# Plein Air Watercolor Landscape Retreat with Artist Matthew White in France Join artist Matthew White for an unforgettable landscape painting retreat in the Loire Valley. You'll spend a week at a stunning 19th-century château located in the Maine-et-Loire department, where you will learn the art of painting exquisite watercolor landscapes. Stay in an elegantly furnished room with premium amenities and feast your senses on delectable French and international cuisine prepared by a private chef, paired with fine wines. Explore a quintessential medieval city in the Loire Valley, the charming castle city of Saumur, and immerse yourself in the enchanting landscapes of France to draw inspiration for your artwork. ## Details - **Dates:** May 31 - June 7, 2024 - **Location:** Concourson-sur-Layon, France - **Starting Price:** $3,950 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Plein Air in France Experience the beauty of France like never before on a fantastic landscape painting retreat with Matthew White in the picturesque Loire Valley. Take the next step on your watercolor journey and discover the fastest, most efficient way of learning watercolor — in person. Join an exclusive group of dedicated students and learn the art of watercolor painting with personalized instruction and guidance from Matthew. During this retreat, you'll immerse yourself in the local culture and paint en plein air at the stunning Château de la Vigne, your home for the week, and at the castle-topped medieval city of Saumur. You don't have to have any experience in plein air painting. Matt will walk you through the entire process from selecting a good spot to paint and setting up your easel to adding the finishing touches to your beautiful painting. So, whether you're looking to expand your practice to plein air painting, feeling stuck in your progress, or simply looking to hone your craft, Matt's expert instruction, personalized teaching style, and calm, steady encouragement will help you achieve your artistic goals. You'll have the unique opportunity to ask questions, show your work, find inspiration, and give and receive feedback in real-time. With in-depth watercolor teaching and customized instruction tailored to optimize your learning, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll progress. You'll also leave the retreat with a fantastic collection of beautiful watercolor paintings inspired by the fairy-tale vistas of the Loire Valley, the perfect reminder of your French experience.With Matt's ability to break down and simplify complex processes or compositions, you'll find your direction while painting and avoid repeating the same mistakes that can lead to frustration and discouragement. Go from amateurish and incomplete paintings to finished works of art that you can be proud of. You'll learn how to paint what you want from the start instead of trying to fix your paintings over and over again. With Matt's guidance, critiques of your work, and a community to support you, you'll achieve growth and find confidence in yourself and your art.Some of the techniques you'll learn:Learn the proper use of valuesPaint light evocativelyLearn how to simplify your paintingsHow to take reference photosLearn how to scope out scenes that are paintable in watercolorThe entire process of plen air painting from beginning to endand much more...You'll also have the opportunity to connect with a community of fellow art enthusiasts who share your passion for watercolor painting. As you explore the breathtaking French countryside, savor delicious meals prepared by a skilled chef, and unwind at the charming château, you'll bond with your fellow participants and form lasting friendships. And what better way to toast your newfound camaraderie than with a glass of exquisite French wine in hand? ### Day 1: Arrival After you arrive at Angers (St Laud) train station, you will be transported to the magnificent Château de la Vigne where you'll meet Matthew White and the art group. Once you have settled into your luxurious room, take your time to explore the extensive grounds of the château. You can take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful gardens, discover the nearby woods and ponds, or enjoy the private heated swimming pool, period salon, and library.In the evening, join Matt and the other participants in the art retreat for a special welcome dinner. This will be an excellent opportunity to get to know Matt and your fellow artists while enjoying a delicious three-course meal prepared by the private chef at the château, accompanied by exquisite French wine and delightful cheese platters. ### Day 2: Painting at the château Enjoy a delicious breakfast and join Matt in the art studio for a rehashing of the bigger concepts of watercolor painting. You'll discover how to simplify a scene, observe the big shapes, set expectations for what plein air paintings can look like, and delve into value work.After a light lunch served in the gardens, join Matthew for the second art class of the day. You'll be painting in the gardens and getting comfortable with your materials by engaging in a series of warm-up exercises to get your creativity flowing. Matt will be offering a simple demo inspired by the beautiful retreat venue, and you'll have the chance to follow along and learn by his side. This in-person opportunity will allow you to ask any questions you might have in real-time and receive bespoke guidance on the spot.Indulge in a delectable, chef-made dinner paired with fine French wine as you join Matthew and your fellow art retreat participants in the evening. Savor the flavors and enjoy the company of like-minded individuals who share your passion for art and the beauty of France. ### Day 3: Art trip to Saumur After a hearty breakfast at the château, head out on your first art trip to Saumur. Saumur is a charming town located in the Loire Valley of France, known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and breathtaking scenery. With its picturesque streets and beautiful gardens, Saumur has long been a source of inspiration for artists, and it's the perfect destination for an art trip. During the trip, you'll be taking in the beauty of this place and scouting for the perfect spot to return to and paint en plein air. Saumur offers endless opportunities for gathering inspiration for your art. From exploring the historic Château de Saumur and its stunning views of the Loire Valley, to wandering the streets of the Old Town with its charming half-timbered houses and quaint cafes, there is no shortage of subject matter for artists to capture on paper. Additionally, the nearby vineyards and the peaceful banks of the Loire River offer even more inspiration for landscape painting and sketching. You'll be learning to pick good subjects for your paintings, taking reference pictures, and receiving guidance from Matt.After your adventure, return to the venue in time for a scrumptious lunch, and continue your art classes with Matt at Château de la Vigne. You'll get to choose a reference photo from the many you've taken on your trip, discover how to simplify it, and paint together with Matt and the group to bring your artistic skills to a whole other level.After a full day of learning and exploring, indulge in a delectable chef-prepared meal paired with fragrant French wine, shared with Matt and the group. ### Day 4: Art trip to Saumur After a hearty breakfast, prepare for your second Saumur trip. This time, you'll be returning to the charming town with easels and art materials, ready for a full plein air painting session. One of the joys of painting en plein air in Saumur is the ability to choose from a variety of stunning locations, each offering a unique perspective and atmosphere. Whether it's the tranquil banks of the Loire River or the charming streets of the Old Town, finding the perfect spot to paint can be both exciting and inspiring. Matt will share his criteria for picking the perfect spot, and together, you'll set up shop. The theme of the day will be "capturing the light", and Matthew will guide everyone in working through the plein air painting process from start to finish.After a delicious lunch at the retreat venue, return to the gardens of Château de la Vigne to continue painting. You'll continue painting and receive personalized instruction from Matt, as well as individual guidance wherever it's needed.Take some time in the afternoon to unwind by the pool, take a leisurely stroll around the venue, or connect with your fellow creatives. End the day with a delectable dinner accompanied by wine, shared with Matt and the rest of the group. ### Day 5: Painting at the château Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and a casual morning at the château. Matthew will be doing an indoor painting demonstration and checking in with everyone to see how they're doing. He'll then give each participant individual feedback and guidance, and you'll work at ease based on your individual learning points for the rest of the morning.Break for a refreshing lunch, then continue your art classes in the gardens. You'll spend the rest of the afternoon creating another beautiful landscape painting, guided by Matthew.Take the afternoon to unwind and recharge before joining Matt and the rest of the art group in the salon for a delectable, chef-prepared dinner served with a glass of wine. ### Day 6: Art trip to Saumur After breakfast, spend the morning at Château de la Vigne preparing for your final trip to Saumur. Matt will demonstrate how to do value studies using a grayscale or monochromatic color scheme. You'll create a series of washes that range from light to dark, carefully building up the values to create depth and dimension. By doing a value study, you can better understand how to create contrast and balance in your painting, as well as how to effectively use light and shadow to add interest and depth to your artwork.After lunch, set up shop in Saumur once again and explore the theme of light and shadow. Seeing Saumur in the evening light will add extra depth and an allure of both power and romance to your paintings. Matt will guide you to study late afternoon and evening light. As the afternoon light transforms the landscape of Saumur, you'll apply your knowledge of value studies to effectively capture the interplay of light and shadow in your watercolor painting to create a stunning and evocative work of art.Back at the retreat venue, unwind and savor an evening meal with the art group, accompanied by some of France's finest wines. ### Day 7: Painting at the château On the last day of the retreat, after a delicious breakfast, you'll revisit some of your favorite subjects you've found during the retreat. You'll pick out your favorite remaining ones and work on them, guided by Matt.After lunch, you'll put the final touches on your paintings followed by a Q&A session with Matt where you'll have the opportunity to ask any remaining questions. Then, you'll join a group review session — a collaborative process through which you'll learn from the growth and experience of your fellow artists, culminating in a small exhibition and show-and-tell session where you can receive constructive feedback, be inspired by others' works, and celebrate your progress throughout the week.Celebrate your achievements with Matt and the art group at a special farewell dinner with wine. ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy breakfast and get ready for your transfer to Angers (St Laud) train station. ## Instructors - **Matthew White** - Artist / Instructor ## Accommodation ### Château de la Vigne ### Shared room with shared bathroom ### Shared standard ensuite room ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Single room with shared bathroom ### Single superior ensuite room ### Deluxe single room ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/plein-air-watercolor-landscape-retreat-matthew-white-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/plein-air-watercolor-landscape-retreat-matthew-white-france) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*