ANDALUCIAN abstract painting
The light and colour of Southern Spain
This course is now FULL! But if you'd like to register your interest in case a place does become available, then please leave your email below. Alternatively, look at our other painting courses scheduled for 2025.
20-27 MAY 2025
TUTOR: CLAIRE CHANDLER
The course looks at what is meant by abstract, expressive painting, compared to representational painting, and guides participants about how to successfully approach, plan and create more abstract work.
The course considers:
This course will consist of practical demonstrations and individual practice. It is suitable for all abilities and complete beginners.
The course will benefit those interested to explore abstract art, developing and building their painting skills working towards continued independent practice at home.
We will take inspiration from the beautiful setting of Moclin and draw in the surrounding landscape. Some time will be spent working outside, ‘en plein air’, drawing with charcoal and other portable water-based materials. You will complete a number of guided exercises outdoors, these drawings and colour studies will be developed further back in the studio.
We will explore the fundamental approaches to creating abstract paintings. Inspired by visual references, students will develop an understanding of colour, gesture, scale, form, shape and line.
You will create a series of abstract landscape compositions.
You will be encouraged to experiment with various acrylic paint techniques to further your painting practice.
There will be an emphasis on colour mixing, and looking at ways of capturing the beautiful hues, shades, tints and tones we observe in the surrounding area.
You will be learning about the work of contemporary abstract landscape painters to inspire and enrich your own explorations and discoveries.
Participants will:
Loosen up your observational drawing with charcoal experiments.
Observe and respond to the landscape creatively.
Develop the confidence to employ a variety of painting methods and materials
Exploring the fundamental approaches to making abstract art developing an understanding of colour, gesture, scale, form, shape and line.
Recognise greater creative potential in your painting.
Produce a number of experimental abstract landscape paintings in acrylic paint.
You will be encouraged to use a sketchbook to record notes, sketches, colours and ideas during the course.
ABOUT THE TUTOR
CLAIRE CHANDLER
Claire Chandler is a London based abstract painter who explores the connection between nature and a sense of place. She spent much of her childhood living abroad, which later developed into a love of travel and experiencing new places. Claire studied at the University of Northumbria, Newcastle, graduating with a BA(Hons) Fine Art in 1997.
Her paintings start with charcoal drawings made on location, in response to the landscape. Elements from these drawings are then pared back, simplified and worked into with layers of colour emerging as abstract paintings made with energy and emotion. Rather than creating a visual reproduction of a place, she uses energetic brushstrokes and a colour palette that evokes the feeling of calm and tranquility in nature, recalling a memory of the location and her personal response to being there.
Claire has worked professionally as an artist for many years in parallel with her work as a fully qualified art tutor and workshop facilitator. She has taught Drawing & Painting, Experimental Mixed Media and Abstract Painting techniques at Sutton College and currently runs painting courses at West Dean, Chichester.
She is artist-in-residence at the Royal Marsden Hospital working alongside patients and staff to encourage drawing for wellbeing and runs private art classes and workshops from her home studio in Carshalton.
Claire is represented by the TAP Gallery, exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair this autumn and will be at The Other Art Fair in spring 2025.
Claire’s work has been selected for the ING Discerning Eye and the Royal Society of British Artists at the Mall Galleries. She is currently preparing for a group exhibition this October and a solo show at the Jeannie Avent Gallery in London next March.
COSTS
Price per person €1,950 for the 7 nights
A maximum of 5 participating places available on this course.
Partners, friends and family who wish to take part in the course are welcome, on the basis that they will share a twin room. Price is €1,550 per additional person.
Non-participating partners, friends and family are more than welcome, and the price is €1,250 per additional person sharing a double or twin ensuite room.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Full-board accommodation in private ensuite twin bedroom
5 days’ tuition (average 4 hours per day)
A tapas dinner in Granada city
Castle and excursion to local viewpoints
An exhibition of work for the village
Transfers to and from Granada Airport/Bus station
WHAT’S not INCLUDED?
Flights
Alhambra tickets
Transfers to and from Malaga Airport
accomodation
Accommodation is on a full-board basis in a charming rural hotel located in the very historic village of Moclín, about 35 minutes’ drive from Granada city and airport. Guests will have private twin ensuite bedrooms (you will never be asked to share a room), all of which are spacious and very traditionally Andalucian in style. All classes will be held in the large studios in the hotel, and there will be plenty of opportunity to get out and explore the glorious surrounding countryside. The property, which is exclusively ours for the week, is arranged around a central open courtyard, has a roof terrace and is right on the edge of the village with panoramic views over the surrounding landscape.
TRANSPORT INFO
FLIGHTS
The nearest airport is Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport (GRX).
Vueling (part of IAG) flies direct routes from London Gatwick Airport to Granada.
British Airways, Jet2, EasyJet and Ryanair are just a few of the airlines that offer regular direct flights from the UK to Málaga.
A list of airlines operating at Málaga Airport (AGP) can be seen on the airport website.
BUS
The bus service in Spain is very efficient and highly recommended. There are many buses direct from Malaga airport to Granada and we will collect you from there. Book through the ALSA website
CAR
If you would like to make your own way to Moclín, we can provide directions and there is lots of free parking at the venue
For more information please contact us