Wow… What a Couple of Weeks!
I absolutely love Pembrokeshire (where I always dreamed of living and now am lucky enough to call home)... and, obviously, I love painting!
But putting the two together—and getting to share this place I love through the eyes of painting—was absolutely magical!
What am I talking about?
In May and June, I ran my first two Painting Pembrokeshire plein air weeks… and they were fantastic! (Well, I certainly had a great time, and I know everyone else did too—scroll down for some lovely testimonials.)
We were blessed with some absolutely stunning weather, and Pembrokeshire really showed off its best side.
(Although, I’ll be honest—I love it in all weathers, it just brings a different feelings)
A huge thank you to Shona for all of the wonderful photos, general supportiveness and for looking after everyone behind the scenes!
(You can connect with Shona, see more of her perspective on beautiful Wales, and contact for any photography requirements on instagram; My Wild Wales)
Painting Together, Outdoors
We met every day to paint in a variety of beautiful locations—from sandy beaches and hidden coves to harbours full of character.
What I love most is that we all sit in front of these same wonderful subjects, and yet… everyone sees something different.
Everyone sees in their own way. It’s endlessly fascinating and genuinely inspiring.
With small groups like these, where everyone is coming together for the love of painting, it creates such a lovely atmosphere.
A perfect mix of focus and fun.
We’re all in it together—because painting outdoors, from life, in public, is a challenge!
The best kind of challenge, yes—and deeply rewarding, of course—but it’s that shared challenge, the highs and lows of our own little creative journeys (mine included), set alongside everyone else’s in the group—with the chats, inspirations, and support from all—that really makes it.
Everyone in the group, and the shared experience we created together, is what truly made these weeks so special.
In many ways, that was my biggest takeaway—Pembrokeshire is the stage… and the painting the focus, but the camaraderie that forms through something like this is at the heart of it all.
What Were the Weeks All About?
The idea was simple: I’d let everyone know where we were meeting each day, and we’d paint together.
I'd describe the weeks as lightly tutored; starting with a short demo—highlighting a concept, prompting a way of seeing, or offering some ideas—and then everyone would dive into their own painting, with guidance from me as needed.
Really, it was just about spending time together in great locations and painting!
Pretty much anything goes. Whilst my demos where in watercolour (in fact, I plan to expand a little into pencil sketching and line and wash next time) - some people brought big watercolour kits or pochade boxes, others had sketchbooks, pencils, pastels, or just a pen, brush and few paints.
The emphasis is on experiencing the environment—observing it, interacting with it in a meaningful way through sketching, drawing, and painting.
And if nothing else, it’s simply a fantastic excuse to sit in one place, be present, and really soak it all in. A welcome chance to pause!
The Joy of Painting from Life
Painting from life is always a challenge.
From choosing a subject, simplifying it, and turning it into a sketch or painting, to dealing with changing light, weather, and passersby—it’s a lot.
But it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Very quickly, I find people let go of the pressure to “perform” or “produce” something finished. (Though getting a good one is always nice!)
Instead, it becomes about being immersed in the moment, soaking up the atmosphere, and just enjoying the process....there’s a lot to be said for taking this approach back inside too (easier said than done; I know more than anyone)
And I mean this wholeheartedly: sketchbook painting, drawing, and working from life like this has become one of my absolute favourite ways to paint.
These weeks—along with a few other recent experiences—have given me a fresh burst of inspiration and genuinely made me fall in love with painting and drawing all over again!
Even more wonderfully, everyone surprised themselves with just how enjoyable and rewarding the experience was.
Where Did We Paint?
Each of the two weeks had nearly identical locations (tide and weather permitting!), and every one of them felt like a dream to paint. Here's a little taste:
Whitesands Beach
As the name suggests, this is a stunner—beautiful white sand, a sea that shifts from moody grey to tranquil turquoise, and fascinating rock formations tucked away in hidden corners.
Walk for just a few minutes onto the coastal path—especially to the north—and you’ll get a completely different perspective.
One of my favourite elements here is the view across the southern headland toward Ramsey Island, and further still, where distant islands drift in and out of view.
It’s easy to see how Welsh mythology conjured stories of mysterious lands and offshore islands like Annwn..
This spot is pure magic—especially when you slow down and really look with an artist’s eye.
Nolton Haven
This place holds a special spot in my heart. It’s a small cliff-flanked cove with tranquil waters (most of the time), and the rugged sea just beyond.
But give it a moment—let yourself attune to it—and magic quietly reveals itself.
Sand martins nest in the banks and swoop around while we paint. Iconic birds like stonechats and Whitethroats flit about; and Fulmars soar effortlessly, their shocking white catching the light against the dark shadowy cliffs.
As the light slowly begins to pour into the Haven, it gradually reveals more and more—illuminating the scene in shifting layers.
The cliffs gently wrap around you, their contours embracing the cove, while tucked-away cottages nestle into the landscape. All the while, the ever-changing light dances along the rocks as the tide rolls in and out.
Sounds a bit over top? Well that’s exactly how it feels ;) A painter’s dream—whether you’re zooming in on a craggy rock detail or taking in the whole sweeping vista.
Porthgain Harbour
A dramatic and very varied spot. The towering remnants of the old brickworks give it a slightly industrial edge. But this historically fascinating construction contrasts beautifully with the natural cliffs, skyline and wild sea beyond.
There is something for everyone here. Inside the harbour, boats bob catching the light, oystercatchers forage, and you might even spot a seal if the fishermen are coming in.
There’s so much here—from detailed studies to grand views.
A quick hop up the coastal paths opens up a whole new world of possibilities, from different harbour perspectives to a real sense of the rocky, dramatic coastline and the wide expanse of sea beyond. Wilderness and subtlety meets the man-made in fascinating ways here.
And if the weather turns, there’s even a brilliant little café where you can paint from inside (with cake!).
(Just to show we did have some slightly colder windier weather for day!!;)
Solva Harbour
A long, sheltered inlet flanked by steep wooded slopes and old lime kilns is one of my all-time favourites (I say that about pretty much every spot ha! But it's all true)
At low tide, boats sit peacefully on the sand while the river gently winds out to sea.
You can walk all the way around, discovering endless compositions—though, there are endless painting opportunities just seconds or a couple of minutes from the car park!
As with many of these spots, The light is the real crack here, the thing that makes it all sing—especially at high tide, when it sparkles across the turquoise water.
Stay near the car park, or drift up the northern edge for a completely different view. The afternoon contre-jour light from that side is perfect painting fodder!
Venture inland and you’ll find woodland streams, characterful buildings, and even more painting spots tucked away.
And for the more adventurous, the coastal path walks—both north and south from here—are among my absolute favourites.
Even a whole day is not quite enough to real feel the magic here, but sitting with sketchbook in hand will get you there pretty quickly!
Honestly, you could spend a whole week here and never run out of inspiration!
St Non’s & Porthclais Harbour
The perfect ending spot/s. (One or both depending on the wind)
St Non’s is a stunning cliff-top chapel just outside St Davids—the UK’s smallest city. This spot also has a small well and is Peaceful, historic, and incredibly paintable. Not juts the chapel itself, but the incredible views from the field nearby.
From there, you can walk the coastal path (just over an hour) or hop in the car to Porthclais Harbour: Pembrokeshire’s own answer to the Greek islands (all though I would say the Greek Islands answer to Pembrokeshire..ha!).
A tucked-away little harbour with startlingly clear turquoise water, gorse-covered cliffs and boats sparkling in the light, bobbing gently on the tide—it’s pretty dreamy, and pretty perfect for painting.
And yes, there’s a small kiosk for tea, coffee, ice cream and snacks—making it the perfect way to end the week. (Though if the weather says otherwise, we just swap the order—every spot’s a winner.)
What’s Next?
These first two weeks were a bit of a trial run (don’t worry—they knew they were guinea pigs, sort of!).
But they were such a success—and I enjoyed teaching in this relaxed, immersive format so much—that I’m already planning more for 2026.
We’ll revisit some of these much-loved spots and branch out to explore new parts of Pembrokeshire with art materials in hand.
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming.
See below also for a note on mobility and access.
Painting Pembrokeshire 2026 Dates
(please note:Info and booking pages for each Holiday are currently being uploaded and will be available in the next coupe of days)
Monday 11th – Friday 15th May
Mid to North Pembrokeshire
Very similar to this year’s weeks, with a few new twists and extras.
Monday 29th June – Friday 3rd July
South Pembrokeshire
A complete shift in character—this week focuses on the beautiful south, below the mighty Cleddau River. Expect everything from gentle woodland and lily ponds to white-sand beaches and the raw, rugged drama of Freshwater West. And yes, Tenby! Popular, yes—but absolutely stunning (especially when you know the secret quiet spots).
Thursday 16th – Saturday 18th July
Sketch & Walk
Same idea, but with a bit more walking involved.
Think coastal paths, tucked-away views, and a slightly more adventurous feel - not all day hikes or abseiling into beaches, simply a little more walking, slightly rougher terrain etc:)
We’ll do morning and afternoon sessions with walking between, as well as stopping along walks to skecth and play(nothing too strenuous!), and an evening sundowner sketch for those who fancy it seems like a great idea too!
This is a bit of an experiment, but I’m certain it’s going to be fun and a fantastic way to experience Pembrokeshire.
Mobility & Access
A quick note for those with limited mobility:
The two 5-day courses are designed with easy access in mind—most days are close to car parks, toilets, and amenities. That said, not every day is perfectly flat, so do feel free to contact me to check suitability for your needs.
Unfortunately these holidays are not suitable for anyone with very limited mobility. However, I’m also working on creating a dedicated painting week that’s fully accessible for wheelchair users and those with more limited mobility...
...because absolutely no one should be excluded from the joy of painting this beautiful coastline—it’s just taking a bit more planning to find the perfect spots and logistics. But watch this space in the coming year or so!
Want to Join Us?
Scroll down for some photos and testimonials—and check out the link below for full details on all the Painting Pembrokeshire 2026 courses, including what to bring, ability levels (spoiler: all are welcome!), access info, and more.
It’s going to be beautiful. Hope to see you there. 🎨
Thank you again to Shona for all of the wonderful photos below.
Instagram; My Wild Wales)
CLICK HERE for feedback from those who came to join the fun...
The beaches were stunning, and peaceful. Tom’s demo’s were fantastic and the process was explained clearly. He was very helpful in encouraging each and every one of our individual styles. I took a lot from the week and felt I had learnt some useful information that I will carry with me next time I paint en Plein Air. Thanks Tom.” -Mari
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