Workshops & Painting Holidays

Experience a week of relaxation and painting. The portrait painting holiday is a step out of our busy lives and a chance to reset. Kate will show you how she develops ideas and creates her paintings.

Learn how to work from both photographic sources and a life model. We will go through the stages of oil painting and learn a variety of oil painting techniques.

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Upcoming Art Holidays 2025

Kate Sparrow is a British artist who recently moved her busy life and three children from Hong Kong to set up her own artist studio in the beautiful Principality of Laás in South West France. She works on both portrait commissions and mixed-media art pieces and aims to share her savoir-faire and passion through workshops and painting holidays in the sunny South-West.

Meet Kate Sparrow

Kate Sparrow is a British artist who recently moved her busy life and three children from Hong Kong to set up her own artist studio in the beautiful Principality of Laás in South West France. She works on both portrait commissions and mixed-media art pieces. Kate aims to encapsulate the personality and essence of the person she paints. She works with the client to create a narrative in the work. She is a fully registered teacher of 25 years working as Head of Art in the UK and in Hong Kong. She continues to consult for a school in London and is an IB examiner. Kate is passionate about sharing her love of art and has fulfilled a life long dream to set up her own studio to work and teach in. Working with the local and international community to encourage creativity in both children and adults.

'I booked the course with the aim of learning about painting with oils and developing my abilities in portraiture. Kate is a wonderful teacher and I came away feeling I'd achieved what I'd hoped to and a lot more. The atmosphere was welcoming and fun, the company was great, the location was gorgeous and the food was wonderful. Kate also went above and beyond in providing opportunities to explore the area with activities and excursions that kept us entertained outside of the studio. I couldn't recommend it more highly'

Lynn Graham

2024 Art Holidays

Come join Kate in her lovely sunny studio in South West France. As a portrait artist she has learnt many new skills and techniques and can help you to create your own stunning portrait paintings. It’s more than just a painting holiday. It’s a chance to meet other people and experience many different activities. We explore local historical villages and markets. Kate will take you to festivals and help you to discover the fascinating area of the Bearn country. Our students go away feeling like not only have they learnt new art skills but also experienced a different type of holiday. If you are a total beginner or experienced painter the course will be perfect for you. 

Where we are

The South-West of France

The village of Laás is renowned in the area of Bearn for seeking status as its own principality. In the village is a beautiful Chateau open to the public. Each year the Chateau hosts a music festival and each village house has a star representing the musicians or bands that have played there – the ‘Laàs Vegas boulevard’. It really is a magical place to visit.

The Béarn region

The south-west of France is an 
The village of Laás is renowned in the area of Bearn for seeking status as its own principality. In the village is a beautiful Chateau open to the public. Each year the Chateau hosts a music festival and each village house has a star representing the musicians or bands that have played there – the ‘Laàs Vegas boulevard’. It really is a magical place to visit.

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For workshops & painting holidays or comissions, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Art Holidays 2024

Kate Sparrow is a British artist who recently moved her busy life and three children from Hong Kong to set up her own artist studio in the beautiful Principality of Laás in South West France. She works on both portrait commissions and mixed-media art pieces and aims to share her savoir-faire and passion through workshops and painting holidays in the sunny South-West.