# Watercolor Harmony Retreat with Artist Jenna Rainey in France

Join artist Jenna Rainey in the sunlit countryside of Occitanie, southern France, for a harmonious and inspiring art retreat. Dive into exciting watercolor explorations and let your creativity flow, breaking away from your inner critic. From floral and landscape workshops to plein-air sessions, immerse yourself in mindful artistry while also learning how to digitize your work and strengthen your approach to color mixing, composition, and layout.The retreat welcomes all levels of experience, though you’ll benefit most if you already have some familiarity with watercolors, as well as with Jenna Rainey’s work and style of teaching. Jenna’s attentive guidance will help you deepen your practice whether you are discovering watercolor for the first time or refining your skills.Throughout the retreat, draw inspiration from exciting trips into the heart of Occitanie. Visit the medieval city of Albi, with its renowned Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, explore the vibrant farmers’ and brocante markets in Gaillac, and discover the authentic flavors of France in a wine tasting experience at a nearby family-owned château winery.Stay at an elegant countryside estate, where delicious chef-prepared meals and an inspiring, supportive atmosphere create the perfect setting to dive into your creative process. Savor the tastes and aromas of southern France, connect with 15 other fellow artists, and leave with memories to last a lifetime!

## Details

- **Dates:** May 13 - 20, 2027
- **Location:** Teyssode, Occitanie, France
- **Starting Price:** $4,750
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Watercolor Harmony Retreat
Experience a transformative art retreat with artist Jenna Rainey in the sunlit countryside of Occitanie, southern France, where medieval villages and winding vineyards meet endless pockets of inspiration. With Jenna’s personalized classes, one-on-one guidance, and live demonstrations, you will elevate your watercolor skills and creative process in a warm and supportive environment. Break free from your inner critic and find your own artistic voice as you step boldly into a new chapter of your creative journey, surrounded by beauty, community, and art. The retreat is open to all levels of experience, though you’ll benefit most if you already have some familiarity with watercolors, as well as with Jenna Rainey’s work and style of teaching. Beyond the studio, venture into the heart of Occitanie with exciting trips to nearby towns and villages. Spend a day in Albi, where red-brick towers rise above the Tarn River, and visit the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, where bursts of color and unexpected forms fuel your creativity. Explore the town of Gaillac, drawing inspiration from its cobbled streets, vibrant brocante and farmers’ markets, and winding canals. Take a trip to a nearby family-owned vineyard estate and taste the authentic flavors of France in a wine-tasting experience. Some topics covered in your classes with Jenna include: Crafting loose florals and landscapesApplying mindfulness to creative processesColor theory and palette selectionUsing hue, contrast, and consistency to your advantageCreating a cohesive compositionEngaging in plein-air painting sessions inspired by various scenic backdropsOne-to-one tuition and support that fits your artistic needsLetting go of your inner critic and developing your artistic identityCapturing striking reference photosDigitizing your artwork and boosting your social media presence...and many more!Stay at a charming, restored estate in the French countryside, offering the perfect environment for creative exploration. Enjoy elegant accommodation and modern amenities, such as a saltwater pool and a hot tub, lush gardens, sunlit terraces, a fruit orchard, and a spacious art studio. Indulge in delicious chef-prepared meals, and connect with 15 other like-minded artists. By the end of the retreat, you will return home more confident, with a renewed artistic voice and cherished memories!

### 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 the lovely Jenna Rainey, your instructor for the week. 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 delicious three-course dinner prepared by the private chef and complemented by local French wines.

### Day 2: Classes at the venue
Start your morning with a delightful breakfast and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Join a brief check-in with Jenna and the venue hosts, then get ready for the first class of the retreat.Spend the morning in the spacious, reconverted barn used as an art studio, and get familiar with your materials. Jenna will walk you through the basics of watercolor paintings with a live demonstration. Learn how to play with different brushstrokes, combine colors, and create loose, vibrant floral paintings. The forgiving nature of watercolors is ideal for experimenting with your art style and finding what feels right for you. After a refreshing lunch, continue the afternoon with another art workshop. Under Jenna’s gentle step-by-step guidance, explore new techniques and gradually move from practice into a more personal artistic expression.As the day comes to an end, enjoy some leisure time before dinner. Take a quick dip in the pool, wander the estate grounds, or socialize with your fellow creatives. Indulge in a delicious three-course dinner prepared by the in-house chef, paired with a glass of fragrant French wine.

### Day 3: Trip to a French vineyard & wine tasting
Ease into the day with a relaxed breakfast and a warm cup of coffee, followed by quick morning check-in with Jenna and the venue hosts. Then, prepare for another day full of inspiration and creativity, allowing the peaceful rhythm of the morning to ground you. Join Jenna and your fellow artists in the beautiful venue gardens and take part in a plein-air morning session. Jenna will guide you in arranging the elements of your surroundings within your artwork and offer strategies for overcoming challenges posed by your inner critic. Draw inspiration from your surroundings and encapsulate their essence on your canvas. Pause midday for a light lunch, then continue the day with an exciting adventure to a nearby family-owned château winery. Spend the afternoon walking through sunlit vines and enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard and estate cellar, with a tasting of locally made aromatic wines. Make conversation with your fellow artists and immerse yourself in an intimate evening of connection, walking through the vineyards and sipping wine. As the visit to the château comes to an end, return to the venue and spend your spare time resting before dinner. Indulge in a three-course dinner prepared by the private chef and soak in the lively atmosphere and shared laughter.

### Day 4: Art trip to Gaillac market
Begin the morning with a wholesome breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, followed by a brief check-in with Jenna and the venue hosts. Gather your art supplies and prepare to set off to Gaillac, a historic town on the Tarn River known for its Roman roots and deep ties to winemaking.Walk through stalls piled high with fresh produce, fragrant bread, local cheeses like Roquefort, and bottles of Gaillac AOC wine, a favorite of locals and connoisseurs alike. Sample flavors, gather inspiration, or take reference photos of whatever piques your interest. If you feel drawn to capture the moment, sketch directly on location, noting colors, patterns, and details to use later. Each month, there is a vibrant brocante market, featuring antiques and vintage treasures. Among the market stalls, you may find antique furniture pieces, vintage home décor, textiles, jewelry, and many other pieces that hold their own stories, perfect for bringing them back as inspiration or keepsakes.Enjoy a refreshing packed lunch from the venue, then continue the day exploring the town of Gaillac. Walk along the Tarn River, taking in the panoramic views of the city. Make quick sketches on-location if you feel inspired, or take some photos to use for later. Jenna will be right by your side to help you find inspiration in your surroundings. As the day winds down, return to the venue and enjoy some leisure time to recharge before dinner. Join Jenna and your fellow artists for a flavorful three-course dinner prepared by the in-house chef and accompanied by a glass of French wine. Share insights from today’s adventure and enjoy the evening’s warm atmosphere.

### Day 5: Classes at the venue
Kick off your day with a hearty breakfast and a warm cup of coffee, then join a quick morning check-in with Jenna and the venue hosts. Settle into the gentle rhythm of the day, allowing the whirl of creativity to sweep you away. This morning’s workshop will be focused on creating vintage-inspired floral pieces. Under Jenna’s gentle guidance, learn how to play with subtle details and layered colors, bringing a sense of timeless beauty to your artwork. Work at your own pace, asking Jenna for one-on-one feedback if needed. Take a break for lunch and enjoy a relaxed meal, then continue the day with another art session. Continue working on your floral-inspired pieces, applying the skills and techniques from the morning. This time, pay attention to hue, contrast, and consistency, learning how to use these to your advantage and craft a fluid and cohesive floral composition. Jenna will be right by your side to offer you help or guidance. As the class comes to an end, take some time to unwind in the late afternoon. Join Jenna and your fellow artists for a freshly chef-prepared dinner, enjoying the lovely company of your group and sipping a glass of aromatic French wine.

### Day 6: Art trip to Albi
Wake up your senses with a filling breakfast and a freshly brewed cup of coffee, followed by a brief morning check-in with Jenna and the venue hosts. Then, gather your art supplies and prepare for another exciting adventure: a trip to the medieval city of Albi, located a 1-hour drive away. The road winds past open fields, farmlands, vineyards, and scattered villages, giving you time to talk, take in the scenery, and ease into the rhythm of the day. Once in Albi, explore the city’s quaint and narrow streets, impressive cathedrals, and landmarks, taking reference pictures or making sketches on the go. Watch the Basilica of Saint Cecilia lift above the skyline, its sculpted stone full of details waiting to be translated onto paper. Pause at the Pont Vieux bridge, where the Tarn River flows beneath you, and sketch fragments that speak to you, drawing inspiration from your surroundings. For lunch, find a nice restaurant or café and enjoy a relaxed meal in the beautiful city of Albi. Then, continue the day with a visit to the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, where the artworks of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, an Albi native, are exhibited. The museum is a 13th-century building known as the Palais de la Berbie. Initially the palace of Albi Cathedral’s bishop, the museum is categorized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the museum visit, explore the vast and stunning gardens of Palais de la Berbie. Sketch if you feel inspired, capturing the lush flora and nature of Palais de la Berbie onto your paper. Practice the techniques you have learned the previous day and create a beautiful floral composition inspired by your trip to Albi. Return to the venue in the late afternoon, and enjoy some time for yourself to rest and recharge before dinner. Join Jenna and your fellow artists for a delightful three-course dinner prepared by the private chef and accompanied by a glass of wine.

### Day 7: Classes at the venue
Start the day with a satisfying breakfast and a comforting morning coffee, followed by a quick morning check-in with Jenna and the venue hosts. Ease into the peaceful rhythm of the day, soaking in the last day of workshops at the retreat. During the morning, bring together everything you have worked on throughout the week and polish any last details, defining your own unique artistic identity. Jenna will offer personal guidance if needed, as well as some tips and tricks on photographing and digitizing your paintings, a practice that you can take home with you as the retreat ends.Pause midday for a leisurely lunch, then join Jenna and your fellow artists in the spacious art studio for a celebratory mini-exhibition! Showcase your work, listen to the stories behind each painting, and reflect on the progress you have made throughout the week.As the evening approaches, enjoy some spare time to relax before dinner. Come together one more time for a generous three-course farewell dinner, prepared by the in-house chef and paired with a glass of fragrant local wine. Raise a glass to the art you have brought to life, the friendships you have forged, and the unforgettable memories you have made!

### Day 8: Departure
After enjoying a satisfying breakfast with Jenna and the 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

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

## Accommodation

### Historic French Estate

### Shared ensuite attic room

### Shared standard ensuite room (female only)

### Shared superior ensuite room

### Single room with shared bathroom (female only)

### Single room - adjacent bathroom

### Single standard ensuite room

## Book This Retreat

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

*Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*