# Mixed Media Sketchbook Retreat with Artist Emma Carlisle in France Immerse yourself in rural French life during a transformative art retreat led by artists Emma Carlisle and Harriet Lowther. This retreat is an immersive experience, allowing you to grow as a creative fit for artists of all experience levels. With Emma's guidance, uncover the joy of mark-making, letting go and celebrating every step of your progress, embracing the delight of creating. Build creative confidence, rediscover your passion, and silence your inner critic.Here, amidst the tranquillity of the Dordogne region with its rolling vineyards and the charm of local medieval towns, you'll also find a community of fellow artists—your invaluable source of support. Together, delve deep into mixed media, create beautiful pieces in your sketchbook (or outside of it), and let the stories of southern France color your creations. Dive in and let your passion blossom in this enchanting setting, where you'll be supported by your hosts (and each other) in a life-changing creative bubble. ## Details - **Dates:** September 21 - 28, 2024 - **Location:** Eymet, Dordogne, France - **Starting Price:** $4,350 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Mixed Media Sketchbook Retreat Dive into a heartwarming art adventure with artist and teacher Emma Carlisle. This mixed-media sketchbook retreat will take place among the rustic charm of the French countryside, in the southern region of Dordogne. Artists of all levels are welcome! Whether you're dabbling with brushes for the first time or have extensive experience, here, you'll find a community waiting to support you and help you grow.Emma Carlisle's gentle approach to teaching will be the driving force behind your progress. With her help, joined by teaching assistant and illustrator Harriet Lowther, you'll learn to silence that pesky inner critic, overcome creative blocks, and dance past self-imposed boundaries. Emma will encourage you to find joy in every dab of paint, to celebrate the messes as much as the masterpieces, and most importantly, to rediscover the sheer delight of creating. You'll explore sketchbook art using a variety of materials, from pencils and markers to gouache, you'll experiment with layering, combining painting and photos, and breaking outside of your sketchbook. By the end, your journey will feel as rewarding as the artwork itself.Moreover, you'll be part of a community of 15 fellow artists. Over the course of the retreat, you'll grow alongside artists with diverse backgrounds and experiences, joined together by their love of art. Within this tight-knit group, you'll find support, mentors, and friends. This community will encourage you at every step, helping you shine brighter and create with confidence.Some topics Emma will cover include:Gaining more confidence in your image-makingGrowing outside of your sketchbookLayering techniquesAdapting on-the-goWorking with different paper formats (such as concertinas)CompositionHarnessing the joy of painting, letting your creativity looseFinding inspiration in the world around youDeveloping your own style/finding your own approach to image makingExperimenting with different materialsLearning to work with mishaps and finding opportunities in themEmbracing your journey, at every point of it...and many more.Dordogne, the backdrop for this artistic adventure, boasts a rich tapestry of history and nature. Rolling hills, ancient forests, and serene rivers shape its landscape, making it an artist's haven. This region is famous for its medieval bastide towns and age-old buildings, echoing tales of a time gone by.The retreat is hosted at La Palanque, a splendid estate dating back to Napoleonic times. With its modern amenities and well-appointed spaces, it provides a perfect sanctuary for artists. Moreover, enriching trips to bustling local markets, a verdant vineyard, and a cheese and wine tasting event at the venue will give you a full taste of French country life. ### Day 1: Arrival Catch the 3:30 PM transfer from Bergerac train station to La Palanque, your charming countryside venue. Meet Emma Carlisle, Harriet Lowther, and your art group, then get shown to your cozy room, followed by a property tour. Refresh with treats, join the welcome circle for drinks, and connect with fellow artists. Indulge in a three-course chef-made welcome dinner, with French wine enhancing the experience. ### Day 2: Art trip to Issigeac Your day begins with a tasty breakfast spread, featuring an assortment of buttery croissants, delicious cheese, and warm coffee.Kick off your retreat with an art adventure; together with your group, you'll visit the bastide town of Issigeac, found 30 minutes away from La Palanque. Each week, the town sets the stage for a beloved tradition; the French market. This is where locals converge to peruse delicious produce, artisanal cheese from local farms, freshly baked bread, and a variety of trinkets and crafts. Wander the many stalls, walk Issigeac's cobbled streets, and make a collection of items and photos to use as inspiration for your future sketches. Don't forget to try out some tasty treats!Return to the venue just in time for a refreshing lunch. In the afternoon, join Emma for a relaxed class. Get introduced to the course overview, to your materials, and most importantly, to your own goals and aspirations for the retreat. Follow along with Emma's demonstrations on mark-making and get in the groove with some playful warmups, or simply observe.The day winds down with a relaxed chef-made dinner paired with a glass of wine, allowing everyone to reconnect and enjoy the tranquil ambiance of La Palanque. ### Day 3: Art at the venue Greet the day with a delightful breakfast assortment, then join Emma for a morning check-in over coffee. Get the lay-down on the plans for the day and share your thoughts.Your morning class will take place in the studio. Using the reference photos or items you gathered during the market trip, continue working in your sketchbook. Practice aided by more playful challenges proposed by Emma. Lastly, dive into the world of prints using a Gelli plate, a fun and unusual tool used for making prints without a press. Fill your sketchbook with whimsical patterns and let your intuition take the lead.Take a well-deserved lunch break, then continue your classes in the afternoon. Emma will demo her own approach to image-making, and give you some tips on how to break free from your inner critic. Follow along with her demonstrations and experiment with your own ideas. Learn how to convey your personal story with the help of your sketchbook. If you need some extra help, your instructor will be on hand to give you some 1-on-1 feedback.Wind down in the afternoon with a dip in the heated pool, a walk through La Palanque's peaceful woods, or just chat away with your fellow artists. The day ends with a mouthwatering three-course dinner, paired with a glass of French wine. ### Day 4: Art at the venue Chase the sleep away with a hot coffee and some tasty breakfast. Reconvene with Emma in the spacious studio, and delve deeper into the pieces in your sketchbook. Emma will also encourage you to transition from the intimate pages of your sketchbook onto a more expansive format. Delight in the freedom of scaling up your ideas, allowing your artwork to come alive with broader strokes and bolder expressions.After a satisfying lunch at the venue, get ready for another art class with Emma. You'll learn more about composition and how to create a balanced sketch. Emma will encourage you to play around with sketches and reference photos, combining the two into a novel mixed media piece on a larger piece of paper.Take the afternoon to yourself, and relax with a walk through the gardens, or lounge by the pool with a good book. The day ends with a sumptuous three-course dinner, prepared by your private chef. ### Day 5: Vineyard art trip Enjoy a lovely breakfast with Emma and the group, then get ready for some morning workshop time. This will be a leisurely class, where you'll keep working on your sketchbook unperturbed. Emma will also show you how to prepare your materials for sketching en-plein air, so you'll be ready for the upcoming adventure.Savor some light lunch with your fellow artists, then gear up for an art trip to a local vineyard. A quintessential part of the French countryside landscape, family vineyards have their very own, unmistakable charm. Stroll through the vines, enjoy the tranquility of the greenery surrounding you, and take some time to sketch or photograph inspiring elements; maybe it is the graceful curl of the vines themselves, the beautiful gardens, or even the workers at the vineyard. To round off your trip, you'll enjoy a wine tasting of the cellar's own AOC varieties.Return to the La Palanque venue for a sumptuous chef-made dinner to end the day. ### Day 6: Trip to the French market Start your day with a delicious breakfast at La Palanque, getting ready for another exciting day. After breakfast, you'll head to the picturesque town of Eymet, known for its typical French charm. You'll reach Eymet after a 20-minute leisurely walk on flat ground. Eymet's streets are lined with stone houses adorned with vibrant flowers, creating a cozy atmosphere that's perfect for strolling and soaking in the local culture. The farmer's market in town square is a lively affair, brimming with colorful stalls and friendly vendors. You'll have the chance to explore the market, where you can find unique items and captivating scenes to add to your sketchbook.You'll return to La Palanque in time for lunch, then continue your classes with Emma in the afternoon. Refine your sketches from the market, adding polish and detail to your works. Feel free to explore the beautiful grounds of La Palanque, seeking inspiration in its tranquil surroundings.Following the art class, you'll have some leisure time to relax, reflect on your day, or take a peaceful walk around the retreat venue. In the evening, your culinary journey continues with another three-course dinner, perfectly paired with local wine. ### Day 7: Art at the venue After savoring a delightful breakfast, dive into a morning art session. During today's check-in Emma will ensure you have clear goals for this final day of creation. Be inspired by fresh demos from your instructor, then wander the verdant grounds, collecting inspiration for your artwork. Throughout the day, Emma and Harriet will offer invaluable one-on-one sessions. Here, you'll benefit from tailored feedback, go over the progress you've made throughout the retreat, and receive insights on nurturing your creative voice back home.Following a delicious lunch, the afternoon continues with more personalized feedback sessions. If you wish, take this extra time to add some finishing touches to your pieces. As the sun dips, prepare for a special, heartwarming event: the mini-exhibition. Showcase your work proudly with the support of your peers. Let the sense of community envelope you as you both offer and give constructive feedback, celebrating not just art but the bonds made over the retreat.Evening bids goodbye with a tantalizing farewell dinner, ending the retreat on an exciting note. ### 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 - **Emma Carlisle** - Artist and picture book maker - **Harriet Lowther** - Illustrator and dog aficionado ## Accommodation ### La Palanque ### Shared standard room ### Shared superior room ### Single standard room ### Single superior room ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/mixed-media-sketchbook-retreat-artist-emma-carlisle-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/mixed-media-sketchbook-retreat-artist-emma-carlisle-france) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*