Welcome to Poco Loco Studios

Painting Escapes - Coming soon!

Well hello there! If you are here then you are looking for a very unique holiday experience. The painting escape is designed to combine your desire to learn or develop your watercolour painting skills with exploring one of Spains best kept secrets, the region of Cadiz!

I can't tell you how excited I am that you are considering coming to paint with me in person! There´s just so much I can´t wait to share with you and to give you a personal tour around some of my favourite places in what has become my much loved home county.

What is the Poco Loco Painting Escape?

This activity-based holiday offers you daily guided tours combined with the opportunity to learn, paint and relax of course too!

Would you like to combine learning with exploring? Do you and a friend want to discover stunning new landscapes, traditional villages, breathtaking countryside and beaches, streets packed with history in villages and small cities? How about sampling local tapas, fresh fish, fino and vino? Would you like to join me to indulge in some dedicated painting time in my studio? If the answer ́is yes, then read on!

This painting escape offers you:

  • A unique holiday experience combining the desire to experience the local culture of the Cadiz Region known with dedicated time to paint daily as part of a very small group
  • A guided tour of locations specifically chosen to show the many faces of Cadiz whilst provide you with lots of inspiration for your painting activities
  • The chance to learn or develop the art of watercolour painting in an informal and fun way
  • Tailor-made tuition whether you want step by step instruction as a beginner or just want to enjoy the benefits of painting in the company of other painters if more experienced
  • An opportunity to make new friends, experience living in a small traditional Spanish village and escape from the sometimes demanding routine of everyday life
  • An activity based holiday designed to suit you on your terms - you select the dates (subject to accommodation availability/ minimum 3 nights and 2 people attending)

When it comes to the painting, it's important to get to grips with the basics of the medium first if needed especially for beginners. This is covered as part of the first session in the studio. Once equipped with this knowledge, you will have space and freedom to explore and express your artwork in your own unique style using watercolour.

There's no good or bad in this painting escape - its a 'community over competition' approach.

It doesn't focus on your abilities as a painter or discriminate based on experience. It's a personal journey of growth shared with a small group of supporters and its open to anyone with an interest in painting. It's a one size fits all and overall, tries to take a more relaxed approach to helping you achieve your own personal goals. The intimacy of a very small group helps to enable this. It's not just about the technical instruction, it's all about the therapy of art for your body, mind and soul. The most important thing is to embrace the process and the joy that can be found within it without any judgement, just lots of positive encouragement and support.

Not only will I be with in the studio, I will be you personal tour guide too. Being a local means I have insider knowledge about the best spots to visit, places to eat and things to experience so the time you invest is well spent.

A typical day starts with a relaxing continental breakfast in the hotel. At around 10am, you and your fellow painting explorers will be collected from the hotel and taken to one of the locations for a guided tour. You will spend the morning exploring taking lots of reference photos in the run up to lunch. Lunch is taken in or near the location.

After a nice lazy lunch, it's time to return to the air-conditioned studio near Medina. These sessions will give you the opportunity to reflect on what you have seen and create your location themed representation on paper. Coffee, soft drinks and tea will be available for a little midway break to refresh those creative juices. The painting session will last between 3 and 4 hours every day depending on travel time back to the studio after lunch. The structured day ends around 7pm when you will be taken back to the hotel.

The evening is your own to take a rest on your terrace, read a book, post your pics on social media or explore the beautiful town of Medina. The hotel apartments are equipped with little kitchenettes so you will be able to prepare light snacks at your leisure or venture out to enjoy tapas in a bar on the Plaza perhaps - this time is your own to do what you want to do but be sure to get a good night's sleep before the next day begins!

If you are interested, have more questions or want to start planning your painting escape with me, all you need to do is complete the contact information along with your message below. I will reply as soon as possible.

I can't wait to welcome you!

Request more information

Tell me about you and your group! What are you interested in learning?

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the question to see the answer

What is the minimum number of attendees for an escape to take place?

The minimum number of painting guests required for an escape to take place is 2. The normal maximum is 4 however, it may be possible to increase this up to 8 - please enquire.

What is the price per person for a painting escape?

Prices are calculated based on the dates you would like to attend and also the number of guests attending. Special discounted prices are available through the selected accommodation providers (La Posada Alegria in Medina Sidonia). Prices are provided based on availability of the accommodation although we have other contacts locally if the hotel is already fully occupied. Single supplement discounts for the accommodation are offered to those travelling alone.

What's included in the price?

  • Accommodation - air-conditioned, private outdoor terrace, WIFI (subject to room availability) - single supplements are available
  • Continental breakfast
  • Arrival day dinner
  • **Transfer to and from the airports stated - if multiple candidates, depending on flight times, there will be one pick up point and time on the day of arrival
  • Lunch and soft drinks at excursion location
  • Accompanied tour of each destination and entry fees if appropriate
  • Minimum of 3 hours per day painting and tuition support if required
  • Afternoon refreshments during painting sessions
  • Evening meal on final night - hosted by the artist
  • Transport to each daily destination
  • IVA at 21% (VAT)

What's not included in the price?

  • Flights
  • Basic painting materials (Brushes, paper, paint, sketchbook, pencils) - a list will be provided of what you need to bring to use during the painting sessions (if there is an opportunity to paint outdoors on site, field easels, stools and water containers, painting boards for support will be provided)
  • Evening meals and drinks excluding the arrival night and last evening before departure - supermarkets, shops and the local fresh produce market are within walking distance of the hotel. Your host will provide directions and information - just ask!
  • Spending money for excursions or suncream - make sure you pack plenty of sun protection, a hat and something cool with longer sleeves should it be needed to enter religious buildings or to keep the sun off if painting outdoors

Non-painting guests - are they able to come too?

The escape has been specifically designed for those seeking time to paint however, partners or friends are welcome but would not be able to accompany the painting posse during the excursions or painting sessions due to the room needed in the vehicle. Therefore, a reduced cost can be calculated to include them in the social meals but excluding all painting sessions and excursions. If wishing to travel with a non-painting partner, hiring a car to explore the area is recommended so that they have the freedom to enjoy the region at their leisure too. You could make your own way to the hotel and save on the airport transfer costs.

Which locations feature in the escape?

The destinations selected can vary depending on the time of year and also the weather but generally, all effort is made to try to showcase the many different faces of the region covering the coast, white villages, campo (countryside) and Cadiz City. Cadiz City is guaranteed to feature as part of every escape. Feel free to google the following to see what you could expect:

Coast:

  • El Palmar, Conil de la Frontera
  • Los Caños de Meca and Cabo Trafalgar
  • Barbate/Atlanterra/Zahara de los Atunes
  • La Barrosa, Chiclana de la Frontera
  • Los Bateles, Conil de la Frontera
  • Tarifa/ Las Palomas/ Bolonia (Roman ruins)

White villages:

  • Medina Sidonia - your host village
  • Vejer de la Frontera
  • Arcos de la Frontera
  • Alcala de los Gazules

Campo - all destinations are within the Alcornocales National park:

  • Presa de Barbate (outdoor painting weather permitting)
  • La Breña national park
  • Lugo de Benalup Casas Viejas (outdoor painting - weather permitting)
  • Sierra de Grazalema - Zahara de las Sierras/Grazalema/Ubrique/ El Bosque

City:

  • Cadiz City - old town centre
  • Jerez de la Frontera - bodega visit

What do attendees need to bring with them in addition to personal items when travelling?

  • Painting materials included on the attendees list
  • Sunscreen and sunhat
  • Mobile phone or Ipad/tablet with the ability to take photos for use as reference in the painting sessions
  • An open mind, a hopeful heart and a willing soul!

Are the painting escapes suitable and accessible to all?

Although every effort is made to open the doors to all, unfortunately by the nature of where we are and its rugged, hilly landscape, it´s not possible for all to attend. Anyone who has difficulty walking or negotiating steps would struggle. Many of the locations visited as part of the tour require a lot of walking, much of this is on hills particularly for the small villages. The studio is also located on a slope with steps giving access. If you are in any doubt, please contact me to discuss your personal situation before booking.

Are special diets catered for?

Prior to booking, it's always best to discuss any particular dietary requirements or allergies etc so that these can be catered for during the escape.

Please ensure that you take out your own personal travel insurance before travelling to cover you for accident or injury and your personal effects should anything happen during the holiday. This is not included in the price. Your passport must be carried with you at all times so that you can produce it to identify yourself to authorities when travelling if requested.

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