Portrait Painting In France

Highlights

  • 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
From £750 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

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:

Select and take good source photographs for portraiture Work from a direct subject Prime and prepare our canvas Set up an oil painting palette and organise your working space Mix solutions for oil painting Mix a range of colours and tones to create realistic flesh tones. Create an underpainting using principals from the Masters How to block in tonal areas and understand the planes of the face Use a range of techniques to add detail, including glazing techniques Create a portrait to take home

2023 Dates:

17th-21th September

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.

Drawing Lesson and Oil Painting

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.

Live Painting

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.

Portrait Painting and Artist Talk

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.

Departure

Enjoy your last breakfast and say your goodbyes!

What's included

Included

  • 3 full days of painting tuition from Kate Sparrow. Learn how to paint the portrait in oils
  • Half day working from a life model
  • All art materials
  • 4 night's accommodation full board in the local Auberge with ensuite bathroom
  • Airport pickup from Biarritz
  • From Pau or Orthez we will arrange a taxi service for you an additional charge.
  • Lunch will be buffet style/picnic
  • Dinner is a delicious 3 course meal
Your local host

Kate

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.

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.

Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

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Location

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

Return transfers from Biarritz airport are included in the price and depart at 10:30 am – so please bear this in mind when booking your flight. Flights should be scheduled to arrive no later than 09:30 am

From Orthez station  the transfer cost will be £70 one way and from Pau station £175 one way – please let us know at time of booking if you would like us to arrange these transfers for you.

 

FAQs

Are there transfers?

Pick up is at 5:30pm from Biarritz airport which is included in the price or Orthez/Pau station with an additional charge.

What meals are included?

4 x Breakfast, 3 x Lunch, 4 x Evening Meal

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