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 —
This is an intensive painting workshop and does not include much free time! If you are hoping to fit in some time for shopping and exploring while you are in Provence, we highly recommend that you come a few days early and/or stay a few days late.
SCHEDULE
**Non-painting participants are welcome to join events marked by a double asterisk.
Friday – Arrivals
** Participants are met upon their arrival and taken to their lodgings
** Informal dinner gathering in Aix
Saturday – Walking tour in the footsteps of Cézanne & Welcome Dinner
** Walking tour of Aix and its open-air market
** Lunch at Caumont Centre d’Art
** Afternoon visit of Cézanne’s studio
** Welcome dinner at Jill’s home
Sunday – Palette mixing & painting begins (painters only)
Study of color, drawing exercises and mixing Jill’s impressionist palette
Traditional Provençal lunch at Jill’s home
Free evening
Monday – Landscape painting (painters only)
Landscape painting (fields of poppies, lavender, sunflowers)
Lunch in local restaurant
Sunset painting of Mont Sainte Victoire
Tuesday – The Mediterranean
** All day painting in Cassis
** Restaurant lunch
Free evening
Wednesday – In the footsteps of Van Gogh
** Arles/Saint Rémy art history tour + on site painting
** Restaurant lunch
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
Group art critique
Lunch at Jill’s house
**Art reception: works on display for vernissage, cocktail reception with guests
Saturday – Departures
Participants check out of their lodgings and are accompanied to the airport/train station.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change according to weather conditions and other external events.
