Residential, Andalucia
17th - 23rd May 2026
Venue
Casa De los Cuadros, Andalucia, Spain
About the Course
Join me for an unforgettable 6 night drawing retreat in the Spanish mountains of Sierra de Grazalema, Andalucia. This relaxed but structured botanical illustration course located within a natural park will be suitable for all levels and abilities from beginner to those with botanical illustration experience or botany knowledge. We will be working from life studying the local flora and produce to create botanical illustrations.
The Casa de los Cuardros guest house in Villaluenga Del Rosario is the ideal place from which to explore the stunning Sierra de Grazalema & the Sierras of Cádiz. The guest house will provide us with a full board pleasurable stay in modern/rustic comfort. It is within an authentic Spanish mountain village, the smallest and highest in Cadiz. The stay will include four days of expert botanical illustration tuition. With a maximum group size of 8 students the tuition can be tailor made to your individual requirements. There will be a free day to explore at your own pace; you may choose to relax in the guest house and pool or explore nearby authentic towns such as Grazalema, Zahara with its beautiful lake and castle or the famous Ronda, one of the most visited towns in Andalusia. Transfers to and from Malaga Airport are included along with a full board stay including delicious freshly cooked meals.
Outline Timetable
Day 1 - Arrive at Malaga Airport
A transfer from Malaga airport is included in the stay. There will be a home cooked meal provided at the guest house on your first evening.
Day 2 - Introduction to colour pencils and botanical illustration
On the first teaching day of the course you will begin with learning colour pencil techniques. As a drawing exercise we will kick off the morning exploring textures in colour pencil and how to capture them realistically. You will then work up a sketchbook page working from life drawing the local flora with botanical accuracy. The aim of the first day is to understand your chosen subject and to capture the botanical details needed to produce a finished drawing.
Day 3 - Ink, graphite and composition
On day 3 we will cover the techniques needed to draw with ink and graphite. We will then go onto look at composition and layout and how to produce a finished drawing. You will be able to work individually with Vicky at this stage to produce a unique composition of your chosen subject and learn how photographs can support your drawing.
Day 4 - A free day to explore or unwind
Day 5 & 6
On days 5 & 6 you will work on a final piece in your choice of media (in any combination of colour pencil, graphite and ink). You will have the opportunity to take expert advice from Vicky to bring your drawing to life and create a realistic botanically and scientifically accurate illustration.
Day 7
A transfer will be provided to Malaga airport for your return journey.
Prices
Fully residential places from £1395
Non-painting partner sharing a room between £390-£500
Two participants sharing a room: £1100 each
What is Included?
Full board accommodation, air conditioned, with en-suite bathroom
Four days of inspiring art tuition
One day free to draw, explore at your own pace or relax in the guest house
Transfers to and from Malaga airport
Meals for the first night and four painting days
Use of shared art materials
What isn’t included?
Your flight
Holiday/travel insurance
Lunch and dinner on the non-teaching day
Optional trips out
Additional art materials (See materials list on request)
Your hosts Dawn and Steve will welcome you to our beautiful venue, the Casa De Los Cuadros, which is a typical Andalucian guest house, nestled amongst the authentic white painted village buildings of Villaluenga Del Rosario, with stunning views to mountains and a short stroll to interesting sites, just ripe for sketching. The en-suite rooms are air-conditioned and the property also features a tranquil, shaded garden and cooling pool. There are 5 double rooms, with more rooms available at a partner hotel just three minutes walk away, if the course numbers exceed this number.
If you wish to extend your stay after the painting week, please contact Dawn who can arrange this for you.
Your Accommodation
Food and Drink
Buffet Breakfast - Homemade/village bread, eggs, yogurt, fruit, cereal, jam, pate, juice, tea & coffee.
Buffet Lunch - Different salads, tortillas, ham, chorizo, Frittata, cheese… Fruit or fruit salad and/or home made cake/biscuits.
Dinner - Three courses, for example: Soup, or types of shared salad eg. goats cheese, walnut, honey. Main dish such as a local produce casserole with greens. Dessert (home made).
Two nights we will have a BBQ & Paella in the garden, subject to weather.
Dinner will be provided on the night of arrival and working days. Breakfast each morning and lunch on working days.
For dietary requirements please contact Dawn