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by Peter Brown | 22nd August 2018 | Paint with Pete The Street

Fancy painting alongside me in Istanbul? 

I’m very-much looking forward to my next trip with Spencer Scott Travel, in association with The Artist magazine to experience ‘East Meets West’ in this magical city.

Dates: 26th April – 6th May 2019

Here’s info from Spencer Scott Travel:

Istanbul is intoxicating. The early dawn light heralds the magic of East meeting West as the mist lingers over the Bosphorus. The defined lines of minarets and beautiful colours of domed mosques glow by day and then as the sun sets and dusk approaches this spectacular silhouette softens. Istanbul is a busy sea trading route and the daily armada of ships waiting in the Sea of Marmara to enter the Bosphorus and continue on their journey to the Black Sea, is another spectacular site.

An oil painting holiday for 8 – 12 intermediate and experienced students
9 full days painting in the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul
Early morning cruise on the Bosphorus to paint the dawn light over the city
Boutique hotel accommodation with roof terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque

The appeal for artists lies in the glorious light, the shimmering Sea of Marmara and the architectural splendours in Sultanahmet area with the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, the Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent and the Topkapi Palace. The Sultanahmet area is steeped in history and you can follow in the footsteps of the Byzantine emperors and Ottoman sultans and wander in the cobbled streets of the Jewish, Greek and Armenian neighbourhoods and the labyrinthine in the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Market.

Traditional ways of life prevail in the Sultanahmet area, with waiters carrying trays of çay (tea) to people sitting in alleyways, street vendors sell corn and bread from colourful wagons, worshippers hurry down the lanes as the muezzin call beckons them to prayers and hamans (Turkish baths) and waterpipe cafés are still very much a part of everyday life. The spice shops, street cafés, kebab houses, carpet shops and bright blue and red trams add splashes of colour to this constant hive of street activity.

Your accommodation is in the vicinity of the Blue Mosque in the heart of Sultanahmet and so all the key sites are within walking distance. The hotel is two former houses beautifully renovated. It exudes a calm ambience and relaxed atmosphere. There are just 24 ensuite bedrooms, a small sitting room and breakfast area and a roof terrace with a fabulously close up view of the Blue Mosque. Dinners are included and will be taken in nearby restaurants.

This is a free-style painting holiday and you may choose to work alongside Peter or on your own. Peter will be working in oil but all mediums are welcome. He will encourage you to paint from dawn to dusk and to learn by example. Peter is very happy to provide individual guidance when needed, but there will be no group tuition, demonstrations or critiques. Peter is an enthusiastic and inspirational host artist, who is keen to share his knowledge with you and is great fun to travel with. A travel escort from the UK will be looking after you and will take care of all the arrangements including organizing restaurants each evening.

Find out more.