Arrival
Arrive at the local Auberge for a relaxing evening with a beautiful three course French meal. Explore your beautiful surroundings, decompress and meet the other members of the group.
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Discover the South West of France where the Pyrénées meets the sea. Learn to paint in a relaxing environment with an experienced and talented tutor.
The portrait painting holiday is a step out of our busy lives and a chance to reset. Kate will show you how she develops ideas and creates her paintings.
Learn how to work from both photographic sources and a life model. We will go through the stages of oil painting and learn a variety of oil painting techniques. Kate created her painting holidays, so our community of participants can discover or reconnect with art in a beautiful and serene atmosphere. Physical and mentalwellbeing are of utmost importance for creating artistic endeavours and, through our painting courses, she hopes not only will you engage with your own painting but find that much needed space to relax. Learning new skills and techniques and being able to be part of a collective of artists will give you artistic energy and a shared experience. Creating lasting memories in the majestic scenery of South-West France.
The painting holiday comes with full accommodation in a beautiful local auberge, delicious French meals, painting equipment and three full days of tuition learning how to paint from a qualified art teacher and professional artist. Each room has an ensuite. The restaurant is renowned in the area for it’s traditional French cuisine. Enjoy a three course evening meal.
Accommodation:
Located in the heart of the village of Laàs, between the city of Navarrenx and the medieval city of Sauveterre-de-Béarn, the Auberge de la Fontaine is the very expression of hospitality and rural friendliness. All rooms have an ensuite.
Painting:
During your stay you will learn the following skills:
2023 Dates:
17th-21th September
Learn oil painting techniques to create your own stunning portrait
Relax in the majestic scenery of South West France
Eat authentic French cuisine and experience French culture
I am a professional artist who has exhibited in both London and Hong Kong. I have my own art studio and gallery in South West France. I am a fully trained art teacher with a BA in illustration and a PGCE in art teaching. I am so happy to share my love of art with others and show you techniques for developing your own oil and acrylic paintings.
Arrive at the local Auberge for a relaxing evening with a beautiful three course French meal. Explore your beautiful surroundings, decompress and meet the other members of the group.
8.45am -9.45 am
Continental breakfast.
Walk over to the studio in Laás to start the day.
10 am- 12.30 pm
We will start with a drawing lesson exploring proportions and planes of the human head. Exploring how to build up tone using one colour.
12.30pm-1.45pm
Pause for a delicious buffet style lunch with wine.
1.45pm-4.45 pm
Working from photographic reference we will work on a small painting to understand the principals of oil painting. We will prepare the canvas and continue to develop the underpainting. Looking at how to see tonal ranges in a portrait we explore how to set up a work space and oil palette developing colour mixing and creating flesh tones.
Students will learn to mix solutions for painting and how to use them, preparing us for our next day of painting.
5pm
Return to the Auberge or take a relaxing walk around the village. If you’re feeling brave, take a swim in the cool river!
8pm
A three course meal for dinner, followed by your own relaxation time.
8.45am-9.45 am
Continental breakfast.
9.45am – 10am
Transfer to the studio, where your day of painting will begin!
10am – 4.45pm
Day of painting in the studio in Laás.
Working directly from a life model we will explore live painting the portrait.
12.30-1.45pm
Lunch will be in a local restaurant, offering the perfect break from a busy day of painting!
5pm
A delicious wine tasting in a near by village, where we will explore the wines of the region.
8pm
Three course dinner at the Auberge.
Followed by your own relaxation time.
8.45-9.45 am
Breakfast
10am- 12.30pm
Working from photos of the model taken the day before, you will be able to continue to develop their own portrait painting.
12.30pm-1.30 pm
Picnic lunch
1.30-5pm
Spend the afternoon learning how to add glazes to your work.
5pm
Freetime
7pm
Dinner at the Auberge
9pm
Drinks and an artist talk, where local artists will come and discuss their work with you.
Enjoy your last breakfast and say your goodbyes!
You will be staying in a beautiful and idyllic rural french village, Laas. It is situated in the valley of the gave d’Oloron, to the southeast of Sauveterre-de-Béarn and north-west of Navarrenx, in an area called the Béarn des Gaves.
Nearest airport: Biarritz
Pick up is at 5:30pm from Biarritz airport which is included in the price or Orthez/Pau station with an additional charge.
