Join one of our entrancing journeys through astonishing landscapes and experience the sights, sounds and smells of this unique land. Travel by Comfortable 4x4 to places as yet little-known to tourists; experience the heat of the desert, the warmth of the welcome!
Come and stimulate your senses and develop your artistic skills in an atmospheric authentic location. Enjoy sketching every day in new and exciting places and have a fantastic holiday to remember.
Morocco has been inspiring artists and writers for centuries, and it continues to do so.
A timeless land of wide horizons where Africa meets Europe, it is now the destination of choice for those tired of Tuscany, bored of Provence.
Sir Winston Churchill was captivated by Marrakech and visited many times to paint the light, and relax from the stresses he encountered in Britain. He stated: "Morocco to me was a revelation...... reading the newspapers gives not the slightest impresssion of the charm and value of this splendid territory."
Once perceived as difficult to access, budget airlines are now serving Marrakech and Fez and Morocco is bracing itself for an explosion in tourism as more people are eager to discover its charms. There has never been a better time to visit !
Although it can seem like a different world, Morocco is only a 3 hour flight from the UK...it is now within reach of everyone and has something for artists of every level and interest, as well as those looking for a different type of holiday.
Something for everyone 
Landscape painters will discover towering, snow-capped mountain ranges standing proud against a cloudless sky; sandy desert pistes with views to distant, twisted peaks and deep river gorges bursting with almond blossom in the spring; lush palm groves hanging heavy with dates in the autumn., and quiet oases resonant with the sound of frogs.
Those inspired by peoples and culture will delight in the sight of old men in djellabas riding donkeys laden with firewood; shy nomad women dressed in traditional clothing and big-eyed children herding floppy-eared goats.
The picturesque old Kasbahs; clusters of rough, adobe mountain dwellings tumbling down rocky hillsides; dark, mysterious souks and the bustling street scenes of the World-heritage cities are images that will stay ith you long after your holiday has ended.
Morocco is a land of contrasts and the combination of brilliant, hot colours; the bright, clear light and the complete sensual overload is sure to revive the most jaded palette.
A sketching holiday to suit you
We offer 3 different programmes, each with 2 departures a year.
We travel only in the cooler months so that it is possible to sketch outside all day.
The trips are suitable for complete beginners or professional artists alike.
Those who desire will be guided/instructed and we have group appraisals every evening when we can have the chance to chat about how our work is progressing, give and receive advice and overcome any difficulties we might have, as well as sharing our experiences of the day.
There will be a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 painting guests on each trip to ensure individual attention at all times; a more intimate, family atmosphere and a gentler, quieter impact on the places we visit.
The trips are loosely structured to allow for spontaneity and the painting is always optional; however you can't fail to return with a sketchpad full of colour, shoes full of sand, and a head full of wonderful memories!
Non-painting partners and friends are welcome to join our party and will find the trips a memorable and varied introduction to this fascinating country.
Can’’t find what you are looking for? We believe that our 3 programmes encompass some of the best scenery that Morocco has to offer. However, it is a vast country and a short trip can only scratch the surface of its treasures.
If you have more time, or want to travel in a different month, or want to explore a part of Morocco not mentioned here, then please get in touch. We can tailor make your Painting Holiday to you own design, if you can get together a minimum of 4 people.
Your Host
“Painting holidays abroad” is the initiative of Mary King, a widely collected landscape artist specialising in pastels and coloured pencils
Landscapes and painting have always been my passion and some of my earliest work reflects the changing moods of the Yorkshire Dales where I went to school and later, college.
My formal training began at Bradford College of Art, perhaps more well known for its famous ex- student, David Hockney. Here I experimented with different media and established an early preference for painting bold, yet gentle, images that capture the essence of a place.
Following this I spent 3 years at Leeds Polytechnic achieving a B.A.(Hons) in Illustration before moving to the West coast of Scotland where the untouched, wild land and ever-changing light became a constant and challenging inspiration. For 14 years I sold my work from my Gallery “Picture Shack” to customers from all over the world.
Some of this work can be seen at www.pictureshack.co.uk
Looking for a new artistic challenge, I discovered Morocco, where I was immeditaely enchanted by the grandeur, the never-ending skies and the rugged, untamed nature of the land, whilst finding certain similarities in the drama of the light and the shape of the ancient, weather-eroded mountains that scatter my desert home.
Now dividing my time between Scotland and Morocco, I accompany all tours and know the areas well.
Many years in the tourism / hospitality trade ensure that guests are treated like friends
Your Guide
Your guide and driver for the rough desert tracks and rocky pistes is often husband Hamid, son of once-nomadic parents who has lived in the region all his life and knows the desert like the back of his hand.
Along with his native Berber, he is also fluent in Arabic, French and Spanish and speaks excellent English. He can provide a unique insight into the local culture and history of the places you visit, having worked as a tour guide for many years.
We also utilise several other tusted, local Berber guides/drivers who all have similar knowledge of English and the areas we visit, and will undoubtedly add an extra authenticity to your trip!
Our combination of local knowledge and painting expertise ensures you get the holiday experience you deserve, a mixture of surprise, stimulation and comfort. All the logistics are taken care of........bring your enthusiasm and leave behind your worries!
