with Trevor Osborne

with Trevor Osborne
Our France 2016 painting holiday is designed for you to have a great holiday with as
much time spent sketching, drawing or painting as you wish. But the priority is on
enjoyment, both while painting and also socially.
The painting holiday is in the picturesque village of Castelnau Riviere Basse, near the
historic towns of Pau and Lourdes and the breathtaking Pyrenees in the South West of
France, most famous for it’s historic vineyards and exceptional scenery.
The course is suitable for all levels of ability and although structured, is flexible to meet
the needs of participants. However, to ensure you get the best out of the course we will
ask you to complete a short questionnaire beforehand to tell us about your previous
painting experience and what you are aiming to get from it.
Course Content
The group numbers will be between 10-14 and tuition will be both group and individually.
Topics will include:
•
Choosing your subject
•
Composition
•
Perspective and proportion
•
Handling light and shade
•
Understanding Colour
You will be encouraged to keep a sketchbook throughout the week so that you can record
your experiences and challenges, providing you with a valuable resource for further
inspiration when you return home.
The course programme will contain the following:
• A welcome dinner on the first evening giving everyone the opportunity to meet each
other and Trevor will talk about what is planned for the week ahead.
• Each day will start at 9.30am (breakfast is from 8.30am) with tuition and guidance for
the day ahead.
• Tour and paint the mountains and lakes in the local landscape, as well as the towns
and villages in the surrounding area.
• A balance of en plein air and studio time.
• Lunch will be at 12.30 either at the Gite complex or a picnic on location.
• We will start painting again from 2pm until 4pm when we will catch up back at the
Gite complex in the spacious new studio to share experiences.
• A fantastic gourmet dinner and wine will be served each evening from 7.30pm (for one
evening dinner will be at a local restaurant).
• Each evening we will plan an event to amuse and entertain!
• An optional ½ day visit to a local Spa to relax and revitalize (cost approx. 18 Euros)
• There will also be the opportunity to visit local markets and shops.
• On the last day of the course we will hold an exhibition of the work and have a farewell
meal.
Your Tutor – Trevor Osborne
Trevor has painted “compulsively”, as he puts it, from a very young age. At the age of 16
he won the National English School Portrait Competition and was admitted one year
early to the North Staffordshire Polytechnic, where he studied graphic design. He later
obtained degrees in theology and education and followed a post-graduate course in
Figure drawing, whilst simultaneously lecturing in Art History.
He continued to paint and exhibit widely in several solo and group exhibitions first with
the North Staffordshire Artists and later with the Cheshire Artists. Then after moving to
the Isle of Wight he regularly exhibited in the Quay Arts Centre, Seaview Gallery,
Lymington and the Bartley Drey Gallery, Chelsea
Since 2011 Trevor has been working as a professional artist, exhibiting in numerous
group exhibitions. He has had solo exhibitions in the Ferini Art Gallery in Lowestoft and
Buckingham Gallery in Southwold. In 2014 he won the prestigious Prix des pastels
Girault at the Salon du Pastel en Bretagne and his work has been sold all over the world
including Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Australia
and USA. He tutors regularly in Pastel, Watercolour, Pen & Ink and Oil at The Art
Trading Company in Suffolk and gives demonstrations and tuition to art groups in
Suffolk & Norfolk. Trevor is also a tutor demonstrator for the Society for All Artists
(SAA).
During the holiday Trevor will be with the group at all times conducting demonstrations,
providing guidance and appraising work.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in three modern and comfortable gîtes that retain many period
features, such as exposed timbers and stonework. We request that you do not smoke in
the Gites.
Equipment and Materials
All materials and equipment will be provided within the cost of the holiday, however if
you have particular favourite brushes or media please bring them along. If you’re in any
doubt then please check with us first. Additional materials (such as specialist pastel and
water colour papers, acrylic boards, canvas boards etc) will be available to purchase
during your stay if needed. In the studio we provide the following equipment; Easels,
boards, tables, chairs, and cleaning equipment.
Special dietary requirements
We will make every endeavour to meet any special dietary requirements.
Insurances
All guests are advised to take out travel insurance covering personal loss, damage or
injury and for any activities that you decide to participate in during your stay. We will not
be liable for any loss damage or injury. If you have a health condition that may affect your
ability to take part in the holiday, please consult your doctor. It is your responsibility to
be adequately fit bearing in mind that some terrain may not be level. A first aid supply
will be taken on outdoor excursions but the leader and tutor are not medically qualified
and any treatment will only be given with your consent. Be sure to carry any specific
personal medication. It is advisable to bring your European Insurance Health Card
(EHIC) available from Post Offices or online: www.dh.gov.uk to entitle you to medical
care as a citizen of the EU.
Transporting work back to the UK
We are happy to transport your completed work back to the UK for your collection from
our shop. Alternatively we can arrange for the work to be shipped to you (from the UK) at
your expense.
Prices
All prices include:
•
•
•
•
Full board Accommodation - Breakfast, Light Lunch and Evening meal, (with the
exception of one evening meal, which will be at a local restaurant),
Drinks (coffee, tea, soft drinks, pre dinner drinks and wine with dinner)
Tuition
Art materials and use of equipment.
Room prices vary according to whether participants have single occupancy, share or have
an en suite room. Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis. There is a 10%
reduction for non-painting partners, who are welcome to accompany us to the
painting locations. The price does not include air or train fares. You will need to
organise your own flights/transport to us but we can arrange pickups from
airports/stations by prior arrangement for an additional charge. The closest airport is
Lourdes/Tarbes about 40 minutes away and the nearest train station is Tarbes. If you
choose to drive we will be happy to provide directions.
All prices are per person and in £ sterling.
Holiday One: Sunday 11th to Saturday 17th September
Holiday Two: Sunday 18th to Saturday 24th September
Rooms
PA1 – 1 double – shared
shower & wc
PA2 – Twin-bedded – shared
shower & wc
PE1 small gite – 1 double –
shared shower & wc
PE2 small gite – Twin-bedded
– shared shower & wc
PE3 big gite – 1 double – en
suite
PE4 big gite – 1 double –
shared shower & wc
PE5 big gite – Twin-bedded –
shared shower & wc
Single Occupancy
£865
Sharing
£690
£865
£690
£865
£690
£865
£690
£950
£750
£865
£690
£865
£690
* Non-painting partners receive a 10% discount on the above prices *
Booking Terms and Conditions: There is a 25% deposit required at the time of
booking (non refundable unless your place can be filled in the event you cancel or the
course is cancelled by us)
Cancellation Charges: Notice must be given in writing, if you wish to cancel. Charges
will apply as follows: 120 – 60 days prior to start of course – 50% of total cost / 59 - 45
days – 75% of total cost / 44-0 days – 100% of total cost.
Booking your Place!
We advise that in the first instance you contact us to check availability and to reserve your
place. We will then forward a booking form to you to complete and return with the
relevant payment.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01986 897939