Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th & Saturday 26th July 2025

Thank you for signing up to Ali’s 2025 Summer School.
Below this text, you will find all of the information concerning the balance payment and the exciting itinerary that Ali has in store for you over the three days that we are together. There are a few things that she will need to know ahead of our meeting up but if you read each section carefully, it will be easy to understand what information she needs.

If you have any issues or queries, please do not hesitate to email her via ali@learningtopaint.co.uk

A group of smiling people, mostly older women, posing on wooden steps with their paintings. Each person holds up their artwork, showcasing colorful and creative designs. The setting is outdoors, with a wooden building in the background.
A serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and dense forest. The water is a clear turquoise, reflecting the trees and sky above. Tall pine trees frame the foreground, creating a tranquil, natural scene.
Illustrated map of "The Blue Pool" area depicting trails, sculptures, and natural features. Includes a large blue pool, little pool, sika trail, viewpoints, tearooms, gift shop, camping field, play park, plant center, and car park. Features icons for wildlife and activities like bird watching.

Schedule

Wednesday 23rd July
If you are travelling to Dorset to join us then you are probably going to be making your way at some point today.

No matter if you are local or visiting us, you are invited to drinks and nibbles at Ali’s studio Downend Farm Studio, 3 Downend Farm, Bushes Road, Stourpaine, DT11 8SY, from 18:00 to 20:00 to meet each other and relax in the garden and surroundings before we start painting together.

Summary:
Ali needs to know:

1. How are you travelling to Dorset?
2. Where will you be staying or are you local?
3. Would you like to join her for drinks?
4. Do you have any food allergies?
5. No matter if you are local or visiting, Ali needs to have an emergency contact and telephone number (that they will definitely answer) for the time you are together.

Thursday 24th July
Today we will be outdoors for a good deal of the day, there is an alternative plan in place if the weather is too bad to be outside, but assume that you will need to be dressed for a day of sketching, walking and exploring.

Painting Focus: Trees, water and ground cover.

  • 09:30: Arrive at Ali’s studio: Downend Farm Studio, 3 Downend Farm, Bushes Road, Stourpaine, DT11 8SY, leave your car and your car keys at the studio where it will be safe all day.
    If you intend on getting to the venue yourself, please make Ali aware so that she doesn’t expect you.
    PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A MOBILE TELEPHONE WITH YOU THAT IS SWITCHED ON AND THAT ALI HAS YOUR NUMBER BEFORE MEETING UP IN THE CAR PARK, NO MATTER IF YOU ARE TAKING THE MINIBUS OR MAKING YOUR OWN WAY THERE.

  • 10:00: Minibus leaves for Blue Pool (https://bluepooltearooms.co.uk/). Please bring your equipment (see below for suggestions) in a small bag that you are happy to carry with you all day as you will not be able to leave anything on the minibus. It is also our recommendation that you bring a water bottle with you to keep hydrated throughout the day.

  • 11:00 Meet up in The Blue Pool car park

  • Ali will give a demo on painting on location and chat through ideas and techniques for how to get the most out of the subjects you might find.

  • A small packed lunch will be provided for you, please make sure that Ali knows of any food allergies or dietary exclusions.

  • Explore The Blue Pool, a unique historic nature reserve, sketching, photographing and gathering inspiration.

  • There are toilets, a gift shop and tea room to be enjoyed too.

  • Collected at 15:00 by the minibus and returned to Downend Farm Studio, unless travelling independently.

  • 19:00: Dinner at The White Horse (Ali’s local pub in Stourpaine), not included in your fee, you are very welcome to join Ali for an informal get together and chat after a busy day. If you would like to join us, let Ali know and a menu will be sent out nearer the time for you to choose what you would like to eat.


Summary:
Ali needs to know:
6. Are you making your own way to the venue?
7. Your mobile phone number.
8. Your sandwich preference.
9. Will you be bringing some of your own equipment?
10. Is there any particular equipment you would like to have ready for you while you are with us?
11. Would you like to join Ali for dinner in Stourpaine?

Group of people sitting around a long wooden table in a cozy restaurant, with drinks and plates featuring remnants of a meal. The room has a rustic decor with hats and military uniforms displayed, and a large window in the background.

Friday 25th July
You will be both outdoors and indoors today so please dress appropriately. If the weather is inclement, we will still be going to our location but may return to Ali’s studio/Village Hall for an alternative exercise.

Painting Focus: Hills, skies and fields

10:00: Arrive at Ali’s studio: Downend Farm Studio, 3 Downend Farm, Bushes Road, Stourpaine, DT11 8SY, leave your car and your car keys at the studio where it will be safe, we may need a couple of cars to drive to our location on the farm, it is a track but a sports car is not recommended!
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A MOBILE TELEPHONE WITH YOU THAT IS SWITCHED ON AND THAT ALI HAS YOUR NUMBER PRIOR TO MEETING UP AT THE VENUE..

10:00: Coffee and a chat ahead of walking to our location for the morning’s session.

10:30: Travel/be escorted to our location for the morning, Ali will demonstrate her interpretation of the location, focussing on a wide landscape and how to tackle changing light.

Throughout the morning, while there are no toilets at our site, transport will be provided back to the studio at any time it is needed.

12:30/13:00 Return to Ali’s studio for lunch

14:00: Travel five minutes to Stourpaine Village Hall https://www.stourpaine.info/villagehall/village-hall/ to set up an individual work station and discuss ideas for tomorrows experiments and projects. Ali can demonstrate, assist and offer suggestions for what you might like to explore.

15:00 Start to explore or complete work started on location.
Ali will be taking requests for materials you might like to use and will spend the evening preparing for your session tomorrow.

16:00 Cream Tea for all!

You are welcome to leave your kit at the hall, Ali has hired it overnight so we don’t need to clear anything up before re-convening tomorrow.

Summary:
Ali needs to know:
12. Would you/your car be able to drive a farm track?
13. Have you made Ali aware of your preferred light lunch preferences?

Saturday 26th July
A day of studio-based experiments and working from what we have gathered while out on location.

10:00: Arrive at Stourpaine Village Hall: https://www.stourpaine.info/villagehall/village-hall/
Spend the whole day working on paintings or experiments based on the themes collected out on location. Ali will work with each of you to develop your own individual pieces and assist with demonstrations and equipment as necessary.
You will have requested any images or materials while you were at Ali’s studio yesterday but it’s not impossible for her to pop home and pick up anything you might need.

Light refreshments (tea, coffee, cold drinks and snacks) will be available throughout the day.

12:00 ish: Buffet lunch supplied by The White Horse

15:00: Conclude our day with a display of work and round up before making our way home. If you need any support to return to your accommodation or to get to your return transport then do let Ali know.

Summary:
Ali needs to know:
14. Do you have any food intolerences or allergies that Ali needs to know about when she plans your lunch?
15. How are you getting home/are you staying in the area and returning tomorrow?

Please have ALL the information requested in the ‘Summary’ sections emailed to Ali and pay your outstanding balance as soon as possible, Thank you.

Please number the answers in the same order as you see here, 1-15

Art supplies including watercolors, brushes, pens, scissors, folding water container, and a portable seat with an empty water bottle.

Here is what Ali takes out on location, a small selection of materials, the focus on watercolour but with a few mixed media things thrown in.

Be comfortable when you are sketching, Ali takes a seat designed to be put on the ground because she hates bending down all the time and can’t be bothered with a chair if she is far from the car, but you must select what you feel fits you.

Make sure you have your camera/smartphone with you too to take photographs at every place you stop, you can never have too many!

A suggested equipment list, should you wish to have your own equipment, can be downloaded/viewed HERE

What is included in my fee?

Participants will be given access to any materials they request for the duration of the course and a goody bag of materials will be provided on the first day for you to use and keep. If you wish to bring your own equipment, please download our suggestions from the link above.

Also be available for you to use during the course will be technology to support taking and printing photographs, plus we can provide comfortable chairs - unless you have a favourite you wish to bring of course!

Lunch will be provided, even when we are away from base, please inform us of any food allergies when we confirm your booking. Tea, coffee and other light refreshments will be available throughout the day or we will be at a location where they can be purchased…

If you intend to travel by train to us, please let us know and we will happily collect you from your station the day before the course starts. If you have any concerns at all regarding accessibility or inclusion, please do not hesitate to get in touch ahead of your booking. If you would like suggestions for accommodation, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

We offer unprecedented levels of support during your time with us from planning an online meet-up before the holiday, making sure you have reached your accommodation without any hiccups and looking after you while you are in the area. Your tuition, materials, transport, sustenance and hospitality are reflected in the price.

All terms and conditions can be accessed HERE, please make sure you have thoroughly read them as your balance payment is seen as compliance and acceptance.