# Paint, Play, and Procreate Retreat with Artist Lisa Bardot in France Join artist Lisa Bardot for a playful digital art retreat in the picturesque Loire Valley, where you'll dive into your imagination and take your illustration skills in Procreate to the next level. Rediscover your artistic passion, learn to see the world around you through childlike wonder, and combine both traditional and digital media in wonderful illustrations. For the first time ever, Lisa will show participants how to create her famous Procreate brushes.Relax and recharge at a centuries-old French château booked exclusively for you and your group, enjoy premium facilities such as a lush garden, a heated pool, a period salon, and a library, and delight your senses every day with chef-made French cuisine, paired with fine wine and local cheese. Explore the charming Loire Valley through a trip to the medieval town of Saumur and its imposing château, and visit a traditional French market. ## Details - **Dates:** April 8 - 15, 2024 - **Location:** Concourson-sur-Layon, France - **Starting Price:** $4,300 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Paint, Play, and Procreate retreat Join illustrator and educator Lisa Bardot on a playful digital art retreat using Procreate in the charming Loire Valley. Rediscover your childlike wonder, silence your perfectionism, and discover your authentic artistic self under Lisa's expert guidance. You'll explore both digital and traditional media, and how to best combine them to create art pieces that truly stand out. For the first time ever, Lisa will also share her unique method of creating her famous Procreate brushes, and teach you how to make your very own. You'll get the most out of this retreat if you already have some previous Procreate experience and are looking to take your skills the extra mile. Lisa will regularly offer one-to-one guidance and feedback, to ensure you reach your full artistic potential. With two challenging, but equally rewarding art projects coming your way during this retreat, you're sure to gain invaluable experience when it comes to becoming a Procreate master.Some of the topics Lisa will cover include:Letting go of inhibitions and rediscovering your childlike creativityCreating your own Procreate brushesSketching with traditional media versus sketching in ProcreatePerspective and scene buildingAdding real-life texture to digital workFinding your own styleUsing brushes to optimize your working processTaking excellent reference photosColor theory and working with limited palettes...and many more.In addition to creating alongside Lisa daily, you'll explore the picturesque Loire Valley through two art trips (one to a traditional French market, and one to the old town of Saumur). You'll enjoy the premium facilities of a 19th-century French château, booked exclusively for you and your group, and delight in chef-prepared French cuisine and local wine every day. Additionally, one evening will include a premium wine tasting with a renowned sommelier, who trained under the famous UK chef, Gordon Ramsay. ### Day 1: Arrival Catch the 4:00 PM transfer from St Laud train station in Angers, and arrive at Château De La Vigne around 5:00 PM. Meet Lisa Bardot and the art group, settle in your premium accommodation, and explore the grounds of the château. Discover the tranquil gardens, the nearby woodland and ponds, the heated swimming pool, the period salon, and the library.Celebrate your arrival with Lisa and the art group in the evening with a special welcome dinner. Get to know your fellow artists and enjoy a scrumptious three-course meal prepared by the private chef, paired with delicious local wine and cheese platters. ### Day 2: Art at the château Start the day with a delicious breakfast and join Lisa in the studio or in the gardens for the morning class. You'll start with an icebreaker, meant to acquaint you better with Lisa and the art group, but also to get energized. Each morning will also include a creative exercise, a freeflow, playful task to help you find your childlike mindset and silence your inner critic. You'll have the chance to set your goals for the art retreat, and Lisa will talk about the overall structure of the course.Take a well-deserved break for lunch, then join Lisa for an inspiring afternoon class. Using still-life subjects from the venue, she'll begin with a couple of sketching demonstrations, sharing practical tips for sketching and ideation techniques on both physical sketchbooks and on your iPad in Procreate. In addition, Lisa will guide you in developing a unique visual style with exercises designed to help you explore and refine your artistic voice. Finally, get ready for your first big project of the retreat: an imaginative tabletop scene inspired by the enchanting surroundings. Relax during your afternoon leisure time, strolling around the gardens, or taking a dip in the heated pool. End the day with a delicious three-course dinner carefully crafted by the private chef, complemented by a cheese platter and a glass of French wine. ### Day 3: Trip to the French market After a tasty breakfast, gear up for your first art tip of the retreat. You'll visit a local French market in one of the nearby charming towns, a cherished tradition in the area. Stroll among the many stalls and wares on display, and find inspiration among the trinkets, produce, antiquities, and delicacies sold here. Lisa will share some of her advice regarding taking excellent reference photos using an iPhone, drawing from her over 12 years of experience as a professional photographer. Take photos and sketch anything that catches your eye, as you'll be using this material in your later pieces. Don't forget to get a souvenir for your loved ones back home! Return to the venue in time for lunch, then move on to the afternoon class with Lisa. Using the objects, reference photos, and sketches from the market, you'll begin working on your very own tabletop scene. Lisa will start with a demonstration on building a scene and choosing between multiple perspective options, explaining each step to constructing your piece in detail. After the demo, give it a go on your own: Lisa will provide one-to-one help if you run into any challenges. By the end of the class, you'll have completed your finished tabletop sketch, the first step in the project. Rest during the afternoon leisure time, then end the day with a scrumptious three-course dinner, a delightful platter of local cheeses, and a glass of fragrant French wine. ### Day 4: Art at the château The fourth day starts with a refreshing breakfast, followed by the usual warm-up exercise, meant to help you loosen your style. Today you'll try some painted paper play, a relaxed exercise that serves as an intro to incorporating texture into digital work. This morning's class marks the first foray into combining traditional and digital painting methods. With Lisa's guidance, you'll learn how to create multiple types of textures using physical media, which you'll later add to your tabletop piece digitally. Grab a light bite during lunch, then dive into the afternoon class, focused on incorporating your physical textures into your digital tabletop scene. You'll learn about working with a limited color palette to create a unified look in your final tabletop scene. With Lisa's expert advice and guidance, you'll bring your artistic vision to life and complete your first project of the retreat. Take a breather during the afternoon, then end the day with a lovely three-course dinner, accompanied by French wine and a traditional cheese platter. ### Day 5: Brushmaking at the château After breakfast, join Lisa and the art group for a rather special morning class - for the first time since beginning teaching, Lisa will show you and your fellow artists how to create some of her famous Procreate brushes. The creative warm-up will be followed by your first tutorial on brushmaking. The first step (and the physical component of the process) involves mark-making with ink, creating the various shapes and textures you'll use to craft your own Procreate brushes. Break for lunch, then continue your brushmaking tutorial in the afternoon. You'll get into some more advanced methods of creating digital brushes, and learn how to use your new tools to simplify and speed up your work as an illustrator. Lisa will be there to offer you one-to-one guidance, and individual feedback if necessary. The day ends with a relaxed dinner, as usual, paired with French wine and a cheese platter. Chat with your fellow artists on the airy terrace and get excited about the upcoming Saumur trip. ### Day 6: Art trip to Saumur Share a delicious breakfast with your art group, then prepare for your art trip to Saumur, a picturesque town found in the Loire Valley, famous for its rich tradition and history, gorgeous scenery, and amazing architecture. The lush gardens of the town, the cobbled streets, and the old buildings will serve as a great source of inspiration for your following project with Lisa. You'll explore the imposing Château de Saumur, with its sweeping vistas of the Loire Valley, and stroll through the winding streets of the Old Town, dotted with charming cafes and half-timbered houses. Capture the most impressive sights with reference photos or a quick location sketch - Lisa will be happy to impart some more photography advice if you're having trouble finding the perfect shot. Lisa will also explain your next big project - illustrating a fantastical castle, inspired by the Château de Saumur, which you'll begin discussing during your trip to the town. Return to the venue in time for lunch, then during the afternoon class, using the reference photos you took during the trip and the custom-made brushes you created a day prior, begin planning your piece. Let your creativity run wild as you brainstorm ideas for the castle's components, including its doors, turrets, patterns, and colors. Immerse yourself in the enchanting fairytale-like surroundings of our retreat, and tap into your inner child to imagine the fantasy elements of your scene. Working closely with Lisa, you'll then plan the structure of your piece, and complete your first sketch by the end of the class. ### Day 7: Art at the château After breakfast, Lisa will use the morning class to focus on helping you color your castle piece. She'll explain color theory, then after playing around with color combinations, and choosing a limited palette, you can begin making a color plan. Don't be afraid to get a little experimental. In the afternoon, you'll refine your sketch digitally, then apply the colors you selected, and add the finishing touches - shading and texturing. You'll incorporate the hand-painted textures and custom Procreate brushes made earlier in the week into your final rendering. Lisa will be around to offer you individual guidance if you need an extra hand. By the end of the class, you'll have finished an imaginative and inspiring scene inspired by the majestic Saumur castle! The day ends with a celebratory three-course dinner, carefully crafted by your private chef. Reminisce about your time at the retreat with your newfound artist friends over a glass of French wine. ### 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 around 9:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Lisa Bardot** - Illustrator and educator ## Accommodation ### Château de la Vigne ### Shared room with shared bathroom ### Shared standard ensuite room ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Single room with shared bathroom ### Single standard ensuite room ### Private superior single ### Private single suite ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/paint-play-and-procreate-retreat-with-artist-lisa-bardot-in-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/paint-play-and-procreate-retreat-with-artist-lisa-bardot-in-france) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*