# Sketchbook Exploration Art Retreat with Artist Emma Carlisle in France

Join artists Emma Carlisle for an inspiring retreat set in the peaceful countryside of Occitanie, southern France. Designed for artists of all experience levels, this immersive experience invites you to explore creative expression under Emma’s thoughtful guidance. Discover the joy of mark-making, embrace each stage of your artistic journey, and learn to quiet your inner critic as you build creative confidence and reconnect with your passion for making art.Stay at a tranquil countryside estate where you'll share nourishing meals and connect with a small group of fellow artists. Throughout the week, you'll sketch in serene French gardens, observe trees and flowers around the venue, and paint among the vines during a visit to a nearby vineyard.Enjoy a half-day trip to the vibrant Gaillac market, where you'll sketch on location in the morning bustle. The following day, head to the Castres market for another morning of observational drawing. A full-day trip to Albi will take you through winding streets and red brick architecture, with time to sketch on location and visit the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Return home with a sketchbook full of layered washes, expressive lines, atmospheric studies, and the personal story of your week in France.

## Details

- **Dates:** June 10 - 17, 2026
- **Location:** Teyssode, Occitanie, France
- **Starting Price:** $4,550
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Travel Sketchbook Retreat
Join artist Emma Carlisle for a warm and inspiring art retreat set in the peaceful countryside of Occitanie, in southern France. Over the course of the week, you’ll take part in daily creative sessions and receive thoughtful, encouraging guidance from Emma, all designed to nurture your travel sketchbooking skills and support your personal growth as an artist. Open to all experience levels, this retreat offers a beautiful opportunity to slow down, reconnect with your creative voice, and explore expressive sketchbooking using mixed media like pencils, crayons, pens, markers, gouache, and more.Each day is a chance to turn your sketchbook into something deeply personal. With Emma’s guidance, you’ll explore how to capture what you see and what you feel. Through techniques like layering, mark-making, and playful use of color, you’ll develop pages that reflect your own way of seeing the world. Focus on expression, memory, and finding joy in the process. One-on-one time with Emma provides you with space to ask questions, receive feedback, and grow in confidence, regardless of your experience level.At the Gaillac and Castres markets, you’ll be surrounded by movement, color, and detail. Practice quick sketching, observe daily life, and gather textures and impressions. The full-day visit to Albi brings a different kind of inspiration. You’ll take in the city’s dramatic architecture, explore its atmosphere through your pages, and visit the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, where art and history meet. Each outing gives you something real and immediate to respond to, helping you fill your sketchbook with honest, expressive work.By the end of the retreat, you’ll have created a collection of sketches and mixed-media artworks that hold the essence of your experience in France, along with a renewed sense of joy and confidence in your creative journey.The topics covered during your lessons will 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.Your accommodation for the retreat will be a charming, restored estate in the countryside, offering the perfect environment for creative exploration. Outside of classes, you’ll enjoy wholesome French cuisine, relax by the pool, and connect with your fellow artists in a welcoming, supportive atmosphere.

### Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport and join the 3:00 PM transfer to your retreat venue. After settling into your room, take a moment to unwind and absorb the tranquil surroundings. Meet your fellow artists and get acquainted with Emma, your instructor for the retreat. As part of an orientation tour, explore the estate’s charming garden, the historic watchtower, and inviting communal spaces. In the evening, toast to the start of your creative journey with cocktails and bite-sized canapés, followed by a beautifully prepared three-course dinner, perfectly complemented by local wines.

### Day 2: Art classes at the venue
Wake up to the scent of fresh coffee and share a nourishing breakfast with Emma and your fellow artists, discussing your plans for the day.The morning workshop starts with an introduction to the basics of keeping a travel sketchbook. Learn the fundamentals of capturing the essence of your surroundings, as guided by Emma's demonstration on mixed media (pencils, crayons, pens, markers, and gouache). Try out some mark-making exercises, filling your sketchbooks with dynamic strokes and unique patterns. This warm-up will help your explore ways to express what you see and feel in a new environment, further shaping your own artistic style.Pause for a relaxed group lunch, a time to recharge and reflect before heading into the afternoon.You'll spend the afternoon class experimenting freely with your sketchbook. Practice the morning's techniques and prepare for an outdoors sketching session. Emma will give you invaluable tips about working on-location, fun sketchbook challenges, and tailored feedback to refine your approach.Later, unwind at your own pace. Wander the garden paths, take a dip in the saltwater pool, or review your sketchbook pages. In the evening, gather around the table for a three-course dinner paired with local wine.

### Day 3: Art trip to the Gaillac market
After breakfast, gear up for the first trip of the retreat - the lively market of the tranquil town of Gaillac, found on the banks of the serene Tarn river.Gaillac is known for its picturesque setting, heritage architecture, lengthy history dating back to Roman times, and, most importantly, its rich winemaking tradition. A hidden gem in Occitanie, its wines are beloved by locals and connoisseurs alike (especially the Gaillac AOC). Visit the local market and browse the stalls filled to the brim with delicious fruits, fresh vegetables, regional specialties like Roquefort cheese, homey bread and patisserie, all locally made. Sample and taste to your heart's content and use the wide variety of wares as inspiration for your sketchbook.Get transferred back to the venue in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon workshop with Emma. Grab your sketchbook and have fun trying out different tools like pencils, crayons, pens, markers, and gouache. Emma will share fun sketchbook challenges to help spark your creativity and keep things playful. Later, relax by the pool, stroll through the gardens, or enjoy quiet time with your fellow artists. As evening settles in, gather for a well-earned dinner with local wine, reflecting on a full day of discovery.

### Day 4: Trip to the Castres market
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before heading out for a half-day trip to the vintage market in the medieval town of Castres.Wander the narrow streets lined with brocantes—French vintage shops—and keep your eyes open for worn postcards, patterned linens, quirky antiques, and curious odds and ends that hold their stories. Sketch on the spot, gather bits and pieces for your sketchbook, snap reference photos, or simply go shopping for a souvenir. Emma will guide everyone to draw and paint in their sketchbook together or explore and sketch on their own if they wish.Return to the venue for lunch, then continue your art in the afternoon, with time to look over your sketches from Castres and experiment with mixed media like pencils, crayons, pens, markers, and gouache to develop a deeper, more expressive approach as you scale up your ideas.As the evening light softens, wind down with dinner shared among the group.

### Day 5: Art at the venue
Start the morning with a hearty breakfast before settling into the studio with Emma and your materials.You'll spend the entire day at the venue, practicing your art skills during two separate art classes. In the morning, look at how printmaking techniques can feed into your drawing practice. Emma will be available for tailored feedback and advice if you ever need an extra hand.Refuel with a delightful lunch, then reconvene in the studio. The afternoon session will focus on furthering your skills whilst also looking at composition and playful image-making. Using sketches and reference photos from your travels, explore how to combine imagery and experiment with new layouts. Emma will encourage you to bring together various elements—sketches, memories, and photos—through mixed media, blending techniques, and building confidence in your creative process. This is a time for experimentation, where you’ll learn to piece together images that reflect both your journey and your evolving artistic style.The day ends with some spare time; dip in the pool, chat to your fellow artists, or continue working on your sketchbook if you're feeling inspired. The day wraps up with another mouthwatering dinner prepared by the private chef, paired with a glass of local wine.

### Day 6: Art trip to Albi
Start the day with a wholesome breakfast and fresh coffee before joining Emma and the group for the trip to Albi. Drive through quiet countryside and arrive in a town rich with textures, from red brick facades to winding streets and riverside views.Taken straight out of a postcard, Albi is rife with inspiring scenes and vistas for your sketchbook. The town's character is etched into its grand architecture and lively streets. The soaring Basilica of Saint Cecilia dominates the skyline with its intricate Gothic details, while the Pont Vieux bridge offers a perfect vantage point for sketching the Tarn River’s gentle curves. Stroll past centuries-old homes, where flower-filled balconies and colorful storefronts create a tapestry of textures and hues.Pause for a peaceful lunch at a riverside café, a moment to rest and take in the atmosphere before continuing the day's work.Enjoy a peaceful lunch at a riverside café on your own before stepping into the Palais de la Berbie, a former fortress turned museum. Inside, the Toulouse Lautrec collection offers a glimpse into the artist’s expressive style and innovative use of color. Spend the afternoon freely sketching or taking photos in the blooming palace garden. Emma will be available for guidance, with occasional demos to help you further develop your creative approach, blending sketches, photos, and impressions from the day.Return to the venue as the sun begins to set. Close the day with a warm three-course dinner and a glass of wine, a relaxed end to a day filled with creativity and discovery.

### Day 7: Art classes at the venue
Kick off the final full day with a nourishing breakfast and before joining Emma in the studio.The morning kicks off with a wrap-up session, where Emma will share a demo and guide everyone in setting clear goals for the day. You’ll then have time to explore the nearby area and gather final inspiration or reference materials. Individual check-in sessions with Emma will be available, providing you with one-on-one time to discuss your artistic growth, address any remaining questions, and refine your approach with mixed media like pencils, crayons, pens, markers, and gouache.After a satisfying lunch, the afternoon will be dedicated to going over any remaining one-on-one sessions, followed by a mini-exhibition. Showcase your sketchbook from the retreat, exchanging feedback and celebrating the diversity of styles and interpretations that emerged over the course of the week. Reflect on the insights and skills you’ll take forward, setting intentions for how you’ll continue your creative practice beyond the retreat.As evening arrives, come together one last time over a shared farewell dinner, raising a glass to a week filled with art, connection, and inspiration.

### Day 8: Departure
After enjoying a satisfying breakfast with Emma and the art group, it's time to bid farewell and exchange any last contact details. Prepare for your transfer to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, scheduled for 10:00 AM, with an estimated arrival time of 11:00 AM.

## Instructors

- **Emma Carlisle** - Artist and picture book maker

## Accommodation

### Historic French Estate

### Shared ensuite attic room (female only)

### Shared standard ensuite room (female only)

### Shared superior ensuite room

### Shared bathroom - single room

### Single room - adjacent bathroom

### Single ensuite room

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/sketchbook-exploration-art-retreat-with-artist-emma-carlisle-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/sketchbook-exploration-art-retreat-with-artist-emma-carlisle-france) to make a reservation.

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