Watercolor Painting Workshop in Provence with Michael Solovyev: Sept 28-Oct 5, 2023-FULL (wait list open)

Workshop Description

The wonderful views and landscapes of Provence seem to be just made for watercolor. Complex juicy color transitions, bright sun and all the incredible villages of Provence are just begging to be caught on the tip of your brush.

But every view, every subject that you want to transfer to your paper requires a different approach. Sometimes it needs the use of a different technique, or a serious change in the set of colors. In other cases, the landscape will require a completely different approach to watercolor. Understanding how to properly build a project to achieve the best result with the least effort is the key to success.

An excellent program of relaxation and enjoyment of Provence will be combined with a very rich and informative work in the open air.
Moving from place to place, we will find the right solutions every time to create vibrant and sunny watercolors. I have developed the program of the workshop so that every day will be a discovery for you—not only the incredible beauty of the villages, but also new opportunities for watercolor. In addition to the habitual and traditional watercolor techniques, I will introduce you to my personal methods and secrets.

The workshop will be held in a small group, and I will do my best to bring our communication as close as possible to individual lessons. This means that as you work on each project, you can count on advice and tips from me. And, of course, we will definitely discuss our work in order to find the most interesting and correct ways for future watercolor landscapes.

I am convinced that you will remember this trip precisely because you will get the opportunity to look at Provence through the prism of watercolor.

Michael Solovyev Biography

Born in Russia in 1972, Michael has chosen Montréal as his home since 2011. From there, his works continue to add to the beauty and value of both public and private collections around the world. 

He participated in 16 personal and more than 70 group exhibitions in different countries.  Michael won numerous awards, including the 1st Award of Excellence on Elected Members Exhibition Society of Canadian Artists in 2019.

 He teaches five self-written art courses in the Syn Studio, a prestigious art school in Montreal, as well as private lessons in his own studio and many masterclasses around the world.

In recent years, he represented Canada at many famous watercolor festivals, including Hong Kong, Slovenia, India, Italy, France, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, Hungary, and Portugal.

Signature Member – SCA, NEWS, IWS
Daniel Smith Brand Ambassador
Fabriano in Acquarello Canada Country Leader

Professional Associations

  • IWS GLOBAL (International Watercolor Society) – Master status
  • IWS Canada (Master status)
  • SCA (Society of Canadian Artists), Elected Member
  • OPA (Oil Painters of America)
  • MAU (Moscow Artists Union) Moscow, Russia, Elected Member 
  • NEWS (North East Watercolor Society), Signature Member
  • TWSA (Transparent Watercolor Society of America)

More about Michael Solovyev: http://michaelsolovyev.net

Samples of Michael's Art

Click on any picture to enlarge.

Arrival

We will pick you up at the TGV Avignon train station at 3:30pm.

Upon your arrival at our hotel, take time to settle in, enjoy the swimming pool or explore the village.

In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome reception followed by a gourmet dinner.

Fontaine de Vaucluse


The main beauty of Fontaine de Vaucluse is the river Sorgue on which it sits. The river has a fantastic green colour, very striking with the blue sky above. The village of Fontaine de Vaucluse starts after the rapids where the wondrous green river calms itself.

You will find plenty to paint there between the river, the main plaza and the one hundred year old trees.

St Remy de Provence

We will visit the beautiful old monastery of St Paul Mausole with the bedroom where Van Gogh stayed during his very troubled time in 1889-90. This is now a nursing home that has a permanent exhibition of paintings made by the patients and beautiful reproductions of some of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings.

You will be able to paint the wonderful landscape that inspired the great impressionist with the same olive trees Van Gogh painted and the Alpilles mountains as background.

Roussillon

Prov-day2-roussillonprov-day2-roussillon2After a morning of painting around Roussillon, we will go to the village,  one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages, that sits on top of the world’s biggest vein of ochre, the reddish pigment which has been used by artists for centuries.

We will take a walk inside the park, on the Ochre Trail revealing many fantastic rock and cliff formations.

This village is perfect for shopping: don’t miss out on the unique reddish potteries.

Market at Isle sur la Sorgue

L’Isle sur la Sorgue is a real paradise for painters and photographers.

Its colors are nature’s green and the bright reflection of the water shines from the several canals running through its center.

In the morning, we will shop the incredible and colorful market: colorful arrays of Provencal fabric, tablecloths, pottery, silk scarves, natural soaps with dozens of scents and of course lavender products.

The afternoon is all yours to paint the canals, the stalls, the village.

Village of the Luberon

This non touristy jewel, not listed in travel books is our little gem, our favorite village. While strolling the streets you will come to appreciate the quietness and wonderful atmosphere that will seduce you. This is our little kept secret village, the favorite of all our artists.

Painting at the hotel and surroundings

The hotel has a nice garden and a studio. We will  alternate painting days at the hotel with days on excursions to other villages.

On the last day, you will be able to work in the garden to finish up some of your paintings and finish the week with a “show and tell” or critique.

Beautiful 3-star hotel in Luberon, the heart of Provence

We will be staying in the heart of the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse. Our hotel used to be an old mill that has been restored with a lot of Provencal charm. A little river meanders through the garden, surrounded by impressive mountains. The hotel is centrally located, at walking distance (2 min) to restaurants and shops.

The hotel has a living room, breakfast room, outside swimming pool, a hot tub, a riverside terrace bar and a sunny conference room that we will use as our painting studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each bedroom has en-suite bathroom, mini-bar, flat screen TV, air-conditioning and free wifi.

The hotel has two categories of rooms:

Standard rooms: 150 sq ft, one double bed and view towards the back of the hotel (trees, see picture below).

 

Superior rooms (only 3 twins with 2 single beds and 2 singles with one double bed) : 170 sq ft, 2 single beds or 1 double bed with view towards the mountains and the garden of the hotel.

Tell us your preference and we will do our best to accommodate you.

 

 

 

Pricing Details:

The Trip is limited to 13 Participants:

Sept 28-Oct 5, 2023: FULL-wait list open

US$ 3,590 for a shared standard room with ensuite bathroom 

+ US$ 350 pp for a superior twin room  or superior double room

Single standard room with ensuite bathroom: + US$ 550

Single superior room with ensuite bathroom:+ US$ 900

Non Painters: US$ 400 off  (you will come on excursions with the group, share meals, etc…).

 

Sign up before Jan 31st and save $200! 

Included:

Included:

– Avignon TGV train station pick up on day 1 at
3:30pm and drop off on day 8 at 10:30am
– A welcome reception
– All breakfasts,
– 3 lunches (picnics)
– 4 dinners (incl. drinks and wine)
– All nights at the villa-hotel
– All art classes
– Entrance fees to all sites on the tour
– Transportation in a comfortable van with A/C
– The use of folding chairs
– A personal bilingual chauffeur/guide throughout
– A free Paris planner for a self guided visit in Paris
if you decide to extend your trip: suggestions of hotels,
restaurants and places to visit.

Not included:

Not Included:

– Flights to and from France
– Trains to/from Avignon
– 3 lunches and 3 dinners
– Painting supplies
– Tour leader(s) tipping

Cancelation Policy

If you cancel the trip:Cancellation Fee per Person
More than 120 days before departureThe $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 departure50% of total cost forfeited
31-60 days before departure75% of total cost forfeited
0-30 days before departure100% of total cost forfeited
If French Escapade cancels You get a full refund

This workshop is sold out. However we sometimes get cancelations, so email us at contact@frenchescapade.com to be placed on the wait list and you may still be able to join.

French Escapade LLC | 2389 Blackpool Place | San Leandro, CA 94577 | 510-483-5713 | contact@frenchescapade.com
California Seller of Travel Licence-CST #: 2091909-40
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