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About this trip
Workshop Description: The Painterly Landscape Painting Retreat
This unique painting retreat is a rare opportunity to join Alain in the beautiful setting of the CT River Valley to loosen up your landscapes! We’ll work both in the studio and outdoors on the grounds and gardens of the beautiful CT River Valley Inn. Enjoy an onsite retreat setting with chef prepared meals, room and board and 24 hour studio access.
This workshop is designed to empower you with successful strategies for loosening up your landscapes with bold marks and fresh color. Learn to simplify complex scenes into clear shapes, values, and edges. Organize these shapes into strong design and color combinations using bold, expressive marks to interpret your environment for a lush painterly look. Discover innovative approaches to color through the use of underpainting techniques and interpretive color strategies that will break you out of your routine.
Each day, Alain will demonstrate a painterly approach to the landscape, focusing on a unique subject and approach. Students will then respond to the lesson, beginning with exercises that help loosen up their work and practicing techniques to simplify the subject. Students will progress to loosely finished landscape paintings by the end of the workshop. A constructive and encouraging group critique will conclude our workshop together. Plein air outings will be combined with studio sessions to deepen our understanding of how to loosen up.
What will the students learn?
• How to work in a painterly style
• How to clarify your vision for each painting
• How breakthrough creative barriers and paint more confidently
• How to design dynamic compositions using thumbnails
• How to simplify complex scenes into a pattern of shapes
• How to loosen up your strokes and make bold marks of color
• How to simplify and see value and interpret color choices
• How to use underpainting techniques that will activate your scene
• How to take risks that will lead to new discoveries in your work
• How to capture the impression of the scene on location
• And lots more!
About Alain Picard
Alain J. Picard is an award-winning artist, instructor, author and speaker. His acclaimed pastel and oil paintings have been exhibited throughout the US, Europe, China and the UK. Alain travels internationally as an art instructor, demonstrator, speaker and artistic advocate for the vulnerable.
Alain’s work and writing have been featured on numerous occasions in such publications as The Artist's Magazine, The Pastel Journal, and Practique des Arts. In an effort to share his passion for art, Alain has written three instructional books, including “Mastering Pastel” and “Beginning Drawing,” and stars in a growing collection of instructional art videos.
Alain has lectured and demonstrated for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Arts Club in New York City, Vose Galleries in Boston, MA, the IAPS Convention in Albuquerque, NM, and the Biennial International Pastel Art Exhibition at Ming Gallery in Suzhou, China.
Alain has garnered top awards in esteemed exhibitions, including the Pastel Society of America, The American Artists Professional League, Hudson Valley Art Association, the Portrait Society of America, and the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS). He is a judge and juror of international exhibitions, and a sought-after portrait artist and landscape painter. He makes his home in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.
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What’s included
- Workshop Tuition
- Guest RoomsGuest room amenities include Towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, hair dryers, in room coffeemaker, mini fridge, tv, internet, lap desks, yoga mats
- Welcome ReceptionLight appetizers and refreshments
- All Meals and SnacksIncludes 4 nights of dinner, lunch and breakfast, daily snack breaks, unlimited coffee, tea & seltzer
- Art SuppliesIf art supplies are included in the price of the retreat, it will show in the description.
What’s not included
- TransportationTaxis and rental cars available at airport. We may be able to pick you up at the airport or train station with prior arrangements.
- Optional ExcusionsSee below for fun and inspiring add-on excursions
- Art SuppliesYour instructor will reach out with details on needed materials and supplies. You can have your supplies shipped directly to us if you do not want to travel with them.
- Travel InsuranceAlthough we do not require trip insurance, we VERY HIGHLY recommend it. Here is a link for purchasing Trip Insurance where you can compare rates and coverage. https://www.travelinsurance.com/
Available Packages
Price is per person. Double Occupancy. and your own closet for personal items And your own bathrobe. You share an en-suite bathroom
We assign all students to rooms based on giving everyone a great space. All double occupancy rooms are in the main property
This fee INCLUDES State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Single Room Retreat Fee $1950
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $215
TOTAL Retreat Fee $2165
If you want to save $100 by prepaying in full at time of registration please add code "save100" in the discount window at checkout.
A room all to myself but with a shared bathroom
This fee INCLUDES State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Single Room Retreat Fee $2650
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $270
TOTAL Retreat Fee with tax $2920
If you want to save $100 by prepaying in full at time of registration please add code "save100" in the discount window at checkout.
A room all to myself with my own private en-suite bathroom and balcony
This fee INCLUDES State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Single Room Retreat Fee $2900
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $292
TOTAL Retreat Fee $3192
If you want to save $100 by prepaying in full at time of registration please add code "save100" in the discount window at checkout.
For participants who don't need overnight lodging. Price is per person and includes lunch only. Doesn't include 24/7 after hours studio use after end of workshop.
This fee INCLUDES State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 6.45%.
Here is the breakdown:
Day Student Fee $975
Accommodation/Sales Tax 6.45 $63
TOTAL Retreat Fee $1038
There are no prepay discounts for the Day Student rate
Do you have a loved one who you want to join you but WILL NOT be taking any classes? Use this add-on. This fee includes everything that the full rate includes EXCEPT for the classroom time.
This fee INCLUDES State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Extra Guest $1200
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $132
TOTAL Retreat Fee $1332
There are no pre-pay discounts for this choice
Do you have a friend that will be participating in class that you want to share your room with?
Use this add-on. You can only use this add-on if you purchased a private room with bath.
This fee includes everything that the full rate includes
This fee includes State of Ct Room Occupancy/Sales Tax of 11%.
Here is the breakdown:
Extra Participating Artist Friend $1950
Accommodation/Sales Tax 11% $214
TOTAL Retreat Fee $2164
There are no pre-pay discounts for this choice
Available options
Our room rates are normally $350-$400, so this is a fantastic opportunity to stay extra nights
Our room rates are normally $350-$400, so this is a fantastic opportunity to stay extra nights
Itinerary
5pm Welcome Reception - meet your fellow students reception with appetizers and refreshments.
Room check ins begin at 3pm