EPC Art Courses
  • Facebook
  • Feedburner
  • YouTube
Contact us: angela@epc-artcourses.com
  • Home
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • About
  • Courses
    • Courses
    • How to book
    • Terms & Conditions
    • FAQ
  • Tutors
    • Alvaro Castagnet
    • Charles Reid
    • Thomas W. Schaller
    • Nicholas Simmons
    • David Taylor
    • Liu Yi
    • Joseph Zbukvic
  • Testimonials
  • Gallery
    • Videos
    • Articles
    • Venues
    • Photos
    • Resources
  • Blog
  • Newsletter Signup
    • Newsletter Archives
  • Escoda Brushes
  • My Account
    • Change Address
    • Change Password
    • Forgot Password
    • View Cart
    • Logout

About EPC Art Courses

Angela Barbi as a child

That’s me as a child

A lifetime of teaching languages

I started teaching at 15, just helping my friend with her school topics. She wasn’t very good at French so I concentrated more on teaching French. Then someone who knew her asked for private classes of French. I taught him (only a couple of years younger) through reading passages of Le Petit Prince that I’d just discovered and adored. I thought using a tool you find pleasure with, can transmit more the beauty and the feeling of a language, which in the end is what it’s all about.

It worked! Then at 17 I started learning English. It was my 5th language already! Catalan (native speaker), Dutch (I lived in Holland for 3 years), Spanish, French and now English. Oh, how I loved it! I soon started teaching it to pay for my University studies in Psychology. After University, I only found jobs as a teacher, and because I loved it, it became my career.

After a lifetime of teaching groups of teenagers at a secondary school, with its ups and downs, I decided to drop it altogether back in 2004.

A new beginning

They say every ending is a new beginning. Very true in my case. As a teacher I had organised previously a European Work Experience exchange with my students in Stockport (UK) and so I met John Glynn. He’s the man I learnt most from about my business. He guided me, encouraged me and gave me the right opportunities when I gave up teaching. I owe to him and his brother Don Glynn, an excellent watercolourist, the opportunities and the contacts to start organizing these Painting Holidays in Spain. Don got me in touch with Alvaro Castagnet (a good friend of his) and Charles Reid.

I couldn’t believe my luck!! Thank you Don and John for your unconditional help and support.

Why painting? Will you ask…

As a kid, I always loved to draw people, figures and portraits. At some point as a grown up, I took up first drawing, then painting classes with a group as a hobby with a Spanish teacher Herminia Antolinos who had lived in Switzerland most of her life and had trained there in Steiner’s colour theory.

That was an eye opener! I had so much pleasure exploiting different mediums, from watercolour to acrylics, especially painting on silk.

Then EPC Art Courses was born

What the heck does EPC mean? Well, you guessed that correctly: Enjoy Painting Catalonia. It’s obviously Painting Holidays, so we want to paint. Inside and outside. Catalonia is our headquarters, as it offers more than anyone could dream about concerning variety of subject matter, historical buildings, breathtaking landscape, the best beaches in Spain, mountains, excellent food.. So why look anywhere else? It’s my home land and I know it well. Our weather can’t be beaten: sunny, warm, mainly dry.

Enjoy. Let’s not forget about that word, last but not least, maybe the most important one. Enjoying must be present when coming to a painting course, at least most of the time.

What is our philosophy

Each organization has a personality, like a physical person. EPC Art Courses has a main aim behind all the organization: We want you to feel at home.

We make everything possible to welcome you to your home, to give you Personalised Attention before you come to the course, while you are on the course, and after you come to the course.

You come as a stranger to our courses and leave as a friend

That’s our motto. We care about your well-being and that’s why we only work with the best Watercolourists in the world. To give you the best. That’s why we take you to restaurants where the chef is our friend, so he can look after you too. That’s why our hotels have friendly people that we know well. That’s why our transport is organised with a company that’s our friend. That’s why our tutors give you careful personalized attention. I’m also there in every workshop full time to ensure your needs are covered.

We want to make sure there’s a range of tutors to chose from, with different personalities and different techniques or even mediums. WE will advise you which one can suit best your needs.

For all those reasons a 45,6% of our customers return. Does it tell you something? I’m sure it does: it is our pleasure to make you happy.

Hasta pronto amigos!

Angela Barbi
EPC Art Courses
Director

Angie Barbi

That’s me Today

Here are few of my paintings

I would like to share with you.

Birds in Watercolour
Blue in Acrylic
Fantasia on Silk

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Search

Cart

Have a question?






Full Name (required)

Email (required)

Ask a question?

Quiz

Testimonials

    • Video testimonial by Asuka

      —Asuka (Australia)

    • I feel much more confident in planning and executing a watercolor
      For me this week was like a dream and with my thoughts I´m still “en la Costa Brava”. The landscape, the weather, Joseph as a painter and teacher, great. I'm still finding his remarks and comments about watercolor I never heard of before somewhere in my head and I feel much more confident in planning and executing a watercolor.

      —Dieter Jauernig (Germany)

    • I learned a lotaprendí muchísimo
      I did not learn something - I learned a lot. Green paint, listening to your thoughts on what is art was something very special and very rewarding for me. Now, says Mone, I hope to move it to my watercolors. Thank you very much for being you Alvaro.No aprendí algo, aprendí muchísimo. Verte pintar, escuchar tus pensamientos sobre lo que es el arte fue algo muy especial y muy enriquecedor para mí. Ahora, como dice Mone, espero poder trasladarlo a mis acuarelas. Muchas gracias por ser como eres Alvaro.

      —Társila Jiménez (Spain)

    • One of the most enjoyable art experiences I’ve had
      I also would like to thank you and ‘Vincent’ for making my painting holiday with Charles Reid in Girona one of the most enjoyable art experiences I’ve had and hopefully I can join you again sometime.

      —Michele Hermes-Kass (Australia)

    • …a perfect match!
      Comparing with some workshops in France, this place has a remarkable environment which is really inspiring. Some interesting sea views and boats which are just there are giving the right atmosphere. Joseph is quite unique as a teacher but even more as a person. Together with the organisation of Angela this worked out as a perfect match!

      —Jan van Loock (Belgium)

    • Ojala pudiéramos estar siempre pintando por ahí!!!
      Angela, felicidades por tu organizacion del curso con Alvaro Castagnet, ha sido genial y he disfrutado mucho con todos vosotros. Ojala pudiéramos estar siempre pintando por ahí!!! Un abrazxo muy grande y felicidades de nuevo!
      Angela, congratulations on your organization with Alvaro Castagnet course has been great and I really enjoyed you all. I wish we could be always painting out there! A very large abrazxo and congratulations again!

      —Montse Albareda (Spain)

    • De esta pasión que nos uneDe esta pasión que nos une
      Hola Angela, vuelvo a felicitarte por tu trabajo y por dar en todo momento lo mejor de ti. Ha sido un placer conocerte y espero que volvamos a encontrarnos en algun lugar común de esta pasión que nos une. Un beso.
      Hi Angela, I again congratulate you on your work and always give you the best of you. It was a pleasure meeting you and hope we meet again somewhere in this common passion that unites us. A kiss.

      —Lydia Cuevas (Spain)

    • We both have had the most amazing time
      We both have had the most amazing time, made some wonderful new friends and enjoyed every minute of it despite the weather. I feel so priveledged to have been able to watch Charles every day and have him look at my own offerings.

      —Jenny Hawke (UK)

    • Video testimonial by Dave Betty

      —Dave Betty (UK)

    • It was without doubt, my best course ever!
      Just to thank you and to let you know that I had a great time and it was without doubt, my best course ever!

      —Peter Robson (UK)

    • A great step forward
      Everybody started on their own level and everybody could make a great step forward!    

      —Ahmet Ogras (Turkey)

    • Life Changing…!
      A challenging yet stimulating experience with a great artist and tutor. Joseph’s workshops was the best ever. A great workshop, an excellent teacher in a great location all by the courtesy and help of EPC. Thank you! I think I will be a much better painter from now on. I came to improve my painting so Joseph’s choice of varied subjects and his explanations were fantastic – life changing for me! If you like watercolours you will have loved this. Magnifico! I would reccomend EPC because I think you provide a learning environment that combines art with enjoyment.

      —Dave Betty (United Kingdom)

    • Video testimonial by Anna Carrión

      —Anna Carrión (USA)

    • It was an unforgettable time
      Mi alma esta en Girona hasta ahora, paseando por las callas estrechas,mirando a las casas viejas y bonitas, deseando pintar. Pero todo tiene su final…..que lástima… How I am missing all of you! It was unforgettable time. Thanks to everybody for wonderful company. Tenía suerte de conocer a gente como ustedes.Ojalá que nos encontremos otra vez…….It is cold in Russia now, I would like to go back…

      —Galina Shapovalova (Russia)

    • I will come back next summer.
      I would and will come back next summer. You have a lovely organisation and a good heart. Thank you very much!

      —Katri Ylönen (Finland)

    • Finally I have learnt how to paint The Way I Always Dreamt Of
      What a fantastic painting course-the AMAZING SIGHTS of Catalonia “sing” from my sketchbooks. Thank you for making this possible and Charles for sharing the secrets.

      —Cheryl Williams (UK)

    • Testimonial video by Larry

      —Larry Folding (USA)

    • Que volví con muchas ganas de pintar
      Pues la verdad es que volví con muchas ganas de pintar y de tratar de poner en práctica lo que había aprendido.
      The truth is I came back eager to paint and try to put into practice what they had learned.

      —Marta Camiña (Bilbao-España)

    • Video testimonial by Dan Marshall

      —Dan Marshall (USA)

    • Thank you for being so SUPPORTIVE AND HELPFUL
      Thank you very much again for being so SUPPORTIVE AND HELPFUL making our trip so memorable.

      —Blanche Pepper (Ireland)

    • Testimonial by Patrick

      —Patrick Arcidiacono (France)

    • It was an amazing workshop, nice place, nice weather, very nice people
      It was an amazing workshop, nice place, nice weather, very nice people and Joseph; he is a great teacher and friend. Thank you for making such a wonderful and unforgettable time for me.

      —Benny Stigsson (Sweden)

    • Maestro, SEI GRANDE! :)
      Thank you Alvaro for all that you have been sharing with us during last week. Your words won’t be forgotten and neither the wonderful experience I had. Maestro, SEI GRANDE! :)

      —Marissa Gabetta (Italy)

    • I’m still getting over that amazing, unbelievable week in Girona
      …I’m still getting over that amazing, unbelievable week in Girona, but in the office already and working! Have a good rest after all the hard work you did, and we’ll keep on touch. My impressions from that great week are still with me

      —Irina Litinsky (Canada)

    • Joseph is such a tremendous teacher
      The class was exceptional, lovely people and a great group of Spanish folks. The locale was beautiful, great accommodations and food. I'm home two weeks and have not come down from the cloud yet, enjoyed the entire class. Joseph is such a tremendous teacher, I will be forever grateful to him for introducing me to MR. BEAD!

      —Jack Haran (USA)

    • Très bonne organisation!
      J’ai aimée la très bonne organisation (chevalets, papiers, thé, gàteaux, etc.) et l’amitié!

      —Marthe Salavin (France)

    • To my dreamy mind I thought I was in a PICASSO workshop witnessing passion, mood and brilliance of a painter
      A BIG THANK YOU is in order for yet another terrific workshop with our favourite watercolorist ALVARO… To my dreamy mind I thought I was in a PICASSO workshop witnessing passion, mood and brilliance of a painter.

      —Genevieve Buchanan (UK)

    • Thanks for a wonderful week
      Thanks again for a wonderful week and for all your help and assistance which was much appreciated.

      —Charles Kelly (UK)

    • 1000% improvement
      Everything was good in the course. I appreciate the course very much but also the very good mind setting of all the other students. Special attention for the organisation: NO trouble for us means focus on the painting... AND IT WAS VERY GOOD! On Monday 24 I had "zero" knowledge of watercolour. At the end I had a 1000% improvement and happiness to be getting this feeling, many thanks for that! I’ll never forget! Joseph was telling so many jokes but he was also taking care of all and of course a really good professional in training after years of experience. Very friendly! Super to meet him! Thank you so much!

      —Patrick Arcidiacono (France)

    • Everything was always arranged perfectly
      Many thanks for a superb course. The tuition goes without saying but I feel I must say how superbly you organised everything without any fuss. We never had to worry because we knew everything was always arranged perfectly.

      —Arnold Lowrey (UK)

    • I found it challenging, stimulating and very enjoyable
      Anyway I would like to thank you and Elizabeth for providing such a wonderful experience in Girona, I really enjoyed it and I found it challenging, stimulating and very enjoyable. The locations were fantastic and I particularly enjoyed the coastal villages but Girona was equally enchanting. Mixing with people from different countries and cultures was also excellent. Alvaro is a very gifted artist and he creates such wonderful paintings but I think his methods caught a few of us out; many of us had never been faced with the approach he takes so I was found it hard and lost confidence in myself.

      —Dave Betty (UK)

    • Video Testimonial by Ovidiu Iovanel (Romania)

      —Ovidiu Iovanel (Romania)

    • Video testimonial by Jose Luis and Carlos

      —Jose Luis y Carlos (España)

    • Testimonial by Tatjana and Galina (Russian and English)

      —Tatjana and Galina (Russia)

    • JZ is an amazing revelation with his clarity of thought and vision and of course a fantastic painter
      JZ is an amazing revelation with his clarity of thought and vision and of course a fantastic painter. What he states is often “blindingly obvious”, but why didn´t I think of it I ask myself!

      —Peter Robson (UK)

    • I achieved what I set out to achieve in watercolour painting
      Thank you for a wonderfully successful and happy course. You worked extremely hard to achieve so much in difficult conditions what with the adverse weather and the volcano ash. I achieved what I set out to achieve in watercolour painting, and Tim enjoyed it far more than he had anticipated. You had gathered an interesting group of people from all round the world for us to chat to in free times.

      —Hilary Goodwin (UK)

    • I enjoyed very much all the outdoor painting
      Thanks for a great course with Mr. Bead Joseph. I enjoyed seeing a part of Spain I hadn't seen before and meeting the other artists. I enjoyed very much all the outdoor painting even though it was a bit of a challenge being with such experienced painters.

      —Maureen Goette (South Africa)

    • Una organización “de 10”!
      Inmejorable, creo que he aprendido mucho. Ahora tengo que practicar y poner a funcionar todo lo que llevo dentro! Si volvería? De hecho ya es mi segunda vez. Y ya estoy recomendando EPC en mi entorno! La organización es “de 10”, por todo lo que ponen de su parte para que todo funcione bien. El profesor es muy atento, más teniendo en cuenta que no nos entendíamos!

      —Rosa Casado (Spain)

    • I’ll fondly remember this joyful evening and delicious feast again and again
      I’d like to thank you for your excellent flexible organisation and above all, your kind personal care. You helped me in every way from the beginning to the end. My last evening in Girona was unforgettable. I’ll fondly remember this joyful evening and delicious feast again and again.

      —Setsuko Ohara (Kuwait)

    • I always come away so motivated and a little more knowledgeble about watercolour
      Just a quick note to thank you for all your organisation skills for what I thought was an enjoyable workshop, and I loved meeting you and all the other painters I had lots of laughs and I painted sort of ok. I always come away so motivated and a little more knowledgeble about watercolour. I adored the Costa Brava coast.

      —Lea Burt (Australia)

    • Video Testimonial by Ahmet Ogras (Turkey)

      —Ahmet Ogras (Turkey)

    • It was very worthwhile for me!
      It’s my first time to attend a workshop in a foreign country. I learned a lot. Joseph’s lessons were very systematic and he really has the aim to teach. I learned new techniques and I’m going to practise them back in Japan, putting this experience and knowledge into practice. It was very worthwhile for me. I had a wonderful time and if it’s possible I’d like to come back. Many thanks to Joseph and Angela and the other staff.

      —Masato Ueda (Japan)

Upcoming Courses

  1. YUKO NAGAYAMA: 8 – 11 April 2023 in Girona, Spain

    April 8 - 11
    Cost: upto 795€
    Read More →
  2. MICHAEL SOLOVYEV 19 – 25 October 2023, studio & plein air in Girona

    October 20 - 24
    Cost: upto 890€
    Read More →

View All Events

Newsletter

Signup for our newsletter today!

* = required field

Like Us

Contact Us

  • +34.645.767.403
  • angela@epc-artcourses.com
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • YouTube

Newsletter

Signup for our newsletter today!

* = required field
© EPC-ArtCourses.com | Privacy | Website by StressLessWeb