Art, Photography & Creative Holidays

Art Holidays

A New Palette of Colours

For any artist the chance to expand the palate as well as the palette is always welcome, so join one of our fantastic leaders to experience our Art Holidays in Morocco. Add some vibrant and ochre tones to your paint box and travel to Morocco where the colour, light and forms will inspire you to experiment with interpretations.  Whether natural or man-made, the colours, shapes and textures of your surroundings are full of vivid contrasts.  Around Taroudant you will be inspired by scenes such as:

  • the palms against the town walls, set against the backdrop of the High Atlas
  • the vibrant colours of the arts and crafts, ceramics and women’s clothes
  • bright light and shadows
  • brilliant displays of fresh produce and spices in the souks 
Taroudant scene by tutor Louise Waugh
High Atlas Scene by Alan Cotton. We sell cards and posters of Alan's work to raise funds for charity.

 

In the Countryside

The mountain landscapes are stunning, often with vibrant green irrigated terraces. Trees vary from gnarled ancient walnuts and olives contrasting with delicate, spindly almonds.

Goats throng around the simple village houses. Multi-coloured washing is laid out to dry on any available surface.

Observe the exquisite textures of the foothills, where small bushes on smooth hillocks appear like sprigs of parsley garnishing piles of paprika dusted with white pepper. 

Dramatic rock formations and endless variations in geology – all the geological eras are represented locally – make for fascinating opportunities to capture their essence on paper.

“I find it inspirational: particularly the shapes and vibrant colours of the people in djellabas, the details of the souks and fruit sellers, the beautiful interior patio garden of an old hotel where we paint and the landscape for all those ochre colours in your paintbox unused in our British greenness!  Painting and drawing is not just about representation; it’s about expressing all the senses whether in colour, texture or figuratively and Morocco will give you all this!”  
Louise Waugh, tutor since 2014.

Artists in Morocco

Morocco has always attracted artists, a notable example being Claudio Bravo.

We offer an exciting opportunity for artists is a visit to Claudio Bravo’s palace and gardens. Here the famous Chilean artist finally made his home after a longstanding love affair with Morocco. Situated just outside Taroudant, the museum houses a remarkable collection of works of art by a variety of artists including Bravo himself. Our guests who visit are usually stunned. In the grounds you will be served refreshments in “the Menara” (named after a famous Pavilion in Marrakech).

Also Winston Churchill was entranced by the scenery of Morocco after spending the winter of 1935-36 there.  The striking contrast between the arid desert and the backdrop of the imposing Atlas Mountains inspired him to paint some of his finest watercolours. Churchill’s doctor recorded in his diary: “We stood gazing at the purple hills, where the light was changing every minute.” Churchill himself murmured: “It’s the loveliest spot in the world.”

Pigments in the souk
Berber house decorated with local pigments

Folk Art

Wherever you go in Morocco – even in the poorer areas – you see interesting examples of folk art on walls and doors, often created using local pigments.

Traditionally, Islamic art avoided representation of living forms: hence the creation of many geometric patterns, all of which have meaning. Such symbols are richly represented in embroidery, ceramics and carpets. However, many paintings and murals depict scenes of people or animals.

Basket making is also a traditional occupation in Morocco. Follow the link to read more about Basket Making Holidays.

Please see our Art holidays below.
DateHolidayBook/Express an interest
Brochure & Tutor
February 19 – 27 2025PaintingWait listBrochure

Louise Waugh
April 30 – May 7 2025Woven TapestryWait listBrochure

Jane & Louise
May 16 – 19 2025Yoga, Sound & Expressive Drawing
in West Wales
BookBrochure

Jill Blandford

Amanda Stone
September 6 – 20 2025Ecoprinting and tourWait listBrochure

Caroline Nixon
September 20 – 27 2025EcoprintingWait listBrochure

Caroline Nixon
February 18 – 28 2026Sketching with tourWait ListBrochure

Donna Taylor
April 8 – 15 2026Ecoprinting & Natural DyesBookCaroline Nixon
April 22 – 29 2026Ecoprinting & Natural DyesBookCaroline Nixon
September 23 – 30 2026Painting and Moroccan CultureBookLouise Waugh

Photography Holidays

 Morocco has endless opportunities for photography. It also has its own unique challenges.

A good photography tutor will be on hand to help you through the process of photographing Morocco’s landscapes and people, as well as offering advice on how to get the best shots from the best angles.

Also you will always have one our staff (who is trusted by local people) with you on the organised trips out. They will pave the way and help gain permission to get shots of people and offer advice on a suitable tip be given for the favour, provided the subject is happy to be photographed.

In the image the group are capturing amazing sights at the Palace of Claudio Bravo.

This is the sort of image we love, where our very shiny, clean teapot captures the reflection of the courtyard & blue sky at the ecolodge.

Photography Week Review

WOW. What a week! Just returned from a photography holiday here that went way above and beyond my expectations. The pre-holiday information was excellent allowing for a relaxing build up. On arrival everything had been put in place including details of where to get the best exchange rates at the airport. We were collected outside the airport by excellent drivers in clean, comfortable transport. At La Maison Anglaise a delicious meal had been prepared and from the first morning everything ran like clock work. The programme was clear but with flexibility and all the extras requested, dancers, massage etc were added to our programme. The food, evening meals, breakfast and lunch were delicious, well cooked and presented and nothing was too much trouble for our dietary requirements. A Wyatt

 

Follow this link to see all our Photography Tutors
Please see our Photography holidays below.
DateHolidayBook/Express an interest
Brochure & Tutor
April 29 – 6 May 2026Photography BookGraham Parish
November 4 – 11 2026Photography and MindfulnessBookAdrian Wyatt

Graham Parish

Subscribe to our Newsletters