FAQ's
How big is the island of Malta
Malta is about 27 km long and 14.5 km wide (17miles long x 9 miles wide). A total area of about 316 square km. It is SMALLER than the Isle of Wight. Driving from one end to the other should take about 1 hour BUT there are traffic jams particularly at rush hour and traffic can come to a standstill.
What is the weather like in September?
Balmy and can be muggy.
Temperature Day average: maximum is 29c (84 f) min 21c (69.8 f)
Its brilliant for nocturnes as the evenings cool down.
Bring large hat, sun block water and try to pick shadier areas to paint.
There is rarely rain in September but it can chuck it down!
Malta as a small island can suffer from big winds we will try and paint on opposite side of island to wind direction or in town if this happens.
What happens if weather is bad (wet windy) or very hot?
Be prepared to be flexible! If it gets very hot we may offer the option of a nocturne instead or a very early start. Check Whats App Group night before and if conditions bad on the day itself…if in doubt ask.
Are there mosquitos, jelly fish etc
Yes.
Mosquitos Try to book accommodation with aircon and if not make sure they have a plug in mozzie repellent device. Close windows before dusk.
Jelly Fish Observe the locals and ask!. We do sometimes get jelly fish
Sharks considered low risk very rarely seen
Bird Hunting Season
Unfortunately Sept 1 marks beginning of hunting season. From two hours before dawn until midday some Maltese shoot birds (It is controversial). Be aware if you are in a rural and especially rural coastal area. As painters in remoter areas you may well be shot by accident.
Do I need any vaccinations
You must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
Hep A, Hep B and Influenza recommended but not obligatory
Is there free Health care in Malta?
UK citizens need insurance
Health Care is only free for Malta citizens and EU nationals you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but you are advised to check.
Other foreigners use medical insurance please make sure you are covered.
What art supplies should I bring?
There are art shops in Malta.
For watercolour artists just bring your normal kit but be aware they dry VERY quick in Malta sun.
Oil painters try and whittle your kit down to easy to carry essentials.
For overseas travelers you can carry oil paint in hold baggage. (See can I bring oils on plane). Consider using canvas blocks of multiple sheets (pre gesso them in UK and secure them together along 2 edges with masking tape or bulldog clips) Having said that I bring gessoed MDF Boards with me in hand luggage size 30 cm x 30 cm.
Easels can fit in hold luggage.
You can purchase thinners in Malta (Green for oils) do NOT fly with flammable liquids!!! I know one artist has brought Zest It ok in hold baggage.
Ask Amanda for anything that you think you may need before you come to Malta I may be able to get it
Bring a head torch….Malta is the best ever place for fab sunsets and Nocturne painting.
Can I buy art supplies in Malta?
Yes there are a number of art shops. However I have found boards for oil sometimes hard to get hold of in certain sizes. They do have a variety of canvas and canvas paper blocks.
The blocks can make a good substitute for boards for travelling artists I recommend you pre gesso block pages in UK and bring with you together with 2 bulldog clips.
Green for Oils is availabe as alternative to Zest it. You can buy Winsor & Newton Oils and Sennelier. I use MTS Crafts in Zabbar for my supplies.
Can I bring oil paints/thinners on the plane?
If you are worried I can get supplies in Malta. There is always a risk bringing oils on plane. NEVER call them oil PAINT if asked call Them Artists Oil Pigments and have a label see Michael Harding link below
I have brought Oil Paints in HOLD BAGGAGE Oil paints are best put in tupperware type box with label on lid or double wrapped in clear plastic bags. But check your individual oil manufacturer for details. E.G. Michael Harding offers a print-out-able label for their paints see here:
https://www.michaelharding.co.uk/project/flying-with-your-mh-paints/
You may get away with Zest It do not bring Turps. I can get Green Oils (Zest it substitute) for you please ask me.
Anything with high flammable rating is banned on aircraft.
Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100ml or less.
How do I get wet paintings home?
I use grease proof paper and matches! The matches (with ends off) are used as spacers on wet paintings which I then bind together face to face with masking tape.
Grease proof paper works well on touch dry work…anyone who has more ideas let me know!
What clothes do I bring?
Light clothes for warm weather with a waterproof and wind proof light cagool or jacket with hood
Lightweight walking shoes/trainers n.b. I have burnt my feet painting in sandels without socks.
Large brimmed hat to keep sun off. Lightweight scarf to protect neck.
Sunblock
UV treated glasses if poss…I paint in sunglasses but don’t tell on me!
Swimming costume
Traveling on UK Passport?
Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave Malta and it must have been issued within the last 10 years. Also check your 90 days allowance for traveling in the EU.
The UK is introducing a new Visa system watch travel press for details check the Uk Gov website: https://www.gov.uk/travel-to-eu-schengen-area
Flying to Malta
You can fly to Malta from lots of UK airports: London Gatwick (LGW) London Heathrow (LHR) London Stansted (STN) London Luton (LTN) Norwich (NWI) Manchester (MAN) Glasgow (GLA) East Midlands (EMA) Birmingham (BHX) Bristol (BRS) Bournemouth (BOH) Liverpool (LPL) and many more from Ireland and Europe!
The Main Airlines may be more expensive than Ryan Air (Malta Air owned by Ryan Air, Lauda Air owned by Ryan Air, Buzz owned by Ryan Air) Easy Jet and Jet 2.
I am close to Stansted so I regularly use Ryan Air
Driving in Malta?
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Malta. You can hire a car (or bring your own! check your insurance covers you).
Drive on the LEFT as per UK.
Waze is a better navigation than Google maps in Malta
Parking can be limited
Traffic conditions at rush hours can be very very slow. Rush hours are 7am -9am and 5 – 6.30 pm weekdays. Saturdays Late morning and early afternoon are bad.
Public transport in Malta is cheap – buses are 2 euros for unlimited travel within a 2 hour time period.
BOLT (similar to Uber) you need to download the App and then you can order a Bolt from anywhere to pick you up, Note at busy times Bolt prices go UP (a lot) as Malta can suffer from traffic jams especially during rush hours
RUSH HOURS
Weekdays 7.30 am until 9am Afternoons 4.30 till 6pm
Saturdays late morning and early afternoon
Travel to the locations with car?
Parking can be difficult. Locations will where possible indicate parking areas. Also be aware that Rush hour in Malta can slow traffic to a standstill. We are trying to avoid travelling at these times.
Travel to the locations no car?
We recommend using Bolt (or Uber) and sharing rides. You need to download the Bolt app and link it to a card so you can pay online. Bolt app here https://bolt.eu/en-gb/
You can use public transport the buses are very good but avoid Rush hour
Can I use Public transport?
Bus information here: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/
During Rush Hour busses are crowded.
Anyone can use public transport. You can buy a ticket with your card or phone on buses. It is cheap.
Or buy a Tal ligna card for a number of days. Available at the Floriana bus station.
Do I need insurance to paint?
As plein air painters you should all have insurance for third party .e.g.. people tripping over your easel or wind blowing your kit over a ledge etc. It is your responsibility to ensure that your plein air set up is not a hazard to pedestrians, traffic, animals e.g. Karrozzin horses etc See Terms and Conditions for the Meet Up.
For Uk travellers your Travel Insurance may cover you read their terms.
Do I need health insurance?
As UK Citizens you need to have health insurance.
Health Care is only free for Malta Citizens and EU nationals, to get medically necessary state healthcare in Malta, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Other foreigners use medical insurance please make sure you are covered.
Travel Insurance may cover you read their terms.
Will my travel insurance cover painting?
You need to ask your travel insurance provider.
If in any doubt get your own insurance and make sure it covers you for the EU.
Do I have to paint every location?
No you are free to choose which days you paint but please select them on the Registration Form so we can see numbers of people. This is a ‘meet up and paint’ event so during the times specified you should be able to meet other artists painting at the locations.
EMERGENCY
In the event of an emergency please dial 112 it is the only emergency number in Malta for all services. The average time to answer a 112 call is 5 seconds. The Advanced Mobile Location (AML) service is available in Malta
Should a person require Police assistance in relation to a non-emergency case, call the Police Command and Control room via (+356) 2122 4001-9.
Meet Up Organiser Contact number Is Amanda on +44 7788811727 (note this is an english phone you need to dial the +44)
Please note that as a participating artists you should have ppl insurance. If you or your equipment cause an accident you accept sole responsibilty (see Terms and Condition page).