WORLD OF COLOUR: En Plein Air Greece 2025

• Dates: Tues 6th May to Tuesday 13th May (Peloponnese, Greece) 2024
• Location: Ilias in the Mani (closest airport Kalamata)
• Price: £2750.00 per person for 7 days - Double occupancy - single occupancy on application - Includes 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.

Course Information

Suitable for all levels including the less experienced.

Duration: 7 days

Hugo’s en plein course is based at the luxury villa of Ilias, a charming small estate created by his old friends James and Charlotte Heneage, and a place where Hugo has often painted in the past. There are spectacular views of the mountains in one direction and the sea in the other. In May the garden and the landscape will be full of colour. There is swimming both in the pool and the seaside.

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.  Students will be introduced to the way colour works, as they absorb the breathtaking views over the sea. The Mani is one of the most fascinating and dramatic parts of Greece.

Experimenting with the nuts and bolts of painting, this is a perfect course for painters of all levels who wish to further build their awareness and understanding of colour. For after all, colour is like a chord in music: once seen or heard it has the power to affect you emotionally.

We will be looking at the key elements in picture making, including how to create a strong composition and the complex relationships between colour and tonal value. We will also consider the different ways in which a subject can be treated, and how one can express a variety of thoughts, feelings and mood through the medium of paint.

The course is residential only and will include delicious locally sourced fresh organic Mediterranean food and drinks as well as transport and airport pick-up and drop-offs.

The painting guidance part of the day will run daily 10am – 2pm but students are welcome to stay on and paint in the landscape in the afternoons and evenings.

Basic structure of the days:

• Breakfast from 8.30am
• Painting tuition from 10.00 – 2.00 (with coffee break)
• 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.

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.

There will be evening talks from Hugo Grenville on painting, and James Heneage on the Mani and it’s history.

You will be sent a detailed materials list on booking.

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

Non-painting partners welcome. There is much to do in the area.
Single occupancy may be available for a supplement.

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 studio easels and brush cleaning fluid. You will need to bring your paints, brushes, small boards/canvases and a portable easel. Hugo will send a list of essential materials nearer the time. It’s advisable to pack your paints and brushes in your hold luggage.

The prices do not include flights.

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.

To reserve your space email Charlotte Heneage on charlotteheneage@hotmail.co.uk