Painting with Paul
Explore diverse painting techniques with lifelong artist and Rembrandt scholar Paul in one of the most beautiful villages in Andalucia. Mull paints, prepare canvases, and explore figure, plein air, or portrait painting techniques in both contemporary and traditional styles. Outside the studio, soak up the local joie de vivre, where evenings often end in spontaneous flamenco.
- Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $1410
- Additional guest(s) (max 4)
- USD $1080
Meet the Artist
Paul is a painter, sculptor, printmaker, and scholar whose life has always revolved around art. Born in Los Angeles to artist parents, he began painting as a toddler and spent his early years in Morocco, Malta, Sicily, and Italy. Now based in Arcos de la Frontera, Spain, his life and travels continue to shape his evolving daily practice.
Paul’s artistic process is deeply experimental, rooted in Renaissance traditions but unafraid to embrace expressionist currents or push the boundaries of form. His work is primarily representational and often figurative, exploring a wide range of media—from oil, egg tempera and fresco to bronze and glass sculpture. Yet he finds the greatest freedom in working three-dimensionally, where limitations fall away and innovation flourishes.
He recently completed a doctorate focused on Rembrandt's materials and methods, studying laboratory analyses of the Dutch master's work and emulating his techniques in his own paintings. This deep dive continues to inform Paul's process. He approaches his studio like a laboratory, where each piece is a step closer to—but never fully reaching—a fleeting inner vision.
With years of teaching experience and a published book on European art theory, he brings both intellectual depth and technical mastery to his teaching. Generous, thoughtful, and endlessly curious, he looks forward to welcoming you into his sunlit studio and guiding you through everything—from grinding pigments Rembrandt-style to plein air painting in one of Spain's most beautiful towns.
Paul’s artistic process is deeply experimental, rooted in Renaissance traditions but unafraid to embrace expressionist currents or push the boundaries of form. His work is primarily representational and often figurative, exploring a wide range of media—from oil, egg tempera and fresco to bronze and glass sculpture. Yet he finds the greatest freedom in working three-dimensionally, where limitations fall away and innovation flourishes.
He recently completed a doctorate focused on Rembrandt's materials and methods, studying laboratory analyses of the Dutch master's work and emulating his techniques in his own paintings. This deep dive continues to inform Paul's process. He approaches his studio like a laboratory, where each piece is a step closer to—but never fully reaching—a fleeting inner vision.
With years of teaching experience and a published book on European art theory, he brings both intellectual depth and technical mastery to his teaching. Generous, thoughtful, and endlessly curious, he looks forward to welcoming you into his sunlit studio and guiding you through everything—from grinding pigments Rembrandt-style to plein air painting in one of Spain's most beautiful towns.
VAWAA Includes:
- Create your own paintings on canvas, paper or panel.
- Practice techniques in oil, watercolor, acrylic, fresco, or printmaking.
- Focus on plein air, portrait, or figure painting.
- Option to mull paints and prepare canvases like Rembrandt, then try his painting process.
- Use photos for reference or paint from life using a mirror.
- Explore Arcos de la Frontera’s churches, palaces, historic architecture, and Al-Andalus garden for inspiration.
- If time permits, option to walk countryside trails, visit a local winery, rent rowboats at the nearby lake, or see the ecclesiastical museum.
Explore Arcos de la Frontera, Cadiz
Arcos de la Frontera is a beautiful hilltop town, an hour from Seville and minutes from Jerez, perched above the Guadalete River with sweeping views in every direction. It is known as the gateway to Andalusia’s “Pueblos Blancos,” a trail of white villages that wind through the mountains of Cádiz. The town has extraordinary architecture, from the pre-13th century Moorish period to grand Baroque churches.
In spring, the scent of orange blossoms fills the air, and the golden light invites painters, writers, and wanderers to slow down and take it all in. Arcos offers peace and beauty, but also easy access to southern Spain’s most unforgettable festivals—Seville’s dramatic Easter processions, Cádiz’s joyful Carnaval, flamenco-filled Ferias, and the regal Andalusian horse fair in Jerez.
But what truly endures is the daily magic of street life—tapas shared in a plaza, spontaneous flamenco echoing at night, and the Andalusian gift for turning every evening into a celebration of life.
In spring, the scent of orange blossoms fills the air, and the golden light invites painters, writers, and wanderers to slow down and take it all in. Arcos offers peace and beauty, but also easy access to southern Spain’s most unforgettable festivals—Seville’s dramatic Easter processions, Cádiz’s joyful Carnaval, flamenco-filled Ferias, and the regal Andalusian horse fair in Jerez.
But what truly endures is the daily magic of street life—tapas shared in a plaza, spontaneous flamenco echoing at night, and the Andalusian gift for turning every evening into a celebration of life.
Additional Details
Arcos de la Frontera is a lovely place to visit year-round. Spanning late February to May, the Carnival, Easter, Feria of Seville, and Paseo de Caballos festivities bring music, dancing, and lively processions to the forefront of local culture, making it a particularly exciting time to visit. August brings hot temperatures and is a time when many locals take summer holidays. While January is the slowest month, it has the lowest tourism crowds, meaning you’ll have the village to yourself.
This session can be extended for up to 14 days. Please add a note in your booking request.
Adults 18 years and older are welcome to participate. Unfortunately, this session cannot be adapted for children, wheelchair users, or people with accessibility issues.
Paul speaks fluent English and Spanish, and conversational Italian.
This session can be extended for up to 14 days. Please add a note in your booking request.
Adults 18 years and older are welcome to participate. Unfortunately, this session cannot be adapted for children, wheelchair users, or people with accessibility issues.
Paul speaks fluent English and Spanish, and conversational Italian.