SKETCHING IN MOROCCO
At La Di Dar, Gavin's house in Tangier we offer a painting and sketching holiday. The trips are hosted by best friends Joan and Gavin at the house and around town. All levels are welcome, it's a bit of fun, it's generally a group of six guest. The days will be broken up into painting, sketching; wandering through the medina sketchbook in hand and private house tours.
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DATES:
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​10TH TO 15TH April 2025
£1500.00 for 4 days sketching and 2 days travel
8TH TO 13TH May 2025
£1500.00 for 4 days sketching and 2 days travel
5TH TO 10TH June 2025
£1500.00 for 4 days sketching and 2 days travel
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These dates are based on Air Arabia direct flights from Gatwick
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FUTURE DATES TO FOLLOW THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
HENRI MATISSE IN TANGIER 1912
I wanted to mention Mattisse to get you inspired, he spent quite a bit of time painting in Tangier.
VIEW FROM HENRI'S HOTEL WINDOW
A painting of the English church St Michael's Tangier
PENCIL SKETCH IN THE KAZBAR
A famous Mosque I can take you to
PENCIL DRAWING OF LOCAL CHAPS
There's always someone sitting drinking tea for you to sketch
OIL PAINTING OF A MOROCCAN LADY
Wearing traditional costume
ABOUT US
We have been painting for many years, like all painters some days are good and some not so good. Joan is good at portraits and Gavin prefers still life. Artists have always been attracted to the Tangerine light, architecture and colours of North Africa.
ROOMSCAPES AND STILL LIFE
The house has several levels with terraces which are all good for sketching and painting. Gavin is an interior designer
so the house has a lot of inspiring
vistas and corners.
PORTRAIT PAINTING
We have Moroccan friends who are happy to sit for us. Joan will be on hand if you need any portrait advice. Your time in Tangier is to feel very free to do what you want.
If you'd rather go shopping for an
afternoon you must.
EXTRAS
If you're interested in private house tours we can arrange this for an extra fee. Feel free to ask us for any details
ACCOMMODATION
MAISON MAGGIE
A exciting new house owned by Gavin & Boz two minutes from LaDi Dar the painting holiday hub. It's a whole house with two double bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms and a kitchen with a wonderful roof terrace over looking a garden. Contact Gavin directly for info. Breakfast is included. Click here to book through AirBnB
HOTEL RIAD MOKHTAH
This hotel is the nearest to me, 2 minutes away. Built around a terrace with trees, on 3 levels with an amazing panoramic view of Tangier, and a renowned outside restaurant. http://www.riadmokhtar.com
HOTEL NORD PINUS
Probably the chicest hotel in town, it has a great balance of classic Moorish design with a modern twist, 5 minutes walk from me. Built inside the Kazbah wall, with great views of the sea. Highly recommended. https://www.nordpinustanger.com
VILLA MABROUKA
The forma home of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé. Jasper Conran converted it into most amazing hotel. It has probably the best Resturant in town and also a very cool roof top bar. The villa sits in a spectacular garden with two swimming pools, Its one minute away from us. https://villamabrouka.com/
HOTEL AUX 3 PORTS
This hotel is a hot favourite, 5 minutes walk from my house. It originally was a private house with charming gardens and a pool, we love it. www.aux3portes.com
HOTEL LA TANGERINA
If you'd like a Roberts radio by the bed with a calm atmosphere this is the place, set in the wall of the Kazbah, 5 minutes walk to me, one of favourites. www.latangerina.com
HOTEL DAR NOUR
Hidden down a labyrinth of alleyways, 7 minutes walk from me. Probably the best roof terrace bar and view in town. One of the oldest houses in the kazbah, run brilliantly by 2 French men. www.darnour.com
HOTEL EL MINZAH
The Minzah hotel is an institution in Tangier, a place to meet friends for a club sandwich by the pool, it's seen better days but has great old charm, think a Dowager Duchess. The pool is great and they have a spa. Around 12 minutes walk to me. https://elminzah.leroyal.com
Great views from the roof terrace, great place to sketch or drink wine.
PRICES INCLUDE
1. Airport transfers.
2. Drawing materials - charcoal, pencils, cartridge paper, some watercolour paper and water colour paints, chalk pastels.
Please feel free to bring your own materials too. Hard back A5 sketch books are great for sketching in town.
3. Lunches at La Di Dar.
4.Welcome drinks on the terrace.
5.Tuition as much or as little as you require, Joan and Gavin are on hand to guide you.
Don't worry if you haven picked up a pencil since you were twelve, all levels welcome.
NOT INCLUDED
1. Flights
2. Accommodation
3. Dinners and breakfast
4. Any other extra day trips or private
house visits
The holidays are for 6 people. Groups of friends are welcome.
We operate on a first come first served basis. When we receive your email request we will send a confirmation email with payment information and further details.
Please let us know any dietary requirements.
CANCELLATION POLICY
We require a deposit of 50% to secure the booking.
Please make sure you have adequate travel insurance arranged before you make your booking and check the relevant travel and covid testing requirements for your journey.
Please note: if we have to cancel the holiday due to Covid an alternative date will be suggested and if that's not acceptable all payments made will be refunded.
If you should need to cancel within one month of travel we can offer you alternative dates for the same price you originally agreed to or if that is not suitable we will need to keep 50% of the deposit
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TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is a condition of accepting your booking that you have personal travel insurance, including cancellation insurance for medical reasons, redundancy, jury service etc for all members of your party.
We are not liable for any loss, injury or claim of any kind arising out of, or in connection with staying at, or travelling to and from La Di Dar for you or any member of your party.
ART HOLIDAY ITINERARY
The days would be broken up:
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ARRIVAL
The first day is a travel day, and settling in to your hotel and everyones invited for a drink at La Di Dar to meet the group.
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BREAKFAST
Breakfast will be at your hotels. After breakfast at 10.00am we meet at La Di Dar to discuss the day and do a few quick still life sketches, interiors sketching on another day, sketching in a friends garden on one day and life drawing on the last day.
None of this is set in stone
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LUNCH
Lunches will be prepared and served at La DI Dar
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AFTERNOON
You can either continue with your morning sketches, have a siesta or you can head in to town for shopping and snaking through
the Kazbah which is on the doorstep - totally up to you.
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SUPPER
We have lots of suggestions for your supper plans.
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This is a loose itinerary which we can change at any time to suit, but it gives a good idea.
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LIFE DRAWING
this is great fun and doesn't matter if you've never done it before, you have to start somewhere, We can give you some simple guidance.
WATER COLOUR AND ACRYLIC PAINTING
We avoid using oil paints as it's messy and doesn't dry in time to roll up your pictures to take home.