An inspiring art retreat to revitalise your passion for painting in Ronda, Andalucía
The town of Ronda has been part of the ‘Grand tour’ for the past 150 years and has inspired artists and writers such as David Bomberg, David Roberts, Hemmingway and Orson Welles, holding secrets to discover around every corner. So it will be no surprise that we have chosen Ronda as our awe-inspiring base for our art retreat in June 2024.
This art experience has been designed specifically for artists who would like the flexibility and freedom to paint in plein air independently whilst also enjoying the company of a small group of like-minded artists. But it doesn’t stop there. This art retreat also includes excursions and cultural experiences that will ignite your imagination!
At Sol y Sombra, we believe that true artistic inspiration flourishes in an intimate and personalized setting. That's why we purposefully limit the number of attendees at our art retreats to a maximum of eight. We understand that art is deeply personal and that each attendee arrives with unique aspirations, talents, and challenges. In this inspiring atmosphere, you can connect with other artists and like-minded peers, forming authentic relationships that support and encourage your creative process. With our commitment to quality, you will experience an art retreat that helps to elevate your creativity and take your artistic journey to new heights.
Reserve your spot early as participation is limited to a small group ( eight persons ) on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those on the waitlist. There are several pricing options available especially for those who might like to join this retreat for a shorter period which we are happy to discuss via Zoom.
A little glance to wet your brush and your appetite!
We meet you on arrival at Malaga train station at 1 p.m. on the first day. After a quick cafe stop to refresh you, we drive in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to Granada. After arriving at your beautiful accommodation in a boutique hotel near the Alhambra, we stroll through the Realejo to enjoy light refreshments and tapas over a welcome to your art retreat. The day finishes by settling in back at the hotel and enjoying the quiet and views from the terrace.
Granada - The Alhambra and Generalife
On day two, visit the magnificent Alhambra and Generalife. The Alhambra’s stunning Palaces, tranquil gardens and trickling fountains are a delight for the senses and inspire the imagination. To top the day off walk up to the plaza San Nicholas where you can see one of the best views of the Alhambra at sunset. This is one of the most quintessential and photographed views in Spain. Sunday is a free morning to explore the Albaycin with its charming narrow labyrinth of streets and delightful tea houses. In the afternoon, we travel to Ronda for a week of inspirational painting.
Ronda - Breathtaking and Majestic
The architecture and typography of Ronda make it one of the wealthiest subjects for artists to be found anywhere in Spain. Ronda’s secluded position in the Serrania de Ronda mountain range, built on a high plateau is breathtaking. The ‘Puente Nuevo’ bridge built in the 18th century is a masterpiece of engineering spanning a deep gorge with vertical rock faces on both sides.
From Ronda we take day excursions to discover some of Andalucia’s hidden gems, such as the Pileta caves, to take you back to the origins of art and the beautiful white villages of Grazalema, Zahara and Arcos ( Pueblos Blancos ). There is an abundance of fascinating architecture, landscape and subject matter in Andalucia to stimulate your imagination and draw inspiration from.
During this art retreat, we paint during the mornings and again later in the day when the temperature is cooler, so participants can come and go as their work allows. Each room has a terrace with spectacular views, where you can also set up your easel if you wish when you return. After a rewarding day of creativity, we can’t think of any better way to end a creative day than with a dip in the pool, a glass or two of Spanish wine or fino accompanied by delicious tapas and great company.
“It is with pleasure that I recommend any budding or keen artist join Alexandra and Grant on the Artists Retreat 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 that I’m painting and the rest of the world seems to pass away. . Just enjoy,”
Why not bring a partner or friend?
For those wishing to bring their partners, there is a fantastic choice of activities to enjoy; boutique wineries, nature walks, where you can see stunning birds of prey, cycling through the beautiful countryside to nearby villages and cultural places of interest to explore in and around Ronda. The region of Andalucia is inspiring and will quench your thirst and creative inspiration for many months after arriving home.
This art retreat is a fantastic way to combine your passion for creativity with a dream holiday.
The Pileta caves
The scenery on the way to the Pileta caves is as dramatic as any in Andalucía. This area, with craggy terrain, is renowned for birds of prey and a treat for ornithologists. The Pileta caves, with their palaeolithic and neolithic rock paintings, are privately owned and were discovered by the present owners’ grandfather in 1905. Inside there are caverns of varying sizes - the tallest is 12 metres high- where Stalactites droop overhead. Some of the oldest paintings date from the Paleolithic period over 25,000 years ago, showing a pregnant mare, goats and an enormous fish. These caves are impressive. Visitors are taken through in small groups, which is perfect for us.
Reserve your spot early because participation is limited to a small group on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those on the waitlist.
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.
Grant Kenny studied painting in Madrid at the Circulo de Bellas Artes, painted in the Museo del Prado and the National Gallery in London. Grant has lived and travelled extensively throughout Spain and as a consequence knows Spanish art and history very 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 of composition, tone and the medium of oil that will bring you great confidence.
Alexandra specialises in portraiture and figurative painting. Alex makes her own oil and tempera 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 some mouth-watering classics like salmorejo and her speciality flan!
During this Artists Retreat in Ronda, painting demonstrations and personal tuition are freely available to each attendee. If you have never painted from life then this artists retreat will open a door that will ignite your confidence.
As each artist has different material requirements participants are requested to bring their own art supplies. We are happy to send a list of materials we recommend after you register should you need one. 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 cost of materials is additional and we can send you a quote ). 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 take your painting to the next level.
I am sincerely grateful for all the techniques I’ve learned from her.”
Accommodation
Granada Days 1-3
Your accommodation in Granada is in a luxurious boutique hotel within walking distance of the Alhambra. Each room has its own ensuite and terrace where you might be tempted to set up your easel straight away as the views are out of this world!
Ronda Days 3-10
Our accommodation is in a magnificent 4-star hotel right in the heart of Ronda. The hotel is luxurious with beautiful spacious bedrooms, a private balcony off your room with stunning views, ensuite bathrooms and a refreshing pool. The extensive buffet breakfast is all-inclusive in your art retreat. There is a separate cafe and bar at the hotel for your convenience, with an outdoor garden and extensive views overlooking the valley. The restaurant offers lunch and evening meals, with plenty of choices to dine at the hotel or discover some of Ronda’s exceptional dining establishments. On top of this, the hotel also provides cycle hire and storage and fabulous spa facilities.
What more could you wish for?
Make new friends from all over the world with a passion for painting and creativity while enjoying an experience that will leave you full of creative inspiration for years to come!
Painting in Ronda Art Retreat 2024
Is Inclusive of the following
•. Introductory welcome drinks and tapas.
•. Entrance tickets into the Alhambra palaces and Generalife.
• 2 Nights accommodation in a luxury boutique hotel in Granada.
• 8 Nights accommodation ( twin share or double ) in a stunning 4-star 🌟 hotel in Ronda.
NB: All rooms have double or twin beds and can be booked either as a couple or single ( see single supplement pricing below )
• Buffet breakfasts at our 4 star * hotel in Ronda
Art Instruction
• Complementary individual private tuition catered to your own level is available to help you grow in confidence with your practice during the art retreat. There will be painting demos covering everything from laying out a palette to building composition for plein air painting.
•. Land and travel costs during the art retreat for excursions.
• Day excursions to the Piletta caves*
* Entrance to the Piletta caves is subject to availability as these are owner-operated by the family that discovered them and weather-dependent.
• Day excursions to the villages of Zahara, Grazalema and Arcos
•. A fabulous farewell dinner to leave you with wonderful memories of the delicious Arabic-influenced Mediterranean cuisine of Andalucia!
What’s Not included
Airline tickets. Travel insurance (A mandatory requirement which must be arranged from each person’s home country.) Art materials. Please note: It is each participant’s sole responsibility to arrange transportation of their completed work home after the retreat. Private travel including taxis or buses to and from the retreat accommodation. Alcohol. Evening meals away from the residence and during excursions. Whilst breakfasts are included in the Artist’s Retreat, when we eat out at restaurants and cafes, these are not included.
Excess baggage, any related excess, lost or stolen luggage or other costs due to travel during the tour or airline disruptions. Entry tickets for museums and other events you choose to visit that are not specified on the Art Retreat itinerary. Telephone communication or business charges in hotels or villas. (All our accommodation has free wi-fi ) The cost of items of a personal nature such as laundry services eg: dry cleaning.
Please read about our terms and conditions and our art retreat policy.
Painting in Ronda Art Retreat 2024
Register your interest to save your place for this art retreat coming soon in 2024!
EUR 3900 pp (sharing with a partner or friend)
EUR 4500 pp (includes single supplement/non-sharing)
We find that meeting via a Zoom call is an informative way for you to meet us, learn more about the pricing options, and ask us any questions.
Reserve your spot early because participation is limited to a small group ( 5 persons ) on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those on the waitlist.
🌟 Join the waitlist today to reserve your place for an unforgettable experience! 🌟
Click the link below and let the anticipation begin! 👇