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Watercolor retreat in... Europe

We are three retired ladies looking for a watercolor (only) retreat/painting holiday/workshop. No oils, acrylics. In France, Italy, Netherlands, Alps or other places in Europe. 4-8 days. Any recommendations?

Posted by
15633 posts

Ohh, that sounds like fun! I don't have any advice, just thought I'd post so your thread would bump to the top!

Posted by
8458 posts

I can get you started down a trail…

I was signed up for weeklong class in Orvieto for September 2024 with Lorraine Bell, but I had to cancel because of a family emergency. I know there were other options through the same source Lorraine was using - Adventures in Italy. Start here, and see if you can find anything.

https://lorrainebell.com/live-workshops/orvieto-italy-september-2021/. (It points to the 2024 one)

https://adventuresinitaly.ca/

PLEASE report back if you find a good one! I and others would be interested for future plans. I will bookmark your post. Thanks!

And thank you, Threadwear!

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you, Jean and Threadwear! We are looking at many options. I will update you when we have made a decision - or at least narrowed the choices down to three. Have either of YOU been on a European painting trip?

Posted by
8458 posts

As I mentioned, I was supposed to do that art trip, but my husband died unexpectedly a few months prior.. Lorraine was very sympathetic, being a younger widow herself, and refunded my money.

I did do a sketching class & watercolor class in Bergamo, Italy. I tried to book classes again for my daughter & I this year with the same man, but it doesn’t look like he’s there now.

Posted by
15633 posts

Well, thanks a bunch everyone! Because of this thread I have spent nearly the entire day looking at watercolor workshops, hahaha!

I am waitlisted on a watercolor travel journal workshop in Paris for next spring but I've just gotten an email saying I am #40, so clearing this wait list seems fairly improbable. Still, I'd planned to be in Paris during that time frame anyway so we'll see, lol.

I think there is potential for me to spend days and days on this new (to me) topic, hahaha!!

Posted by
3 posts

I know, Pam... it's a real time sucker! Videos, photos, descriptions including details about the food. I'm getting together with my friends next week to try to select some retreats and contact the organizers for dates and availabilities. Keeping our fingers crossed that something works out.

Posted by
8458 posts

@ Pam, maybe we should just have a watercolor class in Coeur d’Alene! We could pack our bag, eat a French pastry at Woops and pretend we’re in France! ; )

Posted by
580 posts

A number of years ago an artist friend of mine traveled to France and Italy several times in a group led by Joye Moon, a Wisconsin artist.
You might Google her.

Posted by
15633 posts

maybe we should just have a watercolor class in Coeur d’Alene! We could pack our bag, eat a French pastry at Woops and pretend we’re in France! ; )

Hahaha….good plan! Now I just need to paint instead of watching youtube videos and buying supplies!!!

@bourque139 - yes, plus looking at the instructor’s style to see if you like it. After waitlisting, I’m not sure about that teacher’s style and it might be more mixed media than I want. Still, it got me on the research path!