# Creative Mixed Media Art Retreat with Artist Jeanne Oliver in France

Join a life-changing art retreat with artist Jeanne Oliver, set among the rolling hills of Dordogne, France. Dive into the world of mixed media as you create a stitched sketchbook, study abstract landscapes, still life, and florals, and learn to look at your environment through an artistic lens. Whether you're a beginner or you're looking to level up your skills, you'll benefit from Jeanne's insightful demonstrations, daily classes, individual feedback, encouragement, and invaluable advice.Discover the charm of the Dordogne through two art trips and savor the region’s culinary delights with chef-made meals every day. Stay at a gorgeous historical estate in the countryside, featuring private woodlands, a heated pool, and a natural pond. Most importantly, create and bond with a supportive community of 14 other artists, your companions for this artistic adventure in France!

## Details

- **Dates:** May 3 - 10, 2025
- **Location:** Eymet, Dordogne, France
- **Starting Price:** $4,850
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Mixed Media Art Retreat
Join artist Jeanne Oliver for an unforgettable art retreat taking place in the Dordogne region, southwestern France. The weeklong adventure features inspiring daily classes with Jeanne, plenty of one-to-one feedback, demonstrations, hands-on practice sessions, and the chance to free your creative spirit. Using mixed media (graphite, charcoal, watercolor, gouache, dyes, and many more), you'll craft a gorgeous stitched sketchbook filled with tranquil scenes of the French countryside. All levels of art experience are welcome, from complete beginners to intermediates looking to reinvent their creative process.In addition to your daily classes, you'll visit two gorgeous locations in Dordogne: a charming medieval town (Issigeac) and the meandering Dordogne River. Furthermore, your venue is only a short walk away from the lovely town of Eymet. You're welcome to check out its romantic cafés and shops whenever you wish.Jeanne's insightful classes are ideal for anyone looking to break free of their inner critic and connect to their surroundings more deeply. You'll study abstract landscapes along with still life and florals. Most importantly, you'll form lifelong friendships with 14 other artists, with whom you'll grow, learn, laugh, and explore beautiful France.The topics covered during your lessons will include:Creating a stitched sketchbookLearning to see the lines and forms in your surroundingsQuickly capturing still-life, landscapes, and florals with contour sketchingWorking with simple tools (graphite and charcoal)Layering watercolor and gouacheSimple and effective color mixingBasic composition principlesPreparing your art materials for an on-location sessionCreating natural dyes, inks, and making linocut printsHow to become more experimental in your art...and many more.You'll be staying at an elegant historic venue dating back to Napoleonic times, featuring a vibrant garden, secluded woodland, a natural pond, and a heated pool. Explore Dordogne's culinary heritage with chef-made meals every day, and try out the local wines through a cheese and wine tasting experience.

### Day 1: Arrival
Hop on the 3:30 PM shuttle from Bergerac train station to your venue, a 25-acre historic estate in Dordogne. Settle in your cozy room, freshen up, and get introduced to Jeanne Oliver, along with the rest of your art group. Join a guided tour of the venue, discovering the communal areas, gardens, terraces, heated pool, private woodland, and pond. Cap off your evening with a delightful welcome dinner alongside Jeanne and fellow artists, complemented by French wine.

### Day 2: Art at the venue
Start your second day of the retreat with a tasty breakfast, then join Jeanne for a check-in over coffee to discuss the day ahead.Reconvene in the studio for your first class. You'll create a stitched sketchbook with Jeanne's guidance; this way, your art journal will be unique to you. You'll then get introduced to your materials (charcoal, graphite, watercolor, and gouache) and learn more about their specific properties. Get your creative flow going with a couple of warm-up exercises in watercolor and gouache, practicing your skills of color mixing.Take a break with a light lunch, then continue your classes in the afternoon. The second art session of the day will be a gentle introduction to loose florals. Set out into the gardens of the venue and look for inspiration among the blooming flowers. Jeanne will demonstrate her approach to contour sketching and applying watercolor washes. You'll also learn to create a portable art studio, preparing you for the next day's art trip.Round off the day by enjoying some leisure time before indulging in a sumptuous three-course dinner, masterfully prepared by the in-house chef and thoughtfully paired with local wine.

### Day 3: Art trip to Issigeac
Kick off the day with a nourishing breakfast followed by a casual check-in over coffee. Energized and inspired, you will then embark on a memorable art trip to the picturesque Bastide town of Issigeac.Located just 30 minutes from your venue, Issigeac will mesmerize you with its 15th-century architecture, featuring cobbled lanes, timber-framed houses, and historical gems like the 'Maison des Têtes' and the quirky 'Mushroom house'. Spend the morning wandering the town, capturing interesting sights. Develop your sketchbook and take reference photos, drawing inspiration from the breathtaking architectural elements or the flower-decked houses.Upon your return to the venue, a sumptuous lunch awaits, fueling you up for the afternoon art session. Join Jeanne in the gardens for a class on abstract landscapes. Follow her demonstrations on capturing line and form in the landscape using graphite and charcoal. Practice your new skills and find an eye-catching subject to portray, inspired by the rustic countryside surrounding your venue, or by your photos from Issigeac.After some leisure time to relax, gather again for a chef-made dinner, sharing stories, experiences, and artistic achievements.

### Day 4: Art at the venue
Begin the day with a refreshing breakfast, then regroup over coffee for a brief check-in.You'll continue practicing your abstract landscape skills. Finish up your sketches in graphite, then begin layering watercolor and gouache with Jeanne's guidance. Explore the grounds at the venue in search of inspiring subjects or use reference photos. Try out different angles and scenes; maybe it's the nearby Dropt River that captivates you, the hills stretching endlessly beyond, or the towering woodlands.Take a break with some tasty lunch, then join your group for the afternoon class. It's time to let your creativity loose! Jeanne will show you how to make your own inks from charcoal, and how to create dye using natural elements. You'll experiment with dyeing fabric and you'll also tackle some mark-making exercises in your sketchbook. If you run into any roadblocks, your instructor will be there to give you an extra hand.After the class, regroup in the gardens for a special event: a wine and cheese-tasting experience. As a quintessential part of French culture, you'll try out the delicious varieties that made the Dordogne region famous. Learn about the wine-making culture of the area, and you'll be more than ready to throw the most sophisticated parties back home. The event wraps up with another three-course dinner prepared by the private chef, paired with wine.

### Day 5: Trip to Beynac-et-Cazenac
After a delicious breakfast, gear up for an inspiring art trip to the Dordogne River and the town of Beynac-et-Cazenac. Beynac is known as one of the most beautiful towns in France thanks to its well-preserved medieval architecture, along with the breathtaking views of the Dordogne.Spend the morning depicting the river below en-plein air, asking Jeanne for assistance whenever you need to. At lunchtime, drop by the town's center, and enjoy a tasty meal on your own at a nearby bistro. The rest of the afternoon is reserved for exploring Beynac, sketching, or taking reference photos of the medieval buildings and panoramic views. Wander the narrow, cobbled streets, marvel at flower-decked houses, and walk up to the imposing 12th-century castle, a testament to Dordogne's rich history. Beynac's unique vistas often graced the silver screen in films like "Revenge of the Musketeers" or Luc Besson's "Joan d'Arc".As twilight approaches, return to the venue for a delicious dinner, enjoyed with your art group over a glass of wine. Share stories and insights, chatting with your fellow artists late into the night.

### Day 6: Art at the venue
Begin the day with a hearty breakfast, then regroup over coffee for a brief check-in, getting ready for today's insightful classes.Jeanne will introduce you to the wonderful art of linocut. She'll show you how to craft a couple of carved linoleum stencils. Applying the natural dye you created a day prior, stamp your prints onto paper or dyed pieces of fabric. Spend the rest of the class adding your prints to your art journal. You'll continue working on your prints in the afternoon as well, after taking a break with some delicious lunch.As usual, Jeanne will be available for individual feedback and guidance if you get stuck or if you just need some inspiration. Carefully carve your prints and fill the pages of your journal. Linocut is a wonderful way to let your creativity loose and silence your perfectionism; you can never fully anticipate the end result!Wrap up the day with some well-deserved downtime. Go for a swim in the heated pool, stroll through the gardens, or take a short walk to Eymet, the lovely town located only 10 minutes away from your venue. Conclude the day with a mouthwatering three-course dinner, washed down with delightful local wine.

### Day 7: Art at the venue
Your final day of the retreat begins with breakfast and a coffee check-in. Dive right into the morning class, where you'll learn more about drawing still-life subjects in graphite and charcoal. This is where your toolset of techniques comes together; during the afternoon session, you will use your previous still-life sketches as inspiration, learn how to sketch with paint, and layer with watercolor and gouache.Lunch will be served before the afternoon class. Wrap up your paintings and add those finishing touches, then prepare for a special event—a mini-exhibition of the pieces created during the retreat. This optional gallery showing is a great opportunity for you to give and receive constructive feedback from your peers and to boast about your achievements.As evening draws near, come together for an exquisite farewell dinner, celebrating the connections made and the artistic journey shared. Toast to your progress and your unforgettable experiences in France!

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast, exchange any last contact details, and catch the 9:00 AM transfer to Bergerac train station. Expect to arrive at Gare Bergerac train station at around 9:45 AM.

## Instructors

- **Jeanne Oliver** - Artist, teacher, author, and art business consultant

## Accommodation

### Historic countryside estate

### Shared standard room

### Shared superior room

### Single standard room

### Single superior room

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/creative-mixed-media-art-retreat-artist-jeanne-oliver-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/creative-mixed-media-art-retreat-artist-jeanne-oliver-france) to make a reservation.

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