life and creative ability: from fine artists to makers, designers and people who have not created anything since school, but always wanted to, to come and have a wonderful time while discovering and exploring their creativity, achieving great results to take home and continue with their positive creative journey. Perfect for singles.

The aim is for you to leave our courses with a new love for colour, your own art and, of course, India, and Kerala in particular.

Painting the Tropics

Inspirational ten day residential watercolour painting course in Kerala, India.

Course Date:

Holiday: 2nd - 13th January 2020.
Course: 3rd - 12th January 2020.

Course Tutor, Support & Admin:

Mairead Holohan (Eire)
Professional artist and tutor.

Brett Manley
Inspiration and teaching support.

Lucinda Martin
Administration and support.

Course Information

To also include days out to a temple, backwater private houseboat cruise, extensive local crafts market, cultural exchange with local art college and famous local artist and free time to explore and shop.

Plus complimentary optional extra classes in beachcomber jewellery and mermaid bras with Brett and Lucinda.

Location is a small beach hotel overlooking/on two beaches. Heavenly sunrises and sunsets, dolphin spotting, eagle watching, no roads, beach combing.

Accommodation with full board 2-13 Jan (11 nights)

Should you wish to see more of India, we are offering a further holiday extension from 13th to 20th January, organised by us and our friends at our well established efficient local agents. They are lovely. 2 for Kerala going south and one for Kerala - Tamil Nadu and one for Kerala - Karnataka going north. All of these at three levels of luxury to suit your pocket and interests.We are also organising longer extension holidays if you tell us what you want.

Places are limited. Any questions, please ask.

Including set time airport transfer both ways.

Flights not included.
Nearer the time we will be recommending the best value and routed flights to keep your journeys as smooth as possible. This will help us all with your one pick up and departure arrangements.

Note: Due to access a certain level of fitness is required.

Course Timetable

Each day will build on the previous days work, depending on the experience of the individual student.

We will be painting in the studio and around the hotel, Plein Aire, landscape, seascape and still life. And locations of your choice.

Mairead will cover watercolour techniques such as:

Wet into wet.
Glazing ( layering ).
Pen and wash, wet on dry, dry brush.
Using masking agents, techniques for textures.
Monochrome.
Basic colour theory to create impact.
Composition.
Personal expression.
Developing a deeper understanding of the creative process and it’s challenges.

Day 1.
Introductory session in our studio where Mairead will do a demonstration as an introduction to watercolour techniques and their use in our immediate surroundings. Show how she uses her sketchbook. Beginning with some paint handling exercises. Some preliminary sketching and a little light painting

Day 2.
Using glazes to build a watercolour

Day 3.
Day Out. Backwater Houseboat Cruise. Mairead can advise on capturing scenes.

Day 4.
Looking at colour theory and how it can be applied.

Plus optional complimentary afternoon class with Brett: Beachcomber Jewellery.

Day 5.
Free day. There are two towns nearby with lots to see. We can help you decide what you do or maybe you just want to relax.

Day 6.
Day Out. Visits to Temple. Craft Market. Famous Keralan artist in his studio / gallery.

Day 7.
Looking at shapes and tonal values in wet into wet using complimentary colour.

Plus optional complimentary afternoon class with Lucinda: Beading Mermaid Bras.

Day 8.
Visit to Art Academy and class. Cultural Exchange. Mairead will teach pen and wash in the sketchbook and larger works.

Day 9.
Using the taught techniques and developing your own style. Group sharing of work to date.

Day 10.
Using the taught techniques and developing your own style. We will hold an exhibition of the art work in the studio.

Party thrown for us by the hotel in the evening.

Where suitable Mairead will do demonstrations and teach in our studio in the hotel.

Then you can continue painting in the studio or find your own locations under the coconut trees, on the beach, up the steps amongst the tropical plants, on the rocks looking back at the land, watching the fishing canoes, sunsets, sunrises! Take your pick.

We will keep track of your chosen locations and Mairead will come round to help you, supported by Brett.

On our day out on the backwaters on our houseboat there should be many beautiful and fascinating scenes to record either by camera to capture them quickly or drawing or painting with Maireads help.

This timetable may change due to alterations outside our control or to improve the running order. But all of the contents should remain within the course.

We will always do our best to to ensure you have a lovely time...