Watercolor Painting Workshop in the French Alps with Teacher Margie Samuels, June 9-16, 2024
Painting Workshops.
When quality matters!
When quality matters!
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.
About the workshop to the French Alps with Margie Samuels
Join acclaimed watercolorist and instructor, Margie Samuels, for a magical week painting in the breathtaking French Alps!
Each morning will start with a brief review of the watercolor skills that you will be using in that day’s plein air landscape. These lessons, focusing on various techniques, will take your watercolor painting to the next level:
- Employing different kinds of washes;
- Adding a variety of textures for interest and movement;
- Enhancing your paintings through thoughtful color mixing;
- Using a variety of tricks to add depth to your landscapes; and,
- Inserting people into paintings, making them come alive with movement, scale and interest.
Each day participants will be given a “painting challenge,” where you can carry these new skills into the plein air landscape that you are creating.
This workshop will be appropriate for both beginning painters as well those with more experience. With a maximum size of just 15 students, there will be plenty of opportunity for individual instruction. Each location will include an on-site demonstration by Margie where you will get to see the steps it takes to bring your painting to life.
Participants will leave with the tools they need to create a well-composed, visually exciting piece of art.
Margie Samuel's Biography
Margie’s artistic journey began as a fine arts major at Brandeis University, where she was lucky enough to paint alongside Elaine DeKooning and was mentored by Peter Grippe. Her arts education continued at both the Arts Student League in New York City and the Visual Arts Center in New Jersey.
By this point, Margie decided to focus on water media painting. Over the years, she has studied with many prominent watercolor artists, such as Sterling Edwards, Grahame Booth, Pat Dews and Skip Lawrence.
She is an elected member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society and the Essex Water Color Club, where she also serves on the board. She was awarded the Matilda Grech Memorial Award at the 2018 International Northeast Watercolor Society Show in Kent, Connecticut. Margie was also selected for the Inner Canvas Show at the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey.
For many years, Margie has been teaching watercolor painting through her own studio in New Jersey, as well as other local and regional art centers. Margie has taught in a variety of locations around New England, including the Landgrove Inn (in Landgrove, Vermont), where she teaches an annual 5-day summer workshop; this will be her 15th year at the Landgrove.
Find out more about Margie Samuels on her website.
More of Margie Samuel's Art
Click on any photo to enlarge.
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
Sign up before 11/30 and save $200!
Painters: US$ 3,790 pp for a shared room before Nov 30th (US$ 3,990 after 11/30/23)
+ US$ 550 for single standard room with ensuite bathroom
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 11am
– 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 |
This workshop is sold out. Please email us at contact@frenchescapade.com to be placed on the wait list. We often get some cancelations.