Catherine is proud to work with art centres throughout the English and Welsh countryside to provide quality painting retreats in breathtaking locations including the Brecon Beacons, the Cornish coast, Marlborough, the Blackdown Hills and Constable country. Catherine also collaborates with Alpha Holidays who have a long track record providing art inspiration at home and abroad. Or why not combine a Bristol city break with her day courses in the centre of Bristol at the Royal West of England Academy Drawing School – a nip into an exhibition is included with your booking – or with her two day Bath retreats detailed on the workshop page?
NEXT WORKSHOP AT WHITE HORSE BOOKSHOP, MARLBOROUGH:
THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 SPARKLING LIGHT ON THE SEA
I love returning to this ancient timber building in the middle of Marlborough High Street to teach. Book their courses direct through the website: White Horse Bookshop
NEXT ON AT CHAPEL COTTAGE STUDIOS, ABERGAVENNY, WALES
SATURDAY 2 MAY 2026 – Rustic ruins in line and wash
A bright studio tucked away in the Brecon Beacons with stunning views straight out over the mountains.
Book direct through their website: Chapel Cottage Studios
18-25 SEPTEMBER 2027 WATERMILL AT POSARA, TUSCANY:
Painters have recommended this stunning art holiday destination to me a couple of times and I am now down to teach in the cluster of buildings set in the Tuscan countryside. From when you touch down at Pisa Airport you are looked after with transfer, food, accommodation all included (except for one lunch out) so you really do not need to think of anything. Run by Brits with experience hosting artists. Two painters have handed in deposits already for the course to lock it in at 2026 prices (offer lasts until 1 September 2026).
Find out more and pay your £250 deposit via the venue here: Watermill at Posara
NEXT ON AT CORNWALL SCHOOL OF ART, TRURO:
TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2026: ATMOSPHERIC LANDSCAPES WET-IN-WET TECHNIQUES FOR BEGINNERS
WEDNESDAY 1 JULY 2026: LINE & WASH IN THE GARDEN
NEW! THURSDAY 19 – FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER: WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE! A TWO DAY EXPLORATION OF BODIES OF WATER FOR INTERMEDIATE PAINTERS
Book direct through their website: Cornwall School of Art
NEXT AT ROYAL WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMY, BRISTOL:
THURSDAY 2 APRIL 2026 Still life in watercolours
Such a creative environment and you get a free pass into their current exhibitions! Book direct through their website: RWA Drawing School.
Other subjects to look out for that I teach during the year are figures from life and urban waterways in watercolours.
NEXT ON AT BLACKDOWNS ARTISTS RETREAT, SOMERSET/DEVON BORDER
FRIDAY 22 – SUNDAY 24 MAY 2026 MEADOW LIGHT
FRIDAY 11 – SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2026 MEADOW LIGHT
This is a gorgeous venue set in a farm building in rolling countryside with lovely food too! Our retreat will help you to light up your watercolours using the area around the retreat as your subject. At the heart of the session is my loose “gravity painting” watercolour technique, which enables freer painting styles and brighter colours. Learn to contrast loose washes with the deep tones of solid tube paint, sharp ink line and white paper, all to create a dramatic woodland landscapes with atmosphere.
Contact Blackdowns Artists Retreat direct to book.
NEXT WITH ALPHA PAINTING HOLIDAYS:
21-25 JUNE 2026 PAINTING THE SOUTH COTSWOLDS
Relax and sketch Bradford on Avon canal and Tithe Barn plus honey coloured Cotswold villages near my studio. Improve your line and wash skills, develop a deeper connection with your subject and develop looser painting techniques. Suitable for beginners and intermediate painters.
Book direct through their website Alpha painting Holidays.
12-16 SEPTEMBER 2027 ALPHA HOLIDAY TO THE LAKE DISTRICT – Details coming soon.
Book direct through their website Alpha painting Holidays.
NEW COURSES AT EAST DEVON ART ACADEMY, SIDMOUTH, DEVON:
22 JULY 2026 SOLD OUT.
Second date organised for THURSDAY 23 JULY– Introduction to gravity painting using tree reflections
8-9 OCTOBER 2026 – A RARE TWO DAY PORTRAITS COURSE: Breathing life into watercolour portraits – including close-up portrait studies using classic portraits and source photos of friends/family before working from life and a seated study.
ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL, BATH :
Combine a stay at the Royal Crescent Hotel with a relaxing watercolour workshop with Catherine in their inspiring gardens. Other painting venues can be arranged. Just ask Catherine.
CAPTURING SPANISH LIGHT 10-16 MAY 2026 IS NOW FULLY BOOKED:
In Spring I am excited to team up with Casa de los Cuadros in the mountains of Andalusia. Surrounded by the stunning white washed village of Villaluenga del Rosario and the natural park of Sierra de Grazalema, there will be no shortage of painting subjects. We will sketch courtyards in our own tranquil casa, bourganvillea strewn steps and capture flower meadows and ancient olive trees. Before travelling to Ronda to sketch its deep gorge and ancient bridge. All are welcome including non-painting partners. Spaces are limited to eight painters.
Email Catherine to sign up for future holiday news
Customers’ comments:
“I was so pleased to have experienced Catherine’s art class and …truly amazed at her extraordinary talent which blew me away not to mention what a gorgeous person she is. I won’t give up my day job yet to become a painter but it was really interesting to see what on earth I would create when given the time just to paint.”
“Catherine, the art teaching was fabulous and I’d love to try one of your courses”
“I am enjoying getting to grips with watercolours and to tapping into my own creativity. See below for the picture I produced at Brecon (Mentoring Plus Corporate Wellbeing Weekend) which I have framed as I love the colours so much!”
“Thanks again for your fantastic and innovative intro to watercolours.”
