If you love painting, there is nothing quite so absorbing and good for the soul than spending a week totally focused on it in like minded company. I returned last Wednesday from Olhao in Portugal where I hosted a week long painting holiday for Friendship Travel. Olhao is a beautiful, moorish fishing harbour, typically 'old Portugal' with cobbled streets, fabulous doors and super food. We spent the week going over some fundamentals, experimenting with techniques, colour and value, sightseeing and sketching plein air. Many of the group were complete beginners and threw themselves in to the week and produced some great work. Oh and we laughed till we cried...the best medicine of all in this stressful world. My next week is in Turkey in October where I haven't been before but it looks beautiful. We even have a day doing pottery included. Have you ever fancied the idea of sketching outside or do you already? Let me know in the comments.