V.I.E.W: Virtual Interactive Escapade Workshops
Don't be a tourist.
Be our guest.
Be our guest.
VIEW-Maestro Che
Paint Live from your home with a master and fellow artists. We are working hand in hand with our team of high-end artists/instructors to present you unique interactive live online painting workshops where you can paint along and get feedback from the comfort of your home. Check our V.I.E.W. calendar with all the online classes we offer with different instructors.
Painting for the Class
V.I.E.W. by Maestro Che: Watercolor Loose and Bold – Let’s Face it; The Art of Portraiture (Watercolor)
Level: High Beginner and Intermediate- Max 16 participants
Dates: Feb 20 (1-4pm PST) & Feb 21 (10am-1pm PST): (if you can’t attend the class, you can buy the recordings and get feedback from Maestro Che by email, US $178).
Although painting a person in watercolor may seem daunting, we will go step by step and demystify the process of painting the portrait. Maestro Che will demonstrate the techniques, and instill the confidence to enjoy painting people.
Maestro will discuss the benefits of photographic reference, as well as how to interpret a photo in order to give life and energy to the subject. He will share his personal approach of Bold and Loose watercolor painting.
As Maestro demonstrates, step by step, time will be provided so that you can paint what he just demoed. Critique and feedback is an important part of the class. Since the class is interactive, you will be able to ask questions directly to Maestro, show your work though your computer to get personal feedback and you will also be able to see everyone else’s work. 
Rate: US$ 178 for 2 sessions of 3 hours (6 hours total).
The price includes:
- Personal feedback and critique during the class: Maestro will give you time to paint and then look at each student work in progress and comment on it along the way. You will also receive a final critique at the end of the session.
- The recording of both sessions: you will be able to download the recordings to your own computer and keep them forever.
- Facebook feedback after the class: If you post on your finished painting on our V.I.E.W. facebook page, Maestro will give you final suggestions for your painting.
After you have registered for the workshop, you will receive: 
- A recommended supply list
- The reference photos, a color one and a black & one. Please print them to have them with you for class.
- No drawing ahead of time since Maestro will teach you how to draw.
Maestro Che’s Biography:
I am a Signature Member of the Northwest Watercolor Society ( NWWS ) , Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists ( PSG ) and also member of the American Watercolor Society . I have also co-chaired the NWWS Waterworks 2013 and NWWS 74th International Open Exhibition 2014. I was nominated to become the NWWS Vice-President for 2016-17 and President for the 2017-18 year.
I am graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, and have worked as a traditional cell animator, web designer and commission artist since graduating high school. I love paintings that are expressive, loose and bold, I strive to keep the colors clean and vibrant. I love to paint with color in mind and love the art of portraiture and figurative work. The majority of my work is inspired by my Chicano heritage, from the bold color to the imagery. My “Mujere’s de las Flores” Series combines my love of the portrait and Dia de los Muertos with of course florals.
V.I.E.W. Registration Form
French Escapade has been dedicated to bring the artist community together since 2004 by offering plein-air painting workshops in amazing settings abroad or in the US.
In today’s challenging times, we want this sense of community to continue even though we are all confined in our homes and isolated from one another.
So V.I.E.W., our Virtual Interactive Escapade Workshop, is a program whose goal in not only to offer online painting classes, but also a sense of camaraderie in small groups of people painting together as friends. Like in our plein-air painting workshops, we wish to recreate this congeniality that we lack so much when sheltered in place. Our wonderful team of instructors has jumped on board with enthusiasm and has at heart to bring art and comfort to you in this trying time.
From your home, you will participate in our Virtual Interactive Escapade Workshop hosted by Jackie and instructed by one of our art instructors on your laptop, desktop or Ipad.
You can mirror the screen of your Ipad or computer to your TV screen (smart TVs, Apple TV, …). We will help you for the setup if you do not feel comfortable. We will also do a group test prior to the first online painting session to make sure you are comfortable using the application.
With V.I.E.W., you can sign-up for a live online workshop from a wide variety of artists, media and levels all in one place.
Save money by becoming recurrent V.I.E.W. participants with our fidelity program.
We offer 2 types of V.I.E.W. Master Classes:
- Master Classes with ONE artist: 3 sessions of 2 hours to concentrate on one style.
- Master Classes with TWO artists: 4 sessions of 2 hours to diversify your palette of techniques (2 sessions with each artist).
How are our V.I.E.W. workshops different than other online classes?
- Our V.I.E.W. workshops are live, interactive and hands-on.
- The instructors do demos and also give you time to paint during the live session.
- You can enjoy interactivity with fellow students.
- The V.I.E.W. workshops alternate 3 live lessons with 2 or 3 days of assignments in between giving you time to practice what you learned.
- The instructors review your work and give you constructive feedback.
- Q&A are welcome.
- At the end of the program, you will have at least one finished painting.
- You participate from the comfort of your home.
- You need to download a free application on your device (preferably a lap top to have a big screen)
- We work with you to the set up the online application if you need assistance.
- We run a test session the day before the workshop to make sure everyone is all set.
- The classes are LIVE.
- You see the teacher and the other participants.
- The teacher gives a demo (step by step demo, paint along, painting techniques, etc…It varies based on the teacher’s style).
- You have time to practice during the session what you just learned from the teacher.
- If you have questions while practicing or watching the demo, you can ask the instructor because the classes are LIVE.
- You enjoy interactivity and sharing art with fellow students.
- You get 3 lessons of 2 hours each.
- You are able to show the teacher what you have done and receive personal constructive critique.
- At the end of the 3 lessons, you should have at least one finished painting.
How do I sign up?
Email us at contact@frenchescapade.com and make sure to let us know for what teacher you want to sign up. We will send you a registration form to fill out.
How can I pay?
1- If you sign up over a week before the online class, you can send us a US check, payable to French Escapade LLC. Address is: 2389 Blackpool Pl, San Leandro, CA 94577.
2- You can either send your payment using ZELLE. It is free. All big US banks offer ZELLE. It is very easy to set up. Go to your online bank account and you will see the option “ZELLE”. It will only take a minute to set it up. Choose contact@frenchescapade.com as recipient.
3- We can use Paypal and use your credit card. Choose contact@frenchescapade.com as recipient.
How do I start?
You will need to download an application. We will let you know which one when you sign up. The application is free and very easy to use. You can download it on your mobile, your tablet or your computer. We recommend using a computer (PC or Mac) because the screen is bigger and it will allow you to see the demo better.
What if I have problems downloading the application?
You can contact us and we will help you but it is really a 3 min straight forward process.
How will I know how to use the application?
We organize a short meeting with all the participants the day before the first session to make sure everyone knows how to use it. It is very simple to use.
How do I access the live session?
We send you an invitation to the meeting via email ahead of time with the date and time of the meeting. When it is time, you just need to click on the link to enter the online session. The moderator will be able to see that you are trying to join and will let you in.
What if all participants start talking over each other during the session?
Don’t worry, that won’t happen. There is always be a member of French Escapade facilitating the session. Everyone have their microphone muted and the moderator lets people ask questions one at the time when it is appropriate in the session.
Are we going to paint during the session or only watch?
Yes, you paint during the session. After a short demo from the teacher, everyone has time to paint for a specific length of time. During that time, you can ask questions to the teacher if you encounter a problem with your painting. After the painting time, the teacher proceedes with more content (demo, techniques,…) and then again, after that demo, you paint what you just learned and so on. The goal is for you to have finished a painting (or close to that) at the end of the session. During the third session, everyone can share their work with the teacher and the other participant and get feedback from the teacher. You don’t need to share if you don’t feel comfortable but we encourage you to do so in order to receive feedback.
How do I know what painting supplies to use for the session?
We send everyone the teacher’s recommended painting supplies list ahead of time.
What if I don't want the other participants to see my face or to see me while I paint?
You can turn off the camera via the application. We will still see your name in a black box.
Can I get a partial refund if I can't attend all three sessions?
Unfortunately we can refund you. You pay for a 3 session package.
Can I send the invitation to a friend who hasn't registered?
No. The V.I.E.W. workshop is only for registered participants. The moderator can see everyone accessing the session and will only accept the people who are registered.