Sketching in Watercolor with Jane Blundell in the French Alps, June 2-9, 2024
Painting Workshops.
When quality matters!
When quality matters!
About the workshop to the French Alps with Jane Blundell
Let’s explore the French Alps with a sketchbook!
Spending time observing a scene while travelling creates rich memories. When you spend that time sketching the scene, those memories become indelible, and the studies you create are so much more precious than the usual travel snaps we see. We notice the sounds and the smells, hear the conversations. We can record the fresh white buildings, the ancient stone castle, the gardens, the fabulous cliffs, the beach, all the while creating a rich and vivid record in our sketchbooks. Looking at those sketchbooks later, you’ll recall the details of your time spent observing.
Working from life, you’ll learn how to mix accurate colours in watercolour, and how to work with a limited palette to simplify the painting process.
You’ll discover how to sketch and paint whatever you come across – mountains, lakes, buildings, flowers, the new fruit or vegetables you find on your travels – and how to record them all in your sketchbook in pencil, pen and watercolour. We’ll create some larger double page spreads of larger vistas, as well as smaller studies and sketch collections. 
I’ve been sketching all my life, and teaching for over 35 years. I have dozens of sketchbooks filled with not only travel sketches, but also explorations on inks, watercolours, colour mixing and all sorts of art techniques, many of which I share on my blog and website. I have a passion for teaching and look forward to sharing my techniques that will change the way you look at the world while helping you to create a travel sketchbook you’ll treasure.
Jane Blundell's Biography
Jane Blundell is an Australian artist, and a member of the Australian Watercolour Institute, Australia’s oldest watercolour society, and an exhibiting member of the Royal Art Society of NSW. She is active in the international Urban Sketching organisation, for whom she has taught many workshops. She’s participated in many exhibitions, group and solo, and has work in private collections around the world. 
Jane is passionate about watercolour, the remarkable medium which ‘allows the qualities of the pigments to become integral parts of the painting, rather than just to add colour’. She has been working in this medium for over 40 years. Jane’s other love is line and drawing, whether in pencil or ink or even in watercolour. Her website and blog show the vast explorations she has made with this medium, testing most watercolours available in the world and exploring colour missing with an almost scientific thoroughness. Three of Jane’s colour mixes have been released commercially by Daniel Smith.
She has written three reference books on colour and colour mixing in watercolour: ‘Watercolour Mixing Charts’, ‘The Ultimate Mixing Palette: a World of Colours’ and ‘Watercolour Triads’ and runs a number of detailed online courses. Teaching is a passion, and she especially loves on location workshops.
You can find out more about Jane Blundell at https://www.janeblundellart.com/
More Samples of Jane Blundell's Art
Click on any photo to enlarge.
Day 1: Welcome to the Alps
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.
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, you will have time to settle in and enjoy the spa (hot tub, sauna and swimming pool) before our welcome reception and orientation meeting followed by a gourmet dinner.
Days 2-3: Alpine Village: from Wooden Chalets to Flowery Balconies
After a copious breakfast taken on the terrace facing Mont Blanc, you will be ready for a day of painting.
The hotel and the village offer a breathtaking 360 degree view towards Mont-Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe.
We will be painting either from the garden of the hotel or in the village. The vignettes are endless: wooden chalets, baroque church, green pastures and grazing cows.
Day 4: Megeve
Megève was developed in the early 20th century to be a posh resort in a beautiful setting.
We will be painting its mythical square with its cobbled pedestrian zone, its rustic-style alleys and its cozy chalets.
At the end of the day, do not miss the luxury shops. Don’t worry, there are also many affordable places to shop.
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 painting. 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 do have a studio that you can access 24/7 to work on your 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.
Our Four Star Chalet in the Alps, facing Mt Blanc
T
his beautiful 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, all make this unique spot a haven of peace.
Bedrooms
All bedrooms have a double bed or two twins with en-suite bathroom.
They all have a television, free WiFi and a desk.
Restaurant in the Chalet
Enjoy the inventive and elegant local cuisine in the cosy dining room overlooking the panorama of the massifs. Indulge in the salad bar or more decadent, the dessert bar!!
Relaxation and Well-being
Take advantage of all the amenities the hotel offers:
Heated outdoor pool
Hot tub and sauna
Gym and table tennis
Relaxation lounges
Massages on request
Pricing Details:
The trip is limited to 15 participants
Save $200 before Nov 30th!
Standard rooms:
Double/Twin room: US$ 3,790 pp (before Nov 30th)
Single room: + US$ 550 (one double bed)
After Nov 30th: +$200
Rooms with view towards Mont Blanc
Shared room (twins or doubles): US$ 3,965 pp (before Nov 30th)
Single room: +US$ 725 -(one double bed)
After Nov 30th: +$200
Non Painters: Price is the same because non painters take the spot of a painter
Included:
Included:
– Geneva Airport pick-up at 2:30pm and drop-off at 10:30am
– A welcome reception
– All 7 nights at the hotels
– All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners including wine
– All art classes
– Transportation in a comfortable van with A/C
– Entrance to the hotel spa
– The use of folding chairs
Not Included
– Flights and train to destination
– 3 lunches and 1 dinner
– Painting supplies
– Tour leader(s) tipping
Cancelation Policy
| If you cancel the trip: | Cancellation Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| More than 120 days before departure | The $600 deposit is forfeited (however $300 can be transferred to another trip with a departure date within 1 year of cancelation date) |
| 61-120 days before departure | 50% of total cost forfeited |
| 31-60 days before departure | 75% of total cost forfeited |
| 0-30 days before departure | 100% of total cost forfeited |
| If French Escapade cancels | You get a full refund |
To reserve your spot, please complete the form below (one per person) and pay US$ 600 deposit. After receiving your form, we will send you the information for the payment. Note that the deposit is not refundable but a portion is transferrable. See our cancelation policy below.
You will be able to pay:
1- By check
2- Via ZELLE, free instant pay, offered by many major US banks
3- By bank transfer
4- By credit card