Artists in the Alhambra retreat
An inspiring art retreat painting in the beautiful gardens of the Alhambra and Granada.
This is a rare and inspiring opportunity for artists to paint 'plein-air' in the beautiful surroundings of the Alhambra Gardens in Granada. Enjoy a balance of painting with fabulous day excursions, soaking up the Spanish sunshine, delicious gourmet home-cooked food and conversation. Make new friends from all over the world who share a passion for plein-air painting, cuisine and culture while you explore your creativity.
An overview
Elevate your art during this immersive experience
We begin this art retreat in Granada with a visit to the Alhambra. The Alhambra’s stunning Palaces, tranquil gardens and trickling fountains are a delight for the senses. After your initial visit to the Alhambra, you can select where you would like to paint from the designated areas that are specified on your permit. Your permit is for up to a maximum of 5 days.
It's each person's choice as to whether they work out on location or back under shade in privacy at our accommodation. Our fabulous accommodation is within walking distance and proximity to the Alhambra Generalife, making it easy to spend time each day in both.
A walk around the Albaycin will entice you with its charming tea houses, architecture, painting and photographic opportunities. Andalucía is the home of flamenco so there’ll be no shortage of musical performances to enjoy. In the evenings discover wonderful tapas bars nearby in the Realejo or walk to the Albaycin to watch the sunset over the Alhambra and soak up the atmosphere.
On other days, we can enjoy day excursions to visit some of Andalucia’s most exciting and colourful villages utilising this time to create or rejuvenate and be inspired. The peaceful mountainous villages of the Alpujarras and the colourful troglodyte town of Guadix, are all within an hour of Granada, providing such a variety of subject matter that you will be spoilt for choice.
To obtain a permit to paint in the Alhambra Gardens ( Generalife) is pre-approved by the Alhambra and we arrange this in advance. Reserve your spot early as participation is limited to a small group on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those on the waitlist.
Painting in the gardens of the Alhambra
Your facilities and accommodation
Your accommodation is in a beautiful residence in the Realejo, within a 15-minute walk of the Alhambra. All rooms are large with double or twin beds and can be booked either as a couple or single. The villa has a lovely garden with ample room for painting outdoors and multiple conversation areas.
Your hosts and art facilitators
GRANT KENNY AND ALEXANDRA HEYES
As practising artists and tutors with works in private collections around the world, Grant and Alexandra are delighted to share their practical knowledge of painting and art history. Painting in the Alhambra gardens has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. Although it may seem daunting to some there is such a vast array of subject matter that you will always be able to find a secluded spot to capture the magic that is hidden in the Alhambra! You will have access to designated areas and can paint at your own pace.
Grant Kenny studied painting in Madrid at the Circulo de Bellas Artes, painted in the Museo del Prado and the National Gallery in London. He has lived and travelled extensively throughout Spain and knows Spanish art and history well. Fluent in Spanish, he enthuses those who meet him with his passionate, entertaining and funny anecdotes. His plein air painting experience will help you gain an understanding for composition and tone in the medium of your choice that will bring you great confidence.
Alexandra specialises in portraiture and figurative painting. She makes some of her own oil paint and loves experimenting with natural pigments, mediums and surfaces, sharing this knowledge through her workshops and art courses. Not only does she love painting, but her passion for cooking, especially Andalucian cuisine, will treat you to mouth-watering classics like salmorejo and her speciality flan!
As each artist has different material requirements participants are requested to bring their own art supplies. We are happy to send a list of recommended materials when you register. If you require any materials to be purchased on your behalf to save having to bring them with you, we may be able to arrange this for you as long as you give us advanced notice ( The price of materials is additional so we can send you a quote ). Some easels will be available if you require one. ( Please advise us if you need an easel as these must be booked ahead of time). Arrangement for the transportation of finished works after the retreat is the sole responsibility of each participant.
“I find Alexandra as an instructor extremely helpful. She is very experienced and she has the skill level to transfer her knowledge to you at a level that you would understand perfectly well. Furthermore, Alexandra ensures that you can experiment to still learn at your own pace, but she delivers sufficient guidance so that you’ll feel satisfied with the end result you’ve accomplished. This certainly differentiates her workshops because she helps you to take your painting to the next level.
I am sincerely grateful for all the techniques I’ve learnt from her.”
“It is with pleasure that I recommend any budding or keen artist join Alexandra and Grant on their artists’ retreats and workshops in Spain. Alexandra has been my tutor for several years now and it has been a wonderful and rewarding experience. I started off as a total beginner, not even knowing how to mix colours and am now doing portraits in oils and charcoals and just loving it. I have also had lessons in painting landscapes in both oil and pastel. She explains how to do things so well, then lets you get on with the painting. I now enjoy every minute I am painting and the rest of the world seems to pass away. Just enjoy,”
Painting within the Alhambra Gardens
Obtaining a permit to paint within the Alhambra gardens is a rare opportunity. Permission to work within the Alhambra complex is pre-approved and is booked in advance. A permit to paint in the Alhambra is for up to a maximum of five days and covers painting, drawing or photographing in designated areas of the gardens surrounding the Alhambra. We do this on your behalf as part of this art retreat.
Learn more - How to apply for a permit to paint in the Alhambra
What’s included in your Art retreat
your art retreat is all-inclusive of the following
☀️ Entrance to the Alhambra palaces and Generalife.
☀️ A Permit to paint in designated areas within the gardens of the Alhambra*
*We send you the information required to apply for a permit when you register.
☀️ Luxurious accommodation in a beautiful villa in the Realejo.
NB: All rooms have double or twin beds and can be booked either as a couple or single ( single supplement applies )
☀️ Introductory drinks and tapas.
☀️ Evening aperitifs and tapas.
☀️ All breakfasts and catered lunches whilst at the villa.
🍽️ A farewell dinner at one of the best Spanish restaurants in Granada to leave Spain richer and more refreshed than when you arrived.
☀️ Laundry services (a washing machine and iron) are available at our residence.
☀️ Land and travel costs during the retreat for excursions.
☀️ Day excursions to Guadix and the Alpujarras.
Travel Light
We will be exploring Granada on foot so please travel light and be prepared to carry your own supplies.
We prefer participants to bring their own art supplies because most people have their own preferences. We will send you a list of materials and suggestions that are suitable to use for plein air painting should you need advice. If you require any materials to be purchased on your behalf to save having to bring them with you, we are happy to help with this (Please give us advanced notice and we can send you an estimate or quote.) We supply oil medium and odourless archival solvents for oil painting, charcoal for drawing and some supports. A limited number of easels will also be available. ( Please advise us in advance to reserve an easel ).
Most days we will paint out in the mornings and possibly later in the day so participants can come and go as their work allows. Delicious breakfasts, lunch, and light refreshments will be provided at our residence when we are not travelling on excursions. We try to cater for all foodie preferences and there are organic shops and a vegan restaurant near our accommodation.
Please note: We meet our guests either at Málaga Train station on the first day at 1 pm or if you choose to arrive in Granada by the evening of the first day we will send directions to our accommodation. The art retreat terms and conditions→
Artists in the Alhambra Retreat
It’s time to give yourself this opportunity of a lifetime…
Coming soon in October - 2024!
EUR 3900 pp (sharing with a partner or friend)
EUR 4500 pp (includes single supplement/non-sharing) (Early bird EUR 4200 )
We find that meeting via a Zoom call is the perfect way for you to meet us. Register your interest below to reserve your place for an unforgettable experience! 🌟
We find that meeting via a Zoom call provides the perfect opportunity for you to meet us, learn more about the art retreat dates and pricing options, and to ask us your questions.
There are also pricing options for those who might like to join this retreat for a shorter time, or who live locally that exclude accommodation, which we are happy to discuss via Zoom.
Reserve your spot early as participation is limited to a small group on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those who register their interest.
🌟 Join the waitlist today to reserve your place for an unforgettable experience! 🌟
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