Stay in a wonderfully restored 200 year old olive mill

Relaxed informal classes: watercolours for beginners

Outstanding value - all meals (with wine); painting classes; private swimming pool

Visit to Granada's Alhambra Palace included

No single supplement

Holiday type: Guided painting single centre. (Groups of 6-12 people)
Meals: All meals (including wine) Tuition: Watercolours for Beginners and Improvers.

Duration: 8 days (7 nights) Price: on application.

Where you stay
Your base for the week is the Finca el Cerrillo, a long-time favourite with Headwater walking clients, and an absolute gem of a place to stay. It's just 30 minutes from the coast, but it feels a million miles away!

A beautifully converted olive mill, it offers just ten individually styled air-conditioned en-suite rooms - all south-facing - and tea/coffee making facilities are provided in all. The living areas include a wonderfully atmospheric beamed lounge - cool in the summer and kept cosy on winter nights with blazing log fire - dining room, small library and 'honesty' bar. Outside, the terraced gardens, with 100-year old carob and palm trees surround both sunny and shaded patios. The pool affords stunning views of the valley below and the pretty Moorish village of Archez with its 13th century Moorish tower.

The food here is superb with menus relying on fresh, local produce. On four evenings, you eat at the Finca - either in the dining room or al fresco on hot summer evenings - and on remaining nights we take you to our favourite local restaurants. Wine (1/2 bottle per person) is included throughout the week as are all breakfasts and picnics/tapas lunches.

The painting classes
Well-known artist, Sue Sareeen, is your tutor for the week and her watercolours course is aimed at beginner and improver levels. No previous experience is required and all materials for the classes* will be provided. The style of the week is relaxed, informal and enjoyable. Lessons take place in the mornings - either in the light, air-conditioned studio, or outside in the hotel gardens or in the adjoining olive grove. The afternoons are left free so that you can continue painting at leisure (Sue will usually be on hand for individual help or advice), relax by the pool or take time out for independent exploring: walking, bird-watching, horse riding and trips to the coast can all be arranged and paid for locally. There will be a maximum of 12 people to a class (minimum 6 people) and non-painting partners are most welcome.

* Any additional materials required can be purchased locally at cost.

Sample Days!

Saturday - Arrive at Finca el Cerrillo

We meet you at Malaga airport and take you to Canillas de Albaida (1hr) in time for welcome drinks and dinner.

Sunday - Introduction to Watercolours

This morning's session introduces you to the basic colours, techniques and approaches used in watercolour painting. Sue takes you through a simple exercise based on flowers that allows you to build confidence and basic skills. After lunch on the shady terrace, you can either carry on experimenting, perhaps walking down to the Roman bridge where there's a lovely old mill you can sketch (map and notes provided), or just relax by the pool.

Monday - Landscapes of Andalucia

Today's session focuses on the fundamental techniques used in landscape painting, and the balance between colour and tone. It's then off to Competa: magnificent 16th century church, lively village square and some of the finest sweet wines in Spain - our favourite bodega here produced the dessert wine for the recent Spanish royal wedding!). After a tapas lunch on Petrico's sunny terrace, you can either enjoy a spot of wine tasting or do some sketching in this traditional, typically Andalucian white village.