Still Life Painting retreat 21- 26 June 2026
Still Life in Colour, Painting Retreat with Artist Anna Hymas
Retreat Details
Dates: 21- 26 June 2026
Duration: 6 days/ 5 nights
Tutor: Anna Hymas
Hosts: Helen, Mick & CHF team (Victoria, Kirstie, Sophie, Paris)
Venue: Court House Farm, Portishead BS20 6PU, UK
Experience level: Suitable for all levels
Small group for focused tuition and connection
Includes
5 nights’ accommodation, all meals and refreshments, expert tuition, inspiring talks, studio time, activities, and local visitsCost
From £1990 residential (see full pricing below)£990 Non-residential option available (see below)
about the retreat
This retreat, led by painter Anna Hymas, invites you into the vibrant world of still life painting — working both from life and from your imagination. Over Six days, you’ll explore colour, composition and mark-making using oils or acrylics (your choice).
Expect a relaxed, encouraging environment where experimentation is welcomed. Whether you’re new or experienced, Anna will guide you through drawing, layering, colour play, spontaneous adjustments, and refining a final piece (or pieces). The aim is more than completing paintings — it’s about rediscovering joy, momentum and freedom in your creative practice.
Costs & Booking
Residential (5 nights, all inclusive)
Arrival: 2pm, Sunday 21 June 2026 for afternoon tea and gather at 3pm for induction & studio session with Anna
Farewell: 11.30am, Friday 26 June 2026
£2,550 — Own ensuite room in the historic Manor
once our allocation of rooms are filled in the manor we use our Court Lodge accommodation (Victorian house just at end of drive) All rooms are ensuite£2,350 — Own room, shared bathroom (2 sharing)
£1,990 — Shared twin room (price per guest)
Reserve with a £500 non-refundable deposit - see our terms & conditions for details
we welcome non-participating guests to join us with a paying guest - price for room & food will be quoted on request
For those with longer to travel we offer additional nights without catering - price quoted on request
Non- residential option Join us with a 6- day pass - see below
Costs & booking- continued
Non-Residential — 6-Day Studio Pass
For those creatives who live locally and can travel to us daily we offer a 6-day pass. On-site parking available.
Venue: Court House Farm, Portishead BS20 6PU, UK
Cost: £990
Arrival: 2pm, Sunday 21 June 2026
Daily workshops: 9.30am – 4.30pm + talks
Farewell: 11.30am, Friday 26 June 2026 - we would welcome you to join us for some time to reflect on the experience, share the work created and say farewells
Includes: all tuition & workshops, studio access, and lunches (excludes accommodation, bar and evening meal).
Reserve with a £250 non-refundable deposit - see our terms & conditions for details
What you’ll learn
How to arrange still life scenes using foliage, vessels, fruit, cloth and found objects
Loosening-up drawing and sketching exercises to build confidence and observation
Translating compositions into painterly works with oil or acrylic
Layering, scraping back and reworking — embracing changes as part of process
Colour mixing, visual rhythm, and playful decision-making
Techniques for stepping back, seeing what “feels right” and adapting
Time and space for independent exploration, supported feedback and group reflection
You’ll leave with fresh energy, new paintings, and the confidence to keep exploring colour and composition long after the retreat ends.
About Court House Farm
Court House Farm, in Portishead, Somerset, near Bristol UK, is a historic estate transformed into a creative retreat centre and gardens. Its medieval and Tudor houses, wild gardens and converted farm buildings create an immersive, tranquil atmosphere.
Here, studio spaces open into gardens; meals are chef-prepared; seasonal and generous. The pace is deliberately slower — giving you space to reflect, to wander, to paint. The setting, the hospitality, and the calm support your creative focus and offer a break from everyday distractions.
About Anna Hymas
Anna Hymas is a London-based artist working in her home-studio. A Central Saint Martins graduate, she has exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and internationally in London, New York and Paris.
Her work is characterised by bold, expressive colour, layered imagery and a playful, liberated approach to mark-making. Anna describes her retreat intent:
“We will set up still life scenes and work both from life and also from imagination. I hope to create a relaxed and fun space where people can paint freely without inhibitions or overthinking.” “I’m an impulsive painter … I paint, scrape back then build up layers until it feels right.” Anna Hymas
This retreat is designed to allow participants to leave not just with paintings, but with new energy, and an urge to continue creating.
Discover more on Anna’s website
Love the sound of this retreat but can’t make the dates? Let us know, and we’ll add you to our interest list for future retreats with Anna — you’ll be the first to hear when new dates are announced.