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Welcome To Jurassic Coast Studio

Jurassic Coast Studio in West Bay is the location for a range of art classes and all-inclusive residential art courses, tutored by local artists from the vibrant Bridport, Dorset art community, as well as nationally-known artists. Join us at the picturesque West Bay, meet the artists and learn new skills.

G\llery

& shop

Simon Crafter

Simon Crafter paints in oil what is in front of him to the best of his ability.

 Ruta Crafter

She  absorbs the feelings evoked by the colour, light and shape and tries to express them on paper, canvas or wooden panel. Her paintings are intuitive and in large gestures and blocks of colour and are vibrant, bold and exciting

Upcoming Classes

Expressive
Landscape Painting 
Course
with
Louise Balaam
Expressive
Landscape Painting 
Course
with
Louise Balaam

Where are we located ?

Jurassic Coast Studio is located on the Unesco World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast in Dorset. The classes are held at The Durbeyfield, in West Bay by the Harbour where you can draw inspiration from the picturesque sandstone cliffs and join the local artist community.

Abstract Masterclass

Expressive
Landscape Painting Course with
Louise Balaam
Residential 22nd-26th September 2025
Arrival day 21st September 2025
 

An absorbing and engaging week with landscape artist Louise Balaam.

Who is Louise?

Louise is a member of the New English Art Club and of the Royal West of England Academy, and has a degree and a Masters qualification in Fine Art. She has work in many private collections and has shown in the Royal Academy Summer Show, the Threadneedle Prize, the Lynn Painter-Stainer Prize, and the Discerning Eye

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What will you be doing?

This course, for artists of all abilities, is designed to help you loosen up in your landscape painting, and to get energy and excitement into your work.

 

We’ll start by sketching and gathering information outside, then move to rapid oil sketches on paper and painting on panel or canvas. There will be a short demonstration by Louise and a teaching session on colour mixing, brushes and mediums etc, for those who would find that useful. There will also be short teaching sessions about topics such as composition, colour, tone, etc.

 

For most of the course students will work in a self-directed way, based on plenty of one-to-one tuition from Louise, enabling each person to find their own path. The emphasis throughout will be on working quickly and with energy, getting into the ‘artist’s zone’, and identifying the main visual ideas behind each person’s work. Examples of Louise’s work, sketchbooks and books about other artists will be available for reference and inspiration.

There will be an optional free afternoon for anyone who might want to explore the surrounding area. 

What is included?

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Residential 22nd-26th September 2025:

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  • 5 days' tuition by Louise, including one-to-one teaching, practical help and discussions.
     

  • Accommodation from 21.09.2025 for 6 nights. Sunday night, 21th  September 2025, arrival day. The tutoring will start from 22nd September 202510:00- 16:00 daily until Friday, 26th September 2025.
     

  • Use of the art studio for painting with easels and some basic materials for 5 days, accessible any time during the waking hours.
     

  • Breakfast, snack, teas, coffees, lunch, dinner with some wine, the bar will be open for additional drinks throughout the week. Delicious unique menu  for the week will be created together with the chef Jackie  Spendlow.

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Preliminary menu (subject to change):

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Sunday, 21st September:

 

arrival day. Have a walk around West Bay and Bridport and choose from a variety of restaurants in the area, pre-booking is advised. We might organise booking at the local restaurant, subject to the artist's wishes.

 

Full English breakfast will be served daily 8:00-10:00 in the restaurant, you can choose your preferences the night before, we will cater to any of your requirements.

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Monday, 22nd September: 

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Lunch: a seasonal soup, sweet potato and cumin with an assortment of sandwiches, gluten-free bread is available. 

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Afternoon tea: a selection of scones, cream and jam, and a selection of cakes.

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Evening meal: sampling delicious local curries.

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Tuesday, 23ed September:

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Lunch: Butternut squash soup and mixed sandwiches. 

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Afternoon tea: a selection of scones, cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and muffins. Blueberry and chocolate. If GF is needed we can put out lemon polenta or orange and pistachio. Speciality teas and coffees available.

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Evening meal: 

Crab cakes with chilli sauce, saute potatoes and salad. or

Chicken breast with capsicum peppers and cream, salad and new potatoes. Gf or

Mushroom risotto,  green salad. Gf

Panacotta and blueberry compote. Gf or

Raspberry sorbet. Gf

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Wednesday, 24th September:

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Lunch: Halloumi and houmous salad.

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Afternoon tea: a selection of scones, cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and muffins. Blueberry and chocolate. If GF is needed we can put out lemon polenta or orange and pistachio. Speciality teas and coffees available.

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Evening meal: 

Fish stew with tomato, leek and fennel, mussels, prawns and fish. Served with crusty bread. Gf (gf bread available) or

Pan fried lamb chop with basil sauce, new potatoes and seasonal vegetables. or

Vegetable tagine, salad and rice. Gf

Apple and berry Crumble with almonds, served with creme fraiche. or

Choice of Baboo ice cream or sorbet. Gf

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Thursday, 25th September:

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Lunch: 

Leeks and lentil soup. 

Mixed sandwiches

Afternoon tea:a selection of scones, cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and muffins. Blueberry and chocolate. If GF is needed we can put out lemon polenta or orange and pistachio. Speciality teas and coffees available.

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Evening meal: 

Creamy fish pie, a mix of prawns and fish with capers and leeks topped with rosti

potato. Served with peas. Gf or

Pork steak with fennel sauce, mashed potato and seasonal vegetables. Gf or

Aubergine Parmigiana with green salad. Gf

Chocolate mousse. Gf or

Choice of Baboo ice cream or sorbet. Gf

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Friday, 26th September:

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Lunch: Falafel and houmous salad

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Afternoon tea: a selection of scones, cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and muffins. Blueberry and chocolate. If GF is needed we can put out lemon polenta or orange and pisttachio. Speciality teas and coffees available.

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Evening meal: 

Oven baked halibut steak with Brazilian style lime sauce, new potatoes and salad. Gf or

Chicken breast braised in cider and apple, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Gf or

Sweet potato and peanut curry, basmati rice and salad. Gf 

Eton mess with home made meringue and berries. Gf or

Choice of Baboo ice cream or sorbet. Gf

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All accommodation is at The Durbeyfield - Click here to see the rooms

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Choose your package: 

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  • Room 1 £1395 for one artist (Double room- Shared bathroom)
     

 

  • Room 2 £1630 for one artist (Double room with en suite bath)
     

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  • Room 4 £1630 for one artist (One double and one single bed with en suite)
     

  • Room 5 £1395 for one artist (Twin room - Shared bathroom)
     

  • Room 6 £1630 for one artist (Deluxe double room with en suite batht)
     

  • Room 8 £1630 for one artist (Twin room with en suite shower)
     

  • Room 9 £1630 for one artist (King size bed with en suite shower)

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Please complete the form below to register your interest. Please describe in the comment section what are your expectations from the course?

22nd-26th September 2025

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