Boscastle Sketchbook

Art Holiday Breaks
based at The Old Parsonage

BOSCASTLE SKETCHBOOK is a 3 day residential arts course offering an opportunity to experience the ancient harbour of Boscastle and its dramatic cliffs and valleys in a new and exciting way. Work from the landscape and experiment with different media to create a Visual Diary, a Journal, a Portrait of a Place. Take inspiration from this unique and atmospheric location, learn to express yourself in word, image and exchange of ideas. You will be guided by experienced local artist and author Deborah King and stay at the comfortable Old Parsonage, as featured in Alistair Sawday's Special Places to Stay.

Is Boscastle Sketchbook suitable for me?
Who is Deborah King?
When are the courses held?
How much does it cost?
What should I bring?
How do I book?

Is Boscastle Sketchbook suitable for me?

Yes. The course is structured in a way to suit all levels and abilities, from absolute beginners to improving artists, wordsmiths or photographers and those simply interested in natural history who want to experience landscape from a different perspective. It is run in small, friendly groups, and you will be encouraged to work entirely at your own pace, receiving one-to-one tuition throughout according to your needs. You will experiment with different media and surfaces and develop your own voice and visual language. If you have any mobility issues, do contact us to discuss as we have a ground-floor room available.

See www.boscastle-sketchbook.co.uk for more information on the structure of the course and how it works.

Who is Deborah King?

Deborah graduated with honours from Hornsey School of Art in the mid-seventies. After working freelance for book and magazine publishers (including The Sunday Times, Weidenfeld & Nicholson and BBC Publications), her first book "Rook" was published in 1980 by Hamish Hamilton. She has since produced many titles with Jonathan Cape, Random House and Harper Collins, securing numerous worldwide editions and translations. Employed for many years as an art lecturer on BA and Foundation Courses in London and Dorset, Deborah has regularly exhibited her paintings, and, on moving to Cornwall in 1998, set up her own publishing house, producing two works dedicated to the culture, ecology and Celtic links of Cornwall. She now lives and works in Boscastle.

When are the courses held?

BOSCASTLE SKETCHBOOK is available until end October 2010, Monday to Thursday.

Arrive on Monday afternoon between 4:00 and 6:00, in time for an introduction from Deborah. There will follow work and tuition on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, finishing by 3pm on the last day.

Alternative days can sometimes be arranged on request for small groups. Weekend two day courses are also available off season. Please contact us for details.

How much does it cost?

(prices shown on per person basis)

April, May and October:
Full board based on 2 sharing: £420 per person.
Full board single occupancy: £480.
Full board non-participating partner: £200.

June - September and Easter:
In high season we are not able to provide evening meals. There is a good range of pubs and restaurants nearby.

For 2 sharing: £354 per person.
For single occupancy: £440.
Non-participating partner 2 sharing: £144.

Gift vouchers can be purchased for any amount of the course fee, or full payment, and are valid for one year from purchase date.

What is included?

The price includes all tuition and full board at the Old Parsonage April, May and October. During June - September the price includes tuition, bed and breakfast and packed lunch only.

The Old Parsonage is a 5 star Bed and Breakfast situated on the edge of Boscastle, with the ancient Forrabury farming stitches and south west coast path on the doorstep. All rooms are spacious and en-suite. You will enjoy tasty home-cooked food using the best of local produce.

What should I bring?

Outdoor, rain-proof clothing, good footwear, a fold-up chair or cushion. Any media or materials of your own choosing (pencils, charcoal, chalk or oil pastels, watercolour, pen and ink, goache, acrylics, oils, digital camera etc). Most important, a good quality cartridge sketchbook, preferably A4 or larger, plus an additional pocket size sketchbook/notebook/journal to carry with you at all times. Also worth considering for colour work is a watercolour sketchbook (A4 or larger) and a book of coloured conte paper for pastel drawing. Drawing boards, various papers and a range of drawing/painting tools will be available for use throughout the course. For those of you working exclusively with the digital camera, it would be worth bringing your own laptop to enable convenient viewing of your /images at the end of the day. There will, however, be a laptop and printer available for use in the studio.

How do I book?

Phone The Old Parsonage
+44 (0) 1840 250 339, or email enquiries@old-parsonage.com. A deposit of £100 is payable on booking. If you have to cancel for whatever reason, the deposit will be refunded if we are able to re-fill your place.

If you have queries about the content or teaching methods see www.boscastle-sketchbook.co.uk or contact Deborah King direct: e-mail dk@boscastle-sketchbook.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1840 250456.