(and what better place to find inspiration)
This will be my second year of running these Painting Holidays with a twist...
..the idea is pretty simple and a lot of fun, and I can't wait to dive into another one!!
If you have read about
See below for FULL DETAILS
THE DATES:
3 Full Days from Thursday 16th - Saturday 18th July 2026
£335 per person
Please note: this 3-day holiday is a little different from the other three advertised, as it includes three full days and has a slightly different feel — be sure to read on below...
PEMBROKESHIRE(details below)
"I highly recommend Tom’s workshops. He picked beautiful and interesting locations for our plein air experiences. He did easier to more challenging demonstrations to ease us in to painting and was so encouraging, giving each person the help and attention they needed to grow as a watercolourist. I loved this workshop and didn’t want it to end. Tom is such a gem of a teacher, kind and patient."
This holiday is very much in the same spirit as my other painting weeks, but with a little extra emphasis on sketchbook work and exploring on foot.
We’re not talking epic all-day hikes—far from it!
Each morning we’ll meet at a beautiful spot along the Pembrokeshire coastline.
I’ll kick things off with a short sketchbook demo and a few prompts to get ideas flowing.
From there, it’s all about relaxed painting and sketching, with me on hand for one-to-one guidance as and when you’d like it.
Think of it as lightly tutored: plenty of space to enjoy the landscape creatively in your own way, but with support close by.
We’ll either walk directly from car parks or do small loops, with nothing more than about 15–20 minutes of gentle walking at a time before we stop.
Along the way, we’ll pause for quick painting sketches, aiming for one or two “main” spots each morning and afternoon for slightly longer sessions.
The only thing to bear in mind is that we may be away from facilities for a couple of hours at a stretch.
The coastal paths where I will be taking you aren’t technical or difficult, but you’ll need to be comfortable with short walks, occasional inclines, and slightly uneven terrain.
You’ll need to bring a backpack with your painting gear, some water, and a snack or packed lunch if you’d like.
That said, all the chosen spots will be close enough to facilities—cafés, pubs, or shops—so you’ll always have the option to pick something up between the morning and afternoon sessions.
Each session will last around 2.5–3 hours. I’ll head back to the cars at some point and you’re welcome to join me, but equally you can take your time and wander back when it suits you.
In the afternoon, I will set a meeting point and time at a different spot, how you use your time between these meeting times is up to you!
The exact itinerary will shift a little depending on weather and tides, but I’ve got lots of fantastic locations in mind.
I’ll finalise the plan closer to the time. (If you’d like a flavour of what these weeks feel like, have a look at this blog post from a past trip.)
One evening during the week, we’ll have the option of a relaxed sunset sketching session, followed by dinner at a local pub or restaurant. This is completely optional and not included in the price, but partners are very welcome to join too.
I love this format as it’s the perfect informal and fun way to get a group together for some painting and sketching—with just enough structure, plus plenty of guidance and tuition for those who’d like it.
Because this holiday is condensed into three days, it also gives you the option to tag on a longer break before or after in this wonderful part of the world. You’re more than welcome to bring along friends, partners, or family members too, whether or not they’re painting.
You’re completely free to pick and choose which sessions you’d like to attend. There’s no need to join both the morning and afternoon if you’d rather take it slow, or you might decide to stay longer in one spot and skip the next. I’ll provide the itinerary, and you can simply use it in whatever way suits you best.
Pembrokeshire is a big old place, so to reduce the extent of travel everyday I have chosen to focus the attention of this week on Mid (ish) Pembrokeshire - very roughly an area from Nolton Haven to St Davids.
There is plenty of accommodation in this area, with St Davids at its heart offering an excellent choice—not only for convenience but also for its facilities, restaurants, and character.
Just 10 minutes south, Solva is another wonderful option (and we spend a full day painting here mid-week).
Between and around these two spots you’ll also find many smaller villages and hidden gems with great places to stay.
In short: bring whatever you like!
That said, because we’ll be walking a little more than on my other holidays, I’d really recommend keeping things simple and lightweight.
A good-quality sketchbook and your chosen medium, plus the necessary sundries, is ideal.
Some people like to carry a small stool or folding chair for comfort, but it’s by no means essential.
You’re very welcome to bring a full pochade box or painting setup if that’s your preference—just remember that everything you bring, you’ll need to carry.
Since we’ll be moving from spot to spot fairly regularly, having a sketchbook ready to pull out on your lap is often the real winner.
Watercolour works brilliantly in this format: it’s lightweight, quick-drying, and versatile, whether you’re using just a sketchbook with a few materials or a more complete kit.
Line and wash is another great option, and I’ll be demoing in watercolour, sketching, and line and wash throughout the week.
Other mediums like acrylics or gouache also work well as they’re light, portable, and fast-drying. Pastels and pens can make a great addition too.
Oils, however, are generally not practical for this shorter 3-day holiday, but if that’s something you’d like to explore, I’d suggest looking at the 5-day trips instead.
Whatever suits you!
I will touch on some techniques, but most of the tuition will focus on how to choose a subject, how to look like an artist, and how to turn what you see into a painting.
Any specific techniques or approaches can be explored more in one-to-one time.
All I can say here is, you’re coming to coastal Wales in July!
While historically, it is a truly glorious time to visit Pembrokeshire (famous last words), we’ve got to be ready for anything… a heatwave, a ten-year storm, and probably both in the same day!
Joking aside, Pembrokeshire is stunning in all weather—especially through an artist’s eyes—but having a realistic expectation definitely helps. I’ve got a few back-up spots that are a little more sheltered or have some cover if the weather’s against us.
And if it turns really bad, I’ve got access to a couple of rooms and village halls in good locations. They might not all have amazing views, but they’re close enough that we can nip out, snap some photos, and head back in to work.
Worst case scenario? We might end up in the pub sketching each other. (But that really is the last resort!)
You’ll be sorting your own accommodation for the week, but I can absolutely offer a bit of guidance if needed.
There’s a huge range of places to stay in Pembrokeshire to suit all budgets and preferences, so rather than try to recommend specific spots, I’d suggest doing a quick search and having a browse to find something that suits you.
Good areas to consider include St Davids itself, which offers many accommodation options—including a Premier Inn—along with plenty of facilities, shops, and restaurants.
Our full painting day will be in Solva, a beautiful harbour village just 10 minutes south. It has everything you need for a comfortable day out, making it a great place to keep in mind.
Beyond St Davids and Solva, there are plenty of other options both north, south, and slightly inland—each no more than 25 minutes from our painting locations.
I will be booking a pub / restaurant for a mid-week evening meal for those who would like to join (including non-painting partners and family)
I thought about including the dinner in the cost of the week, but with everyone having different tastes (and drinks!), it’s much simpler for everyone to pay for their own on the night—and it helps keep the overall cost down too 🙂
Just to be clear: the price of the week covers my demoing and teaching time only.
Please also budget for accommodation, meals, and parking at the painting spots.
A reasonable fitness and walking ability is required for this one.
If mobility is a ocnisderationf or you, pleaed o chekout the other3 5 day courses where we don;t too far from easy parking and faciliteis (yet there is plenty fo scope to explore further if wanted)
I strongly believe that this should never be a barrier to painting in such a beautiful part of the world. With that in mind, I’m currently working on developing a fully accessible painting week designed specifically with mobility needs in mind.
The planning and logistics involved are a little more complex, so this is taking some time to get right—but I’m hoping to have something in place for 2027. I know that may feel like a long way off, but I want to make sure I can offer something genuinely enjoyable, safe, and workable for everyone involved.
If you’re interested in a future accessible week, or have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—I truly appreciate your patience and interest.
The essence of this holiday is that I’m not acting as a tour guide. Instead, I’ll simply let you know the spot I’ll be at each morning and afternoon, and you’re free to join me for a relaxed, lightly tutored walk-and-sketch session.
While I am first-aid qualified and will always take sensible precautions, I cannot take full responsibility for your actions or for any accidents or injuries that might occur. This is very much a private arrangement, and all attendees take part as individuals responsible for their own safety and choices.
For that reason, everyone will be asked to sign a short disclaimer to acknowledge this. It’s not meant to sound heavy—it’s simply to make clear that by joining the holiday, you accept that you’re participating at your own risk and that neither I, nor anyone associated with me, can be held accountable for accidents or consequences arising from your actions.
In short: this holiday is about enjoying sketching and painting together in a wonderful landscape, but always with each person taking full responsibility for themselves.
