Painting in Provence: Landscape, Poppies and Wildflowers

Join me on this week-long painting workshop where we paint plein air in beautiful Provence! We will focus on what inspired Van Gogh as we follow his footsteps and study spring flowers and landscapes around us. Materials are provided! No lugging of supplies. Early booking special is on now!

ACCOMODATIONS

You will be staying in the heart of the charming village of Fontaine de Vaucluse in an old mill that has been beautifully restored with Provencal charm. A little river meanders through the garden, surrounded by impressive mountains. The hotel is centrally located, within walking distance (2 min) to restaurants and shops.

The hotel has a living room, breakfast room, outside swimming pool, a hot tub, a riverside terrace bar and a sunny conference room that we will use as our painting studio.

PAINTING WORKSHOP

PROVENCE BONUS:  All professional grade acrylic and oil paint supplies will be provided, valued at approximately $125. per participant. So there is no lugging of paints overseas!

This workshop is open to painters of all levels.  We will focus on painting poppies, other spring flowers, and the landscape and villages around us. 

You will learn color mixing techniques, brush stroke techniques and how to compose your paintings in a new and creative way. For those new to painting, I will take the time to sit with beginners before and after classes in order to get them acquainted with their paints! For those looking for something advanced, we will merge into considering new colour theory and contemporary themes and fresh colour mixing in order to bring your work to a new level. And to ‘mix it up’ we will spend a messy day learning how to create sustainable mixed media work while incorporating our Provence inspiration subjects and compositions!

Our Classes will include oil and acrylic paints and be progressive building blocks that will help each participant learn at their own level. You will learn to observe like an artist, and simplify what you see around you while creating a plein air composition. You will learn to mix a beautiful spring colour-palette of vibrant colours and neutral tones. For experienced artists, you will find new ways of enhancing your colour palette to advance your painting with a new progressive freshness. By the end of the week, each participant should have completed at least 3 landscape paintings and several floral studies. Several photo references, demonstrations and information hand-outs are also provided daily as a valuable reference. Professional grade painting supplies are provided. Students are to bring their own canvases or canvas boards and brushes. A material list of minimal supplies will be emailed to participants upon registration.

OUR WEEK AT A GLANCE

Day 1: Welcome Champagne Reception

We will pick you up at the TGV Avignon train station at 3:30pm. 

Upon your arrival at our guesthouse, take time to settle in or explore the village.

In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome reception followed by a gourmet dinner.

Day 2: Ochre Village of Roussillon

One of France’s Most Beautiful Villages, sits on top of the world’s biggest vein of ochre, the reddish pigment which has been used by artists for centuries. Paint red houses, ochre trails, cafes, what ever inspires you.

At the end of the day, we will take a walk inside the park, on the Ochre Trail revealing many fantastic rock and cliff formations.

You will also have time for shopping: don’t miss out on the unique reddish potteries.

Day 3: Most Spectacular Villages in Provence – Gordes and Luberon Villages

Gordes, also listed one of France’s most beautiful villages, is the most spectacular village in Provence, perched on the southern edge of the high Plateau de Vaucluse.

The view to the village is a breathtaking panorama out across fields, vineyards and small-perched villages to the Montagne du Luberon. We will spend more time painting/sketching in the a tiny non touristy village of the Luberon whose name we keep secret!!

Day 4: Market and Canals in ‘Isle sur la Sorgue’

L’Isle sur la Sorgue is a real paradise for painters and photographers.

Its colors are nature’s green and the bright reflection of the water shines from the several canals running through its center.

In the morning, we will shop the incredible and colorful market: colorful arrays of Provencal fabric, tablecloths, pottery, silk scarves, natural soaps with dozens of scents and of course lavender products. The afternoon is all yours to paint the canals, the stalls, the village.

Day 5: Painting in the Village

Today will be a non driving day to allow even more time to painting.

We will spend the day painting either in the nearby village: cobblestone streets, 18th century houses, flowers, doors…

or the olive fields, the same trees Vincent Van Gogh painted 150 years ago. Locations of this day is confirmed during the week.

Day 6: On Van Gogh’s Trail in St. Remy de Provence

Today, we will visit the beautiful old monastery of St Paul Mausole with the bedroom where Van Gogh stayed during his very troubled time in 1889-90. This is now a nursing home that has a permanent exhibition of paintings made by the patients and beautiful reproductions of some of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings.

Outside the hospital, you will be able to paint the wonderful landscape that inspired the great impressionist with the same olive trees Van Gogh painted and the Alpilles mountains as background.

Day 7: Medieval Village in the Luberon

This non touristy jewel, not listed in travel books is our little gem, our favorite village. While strolling the streets you will come to appreciate the quietness and wonderful atmosphere that will seduce you, as it has dozens of artists who live there. This is our little kept secret village, the favorite of all our artists.

Back at the hotel, you will be able to work in the garden to finish up some of your paintings and finish the week with a “show and tell” or critique.

Day 8: Departure

It is time to say: “au revoir” but not “adieu” because you will be back. We just know it. 

After our last breakfast together, we’ll drive you to the TGV Avignon train station by 9:30 am.

DATES AND FEES:

Dates: May 2-9, 2020

Sign up early and save $200!

Price: US$ 3,190 before Nov 30 (US$ 3,390 after Nov 30)

+ US$ 550 for single standard room

+ US$ 900 for a single superior room (only 2 available)

+ US$ 350 for a superior twin room  (only 3 available) or superior double room (only 2 available): so it is US$ 175 per person

Non Painters are welcome to join and share the room of a painter. They get a US$ 400 off and will come on excursions with the group, share the meals, etc…

Includes

Painting supplies (approximate value $125.US)

Avignon TGV train station pick up at 3:30pm and drop off at 10am

A welcome reception

All breakfasts, 3 lunches (picnics) and 4 dinners (including drinks and wine)

All nights at the villa-hotel

Tuition for daily classes

Entrance fees to all sites on the tour

Transportation in a comfortable van with A/C

A personal bilingual chauffeur/guide throughout the week

A free Paris planner for a self guided visit in Paris if you decide to extend your trip: suggestions of hotels, restaurants and places to visit

Excludes

Flights to and from France

Trains to/from Avignon

3 lunches and 3 dinners *(our guests enjoy this opportunity to perusing the market foods and restaurants.)

Tour leader(s) tipping

FEE: special rate of $2940 USD prior (double occupancy)  After January 30, 2020 the fee is $3390.

DEPOSIT: $600. USD deposit required at time of booking.

All fees are in listed in U.S. dollars.

Please inquire here below for registration and information.