An artist now has the confidence and inspiration to go out on location and paint – all thanks to winning an art holiday competition on Painters Online.

The competition prize was for the winner and three guests to enjoy a tutored painting holiday at Le Choisel in Normandy, northwest France, and it was won by Lisa Shearing from Littlehampton in West Sussex.

She chose to take her husband and two of her sons as her guests, which made a mixed group as she is a very experienced artist but the others had more limited art experience and all had widely differing styles and preferences. However, Angela Birchall who tutors the art holidays at Le Choisel, made certain that with a range of exercises and opportunities to paint or draw on location, everyone was able to do a number of the things on their personal 'holiday wish list'.

As Lisa described it: 'We were a mixed group, and Angela encouraged us all to paint in the medium and style that suited us individually. She has a lovely gentle way of teaching, and although I have been painting for many years, I found it very useful to have a lesson on perspective and some helpful tips and advice too.'

Lisa painting on location at Le Choisel

Outlining her philosophy, Angela said: 'It is so important on these holidays that everyone gets to explore something that particularly appeals to them, be it trying out painting or drawing in a different style or medium, trying a different subject, or simply the fact of painting out on location from real life instead of just photographs.

'My role as holiday tutor is to provide various opportunities for the artists to develop their skills and expand their horizons: I am there to mentor, advise, inspire and facilitate. It is wonderful to work with different artists and to see them gaining in confidence as the week – and their work – progress.

'Perhaps the most challenging opportunity for the other three was the topic that Lisa most wanted to try out: sketching our horses as they grazed in the field (see photograph below). Horses have complex anatomy that needs careful observation to depict correctly, and they all rose to the challenge with excellent results.'

For Lisa, this was a special holiday highlight: 'Back in my busy life again now, I will always look back to that wonderful afternoon spent up in the field painting the horses; it was a million miles away from the stresses of life!'

As with all the activity holidays at Le Choisel, the prize included full board and accommodation, hosted by Angela’s sister Caroline Murphy: 'The food was absolutely delicious,' said Lisa. 'Caro’s cooking was like dining out at your favourite restaurant every night, not forgetting breakfast and lunch too!'

She added: 'The setting of Le Choisel is paradise, set in 8 acres of land with fabulous views over the Normandy countryside, with wooded paths and a rippling river. I loved waking up to the birdsong too.'

During their holiday, the group also went out painting on locations that allowed them to paint an ancient abbey, quaint cottages, parklands, river scenes and historic buildings, and this has had a major impact on our winner: 'I now have the confidence to pack up my art materials and get out there to paint; before I would only discreetly sketch!'

Painting holidays run at Le Choisel at varying dates throughout the year, but art groups who book at least five places can have a bespoke holiday tailored to their group’s levels and interests. For details, visit Le Choisel’s website www.lechoisel.com

See what you could win each month on PaintersOnline by visiting the competitions page.