# Lettering Retreat with Agent and Artist Lilla Rogers in France

Join artist, illustrator, author, educator, and renowned agent Lilla Rogers on a self-discovery lettering journey in the tranquil countryside of southern France, surrounded by the picturesque Occitanie region. Try out an array of vintage and modern lettering styles and techniques while getting the best insider information into the art and illustration business from Lilla herself, benefitting from her extensive expertise as the founder of an accomplished illustration agency. Stay at a gorgeous 5-acre private estate, consisting of renovated traditional French gîtes, lush gardens, and shimmering saltwater pools, rented exclusively for you and your art group. Find one-of-a-kind trinkets and vintage ephemera at the brocantes (vintage markets) in Castres, visit the medieval town of Albi with its UNESCO heritage attractions, and enjoy the premium wines of Occitanie with a trip to a centuries-old château and vineyard. Treat your senses to scrumptious French cuisine prepared by the private chef every day, paired with delicious, locally sourced French wine.

## Details

- **Dates:** April 29 - May 6, 2024
- **Location:** Teyssode, Occitanie, France
- **Starting Price:** $3,850
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Lettering with Lilla
Join artist Lilla Rogers on a relaxing and meditative week-long journey into artistic hand lettering in the picturesque French countryside. You have the rare opportunity to learn from one of the most successful artists and agents in illustration and publishing. You will benefit from Lilla's expertise as a celebrated mentor to some of the biggest names in illustration, and as a renowned agent with a fine sense for the newest art trends and most exciting markets. Lilla will hold daily classes featuring a myriad of lettering styles and fonts, both vintage and modern, and she will help you nurture your uniqueness, uncovering your very own lettering style, whether wonky, tidy, or something in between. Every morning begins on the terrace with the Warm-Up Circle, a short journaling session with simple breathing and lettering exercises to warm up your hand. Next, Lilla will demonstrate the techniques and styles of the day. You’ll receive Lilla’s daily lettering cards featuring a variety of typestyles curated from vintage and modern sources. In the beautiful, sunlit studio, you’ll work on your lettering as you receive Lilla’s enthusiastic support. It’s not about perfection! It’s about discovering new letterforms and your own joy of lettering. You’ll explore a variety of media such as italic pens, markers, dip pens, paint pens, and more, as we explore letting styles from medieval illuminations, late 1800s to early 1900s French and Italian fonts, and swashes, Art Deco and Nouveau type styles and embellishments, American mid-twentieth-century serif and sans serif styles, and even typography on contemporary food products. Stoke the fires of your creative passion with the help of Lilla's mentoring, individual feedback, and guidance. The focus is on discovering or expanding your own lettering style as you are mindful of which media and styles you are most drawn to, whether you simply want to enrich your journaling with more interesting letterforms or use lettering as part of your creative career.Every afternoon as we relax on the terrace with coffee or tea, you'll enjoy the informal Ask Lilla Anything Q&A, giving you access to her vast trove of knowledge about the illustration business, various lucrative illustration markets and income streams, and building and maintaining a thriving creative career. Lilla may do a career tarot reading during the afternoon sessions if time permits. [Note: as Lilla will only be doing a few readings during the week, participants are not guaranteed a reading.] Every element of the retreat was carefully selected to create the perfect environment for you to nurture your creativity and inspiration - from the blissful landscapes of the French countryside, the gorgeous estate you'll stay at, the beautiful gardens and luminous studio where most of your classes will take place, the trips to quaint French vintage markets where you'll find many unusual items to use in your art, and the medieval French towns with breathtaking vistas. Participants of all levels are welcome: both beginner and advanced artists will benefit from Lilla's encouraging style of teaching, from her expertise as a successful illustrator and artist, and from learning how to use journaling as a meditative practice. Moreover, you'll get your very own lettering exercises mini card deck with specific mini assignments, custom designed by Lilla for this retreat.Some of the topics you'll cover include:Developing your lettering style, whether precise or wonky or something in betweenLearning about the gorgeous world of lettering and calligraphic tools and materials, such as fountain pens, dip pens, markers, brushes, and inksAnalyzing a variety of fonts, from Medieval to contemporaryPracticing elements such as faceted, diamond, illuminated, script, block, and moreExploring chancery cursive italic calligraphy with fountain and dip pensTrying out brush lettering with bottled inkEmbellishing your journal with your newfound techniquesDiscovering the thrill of adding your own lettering style to your artwork for a range of projects, from illustrated nonfiction books to packaging to children's booksBusiness conversations might include:Pitching a project in a way you enjoy and that reflects your passionsUncovering your creative pathHow to get an agentGrowing your artistic career and staying focusedWhy the ability to do lettering is an asset to your lucrative creative careerLettering as a meditative practiceLilla’s career tarot readings [Note: as Lilla will only be doing a few readings during the week, participants are not guaranteed a reading.]...and much more.During the retreat, you'll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to network and build lasting connections with your instructor, Lilla Rogers, and with a welcoming community of like-minded artist travelers, an essential source of support for your creative journey. In addition to learning from Lilla daily, you'll have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the countryside in Occitanie, delight in exquisite chef-made French cuisine, explore the surrounding medieval towns, and share your experiences with fellow creatives over a glass of wine.

### Day 1: Arrival
Touch down at Toulouse-Blagnac airport in time for your 3:00 PM transfer, then reach Domaine d'En Naudet at around 4:00 PM, after a one-hour journey through the beautiful French landscape. Settle in, freshen up, and get to know the countryside estate of d'En Naudet through a lovely exploration tour, covering the 3-acre garden, the watchtower, the living spaces, and the pools. In the evening, take part in the meet and greet of your art group and your instructor, Lilla Rogers, over complimentary cocktails and canapés. The first day ends with a delightful chef-made three-course dinner, one of many to follow, and a glass of fragrant wine.

### Day 2: Art classes at the venue
Enjoy a tasty breakfast, then join Lilla in the studio for your introductory class to lettering. You'll learn more about the schedule for the week ahead and what Lilla has in store for you, and then she will describe her method of teaching, along with an overview of the skills you'll develop. We’ll begin every day with a short session consisting of easy guided lettering warm-up exercises you’ll work on in your journal, which will help your hand loosen up and get the creative juices flowing while we chat and sip our morning tea or coffee. Afterward, Lilla will introduce you to the mini assignment of the day: you'll receive your lettering cards, specially created by Lilla, which will help you explore such things as specific vintage and modern fonts, embellishments, serifs, strokes, curlicues, line weight, shadows, bevels, ornamentation and more. Tune in to which elements are your favorites as you build your own lettering library. Everything from your style of linework, material, or colors you use says something about your inner artist. Lilla will be there to offer individual and supportive guidance if you ever get stuck and will give insight on finding your particular strengths. Have a break and enjoy a light lunch, then enjoy an informal Q&A session with Lilla (‘Ask Lilla Anything’) over some tea or coffee on the outdoor terrace. As a renowned agent, Lilla is an endless trove of information about the illustration and publishing business and will hold a relaxed discussion about her experience and career. This will definitely benefit beginner artists too, who may have questions about finding their own style, starting their artistic journey, and how to develop their uniqueness. As Lilla always says, "be you with a vengeance". If time permits, Lilla may do a career tarot reading. [Note: as Lilla will only be doing a few readings during the week, participants are not guaranteed a reading.] After the Q&A, you'll have leisure time in the afternoon, which you can spend wandering the garden, relaxing by the pool, or sharing with Lilla and your art group on the terrace. The day ends with a three-course dinner prepared with fresh, local ingredients, along with a glass of refreshing French wine.

### Day 3: Trip to Castres brocantes
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast, then prepare for a half-day inspiration trip to the brocantes in the medieval town of Castres. Brocantes is the French word for antique shops, and the many peculiar items you'll find here will serve as a great source of insight for your lettering exercises. Find hidden treasures, such as shop signs with vintage lettering, charming ephemera including yellowed magazines and hand-lettered postcards with rich stories to tell, elegant Art Deco pieces, quirky ceramics, trinkets, curios, artwork, or even antique kitchenware. Bring out your inner magpie and collect, sketch, or photograph everything that catches your eye. You may choose to scribble your discoveries in your sketchbook or snap a photo for later. Remember to find souvenirs for your loved ones back home among the wares at the market. You'll be transferred back to Domaine d'En Naudet in time for lunch, followed by another relaxed afternoon session of ‘Ask Lilla Anything’. Take this opportunity to ask Lilla about the benefits of having lettering in your portfolio, or how to get started with an illustration career, or simply listen in as you draw or letter in your journal or sketchbook. As the founder of the highly successful Lilla Rogers Studio agency, she will give you the scoop on what agents look for in artists, and her boatloads of experience cover everything you can think of: making a children's book, pitching an idea for illustrated journals or arty non-fiction books, getting a book deal, and the inner workings of the illustration market. During this discussion, you might also choose to share the most interesting items you found at the brocantes with your art group and use them as inspiration for your lettering. ". If time permits, Lilla may do a career tarot reading. [Note: as Lilla will only be doing a few readings during the week, participants are not guaranteed a reading.] After the Q&A session, enjoy your leisure time, strolling around the garden, lounging by the pool, or chatting on the terrace with your fellow creatives. Join your group for a delightful three-course dinner prepared by the in-house chef, paired with delicious French wine.

### Day 4: Art classes at the venue
Wake up and greet your art group over breakfast, then follow Lilla in the indoor studio or on the terraces for your morning lettering class. We’ll start with the morning warm-up exercises in your journal as you find your skill increasing over the week. As your journal grows thicker, you’ll observe your evolution as an artist but also have it as a record of the styles and elements you’ve worked on. You'll receive your mini assignment for the day after the warm-up, in the form of more cards with lettering exercises for you to try.Even if you think you don't have a style yet, by keeping track of those little elements that you enjoy making, such as which pen you like best, what fonts are fun to write, whether you lean toward a more wonky style or a precise and tidy work, your style will evolve. You'll receive your mini assignment for the day after the warm-up, in the form of more cards with lettering exercises for you to try. Enjoy a light lunch with your art group after your morning class, then continue with the usual relaxed afternoon Q&A. Use this opportunity to learn all about networking in the illustration business, how to promote your work in ways that fit your temperament and shyness level, and what the best markets for your art might be. ". If time permits, Lilla may do a career tarot reading. [Note: as Lilla will only be doing a few readings during the week, participants are not guaranteed a reading.] If you'd rather just listen in, you can continue practicing your assignments or simply sketch the surroundings or journal your day. Celebrate your progress with a delicious three-course chef-made meal, paired with French wine.

### Day 5: Art trip to Albi
Your fifth day begins with an energizing breakfast, followed by the second trip of the retreat. You'll spend the entire day in Albi, a charming medieval town with an incredibly rich history, renowned for the landscape created by the Tarn River, crossed by old stone bridges and the impressive architecture of its buildings. It is also the birthplace of the painter Toulouse Lautrec, and home to the museum bearing the same name, the largest collection in the world dedicated to the famous post-modernist artist. In the first part of the day, you'll have time to wander and sketch or photograph the cobbled streets of this quintessentially French town and sketch or simply take in the views of the century-old basilicas, arching stone bridges, the red-brick houses typical to southern France, and many more imposing buildings. You'll visit another one of France's famous vintage markets, the Albi brocantes, where you'll have time to browse the many stalls filled to the brim with antiques and ephemera to add to your own lettering collection. Once you're done collecting new trinkets and souvenirs, move on to the gorgeous Basilica of Saint Cecilia, a 4th-century cathedral built in the medieval Gothic style, declared a UNESCO world heritage site for its remarkable design. Let the intricate patterns of the cathedral stuccos inspire your art, and scribble down the carvings you find interesting. Move on to the Pont-Vieux, the 11th-century stone bridge crossing the shimmering Tarn River and take in the sweeping vistas of the old houses dotting the riverbanks. Take a lunch break in one of the nearby French bistros, then make your way toward Palais de la Berbie, a majestic, fortress-like episcopal palace, a symbol of the Bishop's power over the town of Albi in medieval times. The Palais hosts the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, where you can admire an impressive collection of the painter's works, among other artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. Make a note of paintings you love, then stroll through the palace gardens, a peaceful verdant oasis where you may meditate on your experiences so far. You'll be transferred back to Domaine d'En Naudet in time for dinner, three chef-made courses cooked with the freshest ingredients and served with delicious local wine.

### Day 6: Art at the venue & wine tasting
Start the day with a delicious breakfast, followed by your morning class. As usual, you will have some time at the beginning of the class to do some journaling, which will also serve as your warm-up for the class. Bring the trinkets and knick-knacks you found during the Albi brocantes and show them to your art group - Lilla will advise on how to draw inspiration from them in your lettering. You'll receive new exercise cards to add to your creative deck, which you'll try out while incorporating elements you've found during your Albi trip. Lilla will perform demos, offer one-to-one guidance where necessary, and give individual feedback. Take a breather during lunch, share impressions with your fellow artists, then gear up for a sensory journey with a trip to Château de Lastours, a vineyard found on the slopes surrounding a 16th-century castle. The vineyard is family-owned and its exceptional wines have received multiple international awards, produced thanks to the perfect combination of a sunny climate and fertile soil, ideal for growing premium grapes. You will find out why this region is named the "Petite Toscane" of France with a premium wine-tasting experience of this estate's catalog, after a guided tour of the cellar and an explanation of the traditional winemaking methods used here. Get transferred back to Domaine d'En Naudet in time for dinner, and an evening of cheer and good spirits alongside Lilla and your art group.

### Day 7: Art classes at the venue
The seventh day begins with breakfast, followed by your last classes with Lilla. As usual, you'll have time at the beginning of the class to do some meditative journaling - this is a great opportunity to flip through the pages and reflect on how far you've evolved during the retreat. Lilla will give you the final mini assignments, thus completing your card deck. The deck will be an invaluable practice tool for your individual practice back home. Work on your assignment and notice how your personal style has changed and developed over the course. Lilla will be there to give you some one-to-one guidance and answer any questions you may have. After lunch, the last Q&A with Lilla will begin, with an added show-and-tell. Her vast experience can help you find the answer to any question you may have about progressing in your artistic career, or how to improve your skills. This Q&A session will also include an exhibition of your work during this retreat. It's not obligatory to participate, but this is an excellent opportunity to get supportive feedback from Lilla and the group and to further strengthen your newfound connections. Lilla will give you advice specific to your needs, as her goal is to encourage you to develop your own style. End the day with cocktails and canapés and a celebratory three-course dinner washed down with delicious French wine. Toast to your accomplishments with Lilla and your fellow creative travelers.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast with Lilla Rogers and the art group, say your goodbyes, remember to exchange any last contact details, then get ready for your 10:00 AM transfer to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. You will be arriving at the airport at 11:00 AM.

## Instructors

- **Lilla Rogers** - Illustrator, mentor, artistic agent

## Accommodation

### Domaine d'En Naudet

### Shared ensuite attic room

### Shared room with ensuite washroom

### Shared standard ensuite room

### Shared superior ensuite room

### Single room with shared bathroom

### Single ensuite room

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/lettering-retreat-with-artist-lilla-rogers-in-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/lettering-retreat-with-artist-lilla-rogers-in-france) to make a reservation.

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