=Painting In and Around Paris=

I did a bit of online searching, and learned that at the Louvre, drawing with dry media is allowed, so no watercolors. That's the same as in any American museums at which I've inquired. I also found out that the Louvre doesn't provide anything to sit on while you're drawing, but you can bring your own if it's the right kind.

Shane, I'm pretty certain that you won't be allowed to use a tripod or wet media in the museums, although dry sketching appears to be allowed in the d'Orsay and Louvre. I haven't checked any of the other museums but most post their guidelines.

Here are the rules for the d'Orsay:
http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/visit/groups/copying-filming-photography.html

I'm having a more difficult time with posted rules for the Louvre but the same limited permits for wet-media copyists seem to apply. A couple of articles of interest:

https://delladrees.com/wordpress/?p=1403
https://www.flopmee.com/talented-copyists-go-to-the-louvre-to-re-create-a-famous-masterpiece-every-year

You shouldn't have any trouble painting in public parks and gardens. An acquaintance of mine has done quite a lot of plein air painting around the city.

I encountered a class sitting on the floor of a small passage near O Chateau, so cool to watch them. One of the bridges has benches in some places, a pedestrian only bridge, i am guessing a tripod set up could be used on a dry day there. So many gorgeous places. I have seen photographers set up tripods in many outdoor places at night.

Hi, Shane!

That sounds like a wonderful adventure! I agree with the posts about dry media being acceptable in the museums but not tripods or wet media. I was there in April of 2017 and set up my easel to paint (watercolors and gouache) in various outdoor locations. I can't speak to safety because I was with a group of people who live in Paris and already had permission to set up a table at certain locations. I just set my easel up next to them and painted what was there.

My experience was wonderful. People stopped and looked over my shoulder, some quietly watching. All were gracious and complementary, and asked questions.

One really fun experience was painting in the rain. haha! At the last minute before my trip, I tossed in a waterproof sketchbook (rite-in-the-rain) and some colored pencils just in case. One of the days I was scheduled to paint was rainy, so I brought those things instead of my watercolors. It was such a blast sitting in the rain at my easel with rain rolling down the paper as I sketched with those colored pencils!

Have you been to the two art stores there in the Latin quarter? They are each several hundred years old and wonderful to explore!

Enjoy your trip!!!!!
Leslie

Wow...this is fantastic feedback. Thank you, all.

The several links and websites were quite helpful. Especially the detailed bit from Della Drees' site.
Outside of the Museum Passes, I'll have to look into the Ami du Louvre pass as well.

LESLIE: I've only been to Sennelier and have yet to go to the Latin Quarter. I'm intrigued...though I think I'd probably be overwhelmed like I always am in new stores. I usually leave empty-handed. Recently I tried some Sennelier watercolors and I was very impressed. It gave my Holbein's a run for their money.

Still, I will check those two stores out.

If anyone has other recommendations in terms of OPEN FIGURE-DRAWING SESSIONS, DRINK & DRAWS, or other fun stuff that you've done, I'm all ears and eyes! :)

=s=

Shane, I don't know a thing about the Ami du Louvre pass but it may or may not be a good deal depending on how long you will be in Paris. The Paris Museum Pass is an excellent deal if you intend to visit a lot of the museums it covers, and it's especially valuable as you can re-visit any of those as many times as you wish over the life of the pass. That's an almost unheard-of bargain where tourist passes are concerned! We went to the Louvre 3 times on our 6-day version. Anyway, as the Ami du Louvre pass appears to cover ONLY the Louvre, the Museum Pass may work out to be a better purchase. Gotta do the math.... :O)

I see that Della's website also has a comment section so if you have very detailed questions about creative pursuits , you could drop her a line, one artist to another?

Good idea, Kathy.
Is the MUSEUM PASS only for consecutive days?
I might start with that and if I really want to keep going to the Louvre again, I'll do the Amis de Louvre pass.
Being there for a month, I feel like you're kind of obligated. :)

=s=

Yes, Museum Pass is consecutive days. Price them out day-wise. One year I realized it was cheaper to get the longer 6 day pass even though I was only there for 5 days and initially thought 2 2-day passes would be best. It was much more expensive to do it with the shorter passes.

http://en.parismuseumpass.com/rub-faq-16.htm

I do a lot of sketching/painting while in Europe. You not have any issues sketching or painting out in pubic, day or night. You will find many curious bystanders, but I'm sure you are used to that.

Museums typically do not allow tripods of any kind or anything wet. Many will allow you to sketch with dry media but you'll find popular museums/galleries like the Louvre and Orsay will not be good sketch environments because they are so crowded. Some museums may have group sketch sessions. You could check their websites for opportunities.

Even the Louvre and Orsay will only be crowded in a few rooms with works that are on the "must see" list among people who aren't art enthusiasts. You will easily find works that will be interesting to copy in rooms with only a few people around.