This ten day holiday based at Boletas in the beautiful Southern Pyrenees will give the artist an opportunity to draw and paint some of the natural life found in the area Lammergier, Griffon, Harriers, Eagles, Bee-eaters,Hoopoes, many passerines and the possibility of the much sought after Wallcreeper could be seen on this trip with many Alpine flowers in spectacular scenery. We will explore a variety of habitats and will have a flexible programme of drawing, painting, walking and birdwatching. Your hosts will be Josele & Esther who will provide comfortable accommodation with excellent Spanish cuisine and fine wines. Our guide Joselle’s knowledge of the wildlife of the Pyrenees is unrivalled and his friendly entertaining personality will go a long way to make your visit very enjoyable.

Your artist on location, Ernest Leahy, is very experienced in drawing and painting the wildlife and landscape of the area and will encourage and assist you with both sketching & painting & will demonstrate techniques to help you in producing your artwork. As well as the normal art materials he will show how the use of telescope, camera & camcorder can be used to “back up“ your artwork for later studio work. The easy pace of this trip will enable rewarding opportunities to produce some satisfying artwork for all.

A typical itinerary will be as below but days can be rearranged to suit requirements, weather etc.

Day 1: Barcelona Airport to Boletas, near Huesca, stopping for lunch and some birding in a Steppe area. After our evening meal a discussion about our expectations, experience and equipment in preparation for the days ahead.

Day 2: Morning at Castle Aragon for Raptors, Black Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow, Chough and an interesting landscape where we will begin our drawing. After a packed lunch beside a lake with waterbirds, more sketching or relaxing birding. Evening talk about sketching in the field.

Day 3: Drive to Rigolos, spectacular sandstone pinnacle rock attracting many raptors and attractive gardens with Serin, Buntings & Warblers as well as Flowers & Butterflies. After our walk and packed lunch we will choose our subjects for painting. Overnight stop at Hotel (2 nights)

Day 4 & 5: High Pyrenees for 2 days including Hecho Valley for Wallcreeper & San Juan de la Pina. Spectacular scenery & high Alpine birds. Sketchbooks & cameras recording the days sightings. Return to Boletas with much to talk over.

Day 6: Vadillio Rock for Raptors with chance of Lammergier, Vultures & Eagles. This is an area with a unique landscape and we will spend a morning here composing our pictures. After lunch a short journey to higher ground will enable us to find alpine flowers with more chances to sketch, walk or birdwatch. Evening post Dinner, talk about favourite Wildlife Artists.

Day 7: Visit to a Steppe area to find Great & Little Bustards, Pintail, Black Bellied Sandgrouse, Lesser Kestrel and Callandra Lark. Telescopes would be useful here and drawing will be more challenging but the day should be rewarding for a completely different landscape. Possibility of stopping at some lakes for Spanish specialities. Evening discussion on watercolour techniques.

Day 8: Visit to Salton de Roldan and river bed for Raptors, Hoopoe, Buntings for a relaxing day painting. Evening, optional birdwatching and walking in the Loporzono village & farmland area.

Day 9: Visit to medieval village for more Raptors and wonderful landscape as well as old buildings. Choice of activities for the afternoon. Evening discussion and display of artwork started on the trip. Analysis of the holiday.

Day 10: Early breakfast and return to Barcelona for flight home.

PAINTING & BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAY RECOMMENDATIONS

INCLUDED:

Comfortable accommodation with full breakfast and evening meal with local
wines. Midday - packed lunch or Tapas according to location.

Transfer from and to Barcelona Airport.

Services of Guide & Artist throughout the holiday.

Comfortable chairs for field trips.

NOT INCLUDED:

Insurance - See booking conditions in brochure.

Flight - See Boletas recommendations. Josele will advise an arrival time for the whole party to be picked up together at Barcelona Airport.

Art Materials - Bring as required or as recommended below. See notes re Solvents & Oils.

Easel - Not recommended unless you have a small portable one.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

See notes for Artists Travelling on Aircraft

Materials cannot be purchased in the immediate area

Telescope & Tripod, Binoculars and Camera, if available.

Art Materials to include.......... A4 or A5 Sketchbook

For Watercolourists............... Normal travel Watercolours - pans recommended.

Quality ring-bound pad i.e. 16” X 12” 100% cotton

Screw top jar or drinks bottle for water

For Pastel or Acrylics.............Materials suitable for field use

NOT RECOMMENDED:

Oils & Solvents

FOR MORE INFORMATION :

www.boletas.org Email: jjsv@boletas.org