Our WHAT TO PACK - WHAT’S PROVIDED Guide

Congratulations ! You’re going on a painting holiday. Here is some basic information on what is provided and what you will need to bring depending on your chosen medium.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING: ( A MUST) A comfortable RUCK SAC / BACK PACK large and deep enough to hold the board and stool (and optional portable easel if chosen for acrylics or oils). It should open up at the top, possibly with a flap or a zipper, with the possibility of being left slightly open up top so that the stool legs or easel can stick out up top if the height of your bag is slightly too short. No need for an expensive bag ! Decathlon among other stores have adequate bags. NO TOTE BAGS please, as these tend to let objects "hang loose'' and risk harming others. Recommended weight of backpack : 500 g (1 lb). A good size or larger is 56 cm x 26 cm x 26 cm depth . In inches : 23 ‘x 11’ x 10’ depth.

A smart phone + pre-paid internet service for a week + a power bank (optional), a tablet (optional) to take photos of scenery or finish-off-later subjects, the free WhatsApp application uploaded on your phone to keep in touch with your group starting Day 1 of your holiday. PLEASE NOTE: WiFi signals can be very weak in certain places. You will also need to download WhatsApp (free app, very easy to use) on your smart phone to be in touch with your group at all times. If you do not have a smart phone, you will need to have a regular mobile phone with service and your tutor’s number.

Walking shoes and appropriate clothing (aim for comfort, beware of staining). A hat or cap, sunglasses, evening windbreaker or jacket depending on the time of year of your painting holiday. Please do not forget to check on monthly temperatures of your destination. Pre or post summer evenings can be slightly chilly.

A suitable suitcase : A small cabin suitcase is always best on trips as they are light and convenient. Remember that you can possibly post/ship things back in case you are overcome with shopping fever during your trip! For art holidays to TUSCANY (It) or PROVENCE (Fr) with airport transfers, we require that your luggage not exceed the following measurements: 50cm x 70cm (20’ x 27’). Important note: If over-sized luggage cannot fit into our vehicle, we will ask participants to find a place to store it until their return. For your comfort, we also recommend light luggage for VENICE and LAKE COMO.

A carry case or tube for your art work (unless your suitcase has a completely flat side). You will be able to leave this in your room. If using OILS, you will need a WET CANVAS CARRY CASE.

PAINTING MATERIALS -> WHAT YOUR TUTOR IS BRINGING (PROVIDED) FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS

• Board (general size is 37 x 27 cm / 14.56’ x 10.63’) • Stool (size 60 cm x 9 cm / 23.5' x 3.5') Maximum weight: 100 kg / 220 Ibs. • Multi-media cold-pressed Paper • Apron (yours to keep) • Tape • Scissors • Optional portable easel rental on demand (£45/week) for participants who choose acrylics or oils. You can also opt to bring your own BUT ONLY if it is identical to the one in our photo below, small in size and metallic. Our permits in different places ONLY ALLOW this type of easel. We are sorry but you will not be allowed to paint with any other type of easel in our groups. • Paper: We paint on 300 gr multi/medium cold pressed paper which is taped to the board we provide. If you have chosen acrylics or oils and would rather paint on canvas boards or pre-cut pieces of unstretched canvas, do not hesitate to bring some (6).

PAINTING MATERIALS -> WHAT YOUR TUTOR IS BRINGING (PROVIDED) FOR WATERCOLOUR PARTICIPANTS ON TOP ON WHAT’S LISTED ABOVE: Watercolour paints and brushes. DRAWING PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE GRAPHITE PENCILS PROVIDED.

IMPORTANT NOTE: MORE ACCOMPLISHED ARTISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING MATERIALS THEY ARE USED TO USING

Also, if you will not be needing any materials, please let us know!!

WHAT TO BRING DEPENDING ON YOUR CHOSEN MEDIUM

Participants who have chosen WATERCOLOURS (RECOMMENDED) as their main medium: YOU WILL NEED TO BRING a rubber/eraser, pencil, plastic palette, 1 or 2 waterproof watercolour pens (0.1 and 0.7 is perfect), a foldable plastic cup, a small bottle of water.

OPTIONAL: Masking fluid, a ruler, sharpener, cotton buds/Q-tips, watercolour pencils, watercoulour sketchbook, wet wipes.

Participants who have chosen DRAWING as their main medium: YOU WILL NEED TO BRING a pencil case with a rubber/eraser, a pencil sharpener, wet wipes. Graphite pencils are provided. You can also bring (OPTIONAL): Blending stumps, a ruler, coloured pencils.

The following mediums (below) are not recommended for beginners and do not have paints and brushes provided unless requested with a £50 SUPPLEMENT. Please note that you are free to choose these mediums and to bring your own paints, brushes and other materials listed below. Individual help by your tutor will be available onsite. Please note that the £50 supplement covers the paints and brushes, and that you are required to bring the extra small materials listed below:

ACRYLICS (EXPERIENCED ARTIST ONLY) or GOUACHE: Please bring paints, paintbrushes, a pencil, a rubber/eraser, a tear-off palette pad, wet wipes, a small bottle filled with tap water, a foldable cup, cloth/rag. Reminder: Multi-media cold pressed paper is provided, but feel free to bring canvas boards (about 5 or 6) or pieces of unstreched canvas + 3 board clips.

OILS (EXPERIENCED ARTISTS ONLY): Please note that this medium is a tricky medium to use on painting holidays! Please bring oil paints (water soluble oils are best), or regular oil paints with odourless solvent (a must), a container for your solvent (unless using water soluble oils), a pencil, a rubber/eraser, a tear-off palette pad, cloth/rag, wet wipes, a wet painting carrying case (a must, in order to bring your work home). We recommend RAYMAR cases. Reminder: Multi-media cold pressed paper is provided, but feel free to bring canvas boards (about 5 or 6) or pieces of unstreched canvas + 3 board clips. Please note that walnut or linseed oil are not recommended as they make drying take even longer!

PASTELS (EXPERIENCED ARTISTS ONLY): Please bring pastels, pastel paper, glassine sheets (about 10 printer paper size), a pencil case, blending stumps, and wet wipes. OPTIONAL: Gloves, a soft or hard brush for creating effects or clearing.

IMPORTANT NOTE WHEN PAINTING AS A GROUP

Our painting permits require for us to 1) STAY TOGETHER AS A GROUP: We cannot have participants stray from the group to paint in their own corner. 2) We are also required TO BE IDENTIFIED AS A GROUP. While painting with the group, you will be kindly REQUIRED TO WEAR OUR GROUP’S PROVIDED APRON (higher part around the neck, please). This will identify you as a participant of our group, as per our permit.

ALL PARTICIPANTS: You may also want to bring... A bathing suit! Depending on your departure date and destination, you may want to remember to bring one! Please note that there is swimming in Cinque Terre, Capri, Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Sicily, the South of France, Lake Como, Mykonos, Santorini and Croatia until mid to end of October !

YOU’RE ALL SET TO HAVE A FANTASTIC PAINTING HOLIDAY !