Inspired@CasaAna
Painting Holidays – Landscape Painting in the Alpujarra
“It is hard not to love the Alpujarra – every corner is a painters dream.”
— ANNABEL KEATLEY
Next holiday: 27 September – 3 October 2025
Annabel Keatley is an award-winning artist who has been living and working in Andalucia since 1996. Drawing on the colours and landscapes of the Alpujarra for inspiration, Annabel will teach you watercolour painting, exploring textures, perspective and composition as well as colour. Days will include painting en plein air in the hills, in a historic village setting and on the terrace at Casa Ana. There will also be two sessions painting the magnificent sunsets we have here in the autumn. And to celebrate being in Andalucia, there’ll be a visit to a local bodega, and a flamenco dance demonstration at Casa Ana. Annabel welcomes beginners as well as experienced students to this holiday.
“Attending a workshop led by Annabel Keatley is a truly enriching experience. Although carrying with her vast experience and incredible artistic talent, Annabel presents information in such an accessible and approachable manner that even beginners feel at ease.”
— PEARL
About Annabel
For over 25 years Annabel has exhibited her paintings and taught workshops to all ages and levels as far afield as Russia, India and Jamaica as well as Spain and the UK.
She brings a refreshing approach to watercolour with emphasis on colour, experimentation, mixing media and using unusual tools to create texture and interest, whilst always paying attention to detail, high quality materials and presentation.
Annabel will inspire and motivate you purely through her own love of colour and paint. Watercolour, being an incredible medium in itself with its reputation as being unforgiving, can actually be used in many ways, and it's a wonderful medium to really show the uniqueness of the painters’ voice. This course will give you a lot of tools and tips so that when you get home you will want to continue to paint.
“During the week we will delve into the benefits of keeping a sketchbook and begin a daily practice. Materials, studio/ plein air practice and demonstrations will cover colour glazing, mixing and harmony, texture, achieving rich colour and basic perspective and composition. Studio exercises will get you to free up, experiment and take some risks, whilst each having individual guidance tailored to your level and aspirations.”
Annabel finds deep inspiration in the mountain and coastal landscapes of Granada Province. Her love for the place has been her inspiration for many years: she always travels with her watercolours, paper and a sketchbook and loves nothing more than sitting in a field painting.
Programme Summary
Saturday
Evening: welcome drinks followed by dinner
Sunday
Morning: introduction to watercolour and sketchbook practice.
Drawing and sketching warm ups at Casa Ana and in the village with painting demonstrations
Afternoon: on the terrace at Casa Ana
En plein air set up, tips for painting outside
Colour mixing and harmony, glazes, painting techniques and principles.
Evening: first session of sunset painting
Monday
Morning: painting in the hills - a stroll to a local mirador with spectacular views of the Trevelez river gorge (your sketchpads and stools will be carried on horseback)
Afternoon: experimental painting exercises on the terrace at Casa Ana to free up and explore colour and texture
Evening: second session of sunset painting
Tuesday
Morning: painting excursion to Pampaneira with sketchbooks followed by lunch in the village
Afternoon: flamenco demonstration at Casa Ana
Wednesday
Morning: landscape painting
Afternoon: abstract painting with fluid watercolour and inks at Casa Ana
Thursday
Morning: Painting excursion to the Bermejo gorge, with a picnic lunch beside a mountain stream
Afternoon: a final session at Casa Ana with presentation of your paintings and sketchbooks.
Constructive feedback and group chat about where to go from here with your painting practice. how to build on the ideas and inspiration gathered during the week and ways to present your finished work.
Evening: farewell dinner at Casa Ana
Friday
After breakfast, departures
Prices and bookings, 2025
Prices are given for single occupancy of a room, with private bathroom. Discounts available if you share a room (see below).
Single room with private bathroom €1,310
Standard double or twin room with private bathroom €1,410
Large double or twin room with private bathroom €1,510
The Garden Room (large double with private bathroom) €1,610
Included in the price: tuition, materials (Arches watercolour paper and watercolour set, drawing materials and paper, white gouache and fluid watercolours), transport to and from painting locations, six nights bed and breakfast, 5 lunches, 5 dinners with a glass of wine, teas and coffees, excursions.
Not included: Flights, airport transfers, one dinner, drinks on excursion days, and the flamenco demonstration. Not provided: sketchbook and watercolour brushes. Please bring your own.
Special discounts: €100 off the advertised price if you share a double or twin room. €50 off if you are willing to share a bathroom with one other person (standard and single rooms only).
Please note these discounts are subject to availability of rooms.
Further information and bookings
To make a booking, or for further information about Casa Ana or the painting holiday, please contact Tinca at info@casa-ana.com
Mobile: 0034 616 151 041
“I absolutely loved the retreat, as a professional artist myself I found Annabel’s approach refreshing and I learnt a few new tricks, thanks to her very generous teaching.”
— VANESSA
Accommodation and Food
Casa Ana, in the peaceful Alpujarra village of Ferreirola, is known for its stylish and comfortable accommodation, fabulous cooking and stunning views of the Trevelez river gorge and the mountains beyond.
The House
Staying at Casa Ana is like staying at a private house, simple, comfortable and welcoming. A place where you can feel at home.
The old Alpujarra-style buildings are arranged around a Moorish courtyard garden, planted with wisteria and roses. A few steps through the garden take you to the terraces with breathtaking views along the valley and into the mountains.
In the bedrooms we’ve kept the original chestnut beams with white walls and terracotta floors, comfortable beds, quality linens and a scattering of rugs.
The bathrooms are modern with rain showers, huge mirrors and hand-made tiles inspired by the Moorish designs of the Alhambra. A large sitting room gives onto a shady terrace with superb mountain views.
The Architect-designed dining room and kitchen are open plan and welcoming, giving onto a secluded south-facing terrace. For winter warmth there is underfloor central heating throughout (even in the bathrooms) and a fireplace in the sitting room.
“Casa Ana is a perfect place to bring a small group, especially for walking, writing, or personal development – you can have the place to yourselves. The mix of indoor and outdoor spaces provides a conducive and pleasing environment for this kind of activity. If you bring a group of 6 or more, you can opt to have lunches and dinners included, as we did, and I highly recommend this.”
— PHILIP
The Garden
Casa Ana was made for outdoor living. Everywhere rooms open onto the Moorish garden, the courtyard or the terraces.
There are big shady pergolas where you can relax with a glass of wine, or a cup of coffee and a good book and secluded sunny corners where you can soak up the Andalucian sun and do nothing at all. At night you can sit out, gaze at the stars and watch the moonrise over the mountains.
Everywhere there are panoramic views, the scent of jasmine and orange blossom, and maybe the sound of goatbells or a nightingale or the river far below.
It’s what makes Casa Ana special.
