Course leader: Janette Hayhoe

Dates: 25 Apr-2 May & 2-9 May, 2020

This week you’ll focus on painting outside in oils, looking at the landscape and figuring out how you take the essence of what you see in the landscape and put it on the canvas. We will learn to understand what makes a strong composition, evaluating what makes a good subject and how to think about it. We will explore the use of colour and value to give a sense of depth to your work.

This experience will boost your confidence through employing a reliable method of approach which will challenge you while making the process more enjoyable and satisfying.

We will take lots of trips out into the countryside, chateaus, markets, vineyards and other local spots to paint while also doing some sightseeing, exploring and relaxing.

Your Course Leader

Janette Hayhoe’s oil paintings focus on the ‘everydayness’ of contemporary life. Images of familiar objects and spaces have the power to evoke memory and psychological responses that call our attention to what is often overlooked. The fall of light on an object or space both describes and transforms the mundane. By inviting us into a space of contemplation we are asked to reflect on the paradoxical nature of domesticity and memory. This approach is based on careful observation and understanding of nature and involves working predominantly from life.

Janette has a MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, a BA from Queen’s University, and studied contemporary  realism under the painter Ted Seth Jacobs in France.  She lives and works in Guelph, Canada. Read more about Janette and her work at: http://www.janettehayhoe.com/

Practicalities

Course Length:   7 nights(Saturday to Saturday)

Schedule:   Morning and afternoon sessions each day. Excursions to area attractions such as markets, vineyards, oil presses, artisan food producers and chateaus built into programme. Free time available each day.

Accommodation:   Surrounded by farms and farmland, we’re in the small village of Misse, with our closest neighbours being a church, abbey, cows and pheasants. We’re near the market town of Thouars but far enough away from the action that you can truly relax focus on your painting.You will stay at the Circle of Misse house, a 19th century maison de maître situated in verdant farmland, on the Southern edge of the Loire Valley in France. It has beautiful private ensuite rooms with double beds, wardrobes, and writing desks. Read more about our rooms and location.

Travel Details

• Nantes Atlantique International Airport (You can arrive by plane or train via Paris Montparnasse or Paris CDG airport. There is a frequent shuttle between Nantes train station and airport). There are many flights/trains from many places including United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal and Italy.  Full details here.
  • Pick-up 17:15
  • Drop-off 13:15
• You can also take the train to Thouars, our nearest town, and we’ll collect you.
• You can also drive. We will send directions and GPS coordinates.  See Our Location for more info

Free pick-up (Saturday) and drop-off (Saturday) in Nantes, France at: