Workshops in Provence – Program and Itinerary
Workshops in Provence —
Aix-en-Provence - 8 DAYS
This exclusive plein air painting workshop is held in and around Jill Steenhuis’ bastide-style home in the Aix-en-Provence countryside. Instruction will take place in Jill’s home studio “Atelier l’Abeille” – a replica of Paul Cézanne’s studio.
Many of the painting and instructional activities will take place in and around studio l’Abeille. Here you will learn to make a harmonious palette and find inspiration from various plein-air motifs such as olive trees, irises, the architecture of Jill’s home and sunsets on the hillside to name a few.
You will spend time in Jill’s home, enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace or a meal around the family table, surrounded by art-covered walls and sculptures crafted by her husband and sons. During your stay, you may also visit the family foundry and ceramics studio.
Each morning, the group will gather at the meeting point in Aix, and travel together to the destination of that day. The itinerary for this workshop will bring you to some of the most beautiful sites in the south of France, allowing you to paint a wide variety of motifs: fields of poppies, lavender and sunflowers, Mediterranean ports and seascapes, historical sites, the flower and produce market, the Mount Sainte Victoire and other Provencal landscapes.
This workshop is as much a time for reflection, connection, personal and spiritual growth as it is about painting. Throughout your stay, the sessions are infused with readings and fascinating talks by Jill on themes including literature, philosophy, spirituality, art history, cultural insights and life experiences.
Program and Itinerary —
We will organize transportation for you upon arrival and departure. The workshop starts on Friday evening and ends the following Friday evening, with departures beginning on Saturday morning. Since the workshop is intensive and includes limited free time, we strongly recommend planning to arrive a few days early and/or stay a few days after. This will allow you to recover from jet lag and have time to explore or shop in Provence..
SCHEDULE
This schedule is subject to slight changes, depending on weather, the season and other external events.
**Non-painting participants are welcome to join events marked by a double asterisk.
Friday – Welcome Gathering
** Optional Vespers at Saint-Jean-de-Malte Church
** Informal apéritif dinner gathering at 30 rue Cardinale
Saturday – In the footsteps of Cézanne & Welcome Dinner
** Walking tour of Aix, Cézanne film & lunch at Caumont Centre d’Art
** Visit of Cézanne sites (Château Noir)
** Evening Welcome dinner at the home of Jill
Sunday – Palette mixing & painting begins (painters only)
At Jill’s home/studio – readings, study of color, drawing exercises and mixing Jill’s impressionist palette
Lunch at Jill’s house
Free evening
Monday – Landscape painting (painters only)
Landscape painting (gardens, fields of poppies, lavender, sunflowers according to the season)
Lunch in local restaurant
Painting Cézanne’s mountain (Sainte-Victoire)
Tuesday – The Mediterranean
** All day painting in Cassis
** Restaurant lunch
Free evening
Wednesday – Landscape Painting (painters only)
Cézanne or Van Gogh sites
Restaurant lunch
Seasonal motifs (poppies, irises, lavender…)
Free evening
Thursday – Flower market & sunset painting
Morning painting in Aix flower market
Free afternoon
** Sunset painting, wine and hors d’oeuvres on Jill’s hillside
Friday – Still life or garden scene painting, group critique, art exhibit & reception
Still life or garden scene at Jill’s studio
Lunch at Jill’s house
Group art critique
**Art party: artwork hung on Jill’s studio walls for evening vernissage/cocktail reception with guests and live music!
Saturday – Departures
Participants check out of their lodgings and are accompanied to the airport/train station.
