The Lifesaver Course

An intense complete immersion course in life drawing and portrait painting.

Monday 15th to Monday 29th July 2019

Our very popular course of drawing and painting the model from life, in movement and repose. This course includes a portrait-painting element. We use superb models for both the nude and the portraits and usually everyone’s expectations are exceeded. An essential course for the fine art student; an inspiring and intense drawing and painting course which will provide a complete foundation for the artist working from life.

The intensity of the course, where there is the opportunity of over 50 hours of tutored drawing and painting from the model, provides the equivalent of three terms work at a conventional art school.

As with all our courses colour theory and preparation of drawing and painting media are included.

Cost:
£2,500 with own bathroom
£2,400 with shared bathroom

The price includes:

over 6 hours of tuition per day
the models
studio use
accommodation
all meals, beer and wine

The price does not include materials, flights or journeys to and from the airport to Aubais.

"Tod Ramos makes painting fun, exciting and rewarding.

He is the type of teacher we all want to find. I felt encouraged but always challenged in any task he taught me. What ever level you arrive at you can guarantee you will leave more advanced. In short he makes learning seem easy and so much fun.”

Tessa Campbell Fraser, world renowned painter and sculptress

"Tod, thank you for your immense patience, inspiration, encouragement and brilliant tutoring

You have a very special ability not just in your own talent but enabling others to find theirs, a true gift. It was wonderful to see how you, while still giving us the methods, teased out each individual style and gave the room for them to expand and excel. My head and dreams have been spinning with painting ever since.... Kate, you are just amazing ... the cooking... well, all those clean plates and greedy expectant faces said it all. I have been trying to emulate some of it here but it is not quite the same. And cooking is only a small part, you are the mainstay and absolute core of all fun, producer and alchemist, making that special Academy Studios Abroad mix work. Huge huge thanks to you both.”
Jo, Lifesaver Course 2015

"A huge experience in so many ways

enormous information and practice in different art skills, wonderful accommodation and food"

Kirsten

"Challenging and fun. Great food and company. Top shelf"

Roger

"I value my time at Aubais more than I can tell you

It was a full, rich experience and Kate and Tod struck the perfect balance between hard work, rest, and nourishment; work and play! Thinking about it, what I wanted and needed was to be pushed in new directions, expanded (pried out of hard earned ruts), and that is exactly what I feel happened.

Very pleasant, comfortable, well-organised. Rigorous. Challenging. Frustrating. Rewarding."

Schellie

"The landscape course at Academy Studios Abroad was a life changing event

Studying and staying with Tod and Kate combines excellent, technically grounded - yet uplifting and inspirational - tutelage with a heady mixture of delightful food and delicious conversation in a truly beautiful environment.

I learnt more about painting in oils in 10 days than I had in 7 years at 3 different art schools. I will be back for more!"

Jonny

“Great experience with you all. Thank you for your generous and delightful hospitality.”

Charlotte

"It hasn’t just been a 'trip to do a course in the South of France' for me, it has been an utterly meaningful experience

you were so right when you said to me that you witnessed a journey … I feel as though my eyes opened wider to take so much more in - that a thin film that was covering them, soon to be getting thicker, has dissolved!"

Michelle McCulloch, Tour de Horse Masterclass student, now well-known horse painter.

"The art course itself is superb

The art course itself is superb. The teaching is of the highest standard with each person getting their coaching and encouragement entirely individually. Having said that, Tod also managed to make us all feel very comfortable with each other, despite considerable differences in age, experience and temperament between us. I think we all benefitted hugely.On the domestic front I don't think it would be possible to outdo the wonderful Cordon Bleu cooking of Kate Lovegrove, the rooms were well provided for and the whole setting absolutely delightful. We were given the chance to see some of the local countryside, go to the art gallery in Montpellier, visit a market in Sommières and also relax at the weekend. The swimming pool on the property was a real treat.”
Claire, Lifesaver course

"In the vast studio of the painter Tod Ramos

Florian, a beautiful French saddle horse of 17 years to pose. With his brown coat and black mane, the horse is sketched on the white pages of students passionate about painting.”
La Gazette de Nîmes

"Tod is the most encouraging and illuminating teacher

He corrects and challenges one's work and inspires you to do better. I learned more in one week on his horse painting course than I could have imagined.”
Do Burgess, Masterclass student