Sue Sareen explains why it’s important to set goals for your art holiday.

Attending a short workshop or holiday in the UK is a great way to build up confidence and there are plenty to choose from. A painting holiday abroad might be something you consider once you have already sampled a UK-based experience. Doing it this way will help you can gain confidence without taking too much of a leap!

To enable you to get the most from your holiday experience it is a good idea to decide on your aims before you go. Perhaps you hope to produce a number of finished paintings during the holiday. Maybe you see yourself as exploring and discovering new approaches to painting a particular venue. It could be the ambience, and facilities are as important as the painting you hope to achieve. 

I usually aim to collect material and ideas from the holiday to use back home in my studio. I can then combine the sketches with photographs to produce finished work. This doesn't mean you can't also aim to finish a painting, or two, while on the holiday! 

Creative goal ideas

Develop a new routine 

An art holiday can allow you the space to dedicate daily time to painting and sketching. Building discipline and creating a routine you can continue on your return home. 

Experiment  

Now would be the perfect time to try a new media or technique, using the skills and support of your holiday tutor. 

Create a body of work 

Why not aim to complete a small series while you’re away, focussing on theme, a specific colour palette or style. 

Enhance your skills 

Focus on improving and developing your current skills. Perhaps concentrating on light and shadow, tone and colour, buildings and landscapes. 

Document the trip 

A visual journal or sketchbook that capture’s your experience is a perfectly good goal for any art holiday. This allows you to revisit your sketches into finished pieces. Your notes will also remind you what a fantastic experience you had. 

Looking for more painting holiday advice? Check out our collection of handy guides with top tips from artist tutors

Experience goal ideas

Inspiration 

This is your chance to fully engage with the environment, culture and architecture. You can also create a stockpile of inspiration to fuel your future projects. 

Connection  

Art holidays, and courses are a unique opportunity to network, share techniques and exchange constructive critiques. You can do all this with both your fellow artists and your tutor. 

Step outside your comfort zone 

An art holiday is an opportunity to do things you might never have been brave enough to try before. Painting in public, attending group critiques or tackling unfamiliar subjects, media or techniques.

Practice mindfulness 

A painting holiday is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the calming, mindful energy of art. 

Post-tip creativity 

Now is the time to start planning how to integrate your sketches, inspiration and experiences back in the studio. 

Want to explore every angle of planning a painting holiday? Find all our top tips collected in the Ultimate Guide - start reading it here.

---

Find out more about Sue Sareen's work, classes and painting holidays