1. Where in Spain are you?
Costa Del Sol - the southern tip of Spain. In Marbella. Right in the centre and our studio is in a very prestigious space.
We are just 150 yards to the beach and in central Marbella. We are called 'estudio 61' in Marbella.
A small section of the studio - which is very large and also has a gallery.
2. Which airport do I fly into?
Malaga airport. It is a sparking new airport!! The flight is only around 2 and a half hours from the UK. Sometimes you can get a flight for £24.00 (!!) from Easyjet or Aer Lingus.
3. Do you pick us up from the Airport?
Yes, pick up is included on an inclusive painting week package. We can also pick up for a small charge if not on an inclusive package.. Or there is a great bus service from Malaga airport to Marbella. We can pick you up at Marbella bus station - subject to 'sensible' arrival time - i.e before 9.0pm.
4. How much baggage can I bring?
This is up to you. People who bring lots of clothes always say they never wore half of it!. This depends on your carrier (aeroplane company) - usually 1 suitcase and 1 hand luggage + handbag. Usually for a week's course 1 suitcase and 1 hand luggage is enough.
This is a 'painting holiday' and some students come with just hand luggage - no-one expects you to wear different clothes every day. You can even wash clothes out and they will be dry overnight!! (Summer months).
Caroline has no interest in clothes!! She is generally in a 'uniform' of white shirt and black trousers. Ditto for Alex. The painting is the important thing - not a fashion show!!
5. How long is the journery from the airport to our accommodation in Marbella?
Around 45 minutes to Marbella from Malaga airport.
6. What do I wear?
For the summer months everyone wears shorts or thin trousers and tops. It can get quite hot but our Studio is light cool and airy and we take you to places on location to paint that are sheltered and shady.
In Spring - March to May trousers are mostly worn and tops with cardies.
They do say that May 18th is the beginning of summer in Spain.
Footwear is important. It is very good to wear open sandals in the summer. Keeping your feet coool is often the answer to keep cool!
So in the Spring and Winter most people wear trainers or casual shoes.
Autumn months - end September to December. Can be hot or cool - so it is quite unpredictable. So bring layers.
Winter months - December to March - again can be cool or warm - sometimes March is absolutely fantastic - just perfect!
Anyway it is a casual place. No need for evening wear or anything like that!!
Everyone in Marbell (where we are) is usually very 'neat' but not expensively dressed!
Our artists and staff are usually in branded Polo shirts until May - then they switch to cotton shirts!
7. Why are you different from other Holiday Providers?
Well now. For lots of reasons! We are a Professional Art Studio well established in the UK with an outstanding reputation for our Painting Courses. The UK web site is www.joedaisy.co.uk - this will show you how brilliant we are(!!) - look at the testimonials - click
a) We have a professional art studio - so you can paint on location and in the Studio. The Studio has your own space with professional easel, painting table your own paints, brushes, high stool etc.
b) All your professional art materials are provided. They really are Professional art materials too! The best brushes and paints, watercolour paper etc. Art materials are allocated for the course - extra materials can be purchased.
c) We have a selection of accommodation for you - click
d) All your painting courses have been written by Caroline Hulse FRSA - a Master Painter.
e) We have sourced the best places to paint in - to give you a variety of form - architecture, landscape, etc.
f) We know we give very generous and courteous service. Where nothing is too much trouble for us!
g) Every holiday or Painting Course is about YOU! We concentrate on whatever it is you want to learn.
hi) We are not a transient provider but our Studio is open all year round.
ij) Our artists do not paint whilst you are painting (except in demonstration) but give you assistance when and if you need it - all the time.
j) We give you as much tuition as you require. That is some people come just to enjoy the food, sun and relaxation. Some people come to really learn to paint - so you tell us what you want and we will provide!
7a Do you give discounts for anyone?
We like to think our painting holidays and courses are exceptional value. Caroline's professional fees should be £248 per hour (!!) - so we think it is pretty amazing we offer such great prices!! Painting is her passion and her life - so she loves teaching you and genuinely wants you to become a good artist. (everyone is amazed at how kind, clever and professional she is!!). We can't do anything about Hotel prices - or food prices - so we do charge very litle for such outstanding teaching and ALL art materials!!
However, ask us if we can do something for you. We do offer sensational offers sometimes - click When we may be able to get a good deal in a Hotel. Perhaps if you book 'last minute' there may be a deal or two - but not guaranteed.
IF YOU BOOK A PAINTING HOLIDAY FOR 2012 BEFORE February 28th - we will offer you 10% discount.
8. Do you just provide Painting Holidays?
No, we offer long courses and short courses.
We want to Bring Out The Artist in YOU! So we have a variety of courses for you. As a Professional Art Studio we do very concentrated art training as well as excellent holidays.
9. How about accommodation?
In an inclusive painting holiday we try and put all our students in the same hotel. This will depend on how early you book. The choice of hotel on an inclusive holiday is up to us.
If you want to choose your own accommodation = you can do that. Let us know and we will advise of the price of a painting week without accommodation.
10. Can I design my own holiday?
Of course you can. We have some people who just come to us for three or fifteen days painting. We also have people who come out to Spain for the winter and come to us 2 days a week.
We want YOU to have a great time - so you tell us what you want and we will make it happen!
11. I live in Spain what can you do for me?
Our studio is open every day and we already have a core group of artists who come to us every day or every week. They paint in the Studio or have tuition. There is always an artist in the Studio to help you with any aspect of painting you need.
We also have a Gallery - where we are putting on exhibitions every month. So if you are a good artist, we may be able to put on an exhibition for you.
12. How do I get my paintings home from a Painting Holiday?
Every aeroplane carrier will accept paintings for the hold. We wrap very well for you - some clients have taken home very very large canvases and no damage. The cost is usally the price of another suitcase.
If you are a watercolourist - there is no problem!
13. What happens if I get ill on my holiday?
it is very easy to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - which will cover you for illness in Spain. You can telephone 090 7707 8370 or apply online at https://www.ehic.org.uk. This will cover you for NHS treatment whilst on the holiday.
We always do as much as we can if you become ill - it has never happened yet! We speak Spanish so do not worry about anything!
14. Can I paint in any media?
Yes, you can. Oils, watercolour or acrylics. We also have pastels and charcoal and every item of paint materials you could wish for!
15. Supposing I've forgotten my toothpaste?
Marbella has lots of shops. This is an exciting place with everything you want!!
16. I'm a single traveller - what can you offer me?
Our inclusive painting holiday package is usually single travellers. You stay in the same hotel, eat together and you are one of a group - so it's great!! Some single travellers ask us for independent lfe - that is a different hotel and to eat by themselves - this we can arrange too.
18. I am coming with a non painting partner
Yes, quite a few of our students come with non painting partners. Tell us what they want to do and we can offer suggestions. There are great golf courses nearby.
19. Can My Non painting partner sit around in the Studio?
Not really, we are a very busy art studio.
20. Tell me about the Studio
The Studio is light, cool and airy and has room for 12 artists, each with their own professional easel, painting table, paints etc. You can chose your canvas size or watercolour paper size.
When we go on location we have proper 'field' easels which contain all the equipment you need for oil or watercolour painting.
We tend to keep acrylic painting for the Studio. (in the summer months - it's ok in Spring, autumn and winter to paint in acrylics outside).
We have tea, coffee, water and wine availabkle all the time.
The Gallery has some interesting paintings for sale and to rent.
21. I've always thought "Marbella" is a place for "posh" people
It isn't!! There is what is called the "Golden Mile" where all the expensive hotels are situated, this is some way from us. We are in the best place - central Marbella where everyone is "normal" and there is a huge range of beaches, selected of hotels, restaurants etc.
A very large range of people from families to the over 90's!
22. I've always thought Spain was all 'kiss me quick hats" and rowdiness!
Another myth!! Marbella is very, very unique - spotlessly clean, quite "sedate" and does not have "rowdy" nightclubs. Marbella attracts a cetain "clientele" - many middle class Spanish people come from Madrid for the weekend. Germans, Norwegians and all nationalities come here for a holiday and appreciate the climate, the hotels, the beaches, the parks, the hotels and the restaurants. Honestly you can't beat it. Caroline has been all over the world and says Marbella has it all. She says she would, if she could live here permanantly but she has the UK studio to look after as well!
22. When do your holidays run from?
Painting tuition is on Monday to Friday for a painting holiday. There are also courses at weekends, so you could add one on if you want to. Most students arrive on Sunday and leave on Sunday - giving themselves more time to enjoy Marbella and the sun! You can also arrive on a Saturday.
23. I have more questions
Please ask them - by emailing alex@joedaisyspain.com or studio@joedaisy.co.uk or telephone 07966 843246 in the UK. We are open in the UK 7 days a week from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Sunday.
We really do look forward to seeing you and assure you of a great time!
BRING OUT THE ARTIST IN YOU!!
