# Create and Inspire Art Retreat with Artist Andrea Gianchiglia in France

Embark on a transformative journey with artist Andrea Gianchiglia in the picturesque Dordogne region of Occitanie, France. Develop your plein-air painting skills through daily classes, demos, and one-on-one feedback sessions with Andrea, working both outdoors and indoors and using a travel-friendly selection of materials: watercolor, pen, soft pastels, and oils or acrylics. You are welcome to use the mediums that you feel most comfortable with! The retreat is open to all levels of experience, though you’ll benefit most if you already have some prior experience with any of the mediums, as well as some familiarity with Andrea’s work and style of teaching. Her encouraging teaching approach focuses on understanding and enjoyment rather than pressure or perfection, helping artists build real confidence and a deeper sense of why things work the way they do, regardless of where they are in their creative journey.Venture out into the heart of Dordogne to discover charming villages and historic towns bursting with artistic inspiration. Sketch the dramatic hilltop castle Château de Beynac in Beynac-et-Cazenac, wander the cobbled streets of Issigeac, and soak up the lively atmosphere of Eymet's vibrant local market. Stay at a charming French countryside estate, in one of the five fully renovated traditional gîtes, and savor delicious chef-made food paired with fine wines from one of France's most celebrated wine areas. Enjoy a wine and cheese tasting experience, and find inspiration for your series of paintings in the local culture of southwestern France.

## Details

- **Dates:** May 22 - 29, 2027
- **Location:** Eymet, Dordogne, France
- **Starting Price:** $4,750
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Painting with Confidence and Presence
Join artist Andrea Gianchiglia for an inspiring painting retreat in the glorious Dordogne countryside of France. Surrounded by breathtaking views and serene nature, you will learn how to paint confidently on-location, developing your plein-air painting skills, and capturing the essence of France. You will use a small, travel-friendly set of materials: watercolor, pen, soft pastels, and oil or acrylics. You are free to work in whatever mediums are most comfortable for you!Take part in daily classes and demos with Andrea, outdoors as well as indoors, and engage in group discussions and one-on-one feedback sessions. Andrea’s gentle teaching method will help you build confidence in your skills regardless of where you are in your creative journey. The retreat will emphasize understanding, clarity, and enjoyment over pressure or perfection.The retreat is open to all levels of experience, though you’ll benefit most if you already have some prior experience with any of the mediums, as well as some familiarity with Andrea’s work and style of teaching. Sessions are structured to build naturally on one another, allowing you to experience real progress while still enjoying a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere. The goal is for you to feel supported, capable, and encouraged to experiment. Learning is framed in a way that helps artists understand why things work the way they do, rather than simply following steps. Complement your art session with adventures into the heart of Dordogne, visiting picturesque villages for inspiration. Practice your on-location sketching in the historic town of Beynac-et-Cazenac, with its imposing castle, Château de Beynac, perched on top of a hill. Visit Issigeac and wander around its narrow cobbled streets. Immerse yourself in French culture and stroll through the vibrant market of Eymet, a quaint little nearby town. Each trip offers a new palette of colors, shapes, and stories waiting to be captured on your canvas. Some of the topics covered in your classes with Andrea include: Painting confidently on locationSimplifying scenes into strong shapes and valuesLearning watercolor techniques suited for travel and plein air workDiscovering the interplay between pen and watercolor and creating balance between structure and loose painting Using soft pastels to add vibrancy, atmosphere, and energySeeing color and value relationships more clearlyDeveloping a personal, intuitive approach to paintingBuilding confidence through repetition and understanding…and many more! Your home for the week will be an elegant historic estate from the Napoleonic era, set amidst vibrant gardens, secluded woodlands, a natural pond, and a heated pool. Delight in Dordogne’s culinary heritage with daily chef-prepared meals, and savor the local wines through a wine and cheese tasting experience. Share meals, laughter, and creative conversations with 14 other like-minded artists, all in a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable learning and growing together.

### Day 1: Arrival
Catch the 3:30 PM shuttle from Bergerac train station to your retreat venue, a stunning 25-acre historic estate in the heart of Dordogne. Upon arrival, settle into your cozy accommodations, take a moment to unwind, and meet Andrea Gianchiglia, your instructor for the week. Start your experience with a guided tour of the estate, showcasing its charming communal spaces, the vast gardens, sunlit terraces, a heated swimming pool, serene woodlands, and a tranquil pond. The day concludes with a warm welcome dinner featuring exquisite French cuisine and fragrant local wine, setting the tone for the inspiring week that’s ahead.

### Day 2: Classes at the venue
Wake up your senses with a wholesome breakfast and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Join Andrea and your fellow artists for a quick morning check-in with the venue hosts, easing into the pace of the day. The morning class will start with some introductions from Andrea and a plein-air demonstration. Step outside into the venue’s sunlit gardens, set up your easels, and follow Andrea’s in-depth demo on plein-air painting. The focus will be on observation, color, value, and responding to your environment. Under Andrea’s gentle guidance, you will learn how to capture your surroundings on a canvas in an encouraging and low-pressure environment, with plenty of room for questions and exploration. Pause midday for a relaxed lunch, then continue the day with another class in the afternoon. Gather with Andrea and your fellow creatives in the spacious indoor art studio and follow a step-by-step pastel demo led by Andrea. You are free to use and experiment with other mediums if you’d like. Andrea will make sure that everyone is following along no matter what medium they are using, and she will offer encouraging feedback or extra guidance if needed. Get inspired by the sights of the venue from the morning class and explore a venue-inspired subject in your medium of choice. As the class comes to an end, engage in a reflective group discussion in which you will exchange ideas, insights, and supportive feedback with your peers. This conversation is meant to reinforce your understanding of today’s demos and build confidence in your painting skills. Take some time for yourself to unwind in the late afternoon. Enjoy a delightful three-course dinner prepared by the private chef and soak in the lovely atmosphere, accompanied by a glass of fragrant wine.

### Day 3: Art trip to Issigeac
Enjoy a refreshing breakfast and a warm cup of coffee in the morning, followed by a brief check-in with the venue hosts. Kick off the day with the first adventure of the retreat: a trip to the medieval town of Issigeac. Located only a 30-min drive away from the venue, the ride will carry you past vineyards, stone farmhouses softened by ivy, and open fields shifting in the morning light. Wander around this picturesque town with its honey-colored medieval stone buildings, winding cobbled lanes, and charming timber-framed houses that seem untouched by time. Explore the local market and draw inspiration from the variety of local farmers' produce, such as fresh ingredients, succulent fruits, and crisp vegetables. Stroll through the market stalls, observing and taking reference pictures of whatever piques your interest. If inspired, make some quick on-location sketches in watercolor and pen. Andrea will be there to offer you tips and guidance on how to improve your on-location sketching skills if needed. Return to the venue for a leisurely lunch, then continue the day with another afternoon workshop in the studio. Andrea will do a quick demo in pastel or oil, followed by her signature "Daily Challenge": you’re welcome to paint along with her chosen subject or work from your own subject and inspiration — perhaps a photo from the morning’s trip. As always, you are free to work in whatever medium you prefer.As the class comes to a close, the late afternoon is yours to enjoy however you like. Take some time to rest and recharge, then join Andrea and the group for a delicious three-course dinner prepared by the in-house chef and paired with a glass of French wine.

### Day 4: Classes at the venue & wine and cheese tasting
Start the day with a filling breakfast, followed by a brief morning check-in with the venue hosts, settling into the rhythm of the day. The morning workshop will take place outdoors, in the beautiful venue gardens. Andrea will do a demo on plein-air painting, this time tackling a more architecture-inspired subject. As usual, you can work in whatever medium you prefer, and Andrea will be there to guide you and offer help if needed, encouraging you to explore plein-air painting in a supportive and low-pressure environment. Take a break for lunch and enjoy a refreshing meal, then continue the day back in the studio. Join Andrea and your fellow artists for another step-by-step pastel demo inspired by the work from the morning. As usual, take on Andrea’s “Daily Challenge”: you can choose to follow along with the image that she is painting or choose your own subject. As the class comes to an end, enjoy some one-on-one time with Andrea for personalized feedback and guidance. This is your chance to ask any questions you may have and receive thoughtful and encouraging feedback from her! Enjoy some leisure time to unwind and recharge before dinner. In the evening, indulge in a wine and cheese tasting experience at the venue, savoring authentic French flavors. Reflect on the stories and moments you have shared today with your group over a wholesome chef-prepared dinner.

### Day 5: Art trip to Beynac-et-Cazenac
Begin your day with a nourishing breakfast, have your daily morning check-in with the venue hosts, then head out with Andrea and your fellow artists to the hilltop village of Beynac-et-Cazenac. Located a 1-hour and 30-minute drive from the venue, this medieval village overlooking the Dordogne River has a long history of resistance against the English. It is also known as a movie set for famous historical films such as “The Last Duel” and “Revenge of the Musketeers.”Wander through alleys and terraces, taking reference photos or making quick sketches on location, if inspired. Andrea will be right by your side to offer you tips and guidance for improving your on-location sketching skills. Visit the imposing hilltop castle Château de Beynac, an austere medieval structure perched atop a limestone plateau, and draw inspiration from its history and impressive architecture. Pause midday for a relaxed lunch at a nearby restaurant or café, then continue exploring the rest of the town on your own. Interact with your environment, stop to make quick sketches or take reference photos, and soak in the historic charm of the town. After you return to the venue, enjoy some one-on-one time with Andrea right before dinner. Ask any questions you may have and receive warm and encouraging feedback on your creative journey so far. Enjoy some spare time to recharge in the late afternoon, then gather with Andrea and the group for another chef-prepared three-course dinner, sharing reflections of the day over a delicious meal paired with a glass of fragrant French wine.

### Day 6: Art trip to Eymet market
Wake up to the scent of freshly made coffee and fuel up with a satisfying breakfast, followed by a quick morning check-in with the venue hosts.Take a trip to the nearby Eymet market, located only a 15-minute walk away from the venue. Walk on a winding path through dense woodlands, and reach a vibrant village bustling with people and vendors selling vegetables, flowers, herbs, and handmade soaps. Explore each stall, make quick sketches on-location or take reference photos of whatever piques your interest. Bring your watercolor supplies and do some quick gestural sketches of the lively market. You can take this trip at your leisure, at any time you desire!Head back to the venue for a light lunch, then continue the day with another studio workshop. Andrea will demo how to do minis, focusing on how to capture light, color, and movement, creating a series of small-sized paintings. Draw inspiration from the market trip in the morning or from any other trip from throughout the retreat. Experiment with any medium that you’d like and deepen your skills at your own pace.As the class comes to an end, enjoy some one-on-one time with Andrea for questions and personalized feedback. Her gentle encouragements and insights will help you gain confidence in your skills, regardless of where you are in your creative journey.Unwind with some leisure time in the late afternoon. Join Andrea and your fellow artists for a flavorful three-course dinner prepared by the in-house chef and accompanied by a glass of local wine.

### Day 7: Classes at the venue
Delight yourself with a filling breakfast, followed by a brief morning check-in with the venue hosts, before stepping into your final full day of the retreat.The morning begins with a quick demo to start the inspiration for the day and fuel your creative energy. This workshop session will be dedicated to finishing off your works from throughout the retreat. Refine any last details, add those final finishing touches, and bring your pieces to a satisfying close. Andrea will be right by your side for support and guidance if needed. After a relaxed lunch, the afternoon continues with a celebratory mini-exhibition of the world you have created during the retreat. Showcase your works, reflect on what you have learned, and exchange insights and ideas with your fellow artists.Close the day with generous congratulations, encouragement, and acknowledgement from Andrea and your peers, celebrating the progress you have made. Your art practice has moved forward in a meaningful way, lasting connections have been formed, and you are ready to take what you have learned in new and inspiring directions.Gather once more with Andrea and the group for a three-course farewell dinner prepared by the in-house chef. Raise a glass of wine to the memories shared, the growth experienced, and the creative journey completed together.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast with Andrea and your fellow artists before it's time to part ways. Departing at 9:00 AM, you'll head to Gare Bergerac train station, arriving around 9:45 AM. As you make your way back home, you will take with you a heart brimming with inspiration and lasting memories.

## Instructors

- **Andrea Gianchiglia ** - Visual artist and instructor

## Accommodation

### Historic countryside estate

### Shared standard room

### Shared superior room (female only)

### Single standard room

### Single superior room

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/create-and-inspire-art-retreat-artist-andrea-gianchiglia-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/create-and-inspire-art-retreat-artist-andrea-gianchiglia-france) to make a reservation.

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