Sketching and Painting in Watercolor in the French Alps with Shuang Li, June 20-27, 2022
Painting Workshops.
When quality matters!
When quality matters!
Shuang Li – Sketching and Watercolor Painting Workshop: France – French Alps, June 20-27, 2022
About the Workshop:
“Travel with me to France, the birth Country of plein air painting, and paint the magnificent French Alps en plein air! This workshop is for all levels: no matter you are a first time plein-air painter, or have been painting around world, you’ll have an amazing experience sketching and painting lakes, mountains or chalets in this beautiful region, while lifting your on-location sketching and painting skills to a new level within days!
In this workshop, I will be sharing my years of plein air experiences with you. Our painting trip to locations each day will be informative but relaxed.
I will be demoing on site, with both watercolor plein air painting and watercolor sketching techniques. You will learn how to select lighting and subject matters, simplify what you see and create strong compositions. In addition to the daily group demos, I will also provide fun and easy to follow hands-on tutorials that tailored towards each individual needs. Basic through advanced plein-air and watercolor techniques will be covered during the demos and hands-on tutorials.
This workshop will also be a great opportunity to share experiences with our new artist friends on the trip, gain inspiration from casual and friendly group art discussions and critiques. When you leave the workshop, you will take home your wonderful memories of French Alps, preserved in your beautiful plein air paintings and sketches!”
Outdoor painting and/or sketching tools required, a reference workshop material list will be provided.
About Shuang Li, NWS, WW, SDWS, LPAPA :
Born, raised and classically trained in China, California based watercolorist Shuang Li moved to the US 30 years ago. Following the “En Plein Air” tradition, Shuang sketches and paints watercolor both on locations and in her studio, portrays the extraordinary variety of life with her unique perspective. Traveling around the world, with her masterful classic and contemporary techniques, Shuang recreates nature’s beauty in her paintings, captures lights, moods and moments with her singular poetic expression. Shuang’s watercolors have won many national and international awards, her artwork and articles have been featured in Plein Air Magazine, American Watercolors and Outdoor Painters, to name a few. 
Shuang Li is a signature member of National Watercolor Society, San Diego Watercolor Society,Watercolor West, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and an elected Artist Member of California Art Club. Shuang Li has also been selected as one of the faculty members for Plein Air Convention since 2018.
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.
Our Chalet in the Alps, facing Mt Blanc
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, all make this unique spot a haven of peace.
The spa has a hot tub, sauna and steam room.
Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with flat-screen satellite TV and free WiFi.
There is an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor pool table and a little gym.
Watercolor Painting Workshop with Shuang Li
Dates: June 20-27, 2022 – Max: 12 Participants
Rates: US$ 3,590 for 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 (2pm) and drop-off (10am)
- A welcome reception
- All nights at the hotel
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches and all dinners including wine
- All art classes
- Entrance to the hotel spa
- Transportation in a comfortable van with A/C
Excludes
- Flights to and from Geneva
- 3 lunches
- 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 |