Here are a couple of quotes from people who were on the course as well as 3 paintings by Francoise Menestrey. I think she has captured the charm and beauty of Olhao and has done a fantastic job with her paintings, they really are fantastic.

First of all, Antonia is an excellent tutor. Besides being an extremely nice person she is patient, articulate , firm and and very professional. I think we all learned a lot from her tuition. The house and the studio and all the lovely shady places to paint, and the swimming pool were wonderful
((Jean Harvey)

We had a lovely holiday in Olhao, in very nice company, with lots of fun, in your beautiful School House. I learned quite a few painting tips and techniques about oil painting and composition with Antonia Williams and I finished 3 paintings and am on my way to finish the fourth one (Francoise Menestrey )

Alberto Ramirez Capmany was born in Mexico City in 1930. In 1957 he met Mimi Fogt, a French painter who was living in Mexico at the time.
Alberto and Mimi went to live in New York in 1958 where they formed a close friendship with Marcel Duchamp.
Coming to Portugal on a holiday in 1967 they decided to make the country their permanent home from 1968, living in the Sierra of Sintra, Colares (A Reliquia), Cascais and finally in the Algarve.
Capmany is both a sculptor and painter, and this exhibition focuses mainly on his paintings of the landscapes of Portugal and Mexico. His work captures the feel of the Portuguese countryside, and his personal perception brings out the nuances of colour and detail observed from the hills surrounding him. While the paintings portray the great vistas seen around, there is also a subtlety and magical quality.
The paintings below can be seen at the Art Bar in Olhao, which is open Monday to Saturday from 4 pm. ART BAR, AVENIDA 5 DE OUTUBRO, OLHAO (PARK BETWEEN THE MARKET AND THE FERRY) For details of prices see the attachments in this email.

Previous exhibitions of his work include:-
1971 Galeria Catavento, Albufeira
1972 Galeria Quadrante in Lisbon
1973/5 Exhibitions in their home “A Reliquia”
1978 Elaine Benson Gallery Inc. Bridgehampton, New York.
1979 Junta de Turismo da Costa do Sol in Estoril

From 1980 – 2008 examples of his work have been on show at the
Galeria S. Mamede in Lisbon
2009 Casa Latino Americana in Lisbon

In Portugal since 1967, he now lives in Fonte da Murta, Corotelo near S. Bras de Alportel.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY ONE OF THESE PAINTINGS, PLEASE CONTACT ALBERTO CAPMANY ON 917815385, OR SEND AN EMAIL CARE OF catharineoneill@gmail.com

You can see more of her work at karen Mccann’s website where you purchase her work.

If you would like to join a course with us then please check our dates and prices page for availability. We have space on the July courses and September courses. You can pick a course in oil, watercolour, mixed or mosaic. All prices include accommodation, the course, half a bottle of wine at dinner and a mid week excursion.

I had a wonderful time at the art school… Bettina and Menke were absolutely fantastic teachers… Good clear explanations, helpful and attentive to all, and offering plenty of encouragement…. The class members soon became friends…. Food and accomodations were great, the housekeeping staff courteous and cheerful as they saw to our needs, and David was a wonderful host…The only thing lacking at the school was internet access…. In today’s world it is a necessary evil..
Reserve my room for next year!!!!!!
Anne Mills-Norrie

Bettine, our instructor par excellente, was brilliant, kind and sympathetic. She also knew her stuff. Meinke was an added treat (as was Jacques but for different reasons). I completed 7 watercolours – which impressed even me. I loved going out to paint on location as well. The week seemed well thought out and we were occupied and productive the entire time. I enjoyed the relaxed environment, friendly camaraderie at meals and in the studio, Dozey the dog’s visits to Lee working alongside the artists and even the midnight visit of a certain Siamese pussy cat who came downstairs to sit on the leather sofa during my last night. Somebody didn’t close the upstairs doors tightly…a point to be reiterated to each group. The girls who worked in the house, Vera and Joanne, were so nice, helpful and friendly that we felt very comfortable in the kitchen and dining area. The week was enlivened by the Headmaster’s visits and meeting and getting acquainted with local residents Debbie, Tim and Galena. This stepping outside the perimeter of the art group gave an added dimension to the visit to Olhao. I had a really great time and enjoyed the experience immensely. I would recommend to friends having similar artistic bent.
Miss you all but am happy to be returned safely to home. Thanks very much.
Millicent Broderick

http://www.sharingtravelexperiences.com/finding-your-creativity-in-travel/

For the Sketch you will need: sketch pad and a couple of pencils, we recommend 2B and 3B pencils.

If possible try and take a photograph of the scene as well as sketching it, that way when you come to painting in the studio you can refer to both. Use a soft pencil (3B) to cover shaded areas quickly.

Don’t be afraid to take your sketch pad out and record what you can see. You will find that some sketches are a piece of artwork in their own right. Sketches are a great reference source to complete work at home or in the studio

If turning your sketch into a watercolour then we would recommend watercolour paper, brushes and a selection of colours. Top tip – use plenty of water when mixing watercolour washes

If turning your sketch into an oil version then we recommend canvas, brushes and oil paints in a selection of colours.
Top tip – use both thick and thing paint when oil painting

Each course that we run at Art In The Algarve students get ample opportunity to sketch outside and then transform their sketches into paintings in our large studios
we also hold an exhibition at the end of each course to showcase the work that students have done throughout the week.
For a list of dates and prices or courses please see our website

Essential items for Plein Air include portable easels, a portable chair, a bottle or container of water for cleaning brushes, paints and brushes and of course plenty of sun protection.

Olhao is the perfect place for some plein air painting, the weather is warm, the sun is out, the light is fantastic and above all there is plenty of things to paint. The beautiful old church, the marina, the array of fishing boats, the cobbled streets or the markets all offer the painter a perfect opportunity to capture something that they might not see at home.

For a range of our dates and price and teachers please click through, alternatively contact us to discuss further.

If you have never picked up a paint brush and the idea somewhat intimidates you then you are not alone. Below are some tips and frequently asked questions which might help you make the leap from an idea or inspiration into a beautiful painting. Of course we have several courses for complete beginners, all you need to decide is what time of year you would like to go on holiday!

The first common question that often comes up is: What kind of paint should I use? Well, the answer is not simple. The most common types of paints and courses that we run are watercolour, oil, acrylic and a mixture of mediums. So which one is right for you depends a little on your personality and a lot on your taste. If you like things to be done quickly then a fast drying paint like acrylic would probably suit you more. If you like the look of mixing your paints with water to get the desired affect then watercolour is more suited to you. Take a look at our teachers page and you can see some of the work that they have created, this will help you in making your decision as to which medium suits you.

So you have made your decision on what medium you want to paint in, next comes the daunting task of picking your paints. What brand is the best brand to use? Well there are several brands to choose from, and all of them range in budget. Obviously you need to go with a brand that is suited to your budgetary needs and therefore my advice would be to go to a good shop and ask for some help. I think that it is important to get a good quality paint as you do not want to compromise with the colour. It is best to try a few different brands and see which suits you best. Look for consistency, smell and how much pigment is in the paint.
There is a very good shop in Olhao which sells majority of brands at a reasonable price.

Now you have picked your brands it is time to look at What colours should I get? When painting in acrylics, watercolours, or oils and you want to mix the colours together then look at getting at least two reds, two yellows, and a white. Ideally you need two of each primary colours one warm (reds, oranges, yellows,) and one cool (blues greens and purples) With all these colours you will gain a large range of different colours when mixing them. If you are unsure about mixing colours, test some first to see what works, or alternatively you can learn about colour theory. If you don’t want to mix all your colours then it is advised that you also get an earthy brown colour (sienna or burnt umber) a golden earth brown and a green.

Now comes the decision of how many brushes should I buy? Much like a writer who sticks to the same fountain pen, or someone who picks up pencils, biro’s and pens to scrawl down their thoughts, the number of brushes is entirely up to you. If you are painting with oils then you can have a different brush for each colour as the paint won’t dry very quickly. Many people prefer to just use one brush and clean it regularly. It is best to try this out when you are on a course, and your teacher will help you  make the right decision.

I hope that you find this info useful, please take a look at our dates & prices page and our Art Courses page which gives you an example of different courses running along with a sample itinerary to look at.

We are also offering the opportunity for painters to bring their non painting partner for a reduced rate of €450 (this offer can not be used with any other offer)

We are also abolishing our single supplement, so if you are coming on your own or coming with a friend or partner the cost of our painting holidays is €650.

We hope that you all have a fantastic Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2010.

please check our dates & prices page for details on all our courses.

The Art Bar

There is a great tradition of artists from northern countries living and working in southern Europe. Attracted by the warmth and beauty of the landscape, the quality of the light, and the ability to work outdoors, they spend time in countries such as Portugal and decide to live and paint in places like Olhao. Inspired by the different architecture and life and character of the welcoming people, they bring their own creativity with them.

There are now a number of artists in the Olhao area, and along with the recently opened art school which attracts new tutors to the area Olhao is thriving in it’s art and culture.

An exhibition is being held in “The Art Bar” which is situated on the main sea front in the town. It is celebrating the work of some of the artists who work in Olhao. Artists include:

Art Exhibition in Olhao

Mitsuko Hidaka
Jeremy Dunleavy
Karin Brouwer
Jutine Albronda
Tony Rothon
Meinke Flesseman
Isabelle Saintrequier
Dieterik Vermuelen
Antonia Williams
Edwin Hagendoorn
Sarah Nutley
Piers de Laszlo

The exhibition is running from the 12th December – January 5th

Do come and visit Olhao and take a look for yourself the wonderful subjects and variety of things to paint. Many artists are inspired by what they see in this charming little town. Also check out our dates & prices page for a list of next years art courses.