Learn to paint and draw the way you’ve always dreamed!

A relaxed friendly painting holiday in France where you will have a lovely time painting, drawing and seeing the sights...

Learn skills that are already within you; our experienced friendly artist tutors say that it's all about showing you how to really 'see' with artist's eyes. They'll show you how to build a successful painting while they gently tease out skills that are already in you.

Watch your new-found skills flourish; in just a few idyllic days under the patient guidance of our experienced friendly tutors you'll learn to paint and draw with skill and flair, enhance your painting technique and have a lovely time in great company and peaceful surroundings.

So, come and join us for a wonderful painting holiday in the Dordogne, France.

ERIK MICHEL

A Dutch national, Erik Michel was actually born in Ngoundere, West Africa. As a boy, he traveled extensively with his geologist father living variously in Holland, France and Thailand.

At school, it was found that he had a natural talent for drawing and painting, so his parents sent him to study art in Paris. Around this time, holidays permitting, Erik began traveling, gaining inspiration and a deeper understanding of art in countries as divers as Mexico and Israel, as well as Europe and America. Erik eventually ended up at the prestigious City and Guilds School of Art in London where he continued to develop his passion for painting, gaining his Fine Art Degree.

As the archetypal 'struggling young artist' Erik decided he needed a proper income, and so he trained as a chef. With his wife, Karen, he ticked off one of his life ambitions and became Chef Patron of 'Michels' in Ripley, Surrey. Having achieved several awards and an enviable reputation, he was snapped up for the position of Head Chef at 'La Luna' in Godalming.

However, painting and art run deep in the Michel blood and Erik was desperate to recapture the essence of his love for painting. And so, in 2004, Erik and Karen moved to France where he set up a small studio deep in the heart of the Dordogne countryside. Using this lush local landscape for inspiration, as well as his culinary and traveling adventures, Erik quickly established himself as the pre-eminent artist of the area.

Over the years, Erik has specialised in oil, watercolour, acrylic and even spray paint, and his work sells to private collections and local art galleries alike. Says Erik "My paintings are about colour and shape, sometimes figurative and sometimes more abstract. I like to keep things simple".

Embodying the traditional skills of painting and drawing, Erik's artwork covers such divers subjects as:

* Landscapes
* Still-life
* Portraiture
* Buildings and architecture

He works in:

* Watercolour
* Oils
* Acrylic
* All traditional drawing materials
* Spray paint

Current projects...
Erik is a passionate gardener and enjoys tending his beautiful plot overlooking a wooded valley close to medieval Sarlat.

When not taking classes here, painting for pleasure in his studio, or gardening, Erik, an avid forager, likes to cook local ingredients so abundant in his verdant part of the Dordogne.

Our 5 day / 5 night residential paintinh holidays are all inclusive.

You will be staying in our own centrally-heated en-suite accommodation...
Your painting holiday is based in our magnificent recently converted barn set in the beautiful rolling countryside of the Dordogne, between the ancient honey-coloured market towns of Sarlat and Montignac.

The area is very peaceful, offering a relaxing safe environment in which to spend your holiday.
En-suite bedrooms...
The barn is centrally-heated and you will have your own spacious double en suite bedroom (see prices) with independent access to the sunny courtyard. All bedrooms are on the ground floor and so remain at a comfortable temperature during the hotter months.

Great showers...
The rooms are clean and well-equipped with a high standard of plumbing (modern WC's, sinks and large powerful thermostatically-controlled showers, etc). Each room has its own tea and coffee making facilities.
Privacy and seclusion...
The barn is set well back from the lane that passes us, and is surrounded by extensive lawned and wooded grounds. There is a private and secluded 10m x 5m in-ground pool for your exclusive use.

The lounge...
On the first floor is the superb vaulted lounge with unparalleled views of the surrounding countryside. There is a HiFi, wide-screen television with English Sky satellite channels and comfortable modern furniture for your and the other guests use.

Your painting holiday in France is situated in the Dordogne region of south west France near Sarlat and the pretty market village of St Genies.

We are 200km east of Bordeaux, 50km west of Brive le Gaillarde, 15km north of beautiful medieval Sarlat and 10km south of Montignac (where you can visit the famous Lascaux cave paintings).

The nearest hamlet to us which is recognised by the Michelin road atlas is Brégégère. That's about two km from us.

GPS coordinates: GPS: N45° 01.915 / E 001° 15.295