Upcoming Tour

LANDSCAPE PAINTING WORKSHOP
SOUTHERN FRANCE
Coming Soon

Julia will be leading a plein-air painting workshop in beautiful and historic Montfaucon, in Southern France. We’ll indulge ourselves for two weeks of luxury, painting, exploration, laughs and enjoyment.

Montfaucon Tours Presents: “Discover the Languedoc!”

Gouache plein-air Painting in Southern France
TBA

(NOTE: due to a death in the family, this trip has been cancelled for 2007, and will be rescheduled for next year. Please check back for new dates.)

Limited to 8 participants. Register early to save your spot!

Phone: 541-689-7938
Toll Free: 800-987-0024

Rich in history and natural beauty, the Languedoc region sits at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains in Southern France. Artists will find a wealth of inspiration. Montfaucon is steeped with history and surrounded by castles, abbeys and cathedrals, ancient villages with cobbled streets, medieval houses, and gothic spires await the artist’s brush and eye. Guests will enjoy two full weeks of sketching and painting in this fascinating part of France.

Join us for a fantastic art vacation in the beautiful and historic
Languedoc region of Southern France!

Presented by Amanda Ulbrich, Tour Director, Montfaucon Tours
with Julia O'Reilly, Art Instructor

Accommodations at Montfaucon Residence, Limoux, France

The lovely Montfaucon Residence in the town of Limoux, France will provide accommodations for our stay in comfort and luxury, in the Languedoc. Situated at river’s edge, this beautifully restored 800-year-old building was home to the guardians of the medieval city’s bridged entryway. Views from the rooms and the terrace offer endless possibilities for sketching and painting.

The lower level has been made into a professionally designed studio, ideal for demonstrations, reviews and indoor work.

For further information about Montfaucon, visit: www.montfaucontours.com

About the Workshop

The jewel-like colors of gouache come alive when you learn how to apply it for a crisp edge and line. You can learn about wet paper-wet brush for graded blends and textures. Learn how to apply with a dry brush on dry paper for more textural possibilities. Or explore the special effects of sponge painting. Gouache is an immensely flexible, easy-to-use medium.

We'll explore multiple technique possibilities, learn how to use color to capture light, and how to create dynamic and exciting compositions onsite, in our 2-week intensive. Julia works with participants individually, setting artistic goals and finding ways to achieve them.

Locations close to our lodgings in the town of Limoux will provide daily opportunities for sketching and painting. Within a five minute walk across the bridge into the heart of the town, or a short ride by private van to a nearby site we'll find subject matter at every turn. We'll take occassional day trips, to explore other areas of visual interest.

Gouache (g'wah sh) <more>

Gouache is a water-soluble paint similar to watercolor. Different from transparent watercolor (which is transparent) gouache is opaque, so the painter can successfully apply light colors or even white over dark colors!

It can be applied quite thickly or very thinly, allowing for surface texture and a deep density of color saturation and jewel-like colors, or used in transparent washes. It can also be combined with watercolors, for an even broader range.

Gouache is portable, fun and easy to use, environmentally friendly and quick-drying. It makes a perfect field paint-box medium.

Julia first began using gouache as a portable paint-box medium.  It is a quick, environmentally friendly and easy medium to use when painting outdoors. Recently she has been using it more and more in the studio, being careful to use only lightfast colors. Julia will be demonstrating its usage, but feel free to bring your own favorite outdoor art materials and supplies.

Journal keeping will be encouraged as a regular part of artistic activities.

Group Size
Limited to eight participants, all levels of ability are welcome! Register early to save your spot.

About Julia O'Reilly <more>

Julia O'Reilly received her Master of Fine Arts degree from The University of Oregon. Her paintings are held in private, corporate and public collections throughout the United States.

She has taught at numerous art schools and universities, including Oregon School of Arts and Crafts in Portland, Oregon. Julia now maintains a studio in Eugene, Oregon. She teaches privately, conducts workshops and leads international art tours.

You are invited on this memorable adventure! 

Each day we will travel to varying landscapes of the region, from Mediterranean fishing villages to the foothills of the Pyrenees around Limoux, France. The weather is sure to be perfect for painting. Bring your own paintbox assembly, or allow me to introduce you to the charms of plein-air painting with gouache.

To register now: download the Registration Form.

Tour Includes:
Pick up (May 19) and delivery June 06) from/to the airport (Blangnac) in Toulouse.
14 nights (double occupancy) accommodations
All breakfasts and dinners
Nightly wine tasting
Art instruction
Transportation to en plein aire painting locations, as well as historical and cultural sites
Use of professionally designed art studio
Use of camp stools for painting on location
Informal classes in Conversational French

Not Included:
Airfare
Train fare to Carcassonne which is an optional day trip
Lunches (we will eat at charming cafes or pack les pique-niques)

Program Cost: $3600 + Airfare
$500 deposit, made payable to Montfaucon Tours due at registration

Payment of the balance:
March 22, 2007 Balance: $2900

Please also note that there are no refunds unless your space is filled

To reserve your place, download the Registration Form (a PDF)
and mail it with your deposit check (made out to Montfaucon Tours) to:

Julia O'Reilly
2820 Maesner
Eugene, OR 97404

For more information about the workshop, call Julia:

Phone: 541-689-7938
Toll Free: 800-987-0024

For more pictures and information about Montfaucon and the Limoux region, visit Montfaucon Tours

We’ll take in the scenery of French villages, ancient cathedrals, and fields of coquelicots (wild poppies).  We might venture to the seaside village of Collioure, famous for its well-known Fauve inhabitants Henri Matisse and André Derain, or study the famous sunlight of the region among the ever-changing colors and textures of beautiful French vineyards, orchards and lavender fields.

Walk with us through medieval villages and learn about the culture and beauty of southern France. Experience the culinary pleasures of the region, the fine local wines, delicious cheeses and artisan inspired pastries.

"The Pyrenees countryside is wild and breathtaking. Streams rush down forested mountainsides into rivers and crystal clear lakes.

Enjoy the friendliness of the surrounding agricultural community. You'll see the beauty of the wildflowers, the vineyards, and forests of the low Pyrenees.

The countryside is magnificent, the food and wine are exquisite, and the people are happy to see you and to share their culture."

-Montfaucon Tours