England offers the painter a wonderful array of stunning landscapes, and there is no better place to explore this diversity than the county of Dorset on the South Coast. With a focus on the Isle of Purbeck, and the Jurassic Coast (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) you will have the opportunity to sketch and paint both the countryside and coastal scenes that have been a constant inspiration for my work over many years. As a small group of eight, with plenty of scope for individual tuition, we will work in watercolour to paint these iconic scenes, on location and in the studio, involving a range of skills that will help us to improve our capabilities as landscape painters, and increase our confidence in handling the watercolour medium.

Based in the picturesque, historic village of Corfe Castle, we will be surrounded by inspirational subjects that are all within close proximity:

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• Corfe Castle itself, with the village’s charming cottages and heritage steam railway;

• Studland Bay and its beautiful, sandy beaches, dunes, and views of Old Harry Rocks

• The rocks and ledges at the naturally rugged Kimmeridge Bay

• Peaceful views across Poole Harbour from the tranquil heathland of the Arne peninsula

• The Swanage downs, with sweeping views across the bay.

• Coastal splendour at Chapman’s Pool, Winspit and Lulworth Cove

• Beautiful pastoral scenes including the Purbeck Hills

During the week we will visit some of these locations to sketch and paint, with the ability to also work in the studio whenever necessary. The emphasis for this retreat is to relax in the beautiful English countryside and experience the enjoyment of landscape painting. As such, the retreat will not follow a technical lesson-by-lesson structure, but as we paint I will be teaching and demonstrating the following ideas and techniques throughout the week:

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• The importance of drawing skills in watercolour painting

• ‘Landscape Looking’ – understanding what we see, finding inspiration and simplifying our subjects

• The use of Colour, Contrast and Composition to give our work visual impact

• Understanding the impact of light and how to capture this in watercolour

• Using our sketchbooks to enable a smooth transition from inspiration to finished painting

• Managing edges and planning wash sequences

• Colour mixing to create subtle changes in hue

Please be aware that access to some locations will require a short walk, although this will not be too challenging. On registering your interest, we will send you an equipment list for what we recommend for this, and the course in general.