Where would people suggest staying in The Canaries for a painting and walking holiday? We would like to stay in an apartment or small hotel with good facilities and tasty food nearby. If we can paint from our balcony/terrace, that would be an advantage. Direct flights from the UK as well please.

For a walking holiday, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura wouldn't be my first choice.
The other 4 have all good hiking trail networks. Hierro and Gomera are the greenest, but the wettest one's.
Inter Island transport is good and frequent:
https://www.bintercanarias.com/eng/
https://www.navieraarmas.com/es/horario_ferry_bus
https://www.fredolsen.es/es/compra-billetes/horarios

La Palma has great walking and plenty of small houses to rent. If you decide on la Palma try to find somewhere on the west side, for better weather and sunsets, and rent a car - use a local company for the cheapest deal.

A few links. They can all help with a rental car. We have used all three to rent places on la Palma. TUI also have packages to La Palma but they concentrte mainly on the east coast.

https://www.oasislapalma.com/rAlojam...t.aspx?CLP=HRu
https://www.la-palma.de/en/holiday-h...-holiday-homes
La Palma holiday accommodation, Canary Islands. Rent rural tourist homes, cottages, houses, bungalows, apartments, villas.

With a car, I would stay somewhre between Lo Llanos and Puerto Naos.

Yes though the north west is lovely and has great walking it is a pain to have to get up and down if you want a beach or a sizeable shop. But do go up there - it is well worth the hairpins and the climb. Some good restaurants up there too.
Also if you are going anytime other than the summer months pay attention to the alitude of the house or you could find yourself cold and in the clouds. Walking is best in the winter/spring. It can be too hot still in September, and by November it can be too wet.

I guess it depends on what you mean by walking. If you have an android phone there is an app showing the official trails on the various islands. The App is called

Rutea Canarias

Not the prettiest app but it works. Shows trails of different difficulties ,distances and a map.

Of course if you don't care about the trails there are parts of Fuerteventura you can walk for 20 km along the beach .

Thanks for your ideas everyone. Very helpful. I think we will try La Palma. Has anyone stayed at The Parador?

No I haven't stayed there. It is on the east side of the island, and not far from the airport.

Thanks everybody for the very helpful suggestions and links. It sounds as though the Parador is not in the best position but some of the villas look very good. I will investigate further and see what is available.

Good luck! Do come back with a trip report if you do go. It is my favourite island and it would be good to hear what someone else thinks of it.