Hi Reader, Due to a cancellation, a room has just opened up on my Italy retreat ... 18–25 September at Hotel Leone, Montelparo, Le Marche. A week of plein air watercolour in a genuinely beautiful corner of Italy. We'll be staying in a boutique palazzo, enjoying late summer light, exploring medieval villages and everything is taken care of. If you've been thinking about it - or if this is the first you're hearing of it - the full details are on my website. Your non-painting partner is welcome...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, The seasons are turning — spring is arriving for many, and for others the light is shifting into that beautiful golden autumn softness. Whichever way it's going for you, it's a good moment to slow down, notice the colours and paint. I'm heading from spring into autumn myself shortly — off to South Africa to visit places I know and love, with plenty of family time and my sketchbook the first thing packed into my bag. South African inspired postcards Before I go, I wrote something...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I'm writing this from my studio, still buzzing from last week's Morocco retreat. The laughter around the dinner table, the riot of colour in the souks, the snow capped mountains in the desert, the heaps of sketches we all made capturing our memories - it was everything I'd hoped for and more. My first retreat of the year, and what a way to start! In this email I'm opening bookings for my 2027 calendar. Four incredible locations, each with its own magic. Marrakech, MoroccoFebruary...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Today I'm excited to invite you on a brand new watercolour journey - Adventures in Colour. Some of my favourite lessons are here, forming a gentle journey through colour, landscapes, buildings, light and atmosphere. It's fun and relaxing, full of colour and vibrancy. Just how watercolour should be! The journey: Adventures in Colour has four structured pathways - each one a mini-course focused on a specific world of watercolour. Each pathway contains 6 deep-dive lessons that build...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Well, my Morocco retreat is sold out, but I still have the last 3 rooms available for my other two painting adventures this year. FRANCE — Perigord, Dordogne & Lot We'll be hosted by Perigord Retreats - think golden-stone villages, riverside scenes, markets and castles. This 10-day retreat gives us 8 full days of painting with a lovely balance of plein air sketching and studio work. We'll sketch on location and have time to develop our work into full paintings. This will be my 5th...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Have you made a resolution to paint more? I've got something to help you follow through. For this weekend only, I've unlocked one of my favourite Patreon tutorials for everyone. We paint this gorgeous scene together: a sunlit ruin against a stormy sky. It's a full, one-hour lesson breaking down one of my absolute favorite paintings — I've got this one framed and hanging in my dining room. The tutorial is real-time, step-by-step, with lots of explanation, plus you get a reference...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I'd like to zoom in on Morrocco! For a week in March 2026, Katel and Harrison from Perigord Retreats are making possible a painting holiday in Marrakech. I love working with them and this week will be nothing short of magic. Whether you come with paints in hand or just a curious heart, this week is about more than sketching — it’s about experiences you’ll carry home long after the trip. Small groups mean I’ll be there to support your creative journey every step of the way, and with...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Is the change of seasons motivating you to make creative plans? Yes! Then here's a juicy newsletter full of inspiration. Painting Holidays LAST CHANCE! ITALY 2025 18 - 25 October I'm packing my bags already, but I thought to let you know we have one room left! MORE DETAILS NEW! MOROCCO 2026 7 - 14 March I’m teaming up once again with Katel & Harrison from Perigord Retreats — but this time we’re trading French villages for Moroccan spice! Think vibrant souks, exciting bazaars,...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I'm just back from France, or should I say Cloud Nine! How do you sum up ten unforgettable days of painting, exploring, and connecting in just one blog post? You can’t — so I didn’t! I’ve written two posts you might enjoy: A day-by-day peek at what we got up to And some thoughts on why painting holidays feel so special France 2026 is filling up fast! We have just 4 rooms left at Perigord Retreats for next year. Click the button below if you'd like more details. MORE DETAILS Italy...
10 months ago • 1 min read