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.

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.