5 Great Tips for a Trouble Free Painting Holiday
1. Check out the venue, get maps of the area.
Your first decision is where do you want to go. Do you want somewhere in your own country or overseas.
If your own country is it in a rural or town setting, or the coast and easily accessible for you to get there by public transport, will the owners meet you at the train or bus station. If by car are there clear instructions on how to find them and do they offer plenty of parking space.
If you have chosen a holiday overseas then how far is it from the nearest airport, and will they meet you. If not can you hire a car or is there good public transport. Get maps of the area and check out the local weather conditions for the time of year you are going for instance in South Africa June is their winter time. Check this website will give you weather information you can expect.
Is your passport valid for both the outward and homeward journey. Do you require a visa for the country of you are visiting. A useful website to check this is can be found here.
In the UK you can apply for a passport and renew your passport at most Post Offices. The following link will give you details of cost and time involved. Please allow plenty of time so as not to be worrying whether your passport will arrive before you want to depart on holiday.
2. Accommodation
Very important that you check accommodation being offered such as is there wheelchair access if applicable, twin, double and single rooms and are there any additional costs for a single occupancy. Is there a lounge for relaxing in the evening. Are they accredited.
If the accommodation is a local B&B, Guest House or hotel you will need to check the following as well. Is it a short walk from the artist’s studio if further is transport provided.
Do they offer full board or just bed and breakfast. Are there local restaurants near by. If you have special dietary needs check that they are able to cater for your them.
If you are happy with what’s on offer make a provisional booking – ask how long they will hold this for you.
Before you book your travel arrangements first check that there is a place on the course for you and that it meets your requirements. See point 3.
3. Does the course meet your requirements
So what does the course actually offer. Is it a watercolour course, oil, acrylic or mixed media.
Is it for beginners, improvers, advanced or all abilities. If Beginners is there a tutor available to help. If mixed ability what help is available.
Is it a structured course? What are the aims and objectives of the course offered and an itinerary of what you will do each day and what you going to achieve? A finished painting to say exhibition standard.
Or is it going to be a more relaxed experience. You set out what you want to do and achieve during your stay.
Do they provide and equipment? What equipment do you need to take. This is important as you will need to take this into consideration with luggage restrictions on certain airlines.
How many people will be on the course.
Are there any free days or visits planned to local galleries, exhibitions, studios.
Can non painting Partners attend ? What is there for them to do while you are painting.
4. Tutor’s credentials
What are the qualifications and the experience of the tutors on the course. Can you view their work, what is their specific genre. Have they exhibited their work, are they professionals or experienced amateurs. Visit their web sites, are there any testimonials.
5. Cost of the course, travel.
Having gone through all the above you now need to know the cost of your course and what is included. What happens in the unlikely even that you need to cancel – what are their cancellation charges. It is usual to pay a deposit and the balance before you start the course.
Although the above is a checklist to help you, the benefits of learning on a specially designated painting holiday are endless. The aim of any painting holiday is about having fun and meeting new people while learning and developing your skills as an artist.
I wish you a lovely fun filled perfect painting holiday where you learn at your pace and come home with wonderful memories and ready to sign up for the next one. Please let me know how you get on.
