Painting week

WORLD OF COLOUR: EN PLEIN AIR WITH HUGO GRENVILLE. 

FUTURE DATES TO BE CONFIRMED. 

 

Internationally renowned British contemporary artist and colourist, Hugo Grenville will be leading a week’s en plein air painting course in the spectacular landscape of the Mani. The estate of Ilias in the Mani has dramatic views of the Taygetos mountains on one side and the sea on the other and an exquisitely colourful garden created by leading garden designer, Tania Compton which will be in full bloom in May. These surroundings provide the perfect place for painters of all levels, including beginners, who wish to build their awareness and understanding of the use of colour.  

Taking the work of both the Impressionists and Post impressionists as inspiration, Hugo will explore how colour works within the 5 acres of olive terraces, fig, pomegranate, almond, lemon and orange trees which surround the studio at Ilias in the Mani. 

The garden at Ilias in the Mani 

During the course Hugo will look at the key elements in picture making, including how to create a strong composition and the relationship between colour and tonal value, the different ways in which a subject can be treated and how to express thought, feeling and mood through the medium of paint. 

Seascape by Hugo Grenville

 

The basic structure of the days will be: 

-Breakfast from 8.30 am 

-Painting tuition from 10.00 am – 2.00 pm 

-Lunch at 2.15

-Afternoons will be at leisure and can include continuation of painting unguided, swimming in the sea or relaxing by the large infinity pool, guided walking, drop in yoga classes and massages in our yurt (these need to be booked ahead at 60 euros per hour) or just reading on one of our many terraces or in a hammock.

There will be an optional half day guided visit to the ancient site of Messene with writer and historian James Heneage and evening talks from Hugo Grenville on painting and James Heneage on the Mani and its history.

The infinity pool 

The painting and yoga studio

One of five terraces around the house. 

Food 

All the meals will be prepared on site using only local products including our own organic olive oil. Breakfast will include freshly made gluten-free bread, local cheese, yogurt, nuts and seasonal fruit from our garden, local honey and freshly squeezed orange juice. Lunch and dinner will include fresh fish, locally sourced meat including lamb baked in our traditional stone oven and plenty of salads.

There will always be delicious vegan and vegetarian options. Fresh fruit and snacks, herbal tea and coffee will be available all day.  

 

Accommodation 

While the main house and guest house sit on a ridge overlooking the mountains and the sea, the rest of the accommodation is in stone guest houses scattered throughout the five acres of terraces below, where olive, fig, pomegranate, almond, lemon and orange trees give shade and scent to the separate bedrooms, each with ensuite bathroom and its own terrace and breathtaking views over the sea

The stone houses each have a terrace with a view over the sea.

Costs: 

£2750.00 per person for a double occupancy room. A supplement of £500 will be charged for single occupancy. Non-painting partners are welcome. There is much to do in the area which we can help organise. A 30% deposit will be needed at the time of booking and this is non-refundable and cannot be rolled over to another year. The balance will be due 8 weeks before the course. 

These costs include all tuition, local transport, afternoon activities, food and drink and basic art materials, including boards for painting on and studio easels (but not portable easels) but does not include brushes and paints. Hugo will send a full equipment list before the course.  

The prices do not include flights and massages. 

Flights:

Direct flights to Kalamata (35 minutes away from the house) are available with Easy Jet and BA. We will collect you from Kalamata airport. If you decide to fly to Athens you will need to find your own way to us. 

 

HUGO GRENVILLE

Hugo is an internationally acclaimed painter who has had over 20 one-man exhibitions at major galleries in New York, London and Palm Beach. His work was recently included in a retrospective of impressionist painting at the Nassau Museum of Art, exhibited alongside work by Cezanne, Renoir and Degas. Hugo has been teaching for over 25 years and is well known for being inspiring, insightful and encouraging to his students. His sense of humour ensures that all courses are above all fun. 

Still life by Hugo Grenville