# Spring Watercolor Painting Retreat with Artist Jenna Rainey in France

Join watercolorist and surface pattern designer Jenna Rainey for a week of painting in France. Jenna will perform live demonstrations in watercolor and offer one-on-one tuition throughout the retreat. Stay at a delightful 18th-century French Manoir and enjoy exquisite chef-made meals served with some of the best wines the region has to offer. Visit Limoges, Château de Pompadour, and Ségur-le-Château and get inspired by stunning landscapes, rolling hills, fairy tale villages, and chateaus.

## Details

- **Dates:** May 14 - 21, 2022
- **Location:** Saint-Priest-Ligoure, Nouvelle Aquitaine, France
- **Starting Price:** $3550
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Watercolor painting in France
Join watercolorist and surface pattern designer Jenna Rainey for a week of painting in France. Jenna will perform live demonstrations in watercolor and offer one-on-one tuition throughout the retreat. Students of all skill levels - from beginners to those with lots of experience - are welcome!We will be learning how to paint the experience around you, using inspiration from the gardens, houses, and scenery in the historical Limousin area of France and bringing the outside IN. We will focus on what Jenna is most known for: florals, while also painting en Plein Air for some beautiful landscape paintings using the scenery and surrounding areas as inspiration. We will also be learning how to take our own reference photos as we're walking around the gardens, flower markets, and surrounding countryside. Jenna is also an experienced photographer and will go over how to photograph, style, and compose your work to share the beauty you've created with others!Introduction to your supplies and the medium of watercolor (basic shapes and loose flowers)Color theory and creating harmonious palettesPainting from nature (Wisteria or other flowers in bloom on the property)How to take reference photos for your work and how to gather inspirationComposition and layoutHow to style and take high-quality images of your work using your smartphonePlein Air painting of the beautiful rolling hills and villa (blending architectural and natural elements)Every step of the process will be covered and there will be lots of individual assistance and guidance. In addition to painting alongside Jenna every day, you'll also have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the stunning French countryside and share your experiences with fellow creatives over a glass of wine.

### Art supplies
Art materials are included, the following supplies will be waiting for you at the retreat venue:Lemon Yellow Deep - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | YellowYellow Ochre - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | Brown/YellowScarlet Lake - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | RedOpera Rose - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | PinkCadmium Orange - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | OrangePrussian Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | BluePhthalo Turquoise - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | TurquoiseCobalt Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | CobaltPermanent Sap Green - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | GreenMars Black - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | BlackBurnt Umber - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | BrownUltramarine Violet - Winsor & Newton Professional Level Watercolor | VioletSize 2 Brush - Princeton Heritage 4050 series round brushSize 6 Brush - Princeton Heritage 4050 series round brushSize 16 Brush - Princeton Heritage 4050 series round brush100% Cotton Coldpressed paper block - Legion PaperArches watercolor paper block - ARCHES Watercolor

### Day 1: Arrival
Get transferred from Limoges train station and meet Jenna Rainey and the rest of the group at Manoir La Croix de La Jugie. Settle in and take a tour of the tranquil manor and the numerous entertaining and relaxing areas it has to offer.Discuss the week ahead with your instructor and fellow retreat participants, while enjoying a scrumptious three-course dinner served with local wine.

### Day 2: Painting at the Manoir
On your first painting day, we will stay at Manoir La Croix de La Jugie, painting either in the studio or outdoors, in the luscious orchards, or around the charming gardens.We will spend this day exploring and getting familiar with our supplies and techniques and painting some loose florals.

### Day 3: Painting in Limoges
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Manoir, then travel to nearby Limoges, a well-known hub of the porcelain industry. Limoges' history of producing hard-paste porcelain spreads over more than 200 years and even materializes into the trademarked "Limoges porcelain". Now, the city is the top porcelain producer in France and hosts several porcelain factories. Medieval architecture prevails in Limoges, and the fairy tale scenes provided by Jardin Botanique de l'Evêché, Quartier de la Boucherie or Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Limoges are ideal for spontaneous sketching or plein air painting. Because we will be surrounded by beautiful prints and patterns, Jenna will be teaching us how to paint delicate, vintage-inspired floral elements. We'll also walk around the quaint town, taking reference photos of architecture and the inspiring scenery.Visit the covered market and gorge on cheeses and other delicacies, go shopping in the chic French shops, stop for a picnic lunch at Jardin Botanique de l'Evêché, people watch from a pavement cafe, wander around in the famous Quartier de la Boucherie, then get transferred back to the manoir and join the group for dinner.

### Day 4: Painting in the village
We'll take a 20-minute walk to explore the picturesque village of Saint-Priest-Ligoure and get inspired by traditional white stone houses fused with bright green fields. We'll then set up an en plein air painting class facing the imposing church Église Saint-Priest where we'll paint the landscape around us. Jenna will show us how she uses her free and loose approach for landscape paintings to create a striking and colorful watercolor piece.We'll return to the retreat venue in time for lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to free time and relaxing by the pool.

### Day 5: Trip to Pompadour
After breakfast at the manoir, we will embark on a trip to Arnac-Pompadour, a commune dating back to King Louis XV. We will visit the incredible 15th-century Château de Pompadour, walk around the castle's remarkable estate and the adjacent Pompadour National Anglo-Arab Stud, the headquarters of the French National Stud and one of the most important providers of Anglo-Arabian horses in France. After a picnic lunch, we will head to the beaux village of Ségur-le-Château.The former home of the first Viscounts of Limoges starting with the 12th century, Ségur-le-Château is currently listed among the most beautiful villages in France. Wander the truly fairy-tale streets and take in the vibrant scenes of the winding Auvézère or the bright flowers crawling over the ancient stone walls or half-timbered houses.

### Day 6: Art class and rural stroll
We'll stay at the retreat venue and hold a painting class on the premises focusing on composition and layout.In the afternoon, we'll take a rural stroll around nearby main attractions where we’ll gather elements from the surroundings for styling images that we'll take the following day. The trail includes views of old mills, picturesque forests, and old hamlets - a dive into rural life.

### Day 7: Art and photo in the garden
We'll start the day with painting in the gardens and using reference images and elements we’ve gathered over the past few days. Jenna will talk about inspiration, layout, and styling when it comes to photographing your artwork.In the evening, enjoy a delicious farewell dinner with the group.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast together and get transferred to Limoges train station.

## Instructors

- **Jenna Rainey** - Illustrator, Watercolorist, Surface Designer

## Accommodation

### Manoir La Croix de La Jugie

### Triple rooms

### Shared standard rooms

### Shared superior rooms

### Private superior room

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/spring-watercolor-painting-retreat-artist-jenna-rainey-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/spring-watercolor-painting-retreat-artist-jenna-rainey-france) to make a reservation.

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