Art retreat with
Jilly Ballantyne
Check back here for future retreats, in the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland. Tutored art and wellbeing workshops, by the sea
What's included
~5 nights accommodation at Shore Cottage
~Welcome drinks and dinner on Sunday
~4 days art tuition and wellbeing workshops
~Some art materials supplied
~Self catering facilities
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Arrival: 3pm on Sunday 25th September
Departure: 3pm on Friday 30th September
Accommodation
Shore Cottage is the artist's own home, very stylish and comfortable.
It is a charming seaside, detached property, right on the Fife Coastal Path.
It has a driveway, garden, three guest bedrooms, two shower rooms and a bright open plan living-dining kitchen space.
The sea is a few steps from the garden, down a lane.
Arrival and welcome dinner
There is a large driveway at Shore Cottage for parking. Jilly will be there to welcome you and settle everyone in with tea and cake from 3pm on the 25th, before our arrival dinner together.
Dinner on Sunday will be prepared by your host.
You can choose to self-cater or eat out, Monday to Thursday.
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Self-catering
​Normally participants order shopping and drinks to be delivered on or before arrival, or bring supplies with them.
Some guests decide to take turns cooking or choose to eat out.
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There are restaurants, take-aways, a supermarket and cafés nearby. All the basics are already here for your use, tea, coffee, oil, spices, dishwasher tabs etc
Workshops
Our art activities will be suitable for all levels, beginner to established painters.
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The exact timetable will be laid out and sent to you, nearer the time, when we have better knowledge of what the weather is likely to be!
Normally the main tutored workshop starts at 10am with a break for lunch (picnic or café) and finishes at 3pm.
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Jilly will contact you to discuss what you are looking for from your art retreat and the wellbeing activities, then tailor the workshop to suit the group and be flexible with the forecast.
Art activities
Some starting points:
Sketching en plein air, by the sea - with journalling; adding words, notes or poetry to our sketchbooks
In wet weather, we will have a still life workshop in Jilly’s studio in Cellardyke
We'll try long arm charcoal drawing and other exercises to try loosening up our work
Seascape Painting in acrylics, from our sketchbooks, started outside or indoors.
Wellbeing
This retreat aims to both stimulate your art practice and give you a chance to unwind from your usual daily life.
When we draw, paint or write, we forget our worries and focus on that task.
The aim of the wellbeing options is to offer both mindful and physical relaxation and perhaps try something new.
Other activities after 3pm can be arranged and booked as required, as part of our wellbeing ethos, these are entirely optional.
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Optional activities
Set your alarm (late September sunrise: 7.08am) and pull on a coat over your PJs, the beach is just round the corner. Watching the sun come up over the harbour and the Isle of May is a great start to the day, even if you do decide to dive back under the duvet afterwards!
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​Fife Coastal path walk - From the cottage or studio, to either Pittenweem or Crail
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Expressive writing from the day’s visual prompts.
More options
An evening round the fire pit on the beach.
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Sea swimming - If you have watched the craze grow for wild sea swimming but haven’t yet dared, here’s your chance! The water is at its warmest at the end of the summer. We have access to 3 protected sea pools. Bring your swimsuit
​Beach yoga, pilates session, or meditation with a qualified teacher.
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With such a small group (maximum 8) we can tailor the days to suit everyone. Message Jilly with any requests you have.
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If you are keen to stick to art, then after the group workshop (10am to 3pm) you can continue self-study and painting in Jilly’s studio from 3-5pm, or choose to sightsee.
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Materials
We supply:
Two canvas boards for your seascape and still life paintings
A box of acrylic paints for outdoor work that can be topped up in the studio
Mixing tray from recycling
Rags and Jars
Charcoal and large paper.
Please bring:
Your own brushes
A sketchbook A4 or larger, soft drawing pencil
Small notebook and writing pens/pencils eraser sharpener
Apron and ‘messy clothes’
Sun cream, sunglasses and hat
Walking shoes.
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Upstairs bedrooms
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King bedroom with king size bed.
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Twin bedroom with two single beds
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Shared shower room
Downstairs bedroom
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King bedroom with king size bed.
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Using shower room which is off the living room
Costs
For accommodation and tuition over the 5 night stay, costs are:
£850 for sole occupancy
or
£590 per person sharing a room
You may wish to bring along a non-painting partner to share your room who doesn’t require tuition, and may want to enjoy walking or golfing in the local area.
Cost for the person sharing your room will be £400 for accommodation only.
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Extra accommodation can be booked nearby, if required.
To book
To book your place, please email
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Please let us know if you have any access requirements, for example a ground floor bedroom and / or access to a wheelchair-accessible shower room. The art studio itself is not very accessible, it is on the ground floor but has 3 steps up to the studio door.
If you have food allergies or special requirements please let us know when booking.