# Happy Painting Art Retreat with Artist Juliette Crane in France Join artist Juliette Crane for an inspiring art retreat set in the heart of the Loire Valley, in beautiful France. Bring back joy and curiosity to your art process, find your style, and let your creativity loose. Using mixed media, watercolor, and water-soluble pencils, you'll paint whimsical portraits and animals under Juliette's gentle guidance. You'll create and grow alongside 15 other likeminded artists and build a supportive community.You'll benefit from daily classes with your favorite artist, plenty of one-to-one feedback, on-location sketching sessions, demonstrations, and two art trips to stunning locations in the Loire Valley. You'll return home with a couple of wonderful, layered paintings and a sketchbook full of memories. In addition to that, you'll stay at a 19th-century château, enjoy chef-made cuisine every day, and take part in an exquisite wine-tasting event with a renowned sommelier. Let your creativity flow, inspired by the romantic spirit of the Loire! ## Details - **Dates:** May 12 - 19, 2025 - **Location:** Concourson-sur-Layon, France - **Starting Price:** $4,150 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Mixed Media Art Retreat Join a once-in-a-lifetime art retreat with artist Juliette Crane, taking place in the picturesque Loire Valley, France. This weeklong adventure is sure to reignite your passion for painting, thanks to Juliette's gentle, encouraging teaching method. You'll learn to paint more loosely, silence your inner critic, and look at the world around you with childlike curiosity. Using mixed media, watercolors, and water-soluble pencils, you'll study Juliette's signature whimsical portraits and animals. The retreat is suitable for all artists, from complete beginners to intermediates looking to reinvent their artistic process.During this retreat, you'll benefit from daily classes with Juliette, plenty of one-to-one feedback and personalized advice, on-location sketching, and inspiring art trips to two stunning locations in the Loire Valley. Your instructor will help you identify your style and give you invaluable tips and tricks on letting your creativity flow. By the end of the retreat, you'll have created some wonderful layered paintings, in addition to a sketchbook recording your adventures in France. Just grab a brush and let your creative voice be heard, loud and proud!Topics covered in your classes include:Painting more loosely and spontaneouslyLearning simple shape templates for multiple subjectsExperimenting with mixed mediaDevelop your style and find your creative voiceHow to develop a daily practiceLayering with mixed mediaUsing a sketchbook on-the-goSilencing your inner critic...and many more.The retreat is hosted at Château de la Vigne, a majestic 19th-century château featuring lush gardens, a heated pool, and stunning surroundings. This picturesque setting, coupled with authentic French cuisine prepared by a professional chef, ensures you'll truly immerse yourself in French culture. To top it all off, you'll also indulge in a wine-tasting event hosted by a renowned sommelier in the château's gardens, where you'll discover the finest flavors of the region. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Angers' St. Laud train station in time to catch the 4:00 PM transfer, reaching the majestic Château de la Vigne by 5:00 PM. Meet Juliette Crane, your instructor, as well as your fellow artists. Settle into your elegant room, then join the orientation tour. Discover the château's enchanting gardens, woodlands, period salon, and charming library. Celebrate your arrival with a special welcome dinner, featuring a three-course feast, local wines, and artisanal cheese. Get to know your new friends and toast to the exciting week ahead! ### Day 2: Art at the château Wake up to the gentle morning light at Château de la Vigne, where a delightful breakfast awaits. Over coffee, gather for a cozy check-in, where Juliette will outline the plans for the day.Your first step into the world of joyful painting starts with a morning class in the studio. Juliette will introduce you to your mixed media materials, demonstrating the unique qualities of each medium. After a couple of warm-ups, you'll begin your first painting by creating a background. Build your layers of color by trying out Juliette's different styles of painting vivid backgrounds. If you need a little help, she'll always be available for tailored feedback.Take a break during lunch, then join another art class with Juliette in the afternoon. You'll set out into the elegant gardens of Château de la Vigne in search of inspiration. Using a sketchbook, Juliette will demonstrate how to draw a whimsical portrait or animal using water-soluble pencils and watercolors. After you finish your initial sketch, she'll show you how to add depth, color, and contrast to your drawing. Keep sketching for the rest of the afternoon, or develop the background you started in the morning class.After the afternoon session, you may wander the grounds of the venue, dive into a book at the library, or simply relax by the heated pool. As evening falls, gather for a chef-prepared dinner, each bite paired with exquisite local wines. ### Day 3: Art trip to Saumur Start the day with a delicious breakfast and gather for a coffee check-in with Juliette. After breakfast, set off to Saumur, a charming medieval town just a short 30-minute drive away.Spend the morning exploring Saumur's cobbled lanes and medieval architecture with Juliette and your art group. As you wander the town, make sketches or take reference photos of Saumur's timeless charm. The iconic Château de Saumur towers above the skyline, a majestic castle. The town has a romantic, typically French allure and features gorgeous panoramas, particularly of the Loire and the bridges across the water. Optionally, join Juliette for a relaxed sketching session. Inspired by the gorgeous landscape of Saumur, you'll learn more about light and color when sketching on location.Return to Château de la Vigne and recharge with a light lunch. Dive into another art session in the afternoon, where you'll learn how to sketch a simple shape template. This will give you greater flexibility when drawing, as the template can be used for all kinds of subjects, from animals to portraits. Next, guided by Juliette, you'll transfer your sketches to the background you've been working on. Finish the class by adding the first layer of color to your subject.The day ends with a chef-prepared dinner, celebrating the day's adventures with fine wine. ### Day 4: Art at the château After breakfast and another check-in with Juliette, regroup with your fellow artists for the morning class.Your instructor will demonstrate how to add realism to your art using depth, contrast, and color, all while working on your layers. You'll also learn how to make your background and your subject fit together harmoniously and how to make them complement each other.Take a well-deserved break with a delicious lunch, then keep honing your skills in the afternoon. Continue building your layers, practicing the tips Juliette showed you during the morning class. If you need some variety, you may seek inspiring subjects in the gardens with your sketchbook or camera in hand. Throughout the afternoon, Juliette will be available for some one-on-one time with you, giving you advice on how to move forward.Spend the late afternoon as you wish, with a dip in the pool or chatting with your art group. The evening culminates in a chef-crafted dinner, paired with wine. ### Day 5: Trip to Château de Villandry Rise and shine for a delightful breakfast at the retreat venue. Over coffee, you'll learn more about today's exciting art trip: a visit to the majestic Château de Villandry.You'll reach your destination after a one-hour drive. Château de Villandry is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture; its gardens are renowned for their elaborate beauty, intricate patterns, and the boxwood hedges of typical French design. Its carefully manicured vegetable gardens are unique in the world, and the grounds also feature plenty of ponds, fountains, a water garden, and even a labyrinth.Get inspired by this stunning location as you wander its winding alleys. Sketch on location, take reference photos, or simply take in the tranquil atmosphere. Later in the afternoon, Juliette will guide a sketching session about color and florals, inspired by the vibrancy of the gardens. Follow her demonstrations and paint the wealth of floral subjects found here. When you need a break, enjoy a packed lunch in the château's gardens.Upon returning to the venue in the evening, enjoy some leisure time, then savor another chef-made dinner with your art group. ### Day 6: Art at the château The following day starts with another delicious breakfast at Château de la Vigne, followed by a check-in over coffee with Juliette and your fellow artists.During the morning class, continue working on your painting, adding colorful layers, and refining your piece. As you work, Juliette will offer guidance tailored to your needs, highlighting your strong points and helping you figure out the next step. She'll also tell you more about finding your own style. The secret to becoming more confident in your creative voice is steering away from perfectionism, and Juliette will help you tone down your inner critic in a gentle and encouraging way.After lunch, Juliette will hold a demonstration on painting eyes with depth and realism. Watch and observe her techniques, or follow along. She'll move on to a demonstration on painting faces and adding contrast to your piece.Enjoy your spare time after the afternoon class as you wish. The day wraps up with a chef-made dinner, where exquisite wine perfectly complements the carefully crafted dishes. ### Day 7: Art at the château Gather for breakfast with your fellow artists, then join the final morning check-in with Juliette.Return to the studio for the morning session. With Juliette's help, you'll add the finishing touches to your paintings. Paint the last few layers, and take a moment to admire your progress. Your instructor will also tell you more about adding the last bit of polish to your work.After a leisurely lunch, the afternoon is dedicated to a special event: a fun group exhibition. This mini gallery showing is a great opportunity for you to give and receive invaluable feedback from your peers. You'll discuss your paintings with Juliette, celebrating your progress with your fellow artists. She'll also answer any leftover questions and tell you more about painting loosely, drawing from your imagination.The retreat ends in style with a farewell dinner prepared by the private chef, a worthy tribute to your amazing experiences in France. Toast to the art you've made and to the bonds you've forged with your fellow artists! ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy breakfast with your art group, exchange any last contacts, and get ready for your 8:00 AM transfer to the St. Laud train station, arriving at about 9:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Juliette Crane** - Artist, author, and educator ## Accommodation ### Château de la Vigne ### Shared room - shared bathroom (female only) ### Shared standard ensuite room ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Shared bathroom - single room (female only) ### Single standard ensuite room ### Single superior ensuite room ### Single suite ### Single deluxe suite ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/happy-painting-art-retreat-artist-juliette-crane-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/happy-painting-art-retreat-artist-juliette-crane-france) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*