Courses

CAPTURE PROVENCE WITH JAMES RICHARDS

With James Richards

At France , Provence

02 September - 12 September, 2027

Experience magical Provence: lavender, vineyards, olive trees, medieval villages, markets, delicious food & wine and sun-filled landscapes. You will discover why the region has been an inspiration and healing place for artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet. It will be a journey you will never forget! Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the world’s great places. Join world leading urban sketcher and travel artist James Richards for a fun and enlightening 10 days that will enhance both your painting skills and your appreciation for this remarkable region of France.

Course Highlights

  1. Sketching on location with a number of demonstrations and instructions provided by James Richards
  2. Day trip to Avignon , St Remy , Cassis ,Apt ville & market
  3. The essence of French lifestyle in a beautiful and traditional country side Villa
  4. Excursions to most beautiful little villages of Provence: Russillion , Gordes with visit in Sènanque Abbey
  5. French Cooking class of French cuisine with Chef Karolina
  6. Wine tasting with favorite wine producer in Russillion
  7. Balanced itinerary with time to sketch, explore and relax as our motto says: Eat, create, travel !

Day by Day Workshop Schedule

  1. Day 1: 2 Sept. Arrival To Marseille Airport or Avignon station | Transportation to the Villa | Welcome gathering with Jim and Karolina | Dinner by Your private Chef.
  2. Day 2: 3 Sept. Breakfast home | Warming up instructional session with Jim | Lunch at home | Afternoon Cooking class for group with Chef Karolina with dinner | for non cooks -massages available (own cost)
  3. Day 3: 4 Sept. Breakfast home - french style buffet | Avignon day trip - We start the day from exploring town in 'Petit Train’, Open mini bus tour to see the best things in Avignon- (45min) |Sketching session | Lunch on own | Time to shop and explore | Back home for dinner.
  4. Day 4: 5 Sept. Breakfast home - French style buffet | Apt town visit for the most beautiful market experience -own exploration | Meeting for Lunch | Sketching with James | Back home for dinner .
  5. Day 5: 6 Sept.Breakfast home | Cassis day - the most stunning fishing village | Sketching session with James | Time for lunch and explore on own | Boat tour (1,30h) Surprise adventure to See Cassis from the top | Back home for dinner.
  6. Day 6: 7 Sept. Breakfast home | Trip to Russillion village (known from ochre) Sketching session with Jim | Time for lunch shopping and explore on own | Wine tasting in local vineyard | Back home for dinner.
  7. Day 7: 8 Sept. Breakfast home | St.-Paul de Mausole hospital visit (where Van Gogh spend his last year of life) Transfer to St.Remy - sketching on the Republic Square | Lunch on own - exploration with a map in Your hand | Back home for Dinner with private Chef.
  8. Day 8: 9 Sept. Breakfast home | Gordes -Sketching iconic village | Picnic lunch with local wine on the Square | Time for last shopping | Departure for Visit in Sénanque Abbey /Time to explore photograph or sketch | Back home for dinner.
  9. Day 9: 10 Sept. You’ll start the day with breakfast at 8:30am | The group will finish their art works | Lunch at 1:00pm |In the afternoon there’ll be time to pack, relax , swim and rest | Late in the afternoon, we’ll create a gallery with all of your works! You’ll enjoy this with Kir Royal & Aperitif | 7.00pm glamorous gala dinner offering the best French cuisine. You’ll have a 4-course meal prepared by our Chef.
  10. Day 10: 11 Sept.Departure day. ☹ Breakfast at 8:30am. After breakfast, the group will be taken to Avignon train station or Marseille airport.

Course Cost: 5.799 Euro

The Provence Town Experience :

St Remy

Where Vincent Van Gogh spent the last months of his life Including visit in Saint-Paul-de-Mausole monastery, hospice where the painter produced some of his most famous works such as the Sunflowers.

Avignon

Avignon is the former seat of the Popes and one of the most charming Provencal city. If you hear the name Avignon you only think of the famous bridge, be sure to check what other attractions are worth seeing! Avignon and its monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.Definitely must be seen ! It will be a walk into the past and cultural feast because it's an artist town overflowing with aartistic and culinary treasures.

Cassis

Cassis is a small town located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, known for its picturesque harbor, beautiful beaches, and renowned wine region. Nestled at the foot of the Calanques National Park, this charming town offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Provencal life, combined with stunning natural beauty and delicious local cuisine.

The Provence Villages Experience :

Sénanque Abbey 12th-century Cistercian monastery with iconic surrounding lavender fields, making it a picturesque symbol of Provence.

Gordes featured in the movie 'A Good Year' with Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard (based on the Peter Mayle book).

Russillon a dreamy ochre village glowing in the shades of gold, rust and deep red.

Apt a lively Provencal town with colorful and vibrant maket - perfect for soaking up authentic Provence

Provence cultural experiences :

  • Cooking Class with Chef Karolina: Learn to cook delicious French dishes with Your favourite Chef in a fun, hands-on class using local ingredients.
  • Local Cheese Tasting: Taste a selection of authentic Provençal cheeses and discover their unique flavours and traditions.
  • Château Wine Tasting near Roussillon: Enjoy a wine tasting at a beautiful château near Roussillon, surrounded by vineyards and stunning views.

Your Provencal Home :

Your 10-day course takes place in the timeless hamlet of Cournille, lovingly restored into three beautiful luxury holiday homes, where Provençal tradition meets relaxed elegance. Every detail has been carefully curated using local materials and craftsmanship, creating a warm and authentic atmosphere.

Set close to the charming hilltop village of Viens, with its stone lanes, sweeping views, and peaceful countryside, this is a true escape into the heart of Provence. The hamlet offers 12 bedrooms (sleeping 24 guests) across three properties, along with two private swimming pools, a tennis court, and a spa wellness area featuring a hot tub and sauna—perfect for unwinding after inspiring days of learning and discovery.

Workshop Information :

Each day will include an instructional session, with the topic of the day related to that day’s destination or activity. These sessions will include a 20 to 30 minute talk, followed by a 30-minute demonstration. Participants will then sketch at various locations throughout the day, with one-on-one suggestions from James. Sketching sessions will usually conclude with an informal showing of all the sketchbooks, with James and participants offering constructive suggestions. The goal is to have each person more knowledgeable, inspired and excited for the next day.

Instructional themes for each day will include:

Day 1: Introduction to workshop, teaching methods, challenges and goals.

Day 2: Getting started: James’ step-by-step approach to on-location sketching and a color demonstration.

Day 3: Speed sketching techniques

Day 4: Achieving a sense of depth:town and countryside

Day 5: Using color strategically

Day 6: Designing with darks

Day 7: Capturing the crowd

Day 8: Demonstration of combination of techniques

Day 9: Pulling it together to capture sense of place

Day 10: Review and questions as group, then work on your own finishing sketchbooks

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This workshop is being arranged through: followtuscany.com Karolina will follow up on all questions about the workshop, accommodations, activities, coordinate arrivals and departures, food issues and all other details. She will handle all booking arrangements, all enquiries, and receive the payments of deposit and balance from the students directly.

Contact:

Karolina Lenart

Email: followyoursensesintuscany@gmail.com

Web: followtuscany.com

Telephone: +39 3455809974 +48 880876413

Included in the cost of your workshop :

*Accommodations

*All tuition fees

*All excursions

*All activities

*Airport transfers and local transportation including day trips

*All breakfasts lunches and dinners in the program

*The use of folding stools

Exludes:

*Flights

*4 lunches

*Painting supplies

Single bedroom occupancy supplement charge of 850Euro


Travel:


It is suggested that you fly into Marseille airport as our transportation for the workshop will be coordinated there .We can also pick up participants from Avignon train station.

THE COORDINATED PICK UP WILL BE SETTLE FROM BOTH LOCATION 3:00 TO 5:00PM

YOU CAN COME AT ANY OTHER HOUR BUT WITH OWN TRANSPORTATION

WE CAN HELP TO ARRANGE TAXI -YOUR OWN COST 200EURO

Departure is scheduled 8:00-10:00am Please make sure your flight back is coordinated with departure from Villa - or You are fine with waiting at the airport :)

Register: To sign up, a non-refundable deposit of 1000Euro is required. Reserve your place now, so you don't miss out!

Contact Karolina to register:

Karolina Lenart

followyoursensesintuscany@gmail.com