(and what better place to find inspiration)
This will be my Third 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!!
THE DATES:
3 Full Days from Wednesday 19th - Friday 21st May 2027
£350 per person
ALL Experience Levels very welcome
Please note: this 3-day holiday is a little different from the others advertised, as it includes three full days and has a slightly different feel, be sure to read on 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."
"Tom, you looked after us so well and what fantastic spots! I can see why you love Pembrokeshire so much. What a treat to see it is this way. Having never really painted outside before I was amazed how much fun it was (all though being in a group helped me feel less conpsicious. Thank you so much."
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 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.
Walking times for around 15–30 minutes at a time but always at a slow very achievable pace. It's all very informal, some people may stop to sketch whilst others wander on. We then gather at specific spots to paint together...
...all it all seems to work out by itself, and is so much fun as a group!
The only thing to bear in mind is that we may be away from facilities for a couple of hours at a stretch, although I’ll try to keep us no more than around 30 minutes from them if anyone needs to turn back
The coastal paths aren’t technical or difficult, but you’ll need to be comfortable with walking, occasional inclines and 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 have the option to pick something up between the morning and afternoon sessions.
Each session will last around 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.
We seem to all naturally gravitate back to the same spot at the same time, but there's no pressure to.
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.)
I love this format as it’s the perfect informal and fun way to get a group together for some painting and sketching.
I provide the structure and plenty of guidance and tuition for those who’d like it, so you can use the days in your own way.
Some like to stay as a group others enjoy to wander a little further and explore. It is structured yet informal...and most of all just great fun!!
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 May!
It can be a truly glorious time to visit Pembrokeshire (famous last words) but we’ve got to be ready for anything… a heatwave, a ten-year storm, and probably both in the same day!
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.
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.
Solva, is a beautiful harbour village just 10 minutes south.
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.
On the middle day I will book a group lunchtime meal. This is in no way compulsory but is a good little bonder on teh middle day.
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 day...and nd 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 consideration for you, please do checkout the other 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 2028 or beyond.
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.
