Inishowen is a hugely interesting geographical landscape. It’s the largest peninsula on the island of Ireland. It’s circumnavigated by the “Inishowen 100“, a scenic drive of about 100 miles that allows for many beautiful adventures and painting possibilities.
Beaches
There are many great choices of beaches and coastline to choose from. Some of my favourites are Kinnagoe Bay, Trawbreaga Bay and Malin Bridge, Pollen Bay at Ballyliffin with the ever-changing light on Glashedy Island, Lagg Beach and the views across to Binevenagh from the coastal walk from Moville to Greencastle.
Mountains
We are blessed with mountain views around the Peninsula including the mountain road with lakes and islands between Carndonagh and Buncrana and the stunning landscapes with can be seen on the back roads from Gleneely to Redcastle.
Malin Head never ceases to amaze with several places to set up and take some time out of your busy week to settle with easel and brushes.
Tuition
At our Artists’ Retreat, we guide you through the process of en plein air painting in oils and acrylics, whether you are a beginner or well-practiced artist trying something new.
There are several opportunities for tuition throughout the year with our weekend courses but don’t wait… having a go yourself will get some experience and practice under your belt, something you can build and explore further.
You can view and book on all our courses here.
Our self-catering accommodation, which has recently received the Fáilte Ireland Welcome Standard can be booked with or without tuition and is a wonderful place to stay… but don’t just take our word for it!
A journey and stay in this lovingly restored cottage is recharge to the soul and and burst for creativity. The gardens and tree nursery of saplings collected from ancient oaks are an inspiration and connection to the restoration of nature and art. Sinead and Andy are dedicated and caring hosts a stay in any weather is highly recommended.
Dale Treadwell
Important things to remember when painting outdoors
- Check the weather forecast – while it’s not always sunny, rain isn’t the worst thing for an outdoor painter! The wind is the thing to watch…having your painting blown into a nearby thorn hedge (which has happened to me) isn’t fun!
- Remembering to use your easel properly by making sure your canvas is well secured and using the strap on your easel to attach a bag with other materials or a few gathered stones, can save you a lot of bother.
- Travel light – you don’t need the kitchen sink! Deciding on your colour palette before you go and bringing the basic primary colours is more effective than carrying every paint tube in your collection. A tube of white of course, and remembering that you can mix a lovely dark, using a mixed purple and richly mixed green (adding a little Prussian or ultramarine blue to darken as required), will create good contrast without going to black.
- Selecting your colours and experimenting with your colour mixing before you head into the great outdoors will give you a remembered sense of colour and confidence… you can do this!
- This is a great community. if you ask, you will surely receive! Local people are the true treasure here. If you get lost, need advice or directions, you will mostly be greeted like an old friend. Always make sure and ask before you set foot on anyone’s land though, whilst most folks really won’t mind, they will appreciate being asked.
- Have fun!!