Painting Retreat with Colin Watson
At Ballyscullion Park
Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd March 2025
This course is open to participants of all abilities. The beautiful, secluded landscape
of Ballyscullion Park is an ideal retreat for painters and the relaxed atmosphere of
the course promises to promote the sharing of ideas both during the painting
sessions and over meal times.
Each painting session will begin with a demonstration by Colin in the form of oil
sketches in the landscape followed by practical tuition. In the evenings Colin will
present illustrated talks on painting from observation and on the use of observational
drawings in studio paintings, providing an art historical and theoretical context to
compliment the practical aspects of the course.
The course will run for two days. Weather permitting, all sessions will take place in
the beautiful grounds of Ballyscullion Park.
Ballyscullion Park is a historic estate on the shores of Lough Beg. The house was designed in 1840 by Sir Charles Lanyon in the Italianate style. There are extensive gardens and woodlands, and beautiful views over Lough Beg to Church Island.
The Course
FRIDAY 21st
5.00pm Welcome
7.00pm Talk - Painting from observation
8.00pm Dinner
SATURDAY 22nd
9.30 - 12.30pm Practical painting session
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm - 4.30pm Practical painting session
7.00pm Talk - On the use of observational drawings in studio paintings
8.00pm Dinner
SUNDAY 23rd
9.30 - 12.30pm Practical painting session
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm - 4.30pm Practical painting session
Price:
Full weekend with 2 nights B&B in the Courtyard Cottages, 2 light lunches in the Courtyard and 2 dinners in Ballyscullion House: £380pp. £350 if sharing a room.
One day – Saturday or Sunday, painting sessions and lunch: £100 with no dinner. £130 with dinner.
Tea/ coffee and buns provided morning and afternoon.
To book your place, please contact Rosalind Mulholland info@ballyscullionpark.com 07729856504 / 02879386235
www.ballyscullionpark.com
Ballyscullion Park, 61 Ballyscullion Road, Bellaghy, Co Londonderry BT45 8A
OBSERVING NATURE
Landscape Painting Course at Ashbrooke House, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Friday 12th - Sunday 14th May 2023
This course is open to participants of all abilities. Whilst the focus is on learning, the atmosphere is one of fun and enjoyment - ‘Irish Craic’ - in the idyllic setting of Ashbrooke House and The Tack Room Studio. This relaxed environment promotes the sharing of ideas both during the course and over meal times.
Each painting session will begin with a demonstration by Colin in the form of oil sketches in the landscape followed by practical tuition. In the evenings Colin will present illustrated talks on painting from observation and on the use of observational drawings in studio paintings, providing an art historical and theoretical context to compliment the practical aspects of the course.
The course will run for two days. During this time, we will look at three fundamental pictorial considerations: form, colour and composition. Weather permitting, all sessions will take place in the beautiful grounds of Ashbrooke House.
The Course
FRIDAY
5.00pm Welcome
7.00pm Talk - Painting from observation
8.00pm Dinner
SATURDAY
9.30 - 12.30pm Practical painting session
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm - 4.30pm Practical painting session
7.00pm Talk - On the use of observational drawings in studio paintings
8.00pm Dinner
SUNDAY
9.30 - 12.30pm Practical painting session
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm - 4.30pm Practical painting session
At the beginning of each session, Colin will give a short demonstration by way of introducing the themes and objectives.
ACCOMODATION
Ashbrooke House is the Dower House for the Colebrooke Estate, which has been occupied by the Brooke family for over 200 years. Formerly the home of Viscount and Viscountess Brookeborough, the house has recently been fully restored and refurbished to provide luxurious accommodation. Guests will be provided with their own room unless otherwise requested. We can accommodate a maximum of 16 persons and the bedrooms can be configured in a variety of ways so please make us aware of your requirements. Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis. We also use Colebrooke Cottages to accommodate guests. All options are 5 star and can be viewed at www.colebrookecottages.com
BEDROOMS
2 x master super-king bedrooms with large en-suites with roll top baths and walk-in showers 2 x super-king bedrooms which can be converted to twin beds with en-suite bath and shower 1 x super-king / twin bedroom with disabled access shower room en-suite 3 x super-king / twin bedrooms - these rooms share a separate shower room and bathroom ACCOMODATION BEDROOMS Ashbrooke House is the Dower House for the Colebrooke Estate, which has been occupied by the Brooke family for over 200 years. Formerly the home of Viscount and Viscountess Brookeborough, the house has recently been fully restored and refurbished to provide luxurious accommodation. Guests will be provided with their own room unless otherwise requested. We can accommodate a maximum of 16 persons and the bedrooms can be configured in a variety of ways so please make us aware of your requirements. Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis. We also use Colebrooke Cottages to accommodate guests. All options are 5 star and can be viewed at www.colebrookecottages.com The residential course is fully catered for wit
Plus ones
We welcome ‘plus ones’. Whether your partner / friend is a painter, or not, there is plenty to do in and around Ashbrooke House. With 1,000 acres to play in, the immediate surroundings offer miles of rambling walks, cycle routes and outdoor activities. Further afield, there is much to explore from the historic town of Enniskillen to Lough Erne and the beaches of Donegal. Don’t hesitate to call us for more information. Plus ones are required to pay an additional £350.
Pricing
Single occupancy ensuite .................................... £650
Single occupancy shared bathroom ...................... £598
Shared occupancy .............................................. £530
Non residential ................................................... £290
Residential price includes; Tuition, accommodation, breakfast, lunch and a 2 course dinner with snacks (homemade locally sourced meals, please let us know any dietary requirements), tea and coffee and soft drinks. All other alcoholic beverages will be available and paid for on an honesty box basis. Non residentials can stay for supper at £35pp/night. Please note: We will require payment in full in order to secure a place on the course. The course requires a minimum of 8 participants in order to go ahead, we will reimburse any guests in full if the course is not able to take place due to low attendance. This will be clarified one month prior to the start date. Please take out travel insurance if booking flights
CATERING & DIETARY INFORMATION
The residential course is fully catered for with 3 meals per day including snacks and tea. Those on the non-residential course are provided with lunch, snacks, coffee and tea and have the option to stay for supper for an extra £35 per night. Please inform us of any dietary requirements in advance so we can prepare alternative options.
Equipment
A definitive materials list will be sent out to students after enrolment. Easels, boards, palettes and rags are provided by Ashbrooke House.
Please contact Amanda Brooke for bookings and enquiries about this course:
hello@ashbrookehouse.com +44 (0) 2889 531789 +44 (0) 7790 549281
Ashbrooke House, Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh BT94 4GX, N. Ireland.
