Watercolor Painting Workshop in the French Alps with Frank Eber, June 21-28, 2022
Painting Workshops.
When quality matters!
When quality matters!
Watercolor Painting Workshop French Alps June 27-July 4, 2022 with Frank Eber
“Beyond Technique: Finding Individual Expression” with Frank Eber
‘This workshop is focused on the plein-air experience. We will be painting in breathtaking locations in the French Alps where subject matter ranges from bucolic mountain scenes with french barn buildings to lakeside scene with boats as well as busy streets/ town settings.
Frank Eber works in a direct, loose style influenced by the Old World masters. Typical in his art are color mixes and light that evoke nostalgia while remaining absolutely in the present. Frank’s watercolor workshops reach beyond technique, encouraging individual expression and observing the elusive balance of forces that create beauty in painting.
Frank will do demonstrations and talk about his approach to editing a scene to create a cohesive and beautiful painting.
The workshop will:
- Continue in the tradition of the 20th Century California Barbizon movement (“intimate works, painted with a limited palette; softly expressive, suggestive rather than detailed”).
- Focus on emotional responses to nature.
- Encourage the individual artist’s expression while balancing the forces at play in creation of a painting.
Topics will include design and composition, color and lighting, positives and negatives, simplification of shape, and atmospheric effects. The techniques you will learn in Frank’s workshop transcend the watercolor medium.
Small class settings only. Please sign up early!
Levels: Intermediate and advanced. Students should have an understanding of the watercolor medium and of simple one point perspective. They should be able to paint a simple watercolor wash.
Frank Eber, AWS, NWS: www.frankeber.com
Frank Eber was raised in Europe and mentored by Italian master painter Renato Casaro in the early 90’s. In the ’80s and ’90s Frank worked as a professional illustrator and portrait artist by commission. His love for travel has given him prime opportunities to paint. He lived for three years in the south of France, and has painted on location in many countries around the world. Consequently, he has also painted in California and other parts of the United States.
Frank is a Signature member of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He is also an Artist member of the California Art Club.
Frank is increasingly in demand as a judge and juror. He conducts workshops and demonstrations locally and at the national and international levels. As such he teaches atmospheric watercolor, both in-studio and en plein air. He lives in California.
The Alps is a dream destination for a plein air artist because of the spectacular scenery you will encounter: alpine meadows, cobblestoned villages, waterfalls, glaciated peaks, wildflowers, clean lakes, chalet with flowers from windowboxes…
Some of the highlights of the tour are seeing Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, from the hotel and visiting Annecy, also called the Venice of the North, a beautiful medieval city surrounded by canals and mountains.
Let us show you these hidden treasures.
Day 1: Welcome to the Alps
We will pick you up at 2:30pm a the Geneva airport and drive you to our beautiful chalet in the Alps. Upon your arrival at the hotel, you will have time to settle in and relax, enjoy the spa (hot tub, sauna and steam room) before our welcome reception and orientation meeting followed by a gourmet dinner.
Days 2, 3 &4: Alpine Village: from Wooden Chalets to Flowery Balconies
The hotel and the village offer a breathtaking 360 degree view towards Mont-Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe.
It will be like stepping back in time: wooden chalets, baroque church, green pastures and grazing cows. We will be painting either from the garden of the hotel or in the village. The vignettes are endless.
Cheese is of course the specialty of the Alps. You will find it in many local specialties like fondue, raclette, tartiflette, etc…
Day 5: Chamonix – The Queen Resort of the Alps
Chamonix, the biggest ski resort in the world, is surrounded by majestic high mountains such as Mont Blanc and glaciers.
Morning will be dedicated to paining. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to take the highest gondola in the world to the top of “L’Aiguille du Midi” at 12,000 ft. A breathtaking view of the Alps and Chamonix down below awaits you. Or you could take a tram to see the “sea of ice” glacier.
If you prefer shopping, or more painting, Chamonix has it all.
Day 6: Annecy or ‘The Little Venice of the Alps’
Annecy is the French show-piece of lakes-and-mountain beauty. The Canal crossing Annecy brings Venice to mind as you stroll along its banks.
Your choice for the painting site will be unlimited: medieval narrow streets, renaissance houses along the canal, the famous old prison (one of the most photographed monuments in France!) or the Annecy lake surrounded by mountains.
We will also have the opportunity to go to the local market in the old Annecy and shop for the numerous wonderful cheeses, sausages, honeys and all local products.
Day 7: Painting at the hotel 
For the last day, we won’t be driving anywhere so that you will be able to finish up some paintings.
We will end the week with a “Show and Tell” and a gourmet dinner with maybe the best sunset on Mont Blanc.
Day 8: Departure
After our last breakfast together, we’ll drive you back to the Geneva airport by 10-10:30 am.
Hotel 1: Our Chalet in the Alps, facing Mt Blanc (4 nights)
This chalet, in the heart of Haute-Savoie, boasts stunning views of Mont-Blanc and the Aravis Massif. The beauty of the panorama, the charm of the cozy wooden interior, the gourmet restaurant, the well-being of the Spa, the comfort and amenities of the wainscoted rooms (flat-screen satellite TV, free WiFi…), all make this unique spot a haven of peace.
Hotel 2 in Annecy, by the lake (3 nights)
Just in front of the lake of Annecy and in the heart of the historic and commercial part of the city, the situation of this 3-star hotel is one of the best in the whole town.
The rooms are equipped with one double bed or 2 single beds depending on your preference.
All rooms are equipped with either a bathtub or shower, a flat screen TV with international satellite channels and free Wi-Fi internet access.
Dates & Rates
Dates: June 21-28, 2022: Watercolor Workshop with Frank Eber – Max: 12 Participants
Rates: US$ 3,590 for a shared room + US$ 550 for single room.
Non Painters are welcome to join and share the room of a painter. They get a US$ 400 off and will come on excursions with the group, share the meals, etc…
Includes
- Geneva airport pick-up at 2pm and drop-off at 10-10:30am
- A welcome reception
- All nights at the hotels
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 5 dinners including wine
- All art classes
- Entrance to the spa
- Transportation in a comfortable van with A/C
Excludes
- Flights to and from Geneva
- 3 lunches and 2 dinners
- Painting supplies
- Tour leader(s) tipping
How to book
1To hold your spot, please fill out the reservation form below and send us a $600 deposit.
Note that the deposit is not refundable but is transferrable. See our Cancelation Policy below.
2Once you have submitted your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email with the details on how to submit your deposit via one of these 3 methods:
– by check (if you live in Canada, it needs to be a money order)
– via ZELLE (free instant money transfer offered by all major US banks)
– by credit card
– by bank transfer
3The remaining balance will be due 3 months before departure.
Cancellation Policy
| If you cancel a US workshop: | Cancellation Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| More than 90 days before departure | The $600 deposit is forfeited (however $300 can be transferred to another trip with a departure date within 1 year of cancelation date) |
| 61-90 days before departure | 50% of total cost forfeited |
| 31-60 days before departure | 75% of total cost forfeited |
| 0-30 days before departure | 100% of total cost forfeited |
| If French Escapade cancels | You get a full refund |