Editorial listing | This page has been compiled by the AtelierBound editorial team using publicly available information and is not managed by the retreat host. Pricing, dates, and availability should be confirmed directly with the host before making any plans. Last verified: March 3 2026. If you run this retreat, claim your listing at hosts@atelierbound.com to take full control of your page, add your own photographs, and respond to guest enquiries. ------------ Capturing the moment - composition, value and colour in your landscape paintings with Paul Oakley June 1-4 2026 Set in the beautiful Devon countryside, the first three days of this course have been designed to allow you to work on techniques in oils & acrylics to help bring vibrancy and life to your landscape paintings. Through sketching and painting in the grounds of Westcott Barton, on the Devon coast and back in the studio, we’ll look at how decisions about composition, value and colour can enhance your landscape paintings. Day four will allow you to develop your sketches and en plein air paintings into a larger, studio painting. Paul will work with you to develop your ideas and help bring your painting to life. Itinerary After settling in to your accommodation and meeting your fellow artists, Paul will talk to you about the plan for the next 4 days before time to enjoy dinner together and the chance to wander in the grounds to find inspiring places to draw and paint. Breakfast is served at 8.30 with each painting day starting at 9.30am. Lunch is at 1pm, with a packed lunch provided if we’re heading off to paint on the coast. Enjoy tea and cake to keep you going in the afternoon. The painting day will finish late afternoon, with dinner served at 6.30pm. During the four days of the course Paul will help you develop your landscape painting skills. This will be through a mix of demonstrations and painting studies, with plenty of time for artists to develop their work in the studio or the gardens and farmland at Westcott Barton. In particular this course will be looking at: - Establishing a good composition and the importance of sketching to get this right - Understanding the importance of values (light and dark) in your landscape painting - Colour mixing – avoiding mud (unless you’re painting mud of course!) Days 1-3: The course will principally be based in the studio and grounds of Westcott Barton, however (weather permitting) you’ll also have the opportunity to visit the coast and paint with a day trip to Instow and Appledore included in the itinerary. Day 4 Spend the day in the studio developing your sketches and paintings from days 1-3 into a larger landscape painting. Day 4 will include a demonstration to illustrate some of the techniques you may find useful in working up your earlier work in the grounds or on the coast into a studio masterpiece! Bookings will be taken in GBP, conversion to USD is approximate. Prices are per person, other rates are available for single occupancy or non-participants. We welcome non-residential participants on our retreats​/​courses - please enquire for further details.

Website Link

https://westcottbarton.co.uk/art-retreat-oakley-2026

What's Included

Tuition, accommodation and meals during your stay, including an evening meal on day of arrival and breakfast on day of departure.

What to Bring

All your own materials and equipment including an easel you can use outdoors. A list of suggested materials and equipment will be available after your booking is confirmed.

Leader Bio

Paul is an experienced art tutor and demonstrator who enjoys passing on his painting skills to others. Painting in oils or acrylics, Paul specialises in landscape painting, including en plein air and in the studio. Paul has a positive approach to all his students, looking to bring a happy and creative environment wherever he teaches. Paul regularly demonstrates at Westcott Barton and tutors workshops at art groups around southern England and also runs painting courses from his studio in Wiltshire. Self-taught, his influences range from Edward Seago and Joaquin Sorolla through to Claude Monet. People who’ve been on Paul’s workshops have said: 'I have been going to Paul’s workshops for some time now and they are so helpful. He is very patient and gives great instructions if you want it. I would highly recommend them.’ ‘Paul is a very patient excellent teacher who brings the best out of his students. His courses are interesting and worry free.’ ‘Having been on many of Paul’s courses his constant enthusiasm and ability to pass on knowledge makes for a very fulfilling experience. He creates a very relaxed and creative atmosphere and his constructive and supportive criticism is always extremely helpful.’