Painting Workshop in France

$4,300 Per participant (shared or private room)

$1,600 Non-painting partner

This includes:

• Seven nights accommodation with ensuite bathroom

• Three meals a day, including wine and local cider

• All art materials

• Full use of painting studio and other chateau facilities

• Painting instruction, daily demos, and critiques

• Afternoon guided tour of Quimper

• Pick up and drop off at Quimper’s train station

What isn’t included:

• Airfare to France

Payment Schedule:

• $500 nonrefundable deposit to hold your place, due no later than January 7

• 50% due 30 days after signing up (less deposit)

• Full payment (remaining balance) due 60 days after signing up

Cancellation:

• After February 1, 50% refund

• After March 1, no refund

Travel insurance is highly recommended. I use Allianz, which is not very expensive and offers great coverage.

For remaining balance, call me at (828) 774-8431 or email dpskinner@earthlink.net

The workshop takes place in and around a beautiful 13th-century manor surrounded by lush forests in the heart of Brittany. Originally built to house the Knights Hospitaller, a military religious order, the manor still has its ancient watchtower and battlements. Within the ramparts there is a beautiful flower-filled garden, and along the grounds a tranquil river flows. The manor offers a spacious interior for our group, with several large fireplaces and cozy areas for relaxing or enjoying a cocktail in the evening as we chat about the events of the day.

The spacious studio where we paint features a wall of sliding glass doors and a nice view of the garden and the small lake at the property’s edge. I will have a full range of professional-grade acrylic paints, canvas panels, brushes, palettes, latex gloves, buckets, and easels for you to use. I’ll also have sketch pads and chalk pastels available for working outside if inspiration hits you. Since we mostly focus on landscape imagery, it’s helpful if you have an iPad or another tablet so that you can photograph the area and use your photos as source material for paintings. I also provide photographs of the area for inspiration.

Since this workshop takes place in France, a country that prides itself on its amazing culinary tradition, you can expect a week of delicious food. Each day you will be served three amazing meals along with lovely French wine for dinner. There are vegetarian options for those who want them. Cocktails are not included but can be purchased.

The bedrooms at the manor are all tastefully decorated with en suite bathrooms and can accommodate either single participants or couples. Each room has either a shower or bathtub; you can request your preference.

The manor is located in northwest Brittany about 15 minutes from the charming town of Quimper, a city with an old town filled with half-timbered houses and a gothic cathedral. We are about 7 kilometers from a gorgeous coastline. There is a 3½-hour train from Paris to Quimper for those who want to fly into Paris and don’t want to rent a car. Once you arrive in Quimper, I will pick you up and drive you to the manor. If you want to add time in France either before or after the workshop, renting a car is a great option since there are wonderful things to see around Brittany and to and from Paris.

I set up a What’s App group for each workshop so make sure you have that app on your phone. It’s a great way to communicate as a group.

The weather in Brittany should be around 70°F during the day and the mid-50s at night. Bringing layers is a good idea, along with a light raincoat or umbrella. As with any trip, check the weather forecast before you leave and add items that seem necessary.

Having a tablet to display any photographs you’d like to paint is certainly helpful though not necessary. As mentioned earlier, all art supplies are provided, but you should feel free to bring favorite brushes and the paints you’d rather work with instead of the acrylic paints provided.