WEEK END PAINTING
Provence was designed for painting en plein air with an easel in front of you, a glass of rosé balancing on a rock nearby and a “chapeau de soleil” perched on your head. Monet, Picasso, van Gogh, Gauguin, Dufy, Braque, Signac, Renoir were all inspired to paint the landscapes and flowers of Provence. There is so much space in Provence, so many scapes and geometrical lines merging on clifftops, valley bottoms and half-way up mountains, that it makes you feel, you too can take out an easel and start painting. Come join us for the ultimate provencale experience at the luxurious Bastide La Belle, where you are surrounded by the beauty of vineyards, fields of flowers, olive trees and exquisite hilltops villages.
What to expect:
The acrylic weekend retreat (4 days) will emphasize loose, expressive painting techniques based on the French Lyrical Abstract movement. I’m planning to focus on painting a series, based on specific color combinations and themes. I aim to support you in the completion of 2 paintings in your series.
Experimentation, risk-taking, spontaneity and expression will be encouraged. Participants will develop conceptual ideas and explore various approaches to abstraction and semi-abstraction as they develop and expand their own artistic voice through the work. Think about painting shapes and colors, and not things. Visual information will be provided with an emphasis on concept, composition, balance, color, design, form and symbolism. Both one-on-one and group reviews are aimed at enhancing individual growth. As participants work at their own level and pace, this retreat is open to the beginner, emerging and established artist.
Paint, sketch and enjoy the good life in the beautiful south of France (Provence) surroundings. Balanced itinerary of painting, exploring and relaxation for artists of all skill levels. Learn, live and paint side-by-side with other artists.
A typical day starts at 9h30 with coffee and croissants, we have lunch at 12h30 and then paint until 16h30. So there will be some time at the end of every day to explore the area or for just relaxing at the swimming pool or a game of pétanque.
What’s included:
-
3 days of artistic immersion.
-
4 Breakfasts & 4 lunches & 1 dinner on the first evening
-
All materials, Sennelier acrylic paints, painting knives, drawing equipment, stretched canvas and acrylic artist paper.
Plenty to do for non-painting partners. Cycling and other excursions can be organized!
What's not included:
-
Airfare
-
Accommodation. There are numerous hotels and B&B situated in Lorgues. Please let me know if you need help finding your perfect spot.
-
Dinners
-
Travel insurance - recommended and should be done within two weeks of booking
For the duration of the retreat here in Provence, the art tuition will take place at Bastide la Belle in Wietzie's Atelier and en-plein air on the estate.
€875 per person . Our art retreats are limited to 6 persons.
Sample itinerary
Thursday
4pm-6pm: Arriving at BLB
7pm: Welcome drinks
8pm: Three course dinner BLB
Friday
9h30-12h30: Semi-abstract flower painting preparation, concentration on the flower as a source of lines, shapes, space, gesture, color and value. You will learn how to create an abstract flower, with a variety of lines inspired by the subject in front of you or the memory of the flower.
Lunch: On the covered terrace at BLB
2h30-4h30: Working on your abstract flower painting
Saturday
9h30-12h30: Finishing your abstract flower painting
Lunch: Restaurant in Tourtour
2h30-4h30: Landscape painting preparation, concentrating on the relationship between light and colour. Discussing how to achieve a convincing sense of volume and depth in various expressive styles of landscape paintings from abstract to semi-abstract to realistic.
Sunday
9h30-12h30: Work on your landscape painting
Lunch: BBQ on terrace at BLB
2h00-4h30: Finalize landscape painting
Monday
9h30: Arranging for shipping of your paintings
11h00: Sad goodbyes
