Painting on the Greek Island of Hydra with Hazel Soan

  magazine painting holiday

Hydra is a perfect place for a short painting break and particularly appeals to artists because there are no cars, no scooters, no airport and it is only 90 minutes from Athens. Everyone arrives by sea and as you sail in to Hydra you are greeted with a beautifully preserved stone village that fills a natural cove and is surrounded by mountains.

• Four day watercolour painting break
• Demonstrations, tuition and guidance from professional artist; Hazel Soan
• Paint wonderful island and harbour scenes on traffic-free Hydra 
• Limited to 12 students
• Suitable for aspiring amateurs and intermediate students
• Hotel accommodation and meals included except lunches
• Escorted by a professional programme organiser

Hydra is full of old world charm and with donkeys and mules as the only form of transport it has preserved its rustic aspects of life. Hydra’s mellow white and cream architecture shimmers in the sunlight. The marbled quayside is a hive of port activity with caïques, water taxis, ferries and yachts, and is lined with fine 18^th and 19^th century archontika (formerly wealthy merchants’ mansions) and a ubiquitous clock tower.

Stroll a few feet back from the harbour and you find yourself in another world. Tiny marble-cobbled lanes peter out in to dirt tracks that lead up to monasteries and windmills perched on hill tops. There is an air of tranquillity as you wander through the old town, which is full of simple Hydriot houses and tiny churches, beautiful vine-clad squares and stone walls draped with bougainvillea. Cats sun themselves on doorsteps, people quietly chat on street corners and donkeys rest in the shade of olive trees.

Walk along the coastal path for a short distance and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views across the deep blue Saronic Gulf towards The Peloponnese, glorious coastal panoramas and the tiny fishing port and hamlet of Kamini.

Hydra’s hotels are small and discreetly hidden in the lanes behind the harbour. Accommodation is provided in a traditional three-story Hydriot guesthouse with 17 ensuite bedrooms. It is very homely and has a lovely courtyard, which will be ideal for tutorial workshops and a roof terrace that you can paint from.

HAZEL SOAN is an exceptional host artist and teacher. She is a very versatile and accomplished watercolour painter, and author of many excellent instructional books including, Watercolour Rainbow, Watercolour Landscape Techniques, African Watercolours.  Hazel appeared as one of the professional artists in the Watercolour Challenge TV series. Hazel will be working and teaching in watercolour. She is happy for you to work alongside her or independently. Hazel has a warm-hearted and caring personality and is very generous in sharing everything she knows about painting and will give several tutorial workshops.

The painting programme

This painting holiday is suitable for all students and especially those who like to have an element of practical instruction. There is no transport on Hydra so students must be able to carry their own equipment and be able to walk on the marble-cobbled streets. A travel escort will accompany you throughout and will be taking care of the arrangements.

Hazel Soan is a versatile artist. Click here to see more.

Number of students:                              10 – 12

Price per person:                                 £2,175.00

Single room supplement:                       £ 125.00

Price includes: Flights from London Heathrow on BA, ferry, 5 nights hotel accommodation, breakfast and dinners daily, host artist and travel escort from the UK.

This watercolour painting holiday is organised and operated on behalf of

  magazine painting holiday