The retreat is best suited to participants who already have some drawing/painting experience. Since we will be drawing and painting all day, it’s important that you have a strong desire to improve your craft.

6 people max. I prefer to keep this retreat small and intimate. It means I can spend more time individually with attendees and it’s easier to get around Paris. Spots got quickly with many returning guests so inquire below if you’re interested.

This retreat is specifically dedicated to learning the art of watercolor in Paris. A 5-day intensive permits attendees to have an immersive experience to improve their craft and grow creatively. Because I have been based in Paris for 18 years, this is my home turf where I have found my own voice as an artist. I plan to share everything I know about the city and how to infuse your work with your own unique voice. Generous and hospitable by nature, I carefully curate this experience to share all the good things that Paris has to offer: world class museums, a lauded food culture, opportunities to unplug and engage with beauty in one of the most inspiring cities in the world. It’s intense but in a way where you’ve been fully immersed in a 360 creative experience.

I strongly recommend arriving in Paris a day before the retreat starts to prevent any inconveniences caused by flight delays. You can also rest and adjust to the new time zone. The location is in the 14th arrondissement which is on the Left Bank and in the South of Paris, easily accessible by Metro and Bus. The exact address of the retreat will be sent to you a week before the retreat.

Please pack season appropriate clothing and good walking shoes (we will be walking a lot). The weather in February and November can be chilly, overcast with occasionally sunny. . All art supplies will be provided for the exercises executed during the retreat, but feel free to bring a favorite sketchbook or anything else you like for drawing and painting.

For the success of the retreat and the learning objectives, it is important that you are present from 9:30AM-5:30PM everyday. A lunch break will take place roughly from 12pm-1pm everyday if you need to catch up on emails.

Creating art can be a mystifying and frustrating process. After over a decade of professional experience, I love encouraging students of all levels in the very place I found my creative voice. Although there are many wonderful retreats throughout Europe, there were none dedicated to watercolor in Paris. Since 2024, The Paris Watercolor Retreat merges my love of the medium, hospitality and teaching. I have returning guests in each session which speaks of the quality of the experience.

Wi-Fi is available in the artist studio where we have morning sessions. While we are on the go, I recommend getting an international data plan if necessary.

Depending on what country you’re traveling from, be sure to research independently.

Unfortunately, the retreat venue and outings are not well suited for people with low and limited mobility. Please be mindful that the trips involve a lot of walking on uneven, cobbled streets and we will be taking the Metro to daily museum visits.

Yes. 1500 euros will be paid upon booking to reserve. The rest will be paid upon arrival in Paris. If you’re interested in reserving a spot, inquire in the form below.

Yes, I am the coauthor of the bestselling Rizzoli book Paris in Stride: An Insider’s Walking Guide which includes some of my favorite spots. I’ll happily send you a copy when you’ve fully booked the retreat. Otherwise I’m happy to assist you in anything you need to plan your trip.

1. Learning watercolor through exercises, demos and experimentation.

2. Accessing Paris not available to tourists alone. This includes guided visits to World Class museums, curated walks and wisdom from local experts.

3. Deep conversations about art and beauty with fellow creative people

4. One-on-one time with Jessie Kanelos Weiner to talk through your process and art practice

5. Having fun in an encouraging, curated experience where you can just show up and paint

My teaching style is very much about facilitating learning while doing. I have taught private groups, art school students and international travelers drawing, illustration and watercolor since 2018. Why study watercolor in Paris if we can’t scour it for inspiration? I’ll also take you to some of my favorite places (galleries, museums, art stores, book stores) to fuel your creative process. Some people learn French through total immersion, but think of this like cultural total immersion.

I’m a working mom and prefer not to go to a far flung place to host a retreat. And guests are free to pick their own accommodations and decide how they want to spend their evenings.

Yes, I’m hosting a retreat in the Southwest of France in an enchanted farmhouse in Gascony. Only 4 spots available if you’re interested. Find more by clicking on the “Watercolor retreat” tab above.

I’ve had a handful of attendees in their 70s and 80s. The days are intense with a lot of walking and a daily museum visit. And we mostly take the Metro to various outings. If you’d like to know more about how I can accommodate you, feel free to send me an email at jessiekanelosweiner@gmail.com.

Yes! Dream of a fully immersive experience where you can just show up and enjoy? This is for you. Since there are only 6 guests, you’ll make friends quickly. Most guests end up spending their evenings together and keeping in touch after the retreat.

The atelier (or artist studio) is a historic monument, made from the remnants of the Worlds Fair in 1900. It’s since been the home of many artists of the Ecole de Paris movement, avant-garde artists of the 20th century. My friend’s father was a painter here and she rents me the space exclusively for the retreat. You can see canvases lined up on the walls, caked up paint on the parquet floors and spots of color all over the walls. It’s a sacre space for art making.