Watercolour
Painting
Holiday In Kerala
Inspiration of
India, Kovalam
9 – 23 October 2005
“To absorb, feel and just indulge in looking at a beautiful landscape is a joy in itself. To be able to capture a part of the experience and preserve it for ever in a painting is pure magic and for me a celebration of being alive.”
Susan Beaulah, Kerala, India
Enjoy two weeks of creativity, good company and tropical splendour on our watercolour painting holiday in Kerala, South India.
This holiday is suited to all, whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist wanting time and space to develop your work with expert guidance and in like-minded company.
The Landscape
The holiday is based in the friendly sea-side village of Kovalam, with its lighthouse and two lovely bays. Every morning fishermen in their decorative, bright clothes, launch ancient looking wooden fishing boats into the sea. Set back in the coconut groves are glimpses of traditional village life. Be inspired by the exotic colour, beauty and variety of subject here. The lush, rich Kerala scenery is simply wonderful for outdoor painting.
Studio
Your holiday is based in the Kailasam Centre, an oasis of calm set amongst lush vegetation away from any roads, reached only by a small footpath through coconut groves. Our beautiful, large, covered roof top is set out as studio space. It is big enough to accommodate those who may wish to work alone as well as group activities.
The painting holiday
Your tutor, Susan Beaulah – known to everyone
as ‘Beaulah’ – has
spent many years travelling to far-off places for inspiration, and has
become an expert in overcoming the difficulties that can occur when sketching
and painting in exotic cultures.
When you arrive, we will ease you gently into India and your holiday with a series of inter-related painting sessions. Each morning will start with a demonstration relevant to the morning’s planned painting session.
Activities will include: using a sketch book, expressive brush strokes, controlled watercolour washes, wet-on-wet, design and composition, drawing the human figure, proportion and scale, and colour and space in the landscape.
We aim to help you realise your own individual creativity, within a stimulating and supportive group atmosphere. Share your successes and learn from others. Each evening Beaulah will be available for one-to-one tuition, and during the fortnight, we will schedule in several group discussions. You are encouraged to paint in your own way, be it bold abstraction or detailed work from observation.
Free time
Afternoons and two days in the middle of your holiday are free for you to do your own thing - either to continue with your painting, or to relax and enjoy the delights of Indian seaside life, or take trips out such as to the famous Kerala Backwaters.
Your Tutor – Susan Beaulah
Beaulah has worked as a full-time, professional landscape painter for the last 16 years, and has exhibited widely with solo and mixed shows throughout the UK, India and the USA. Her work appears in hotels, domestic homes and public buildings, including the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.
She has wide experience of teaching both young people and adults as a former Head of Art in a London Comprehensive School, a special tutor for adult education, and for painting holidays in Europe.
Beaulah’s love of painting, of Kerala and of teaching is inspiring, and her enthusiasm infectious. She has been visiting Kerala since 2002 and has fallen in love with the people and the landscape. She has her own studio in Kovalam, near to Kailasam.
A native of East Yorkshire, Beaulah has a practical and down-to-earth approach. She believes in learning through doing – and imparts this in her teaching.
Cost
The two-week painting holiday is £595 for a single room, £445 for sharing with one other. Non-painting partners sharing your room £300. There is plenty to occupy non-painting partners in and around Kovalam.
If you would like to arrive a few days early, B&B is available at £14 per night per person.
There is a 5% discount for returning Kailasam guests.
What to bring
Bring your own painting equipment and materials – a
suggested list will be sent to you on booking. There is an art shop in
Trivandrum in case you need more materials.
As well as personal items you should bring light comfortable cotton clothing. It is a good idea for women to cover legs and shoulders outside Kovalam itself. Warm clothing is not needed! Bring a sunhat, sunscreen, torch, umbrella, mosquito repellent and comfortable flat sandals or shoes. If you intend to swim, please bring a beach towel.
Included in your holiday
Accommodation and breakfast for 14 nights, painting tuition, two trips out to nearby locations for painting and sketching. Transfer from Trivandrum Airport and back at the start and end of your holiday.
Not included
Flight and travel costs to Trivandrum, insurance, mid-day and evening meals, ayurvedic massage, trips out of Kovalam during your free time.
How to book
All bookings are taken by Free Spirit Travel (UK), Tel +44 (0)1273
564230
Email: info@freespirituk.com
Further information
For more information about your tutor: www.susanbeaulah.com If you have any queries about the watercolour painting holiday please email: susanbeaulah@hotmail.com or kailasamyoga@hotmail.com.