Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet all painted in France, and it may be that painting workshops in France are so popular because of the country’s artistic legacy. And it may just be that France is a great place to visit, with some of the best food and wine in the world, a unique sense of style and a way of life that is the envy of much of the world.
Whether you want the buzz of Paris or another big city, the dramatic coastal scenery of Brittany or the vineyards of Bordeaux, you can find painting workshops all over France. Not surprisingly, the area of Provence is also a popular place to improve one’s painting skills; in addition to inspiring Van Gogh, Gaugin and others, the area is said to have a unique light. When choosing from available workshops in France, give some though to how remote you want to be, and whether having easy access to museums, shops and restaurants is important.
There are other considerations when looking at painting workshops in France and trying to decide what would be ideal for you. Of course, the cost of the workshop is a major factor, and it’s important to make sure you understand what’s included. Most will include your accommodation, some or all meals, drinks, perhaps an excursion or two, and of course art instruction. Keep in mind that as with most other holidays, accommodation is probably shared and you may have to pay more for a single room.
And of course, the level and the amount of instruction is also a factor when looking at workshops, as well as the medium. If painting in watercolors is your passion, you may not want to attend a workshop that focuses on oil painting or pencil drawing. Likewise, if you’re a beginner, you may want to attend a workshop in which most of the other participants have much the same level of skill as you; you don’t want to be left behind or feel left out. Some workshops have well known instructors teaching some or all of the course, and of course you’ll pay more to have a famous name instructor.
Although your goal is probably to improve your painting technique and learn something new, a workshop should also be fun. It’s a chance to meet new friends who enjoy art as much as you, and to sample some of the fine wines and great food that France is known for.
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