DORDOGNE, FRANCE w/ Tom Hughes
5 Day painting Retreat, DORDOGNE, FRANCE (May 10 - 16, 2025)
TOM HUGHES
DORDOGNE, FRANCE
5 day Landscape Painting retreat
DORDOGNE, FRANCE May 10 - 16, 2025 (Limit 15)
(Saturday arrival is a free travel day, retreat is Sunday thru Thursday, bus returns to Train station, Friday, at 10am.)
All inclusive package: $3,400 (* double occupancy)
(*Single Occupancy w/ private bath add $550)
* (non-workshop spouse / Guest welcome @ $2,000)
All inclusive package includes:
* 5 day workshop with Tom Hughes
* 6 night Accommodations,
* All meals (3 daily) from our Private chef
* Ground transport pick-up and drop off at Angouléme train station. (Coach will pick you up at Angouléme train station. Best to fly to Paris and take a speed train to Angouléme, aproximately 2 hours and a lovely, scenic ride with a bar and food coach on board).
* All ground transportation to and from daily painting locations.
(Does not include Air or travel insurance).
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100
Email Todd: [email protected]
I am thrilled to announce a French country workshop with nationally recognized artist Tom Hughes. We are lucky dogs to have him aboard for a five day workshop in Dordogne, France. I personally regard Tom to be one of the current heavy-weight champs of painterly realism in America. His work possesses that perfect balance between tight-and-loose...representational-and-expressive. He is a painters-painter, with a rare ability to balance incredible technical proficiency while maintaining a deep sense of feeling in the work. Tom is making Art.
We hope you will get your paint box and join us on this extraordinary artistic journey with our immersive 6-day Plein air painting adventure set in the breathtaking Dordogne region of France. Nestled within the historic embrace of our extraordinary accommodations, the 13th century Marouatte Castle, this retreat offers a truly unparalleled experience for both seasoned and aspiring artists. Surrounded by the timeless beauty of French country village charm, rolling hills, and the serene Dordogne River, you'll find inspiration at every turn. Guided by Plein air painter, Tom Hughes, you'll have the chance to capture the essence of this enchanting landscape directly onto your canvas. We will paint each day, after breakfast, making our way to nearby charming French villages or enchanting French country settings. Tom will provide a lecture and painting demonstration, followed by a chef - prepared lunch. The rest of the day, students will paint in the field while Tom provides side by side, easel assistance. Together, we will refine our skills and deepen our connection with outdoor painting. Join us for six unforgettable days of artistic exploration, where the charm of Marouatte Castle and the natural splendor of Dordogne converge to create an experience unlike any other.
This will be an amazing learning experience with a breathtaking French backdrop! To join us and register for this rare opportunity to study with a modern day master, call Todd (603) 819-9100
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
DORDOGNE, FRANCE
5 day Landscape Painting retreat
DORDOGNE, FRANCE May 10 - 16, 2025 (Limit 15)
(Saturday arrival is a free travel day, retreat is Sunday thru Thursday, bus returns to Train station, Friday, at 10am.)
All inclusive package: $3,400 (* double occupancy)
(*Single Occupancy w/ private bath add $550)
* (non-workshop spouse / Guest welcome @ $2,000)
All inclusive package includes:
* 5 day workshop with Tom Hughes
* 6 night Accommodations,
* All meals (3 daily) from our Private chef
* Ground transport pick-up and drop off at Angouléme train station. (Coach will pick you up at Angouléme train station. Best to fly to Paris and take a speed train to Angouléme, aproximately 2 hours and a lovely, scenic ride with a bar and food coach on board).
* All ground transportation to and from daily painting locations.
(Does not include Air or travel insurance).
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100
Email Todd: [email protected]
I am thrilled to announce a French country workshop with nationally recognized artist Tom Hughes. We are lucky dogs to have him aboard for a five day workshop in Dordogne, France. I personally regard Tom to be one of the current heavy-weight champs of painterly realism in America. His work possesses that perfect balance between tight-and-loose...representational-and-expressive. He is a painters-painter, with a rare ability to balance incredible technical proficiency while maintaining a deep sense of feeling in the work. Tom is making Art.
We hope you will get your paint box and join us on this extraordinary artistic journey with our immersive 6-day Plein air painting adventure set in the breathtaking Dordogne region of France. Nestled within the historic embrace of our extraordinary accommodations, the 13th century Marouatte Castle, this retreat offers a truly unparalleled experience for both seasoned and aspiring artists. Surrounded by the timeless beauty of French country village charm, rolling hills, and the serene Dordogne River, you'll find inspiration at every turn. Guided by Plein air painter, Tom Hughes, you'll have the chance to capture the essence of this enchanting landscape directly onto your canvas. We will paint each day, after breakfast, making our way to nearby charming French villages or enchanting French country settings. Tom will provide a lecture and painting demonstration, followed by a chef - prepared lunch. The rest of the day, students will paint in the field while Tom provides side by side, easel assistance. Together, we will refine our skills and deepen our connection with outdoor painting. Join us for six unforgettable days of artistic exploration, where the charm of Marouatte Castle and the natural splendor of Dordogne converge to create an experience unlike any other.
This will be an amazing learning experience with a breathtaking French backdrop! To join us and register for this rare opportunity to study with a modern day master, call Todd (603) 819-9100
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION:
All Inclusive workshop package $3,400 (*Double Occ). (*Single Occ/Private bath add $550).
* ( non-workshop spouse / guest package $2,000).
(package includes 5 day workshop with Tom Hughes, Accommodations 6 nights at Marouatt Castle, All meals (3 daily) from our private chef, Ground transport to and from Angouléme train staion on arrival and departure, All ground transport to and from all painting sites.
* ( non-workshop guest package includes everything except the painting sessions / critiques and presumes guest is sharing a room with their spouse / significant other/Guest).
(Price does not include Airfare or travel insurance).
Call Todd Bonita (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$1,000 Deposit required to hold your space in the workshop. We accept the following types of payment:
1) Credit card or Pay Pal (add 3.6% for process fee)
2) Venmo @Todd-bonita (add 2% for Venmo’s new process fee). (Last four phone digits: 9100 for Venmo)
3) Cash for teachers pet.😎
4) Checks. Please make check out to Todd Bonita and mailed to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave.
Greenland, NH 03840
USA
Please write, "HUGHES / FRANCE" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
PAYMENTS for WORKSHOP
1) $1,000 deposit due at registration to reserve your space and hold your room. ($1,500 if including deposot for non-workshop guest).
2) Balance / Final payment due 60 days before workshop.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 120 days notice or more refunded 100% of your deposit, less $50 admin and third party vendor / admin fee.
* 60 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $500 deposit admin and third party / admin fee.
* Less than 60 days NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
I recommend you arrange for travel insurance in the unlikely event of an unintended disruptions to your travel plans. Please understand that your deposits are used so that we can reserve our accommodations, transportation and reservations to third parties. For this reason, we have a strict, refund / cancellation policy that honors our agreement to these third parties. Registration in this workshop presumes you have read the refund / cancellation policy and agree to it. To confirm you have read the policy, we will ask for a confirmation email to follow your registration.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit and / or installment payments will be forfeited as detailed by the dates shown above. We will make every effort to find a wait-listed alternate to take your place.
All Inclusive workshop package $3,400 (*Double Occ). (*Single Occ/Private bath add $550).
* ( non-workshop spouse / guest package $2,000).
(package includes 5 day workshop with Tom Hughes, Accommodations 6 nights at Marouatt Castle, All meals (3 daily) from our private chef, Ground transport to and from Angouléme train staion on arrival and departure, All ground transport to and from all painting sites.
* ( non-workshop guest package includes everything except the painting sessions / critiques and presumes guest is sharing a room with their spouse / significant other/Guest).
(Price does not include Airfare or travel insurance).
Call Todd Bonita (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$1,000 Deposit required to hold your space in the workshop. We accept the following types of payment:
1) Credit card or Pay Pal (add 3.6% for process fee)
2) Venmo @Todd-bonita (add 2% for Venmo’s new process fee). (Last four phone digits: 9100 for Venmo)
3) Cash for teachers pet.😎
4) Checks. Please make check out to Todd Bonita and mailed to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave.
Greenland, NH 03840
USA
Please write, "HUGHES / FRANCE" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
PAYMENTS for WORKSHOP
1) $1,000 deposit due at registration to reserve your space and hold your room. ($1,500 if including deposot for non-workshop guest).
2) Balance / Final payment due 60 days before workshop.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 120 days notice or more refunded 100% of your deposit, less $50 admin and third party vendor / admin fee.
* 60 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $500 deposit admin and third party / admin fee.
* Less than 60 days NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
I recommend you arrange for travel insurance in the unlikely event of an unintended disruptions to your travel plans. Please understand that your deposits are used so that we can reserve our accommodations, transportation and reservations to third parties. For this reason, we have a strict, refund / cancellation policy that honors our agreement to these third parties. Registration in this workshop presumes you have read the refund / cancellation policy and agree to it. To confirm you have read the policy, we will ask for a confirmation email to follow your registration.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit and / or installment payments will be forfeited as detailed by the dates shown above. We will make every effort to find a wait-listed alternate to take your place.
ACCOMODATIONS
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Marouatt Castle
We will be staying in a genuine 13th century fortified Medieval castle in one of the most beautiful, unspoiled regions of France! Each student will stay in a private room with a private bath. Non-painting companions are welcome to come with you (they must share a room with the painter). The living quarters and bedrooms are richly decorated with period antiques and art throughout, while providing ultimate comfort with updated modern amenities.
The castle is located in the Perigord Vert region of the Dordogne, where picturesque villages and towns, castles and rivers, vineyards and walnut orchards pepper the landscape. Visually delicious, lots to paint, a photograph everywhere you look!
Dietary needs are catered for by the castle's resident chef. All meals are included, most served at the castle in one of the dining rooms, with several lunches in picnic style.
Inspiration is everywhere throughout the 270 acres of the castle grounds and formal gardens where we can enjoy painting en plein air.
For the late night painters and those who prefer to paint indoors, the ancient Royal stables have been converted into a lovely studio space.
There will also be opportunities to paint, tour and shop in the neighboring medieval villages and stunning countryside; play tennis, shoot pool, read or relax by the heated swimming pool at the castle.
Marouatt Castle
We will be staying in a genuine 13th century fortified Medieval castle in one of the most beautiful, unspoiled regions of France! Each student will stay in a private room with a private bath. Non-painting companions are welcome to come with you (they must share a room with the painter). The living quarters and bedrooms are richly decorated with period antiques and art throughout, while providing ultimate comfort with updated modern amenities.
The castle is located in the Perigord Vert region of the Dordogne, where picturesque villages and towns, castles and rivers, vineyards and walnut orchards pepper the landscape. Visually delicious, lots to paint, a photograph everywhere you look!
Dietary needs are catered for by the castle's resident chef. All meals are included, most served at the castle in one of the dining rooms, with several lunches in picnic style.
Inspiration is everywhere throughout the 270 acres of the castle grounds and formal gardens where we can enjoy painting en plein air.
For the late night painters and those who prefer to paint indoors, the ancient Royal stables have been converted into a lovely studio space.
There will also be opportunities to paint, tour and shop in the neighboring medieval villages and stunning countryside; play tennis, shoot pool, read or relax by the heated swimming pool at the castle.
SUPPLY LIST
ART SUPPLY LIST
From the studio of Tom Hughes:
These workshops are meant to be intensive hands-on learning experiences: they are a chance to build or reinforce skills and try new things without the pressure of having to make "finished" paintings that you have to sign. Have you always wanted to make painterly pictures with big fat brushstrokes but couldn't quite bring yourself to carry it through? Would you like to be able to draw a bit better, make things look their proper sizes, but can't always figure out why things don't look quite right? Maybe practice mixing colors from a limited palette? We can do any of these things -- I'm there to give you ideas, technical advice, moral support, demonstrations -- whatever insight I've accrued from more than 20 years of full-time painting.
My workshops are pretty informal and open to improvisation. We meet in the morning at the predetermined location, or somewhere convenient to it; lunch is bring-your-own. I do plenty of off-the-cuff individual demos or extended explanations, exhortations, etc, as needed. If everyone likes a particular spot, we'll stay there, and if not, we go. It's lots of painting and usually plenty of fun.
The day starts when we meet at the location. I will do a demonstration painting on the first day until lunchtime, generally about noon. After that everyone picks a spot and starts painting. I work with attendees individually to help them bring about their own visions in their paintings. The following days incorporate more painting by workshoppers, sometimes on approaches or exercises that I assign. The workshop-day ends at 4 pm.
Supply List
Here is a list of the materials I usually use.
Materials: oil/acrylic
Easel for painting outdoors - examples include:
French easel - I use either one of these or a gloucester easel (particularly good for larger paintings). As far as I can tell, the best french easels currently generally available are made by Mabef.
Soltek easel - a variation on the french box easel; many of my workshop attendees use these.
Pochade box - very compact and convenient option for outdoor painting. Off the top of my head, brands include: Open Box M, EasyL, Guerrilla
A web search will display plenty of other outdoor easels.
Palette - most plein air easels come with a palette. I favor a wooden palette, or, for acrylic, a glass palette.
Rags, paper towels, or kleenex - for wiping brushes, general cleanup.
Something to paint on - stretched canvas, canvas board, primed masonite, primed paper, etc. Panels (masonite or mdf), either commercially prepared or prepared by the artist are what I prefer for smallish paintings. Preparations include: acrylic gesso application, an alkyd or oil ground, canvas glued to the panel. There are other preparations, but these will do fine. Commercially prepared panels are available at any art materials supplier.
Brushes - a selection of a few hog bristle brushes: chiefly a large bright (size 10 or higher), some rounds, filberts, flats - whatever you prefer. I use soft brushes as well, chiefly cheap synthetic watercolor rounds, though they are unnecessary for workshops.
Palette knife - you realize how important this is when you forget to pack it.
Paint thinner - I get what they call "odorless" mineral spirits from the hardware store. Art materials manufacturers make their own versions - touted to be safer, less toxic, etc - Gamsol and Turpenoid are popular varieties. ( If you get it from the hardware store, make sure it's not labelled "green" or "safer"- one of Kleen-Strip's thinners is labelled thus: it seems to contain some percentage of water and will not work for us.) I use the thinner for cleanup; it's perfectly good for use in painting as well, though I go the old-fashioned route and use artists' turpentine in a palette cup for that, chiefly because it feels better to me in the paint. Acrylic painters don't need any thinner but water.
Cans - I clamp (spring clamps) a coffee or soup can on either side of the drawer of my easel; one to hold brushes, the other to hold thinner. I also use spring clamps to hold my palette steady.
Umbrella - an umbrella that you can attach to your easel is very nice; keeps the sun off of your painting and your palette. However, I have yet to get one that can stand up to more than a lively breeze and so usually do without.
Sketchbook and pencil/charcoal - please bring one.
Trash bag - for your used kleenex or paper towels, miscellaneous rubbish.
Paints - I vary my palette from time to time, but these are the usual colors:
White, cadmium yellow lemon or light, cadmium yellow medium or deep, cadmium orange, cadmium red light, quinacridone red, ultramarine blue, phthalo or prussian blue, sap green, raw umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre.
The core of this palette is a warm and cool of each of the primary colors, plus a few earth colors and convenience colors. I will be going over use of color, relative warm and cool colors, limited palettes, pigments off the beaten path, tonal values, plus anything else we can think of.
Painting medium - we won't really need anything but thinner for oils, though if you are particularly fond of this or that, by all means bring it along. For acrylics, I like to have some gel or gloss medium handy, but don't find it necessary.
I carry paint and brushes in and under the drawer of the french easel. Everything else I put in a small backpack.
From the studio of Tom Hughes:
These workshops are meant to be intensive hands-on learning experiences: they are a chance to build or reinforce skills and try new things without the pressure of having to make "finished" paintings that you have to sign. Have you always wanted to make painterly pictures with big fat brushstrokes but couldn't quite bring yourself to carry it through? Would you like to be able to draw a bit better, make things look their proper sizes, but can't always figure out why things don't look quite right? Maybe practice mixing colors from a limited palette? We can do any of these things -- I'm there to give you ideas, technical advice, moral support, demonstrations -- whatever insight I've accrued from more than 20 years of full-time painting.
My workshops are pretty informal and open to improvisation. We meet in the morning at the predetermined location, or somewhere convenient to it; lunch is bring-your-own. I do plenty of off-the-cuff individual demos or extended explanations, exhortations, etc, as needed. If everyone likes a particular spot, we'll stay there, and if not, we go. It's lots of painting and usually plenty of fun.
The day starts when we meet at the location. I will do a demonstration painting on the first day until lunchtime, generally about noon. After that everyone picks a spot and starts painting. I work with attendees individually to help them bring about their own visions in their paintings. The following days incorporate more painting by workshoppers, sometimes on approaches or exercises that I assign. The workshop-day ends at 4 pm.
Supply List
Here is a list of the materials I usually use.
Materials: oil/acrylic
Easel for painting outdoors - examples include:
French easel - I use either one of these or a gloucester easel (particularly good for larger paintings). As far as I can tell, the best french easels currently generally available are made by Mabef.
Soltek easel - a variation on the french box easel; many of my workshop attendees use these.
Pochade box - very compact and convenient option for outdoor painting. Off the top of my head, brands include: Open Box M, EasyL, Guerrilla
A web search will display plenty of other outdoor easels.
Palette - most plein air easels come with a palette. I favor a wooden palette, or, for acrylic, a glass palette.
Rags, paper towels, or kleenex - for wiping brushes, general cleanup.
Something to paint on - stretched canvas, canvas board, primed masonite, primed paper, etc. Panels (masonite or mdf), either commercially prepared or prepared by the artist are what I prefer for smallish paintings. Preparations include: acrylic gesso application, an alkyd or oil ground, canvas glued to the panel. There are other preparations, but these will do fine. Commercially prepared panels are available at any art materials supplier.
Brushes - a selection of a few hog bristle brushes: chiefly a large bright (size 10 or higher), some rounds, filberts, flats - whatever you prefer. I use soft brushes as well, chiefly cheap synthetic watercolor rounds, though they are unnecessary for workshops.
Palette knife - you realize how important this is when you forget to pack it.
Paint thinner - I get what they call "odorless" mineral spirits from the hardware store. Art materials manufacturers make their own versions - touted to be safer, less toxic, etc - Gamsol and Turpenoid are popular varieties. ( If you get it from the hardware store, make sure it's not labelled "green" or "safer"- one of Kleen-Strip's thinners is labelled thus: it seems to contain some percentage of water and will not work for us.) I use the thinner for cleanup; it's perfectly good for use in painting as well, though I go the old-fashioned route and use artists' turpentine in a palette cup for that, chiefly because it feels better to me in the paint. Acrylic painters don't need any thinner but water.
Cans - I clamp (spring clamps) a coffee or soup can on either side of the drawer of my easel; one to hold brushes, the other to hold thinner. I also use spring clamps to hold my palette steady.
Umbrella - an umbrella that you can attach to your easel is very nice; keeps the sun off of your painting and your palette. However, I have yet to get one that can stand up to more than a lively breeze and so usually do without.
Sketchbook and pencil/charcoal - please bring one.
Trash bag - for your used kleenex or paper towels, miscellaneous rubbish.
Paints - I vary my palette from time to time, but these are the usual colors:
White, cadmium yellow lemon or light, cadmium yellow medium or deep, cadmium orange, cadmium red light, quinacridone red, ultramarine blue, phthalo or prussian blue, sap green, raw umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre.
The core of this palette is a warm and cool of each of the primary colors, plus a few earth colors and convenience colors. I will be going over use of color, relative warm and cool colors, limited palettes, pigments off the beaten path, tonal values, plus anything else we can think of.
Painting medium - we won't really need anything but thinner for oils, though if you are particularly fond of this or that, by all means bring it along. For acrylics, I like to have some gel or gloss medium handy, but don't find it necessary.
I carry paint and brushes in and under the drawer of the french easel. Everything else I put in a small backpack.
FLYING w PAINT / TSA / PASSPORT :
PRINT THIS CARD. INCLUDE w/ PAINTS.
FLYING w/ PAINT (TSA)
It is recommended that you pack your paints in your suitcase, NOT carry-on. I include a typed note saying, "ARTIST COLORS MADE FROM VEGETABLE OILS".... in the event of TSA investigating my luggage. Never had a problem.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
* International TSA regulations do not exclude Gamsol brush cleaner from air travel. Make sure its in an air tight container.
* You can ship regulated / air travel-prohibited mediums to our destination. Please email me for details.
*This is an excellent, soup to nuts over view of how to travel with your paints and deal with TSA and insure best odds of smooth travel. CLICK HERE.
PASSPORT
* if FRANCE is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
** PLEASE NOTE** If your passport expires within three months of your travel time, you cannot fly International. Its fairly simple and expediant to update your passport these days.
It is recommended that you pack your paints in your suitcase, NOT carry-on. I include a typed note saying, "ARTIST COLORS MADE FROM VEGETABLE OILS".... in the event of TSA investigating my luggage. Never had a problem.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
* International TSA regulations do not exclude Gamsol brush cleaner from air travel. Make sure its in an air tight container.
* You can ship regulated / air travel-prohibited mediums to our destination. Please email me for details.
*This is an excellent, soup to nuts over view of how to travel with your paints and deal with TSA and insure best odds of smooth travel. CLICK HERE.
PASSPORT
* if FRANCE is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
** PLEASE NOTE** If your passport expires within three months of your travel time, you cannot fly International. Its fairly simple and expediant to update your passport these days.
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
* (Subject to change)
Saturday:
4:00 pm: Rendezvous Angouleme train station,
I reccommend you Fly into Paris, and then take the TGV bullet train from Paris Montparnasse station ( 2 hours) or Charles De Gaulle Airport in just under 3 hours to the Angouleme train station, where you will be picked up by the Chateau staff on Saturday afternoon. We will begin with a delicious welcome dinner and introductions.
* Todd's cell # (603) 819-9100) while in France.
Sunday - Thursday
After breakfast, downstairs at the castle, meet at 9am daily for departure to our daily painting sites. A privately chartered coach will take us to nearby villages to spend the day painting.
Possible excursions include:
* the city of Perigueux with its medieval pedestrian quarter boasting one of the most picturesque cathedrals in France as well as Roman ruins dating from 100 AD
* market day in the town of Riberac
* painting in the town of Brantome with its Abbey founded by Charlemagne
* cliffs carved out by the river Dronne
* the caves of Grotte de Villars with Neolithic paintings dating from 19,000BC.
Friday: After breakfast, Rendezvous at 9am out front with luggage. Our coach will take you to Angouleme train station.
* (Subject to change)
Saturday:
4:00 pm: Rendezvous Angouleme train station,
I reccommend you Fly into Paris, and then take the TGV bullet train from Paris Montparnasse station ( 2 hours) or Charles De Gaulle Airport in just under 3 hours to the Angouleme train station, where you will be picked up by the Chateau staff on Saturday afternoon. We will begin with a delicious welcome dinner and introductions.
* Todd's cell # (603) 819-9100) while in France.
Sunday - Thursday
After breakfast, downstairs at the castle, meet at 9am daily for departure to our daily painting sites. A privately chartered coach will take us to nearby villages to spend the day painting.
Possible excursions include:
* the city of Perigueux with its medieval pedestrian quarter boasting one of the most picturesque cathedrals in France as well as Roman ruins dating from 100 AD
* market day in the town of Riberac
* painting in the town of Brantome with its Abbey founded by Charlemagne
* cliffs carved out by the river Dronne
* the caves of Grotte de Villars with Neolithic paintings dating from 19,000BC.
Friday: After breakfast, Rendezvous at 9am out front with luggage. Our coach will take you to Angouleme train station.
F.A.Q (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(1) What if it rains?
We have an excellent indoor facility, onsite at the castle at our disposal in the event of rain or inclement weather.
(2) What should we wear?
Dress appropriately for the weather. May average temps are highs in the mid to upper 60's. For me, that is almost idealistic outdoor painting weather. May presents very pleasant outdoor painting conditions. You may bring a hat with visor for sun protection and to keep your valuable artist eyes fresh from sun fatigue. You may wish to bring sun block as well. There is not a lot of strenuous walking but it is advised to bring comfortable shoes....Or, as Stapleton Kearns advises plein air painters, "Put butter in your shoes"...LOL
(3) What kind of currency should I bring?
Euros!. Most of the places we will go to accept credit cards but I like to bring some cash along as well for tipping or "just in case cash". For a week long workshop, I'm comfortable with my credit cards and a few hundred in cash. Please be sure to exchange your currency into EUROS. Banks provide the best rates.
* Let your credit card company know you are traveling and you authorize use of your credit card for the time you will be away.
(5) Will my cell phone work in FRANCE?
Yes. You should contact your cell phone service provider and let them know you would like to enable International travel calling for the time you are in Ireland.
(1) What if it rains?
We have an excellent indoor facility, onsite at the castle at our disposal in the event of rain or inclement weather.
(2) What should we wear?
Dress appropriately for the weather. May average temps are highs in the mid to upper 60's. For me, that is almost idealistic outdoor painting weather. May presents very pleasant outdoor painting conditions. You may bring a hat with visor for sun protection and to keep your valuable artist eyes fresh from sun fatigue. You may wish to bring sun block as well. There is not a lot of strenuous walking but it is advised to bring comfortable shoes....Or, as Stapleton Kearns advises plein air painters, "Put butter in your shoes"...LOL
(3) What kind of currency should I bring?
Euros!. Most of the places we will go to accept credit cards but I like to bring some cash along as well for tipping or "just in case cash". For a week long workshop, I'm comfortable with my credit cards and a few hundred in cash. Please be sure to exchange your currency into EUROS. Banks provide the best rates.
* Let your credit card company know you are traveling and you authorize use of your credit card for the time you will be away.
(5) Will my cell phone work in FRANCE?
Yes. You should contact your cell phone service provider and let them know you would like to enable International travel calling for the time you are in Ireland.