Artist, tutor, author and demonstrator
Holidays
Carole is a very versatile painter who has been a professional artist and tutor for many years. Her approachable style of teaching will ensure you will get the most out of your painting holiday as she encourages beginner and more experienced artists alike.
Carole will demonstrate a wide variety of tips and techniques to get the results you want whether a complete beginner or a more accomplished artist.
Chateau de Pourpry, France:
3rd-8th May, 2026
Join Carole Massey to sketch and paint landscapes 'en plein air' and paint portraits from life
at this beautiful French Chateau near to Toulouse.
Château de Pourpry is a charming historic guest house and estate located in Damiatte, in the Occitanie region of France, known for its tranquil setting, permaculture focus, natural swimming pool, and local French cuisine.
It provides a blend of historical elegance with modern comfort, featuring gardens, terraces, and a restaurant.
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Join Carole in this artist's paradise for a 5 day studio based course for all abilities, with opportunities to paint in the beautiful Chateau gardens.
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Throughout the course, you will explore the fundamentals of colour mixing, composition, and brush technique.
You will practice blending and layering methods to create depth, light, and texture, develop landscape paintings that convey atmosphere, perspective and mood.
You will also learn how to create lifelike portraits, focusing on proportions, form and skin tones and gain confidence in your own creative style while creating a series of finished paintings.
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Book now to secure a place in this idyllic artist's paradise.
Price includes full board, meals and transfers from Toulouse airport.
Hotel Leone, Le Marche Italy:
12th-19th June, 2026
Hotel Leone is a beautifully restored 9 bedroomed palazzo sitting at the foot of the ancient hilltop town of Montelparo, in Le Marche region of central Italy, which was recently voted No 2 region in the world to visit on LonelyPlanet. It's a picture postcard medieval setting with winding streets, shady courtyards and panoramic viewpoints.
The entire property has been completely renovated to an award winning standard, incorporating as many environmentally friendly features as possible. The owners, Madeline and Tim, pride themselves in delivering the ultimate in comfort and hospitality and have created a haven for guests with plenty of comfortable sitting areas. All rooms are wonderfully spacious and have tea & coffee making facilities, air con and TV; there are also central honesty mini bars on each floor.
DAILY ROUTINE
Each day after breakfast we will take a short minibus ride to a nearby location or paint in Montelparo. Carole will be on hand throughout the day to demonstrate or offer help and guidance on an individual basis. The emphasis will be on sketching, pen & wash studies and watercolours, though you are welcome to work in your own choice of medium. We return to the hotel mid afternoon, allowing time to relax by the pool, paint in the spacious studio, or retire for a siesta! Each evening before supper we review the day's work, with a low-key exhibition on our last evening.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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7 nights' luxury en-suite accommodation in spacious, air conditioned en suite rooms
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5 days painting tuition including demonstrations and one to one guidance
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Group transfers to/from either Ancona airport or Pedaso (station or bus stop)
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All Meals including breakfast, buffet lunch and gourmet evening meals
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Delicious local house wines with lunch and evening meals.
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Transportation to and from painting locations and airport/train station transfers (please see notes on Hotel Leone's website)
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3 days' painting excursions to stunning locations
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1 leisure day (lunch not included)
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Unlimited use of lockable studio
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Painting chairs, easels (if required), drawing boards and water pots supplied.
NB. FLIGHTS to Ancona airport with Rynair or Lufthansa and Holiday Insurance are NOT INCLUDED.
What it costs
From 2,499€ with a 400€ discount if you share a room, and from 1799€ for a non painting partner, depending on your room type. Book via the link below.
Please read the Hotel Leone website for Terms & Conditions and Booking Information:
Email: info@hotelleone.it
Tel:+39 366 5749 169
​Carole has been hosting painting holidays in Europe for over 20 years and is a very experienced artist and tutor. This holiday is suitable for all abilities and non painting partners are most welcome.
"The painting holiday at Hotel Leone was a great joy and I loved it all. Madeline and Tim made us so welcome.Your tuition, Carole, as always, is inspirational and I came away full of ideas. You chose such wonderful venues to paint and made it all such fun.
Thank you."
Paint historic Buxton, Peak District:
4th Sept-8th Oct, 2026
Join Carole to paint in and around Buxton in the stunning Peak District this Autumn using pen and wash and watercolour
Join Carole to sketch and take photographs on location around picturesque Buxton, returning to the studio to complete our paintings in pen and wash and watercolour.
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Historic local subjects will include Buxton Pavilion Gardens, The Opera House, the Crescent and the main high street in Buxton, all of which are within walking distance of the hotel and each other.
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Sketches might be pencil/pen, pen and wash or small watercolour studies which can be developed into a pen & wash or watercolour landscape as you prefer.
Carole's approachable style of teaching will enable you to get the most from your paintings as she will assist you with plenty of one-to-one tuition.
Also, through a combination of demonstrations and tips & techniques she will show you how to get the results you want whether a complete beginner or a more accomplished artist.
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Historically known by the Romans as 'Aquae Arnemetiae', or the Spa of the Goddess of the Grove, Buxton is one of England's finest spa towns, nestling amongst the Derbyshire hills on the fringe of the Peak District.
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At a height of over 1,000ft, Buxton is the joint highest market town in England, but is perhaps most famous for its 'healing' spa waters.
Visitors have travelled to bathe in Buxton's mineral waters for thousands of years but Buxton is also deservedly renowned for its beautiful Georgian and Victorian architecture - much of it linked with the 5th Duke of Devonshire's ambitions to create a spa town to rival Bath back in the 18th century.
Book via the Alpha Painting Holidays website from the link below.
What it costs
Single Occupancy
£925
Double Occupancy
£825
Non Painters
£625
Please follow the link below to book Carole's painting holiday
Alpha Painting Holidays is one of the UK’s leading painting holiday companies, providing exceptional all-inclusive residential holidays taking pride in paying great attention to every aspect of your holiday. The destinations, the hotels and all the painting locations have been thoroughly researched to ensure they meet the criteria expected from a superb painting holiday. Alpha provides a complete package experience so that you don’t need to worry about anything other than enjoying your painting and the holiday. https://www.alphapaintingholidays.com/
Paint magnificent Gibraltar:
7th-14th November, 2026
Join Carole to paint Gibraltar's unique views and atmospheric street scenes for some Winter sunshine
Join Carole for this unique opportunity to paint a diverse range of subjects in sunny Gibraltar this Winter
From the hustle and bustle of busy Main Street where we can sketch the buzz of cafe scenes and historic architecture including Casemates and Mackintosh Square, to the majestic views of the Straits of Gibraltar and the Atlas Mountains of Africa.
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We will also paint in the tranquil Botanical Gardens, opposite the hotel, and from the hotel terraces themselves we can paint the Bay of Gibraltar and the beautiful sunsets off the coast of Spain.
During the holiday we will visit Europa Point where we can paint the Rock of Gibraltar, the Iconic Lighthouse and views of the coast of Africa and Camp Bay along with the Bay of Gibraltar with its many docked ships
On your leisure day, we will have a 'Rock Tour" as an excursion using Inside Out Rock Tours (who will be looking after our group throughout the holiday). If, as a non-painter, you are interested in other tours please let us know.
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Carole's approachable style of teaching will enable you to get the most from your paintings as she will assist you with plenty of one-to-one tuition.
Also, through a combination of demonstrations and tips & techniques she will show you how to get the results you want whether a complete beginner or a more accomplished artist.
Book via Alpha Painting Holidays website using the link below
What it costs
Single Occupancy
£2475
Double Occupancy
£2095
Non Painters
£1525
Please follow the link below to book Carole's painting holiday
Alpha Painting Holidays is one of the UK’s leading painting holiday companies, providing exceptional all-inclusive residential holidays taking pride in paying great attention to every aspect of your holiday. The destinations, the hotels and all the painting locations have been thoroughly researched to ensure they meet the criteria expected from a superb painting holiday. Alpha provides a complete package experience so that you don’t need to worry about anything other than enjoying your painting and the holiday. https://www.alphapaintingholidays.com/