Casa Rosa Painting Week

This art retreat is based in a renovated 19th century building on a tree-lined avenue in the old town. Low-key bars, restaurants and ice-cream parlours are virtually on the doorstep and within 10 minutes’ walk are the waterfront promenade, the market (designed by Gustav Eiffel) and the ferries which run to the beautiful islands just offshore. This is a great base for our included excursions, to use one of our bikes to discover local villages, or follow an eco-guide in search of wildlife. Casa Rosa is also a boutique retreat where you can slow right down to Portuguese pace: tanning on the roof terrace before strolling out to a café for lunch, or spending all on one of the islands’ superb beaches.

If you live in the USA or Canada – we have direct flights available to Faro. Ask for further details and prices in dollars.

The art retreat is led by experienced artists who have taught in the field for over 10 years. Enjoy the small group setting and most of all have fun exploring the medium of paint with an experienced instructor. Spaces are limited and early booking is advised.

2025 dates now on sale. £100 will secure any room if booked before June 2024 (after this deposits will be higher as flights will also be available).

Meet the artists –

Dora Keogh – Dora, who works mainly with water colours, has been leading workshops In Olhao, throughout Europe and in Canada for more than 17 years. Her emphasis is on personal expression and the development of students’ individual style in a collaborative, supportive and encouraging atmosphere. There is no right or wrong way in a Dora class!

On her 5 night retreat – all flights must land into Faro by 13.00 hours as the first half day class of tuition starts at 14.00 hours.

Roger Dellar – Roger is a professional figurative artist who works in oils, pastels, mixed media, acrylics, and water based media. He has taught in Olhão for about 10 years and will help you find suitable subjects to paint in this beautiful Portuguese coastal town. Although this is an oil based painting course the student could use a medium of their choice.

Colin Joyce – Colin has been painting full time since 2013 and has an enthusiasm for capturing light and painting outdoors. As well as being a watercolour instructor on cruise ships, he tutors workshops and runs his own workshops in the UK and especially Scotland. Colin writes regular articles for Leisure Painter magazine and travels around the UK providing demonstrations and workshops for art groups and societies. Please note this trip (with Colin) is not suitable for beginners.

Dawn Oliver – With 27 years experience teaching drawing and painting classes to adults of all abilities and teaching painting holidays all over Europe for 25 years. Dawn has a fun approach and likes to demonstrate and share many techniques in watercolour which can be used for any level of painting experience throughout the holiday and indeed in future paintings.

Graham Thew – Graham, a committed sketcher, is never happier than when out and about, sketchbook in hand. He founded “Wirral Urban Sketchers” (see the FaceBook site) and recently appeared on B.B.C.’s “Home is Where the Art is” as a winning contestant. He enjoys teaching watercolour on cruise ships with the opportunities it brings to meet new people. Graham is inclusive and understanding in the way he dedicates his time to those in his classes, ensuring everybody enjoys not only a fun experience, but also feel that they have benefited from the time they have committed to the class.

Julie Ford – Julie is an artist and tutor who loves to help others develop their inner artist. No matter what level you are, Julie will support you to get the most from the week so you return home feeling inspired and confident. She will help you to explore different styles and approaches and will tailor her teaching to suit your needs. Julie is a competent teacher in a variety of mediums including oils and watercolour but loves soft pastels especially for their ease of use and vibrant immediacy. She regularly provides tutorials for Unison Colour as one of their Associate Artists. Julie is passionate about teaching and runs regular courses, workshops and classes online, in person in the UK and abroad. Julie has herself, studied with many leading artists and has gleaned a wealth of knowledge she enjoys sharing with others.

All 7 night painting retreats include – 5 days of painting tuition, 7 buffet breakfasts, 4 lunches (at hotel or picnic or Island), 5 dinners with ½ bottle of wine per person, one return ferry boat ticket to local islands with a 2-course lunch included, double or twin room for sole use and bed sheets and towels changed mid-week.

Casa Rosa Boutique Hotel offers 10 smart rooms, and welcomed its first guests in March 2022. The property was fully refurbished over the last 3 years and has been finished to a high standard. The hotel looks traditional from the outside: pink plaster walls, classical details. Inside, it offers relaxed coastal living using natural materials with a contemporary twist. Exclusive to Friendship Travel.

At ground level there is an open-plan living/dining room which opens onto a tiled courtyard with plunge pool and sociable seating. Upstairs is a beautiful furnished roof terrace – a real suntrap! Wherever you are in Casa Rosa, you should be able to pick up the free WiFi.

We include a buffet breakfast spread each morning, 6 lunches and 5 dinners with wine per week. We run an honesty bar during the day, with a wider drinks range served in the evening, from cocktails to a wine list. There is plenty of choice nearby for nights, at own expense.

Please note – A new local tourism tax has been introduced by the government in Olhao since June 2023. All guests must pay locally to the hotel €2 per night up to a maximum of 5 nights. This is not included in your holiday costs.

All 10 rooms are of a slightly different size and are simple but stylish, with retro 1960’s colour schemes and cool tones. Each is furnished with a comfortable king-sized bed, bedside tables, chair and desk/dressing table, hair dryer plus a walk-in shower (pool/beach towels provided). Air-con is included. Some rooms have a town view; others look on to the roof terrace or courtyard.

Prices are based on standard ground floor room (rooms 3 and 5), upgrades are available to a ground floor executive room at £15 extra per night, ground floor standard room with shared terrace at extra £15 per night, 1st floor standard rooms at £20 extra per night and deluxe suite at £25 extra per night.