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Art Retreats

For photographers, painters, and writers to explore their craft in rural France.

Art Workshops in France

  • 30 hours of fine arts learning

  • oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel

  • Work alongside other creative souls

  • Learn new skills

  • Expand your portfolio

  • Find new inspiration

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2022 Dates:

june 6 - june 16

july 18 - july 28

Sept. 12 - Sept. 22

 

Immersive Painting & Fine Arts Retreat

9 spots only

*Price excludes VAT and accommodation

Taught by Sandra Auzolles, this immersive fine arts 10-day workshop and retreat is for beginners and up. If you’re a shy or confident painter and you’re itching to feel inspired and really learn to paint and develop your style, then make this your creative personal journey.

You’ll study and practice fine arts techniques in an idyllic setting, where you can focus, surrounded by nature, peace and quiet. Spend 30 hours total in class over 7 days zeroing in on your passion for becoming a better painter, and expressing in fine detail what you’re curious about.

When you’re not painting, you’ll be visiting historic, scenic and cultural sites during planned excursions included in the package. You’ll be eating great food prepared fresh by our on-site Chef, and served family style.

The retreat is structured in two parts.

Stage 1

  • Explore techniques, tools, surfaces and mediums

  • Practice and learn to paint using pre-defined subjects, with visual objectives to keep you on track

  • Acrylic, then oil on acrylic, color, canvas prep

  • Watercolor, paper prep

  • Pastels

Stage 2

  • Choose your own subject from a sight you capture in France

  • Learn how to analyze for framing, composition, focal point

  • Choose your technique (acrylic, watercolor or pastel. Not oil because it won’t dry in time)

  • Guided development, hopefully to fruition, but paint at your own pace and finish at home. We’ll help package your work for safe travel.

You'll visit the chic island of Île de Ré, the historic port of La Rochelle, and the picturesque village of Mervent.

A soul-elevating experience

Held in June, July and September, these three art workshops in France include time for you to hang out with fellow creative, traveling souls, and spend time in quiet reflection. Enjoy the peaceful tranquility of Mill on the Rock meditating at one of our numerous "Be" spots dotted around the property. Apart from pursuing your art and relaxing, we've organized a few fun culinary experiences for you too!

Let misty morning marshlands inspire your portfolio.

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 The Details

  • Sandra Auzolles.

    Sandra studied at the famous ENSAAMA aka Olivier de Serres, one of the top art schools in Paris. From there she jumped straight into working as a freelance graphic designer.

    She built such an impressive portfolio so quickly, that by the time she was only 21, top agencies such as Publicis in Paris were hiring her. She worked on accounts like Nestle and Europe’s biggest science museum, the City of Science and Industry (Cité des sciences et de l'industrie).

    Her talent and drive led Sandra to become one of the youngest female art directors in Paris in the early 90s.

    She went on to build an extensive career as a graphic designer and package designer before settling down in Fontenay le Comte to raise a family. She opened Atelier des Beaux Arts in 2019, where she teaches art to private students.

    • Art materials, including paints, brushes, tools, surfaces

    • Bring an apron!

    • 5 full days and 2 half-days of learning with Sandra’s structured and guided approach.

    MEALS

    • 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

    • All meals prepared on-site by Chef Pierre use local, seasonal ingredients and are served family style.

    • Special diet? No problem. Let us know when you book.

    • Not included: 3 excursion lunches and dinners, see * below.

    SIGHT-SEEING EXCURSIONS

    • Stroll from Mill on the Rock to historic Nieul-sur-l’Autise for dinner*.

    • Day-trip to the chic island of Île de Ré for sight-seeing and lunch*, then on to La Rochelle for a guided tour and dinner**. Transportation, guide and admissions included.

    • Sunday Farmers’ Market lunch* in Niort, followed by a gentle, guided barge ride on the scenic canals of the Marais Poitevin. Transportation, barge ride and guide included.

    • Visit to picturesque Mervent for lunch, then to Fontenay le Comte, Maillezais Abbey, and finally, Damvix for dinner**. Transportation and admission included.

    PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

    Pick-up and drop-off at Niort Train Station only.

  • The base price of 1,915€ per person does not include VAT (value added tax at 20%) or accommodation.

    ACCOMMODATION for 10 NIGHTS

    Accommodation for 10 nights is automatically added to your package price after you select which type of accommodation you prefer.

    Mill on the Rock has three sleeping arrangements to choose from:

    1. The Attic Dormitory

    2. The River Room

    3. The Wheel House Loft

    WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

    • 3 excursion lunches, 3 excursion dinners

    • Air fare to France

    • Travel insurance

    • Airport pick-up and drop-off. Contact Tara if you need help coordinating this.

    • on-site massages (reserve when you book)

    • off-site hammam (reserve when you book)

Base price of 1,915€ excludes accommodation & VAT