V.I.E.W: Virtual Interactive Escapade Workshops
Don't be a tourist.
Be our guest.
Be our guest.
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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 our new projects 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 using Zoom.
You can mirror the screen of your Ipad or computer to your TV screen (smart TVs, Apple TV, …) so that you can see better.
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.
How are our V.I.E.W. workshops different from other online classes?
- Our V.I.E.W. workshops are live, interactive and hands-on.
- You can select from a multitude of renowned artists teaching in different media (watercolor, oil, acrylics, pastel), different styles (sketching to bigger paintings) and designed for different skill levels from beginners to advanced painters.
- The instructors do step by steps demos, breaking up the process in manageable steps, giving you time to paint during the live session.
- You enjoy interactivity with fellow participants.
- The instructors review your work and give you personal constructive feedback all along the session since you will be able to show your work through device camera.
- Q&A are welcome during the class, asking questions directly to the instructor.
- At the end of the program, you will have at least one finished painting.
- Most of our V.I.E.W are recorded (with a few exceptions). You will receive a link to the recorded session for you to download so that you can keep it forever.
- You participate from the comfort of your home.
- You need to download the free zoom 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 paint during the session what you just learned from the teacher.
- You can ask questions directly to the instructor because the classes are LIVE.
- You enjoy interactivity and sharing art with fellow students.
- Most classes are 6 hours (2 sessions of 3 hours each) but we do have classes over 3 or 4 day period (8 hours or more total).
- You are able to show your work through your device camera so the teacher can give you personal constructive critique.
- At the end of the lessons, you should have at least one finished painting.
| V.I.E.W. Dates 2021 | V.I.E.W. Teachers | Title of the V.I.E.W. class | Medium | Booking Status | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 4 & 5 10am-1pm PST | Kirah Van Sickle | Impressionist Landscape: Hay Bales and Sunflowers | Oil or Acrylic | 6 spots left | US$ 149 (6 hours) |
| March 6 & 7 9am-1pm PST | George Politis, AWS | Painting Texture: Old Door in China | Watercolor | 5 spots left (you can buy the recordings only) | US$ 224 (8 hours) |
| March 8 & 9 10am-1-pm PST | Mike Rooney | Drawing Better in 6 Hours or Less | Pencil (drawing) | Open | US$ 178 (6 hours) |
| March 10 & 11 10am-1pm PST | Carol Carter | Painting Animals with Personality | Watercolor | Sold Out (you can buy the recordings only) | US$ 178 (6 hours) |
| March 12,13, 14, 8am-11am PST (orientation on March 11, 8am-8:30am PST) | Carrie Waller, AWS | Ball Jars | Watercolor | 1 spot left (you can buy the recordings only) | US$ 249 (9 hours) |
| March 15 & 16 10am-1pm PDT | Cindy Briggs | Romantic Amalfi Coast | Watercolor | Open | US$ 178 (6 hours) |
| March 15 & 16 1-5pm PDT | Michael Reardon | Paint Venice and Rome in Watercolor | Watercolor | 5 spots left (you can buy the recordings only) | US$ 224 (8hours) |
| March 17, 18 & 19 10am-1pm PDT | Evelyn Dunphy | Painting Fog and Light | Watercolor on stretched paper | 4 spots left (you can buy the recordings only) | US$ 249 (9 hours) |
| March 20 & 21 2-5pm PDT | Keiko Tanabe, AWS, NWS | Watercolor is perfect to paint water | From drawing to watercolor | 5 spots left | US$ 198 (6 hours) |
| March 22 & 23 10am-1pm PDT | Amid El Haddad, AWS | Benvenuti alla dolce Toscana | From drawing to watercolor | Open | US$ 178 (6 hours) |
| March 24, 25 & 26 3-6pm PDT Australia (Melbourne): March 25, 26 & 27, 9am-noon | Lisa Wang | Grandma's Shoulder | Watercolor | 3 spots left (you can buy the recordings only) | US$ 249 (9 hours) |
| March 27 & 28 10am-1pm PDT | David R. Smith, AWS, NWS | Fluid Connections in Watercolor | Watercolor | Sold Out (you can buy the recordings only) | US$ 178 (6 hours) |
| March 30, April 1 & 3 10am-1pm PDT (orientation on March 29th for 30 min at 10am PST) | Kim Minichiello, AWS | Distinguished and colorful Maiko in Kyoto | Watercolor | 3 spots left (you can buy the recordings only) | US$ 249 (9 hours) |
| April 1 & 3 2-5pm PDT | Amy D'Apice | Gorgeous Garments | Sketching in watercolor | Open | US$ 178 (6 hours) |
| April 10 & 11 10am-1pm PDT | David Lobenberg | Polar Bear and Baby | Watercolor in vibrant colors | Open | US$ 178 (6 hours) |
| April 16, 17, 18, 8am-11am PDT (orientation on April 15, 8am-8:30am PDT) | Carrie Waller, AWS | Colored ball jars | Watercolor | Open | US$ 249 (9 hours) |
| April 19, 20 & 21 10am-1pm PDT | Evelyn Dunphy | Still life: Cupcakes on crystal cake stand (link coming soon) | Watercolor on stretched paper | Open-you can already send your online form to register | US$ 249 (9 hours) |
| April 22 & 23 10am-1pm PDT | Keiko Tanabe, AWS, NWS | Flamenco dancers | From drawing to watercolor | Open | US$ 198 (6 hours) |
| May 1 & 2 | VIP Weekend with 12 world renowned artists in watercolor | VIP Weekend | Watercolor | Open-you can already send your online form to register | Early bird: US$ 399 (2 full days) |
| May 19, 20 & 21 9am-noon PDT | Evelyn Dunphy | For love of flowers (link coming soon) | Watercolor on stretched paper | Open-you can already send your online form to register | US$ 249 (9 hours) |
How do I sign up?
Please fill out this online VIEW registration form
How can I pay?
1- You can 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. Make sure to specify what workshop it is for.
2- (Less preferred option for us because of the fees charged by paypal). You can use Paypal and use your credit card. Choose contact@frenchescapade.com as recipient. Make sure to specify what workshop it is for. If you live outside the US and have a different currency, make sure you send your payment in US dollars.
How do I start?
You will need to download the zoom application. 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. For a computer, go to wwww.zoom.us and download the free version of zoom. For a tablet or phone, go to the apple store on your device and choose the free zoom application. The icon is a white camera on a blue background.
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 zoom?
We explain the few icons you need to know at the beginning of the class. It is very simple to use. However, it is good idea to familiarize yourself with zoom by by talking to friends and family via zoom or you can even start a zoom session by yourself and try the different icons like “mute”, “start video” and “chat” which are the only ones we will use during the class.
How do I access the live session?
We send you a link invitation to the meeting via email within 24 hours of the class. 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 staff 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. 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.
Are the sessions being recorded?
Most classes will be recorded with the exception of a few (each teacher has the right to decide if the session will be recorded or not). We send the link of the recording a few hours after each session. You will be able to download the recording to your computer and keep it forever.
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 your camera via the application. You will still be able to see and hear everything but we won’t be able to see you.
Can I get a partial refund if I can't attend all sessions?
Unfortunately we can’t refund you. You pay for the 2 session package. However, most sessions (with a few exceptions depending on the teacher) are being recorded. We will send you the link to the recording after the session and you can download it on your computer and keep it forever. So if you miss the session, you will still have a chance to watch it later.
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.