Chateau Marouatte (Plein Air Retreat)

WE'RE STAYING IN A CASTLE!

Dates:  Sepember 5-12, 2019

Location:  Chateau Marouatte, Dordogne Region (Southern France)

Fee for Painters: $2500 US 
Fee for Non-Painting Spouse: $1750 US

Not Included:

- Airfare to Paris (or other France destination of your choice if you're coming ahead of time)

- Train from Paris (or wherever you come into) to Angouleme (we will be met at this station by the Castle staff)

- Personal expenses

Included:  

- 7 nights lodging at Castle Marouatte

- all meals (breakfast, lunches and dinners) including beer , soda and local wines from the Bergerac region. 

- all transportation after arrival at the Angouleme train station, including transportation to sketching locations, and pick up and return to the train station when you leave on the 12th.

Cancellation Clause:  Per my Enrollment Form (see below)

Skill Level:  From beginners (with at least some minimal experience in sketching or painting) up to advanced levels are invited.  You don't need any experience in painting plein air (outdoors).  Let me guide you through it...we all start somewhere and I'll make it easy!

Acceptable media:  Instruction will be in watercolor and pen and ink.  In addition, gouache, water-soluble crayons, or graphite are acceptable. You may bring acrylics if you are already comfortable using them.  No oils please since I'm allergic to them.

Supply List:  Provided at sign up, or by request.

Enrollment Form (with more details including Cancellation Clause):  [email protected] - Email me and request that I send you one for review.

Contact Info:  Helen K Beacham / 843-408-5240 / [email protected]

Picture yourself unpacking your luggage and art gear in your regal “chambre” at Castle Marouatte and then sitting down for a glass of wine and a gourmet meal in our banquet room!  As a bonus, expect our castle host, Miles Copeland, to be in attendance with his colorful background as the son of a major CIA operative and his own rock & roll status as manager/record company for such music stars as The Police, Sting and REM, to name a few!

We’ll enjoy the camaraderie of our fellow traveling artists and will be transported daily into different medieval villages in the beautiful and serene Dordogne region, located in the South of France. The estate itself offers many opportunities for landscape painting as well.

Even before our trip takes place, I familiarize myself with your current capabilities so that once we do meet on the other side, I’m ready to take you to the next step.  My goal is to help you improve, by seeing your surroundings in a new way, not to change your individual painting style.  Every day I’ll touch on topics such as how to choose your composition, how to capture the ancient textures before us, and how to take advantage of the play of light. 

I'll demo every day and throughout the day as warranted (e.g. to help you work through any issues at hand…because artists are “visuals”).

Had a long, full day??  Let's relax with a glass of a local wine and talk about what we're doing tomorrow!

Contact Info:  Helen K Beacham

                           843-408-5240

                           [email protected]

Student Testimonials:  

1)  “I encourage anyone of any level with a genuine interest in watercolor to join Helen.  Initially I was hesitant to join the trip as I was a beginner with no experience with plein air painting or painting architecture.  I decided to go as a life experience and it was life changing.  I learned an enormous amount of information about perspective, color and composition.  Helen is patient and kind and will tailor her teaching to your level of understanding.  I plan to continue my artist journey, traveling and learning with Helen Beacham!"  Susan B.

2)  "I have had the pleasure of traveling with Helen Beacham on one of her painting trips. It was fabulous in every way.  Helen pays close attention to all the details that will make her students feel safe, comfortable, and inspired by what the area has to offer.  Helen demonstrated techniques that helped with perspective, color mixing, shadows –whatever we needed.  She provided much one-on-one instruction and lots of encouragement….”  Anne P.