About the Program

This is your invitation to come paint in the south of France, a personalized vacation of painting exclusively for you and your companions with your own private teacher and guide. I offer week-long stays (usually Saturday to Saturday) from mid-April to mid-October, that include six days of instruction and touring, seven nights' accommodation, and transportation to and from nearby train stations and airport. You can sign up for as many weeks as you like. In the course of living in this area for over twenty years, I've discovered many beautiful painting sites that I've enjoyed sharing with other painters, as well as introducing them to the area's historical and cultural attractions.

A car isn't necessary during the day, because I'll be driving you around the area, but some people have found that for freedom of movement in the evenings a rental car is useful. Cars can be rented in Montpellier at the airport or train station; you'll get the best prices if you arrange for the rental before you leave home.

The painting program benefits painters of all levels of experience, and beginners are particularly welcome. Because the groups are small, we have the luxury of time to discuss your work in depth. The program is flexible, and upon your arrival we'll work out what you would like to do as individuals and as a group. Some people may prefer more structured tutorials, while others may prefer more informal sessions and occasional critiques.

We schedule morning and afternoon sessions, usually outside, with a break for a midday siesta. We will paint in and around the village where you'll be staying, as well as in the countryside and in neighboring villages. There will be at least two excursions when we pack a picnic lunch and stay out painting and sight-seeing all day: once to the Mediterranean, and once to a picturesque medieval village in the mountains.

This area of France--the Languedoc--offers the artist a wealth of subjects, whether it's a Romanesque church, a medieval clock tower, a lush French garden, a pastoral landscape, a soaring crag of rugged mountains, or a simple still life on a cool shaded terrace. The landscape is varied, from lush rolling vineyards and wide beaches to towering cliffs carved by deep gorges and river valleys. I organize the sessions to reflect a variety of palettes; for example, one day we may be painting from a predominantly green landscape and the next day from the warm stony hues of a village square. You'll get to see a lot of the countryside while driving from site to site, and if you like we can search out subjects that are of particular interest to you.

You are welcome to work in any medium you prefer: watercolors, oil or chalk pastels, oils, acrylics, or whatever. Please bring your own supplies, although some materials are available locally. I supply tables and chairs for your comfort.

In my teaching during the last thirty years I have emphasized color as the main focus of painting. I offer specific instruction on composition and technique as well as color theory. This region is unique in color and light; it's the Mediterranean environment that attracted Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Matisse. Your paintings should reflect your experience of these rich hues. Developing your personal expression is at least as important as technique.

Jennifer Griffith

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For more information:

Jennifer Griffith
Chemin de la Faïence
34800 Clermont l'Hérault, France
telephone: (33) 4 67 96 97 13
e-mail: jennifer.griffith@free.fr