ART COURSES - Testimonials
"The art class run by Vicky Vergou was a delight. The Alkistis Hotel provided a very comfortable base for the course, with enormous rooms, the friendliest of staff, the biggest swimming pool on Skopelos and a free shuttle bus running to and from Skopelos many times a day. Vicky organised several excursions around the island to provide varied backgrounds and subjects for painting and drawing. Nothing compares with being taught improvements to one's technique, sitting under a tree on a beach with a drink or icecream to hand! As a result I had my most productive and enjoyable artistic week ever."
Chris Osland, September 2017 “Skopelos is a wonderful venue for a drawing and painting holiday. The island provides a wide range of subject matter from coastal and beach scenery to churches and monasteries. Vicky’s artistic guidance is positive and assured and her knowledge of the Greek way of life gives course participants easy access to the best restaurants and bars. The Hotel Alkistis is a comfortable base for the holiday with friendly staff, spacious apartments, tasty breakfasts and a beautiful pool.”
The Burrows, 2017 "I had never been on an art holiday before, but having attended several of Vicky’s classes, the chance to spend a week in Greece seemed an opportunity not to miss. I am not the most gifted artist but the island of Skopelos offered many opportunities to try and capture the beauty and atmosphere of this picturesque island.
The hotel was extremely good value and the swimming pool was reputed to be the biggest on the island. It was good to meet fellow ‘students’ at breakfast before embarking on our journeys to pre arranged venues across the island. Local transport was sometimes challenging, having to carry art equipment on the crowded local bus, but the reward was finding idyllic coves and tavernas for our sessions. Our group of 10 got on well together, although it was obvious we were all at different levels of skill and expertise. I stayed for 7 days but would advise others to do as several of our group did, and spend a few days before and after the course in order to explore and enjoy the island a bit more." Sandy Tinson, 2017 "My week of painting on Skopelos was a wonderful experience. I yet again realised how much I had to learn about watercolours but more importantly how much I enjoyed just practising new techniques under Vicky's supportive eye.
I came away feeling encouraged by my efforts and that I just needed to keep practising without too much critical self judgement. I learnt to love Ultramarine Blue (even more) and as for Burnt Sienna! The hotel was great and the island was beautiful. I recommend this course to anyone who loves to paint- from beginner to expert. I wished I had stayed longer. Thank you so much Vicky for all your hard work and your skilful teaching." John Humphreys, 2018 “A most enjoyable course in Skopelos with Vicky. After tuition in the morning it was lovely to be able to sit in cafes and elsewhere to sketch and paint and this has given me more confidence to do this wherever I am.”
Veronica Wood, 2019 |
It was with some trepidation that I booked up to go on Vicky's art holiday last year. I need not have worried! As a very new student of art and with no experience of painting 'en pleine air', I learnt a tremendous amount. Vicky was always there to guide, support and encourage me, as were all the other fun loving participants on the course. The island of Skopelos is stunning. We went to different parts of the island every day which were both beautiful and challenging.
The accommodation was perfect-comfortable and with easy access to the town with a free shuttle bus. The food and wine were fabulous in a wide variety of little restaurants. I thoroughly recommend this holiday to all abilities. I wasn't sure what to expect when I came along as a non painting member of Vicky's holiday group. I was quite ready for a "sit by the pool" experience. Well I could have done that - and probably it would have been enjoyable because the hotel and it's wonderful pool (and bar) were perfectly located in lovely countryside. But I found a fellow cyclist and a wonderful bike hire shop. So I had a great week of very companionable and enjoyable biking. We explored the lovely island from top to bottom. We met up with the painters, enjoyed lunch and a swim and then biked back through superb mountain scenery. Then the pool before a lovely evening meal. A brilliant time! And if you are not a cyclist there is lots of walking, bussing and browsing to be done. The Warrens, 2017 "The combination of a trip to a Greek island to draw and paint plus the expert and inspiring guidance from Vicky (whose classes I had enjoyed in Oxford) was too good to miss. I enjoyed it all so much - the island, the lovely hotel with spacious accommodation and helpful staff, the villages and beaches that Vicky had found for our art sessions, the stimulating tutorials from her both frank and encouraging. Not to speak of the delightful nature of the group who gelled really well with much conversation and laughter. And of course the food in a range of restaurants. I had a wonderful week and I learned a lot. Thank you so much, Vicky."
Diana Martin, 2017 "I had always insisted that I could paint watercolour. But … whenever I tried the results were not good despite my art degree and working as an artist and art teacher.
I finally said to myself “ Why not go on a course? “. Luckily I saw a poster for the watercolour course by Vicky Vergou early in 2018 on social media. I knew the teacher was an excellent artist and taught courses around Oxfordshire. The course was 5 days at the start of June and I decided to stay on to practice what I learned for another week. A big plus in this was that the course was held at the Hotel Alkistis on the Island of Skopelos in the Sporades. It is no exaggeration to say that, with the excellent accommodation, food and brilliant swimming pool and bar complex, the Hotel Alkistis is a perfect place to run the course being set as it is in lovely country within easy access of the town and harbour of Skopelos. The island itself is stunningly beautiful with a rich variety of land and sea venues in which to create art. The course was well presented and accessible to all levels of competence. Daily exercises in the morning after breakfast and trips to venues to practice the techniques in the afternoon after lunch ensured that there was a well planned and executed schedule of learning and practice. I can honestly say that the course that Vicky presents has enabled me to progress as an artist and given me one of the best holidays I have ever had." Bill Cox, 2018 We had a great holiday doing Vicky's art course in Skopelos. The art tuition was excellent, covering lots of drawing and watercolour techniques and then applying them in different beautiful settings such as a harbour cafe, hillside monastery, and perfect beach. The hotel with its lovely swimming pool and apartments was a wonderfully relaxing place to be, and we had plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery on foot or by bus. We also loved the local food and trying out local restaurants with our very sociable little art group, led by Vicky. Faith, Lucy and Jennifer Culshaw
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Sun, sea, sand, friendly , fun and food, painting, pebbles and peace!
All things you get on a painting holiday with Vicky in Skopelos .
Jude & Roxy Owen, 2019
All things you get on a painting holiday with Vicky in Skopelos .
Jude & Roxy Owen, 2019