Paris
Watercolor
Retreat
May 12-16th 2025
Paris 75014
Master watercolor with Paris as your muse.
An intimate & unforgettable 5-day retreat to ignite your artistic spark and jump-start your creative practice.
An Italian percolator bubbles away on a mid-century stovetop. Brioche quickly morphs from amber to black clipped to the side of an old-fashioned Moulinex toaster. A farmers market still life, Poireaux vinaigrette in a French hole-in-the-wall, a guided visit to the Impressionist wing of the Musée d’Orsay….
Welcome to the Paris Watercolor Retreat.
Access Paris like never before…
This includes developing the building blocks of watercolor by sketching stunning still life compositions, live models, museums, café culture and architecture. To further develop the act of seeing like an artist, we will visit lesser-known sites like art bookstores, gardens and tiny museums. Whether you're a novice or an experienced artist, this retreat offers a nurturing environment free from judgment or the pressure to produce perfect masterpieces. It’s more about trusting the process, connecting with a like-minded group of supportive artists, and immersing yourself in the beauty of Paris. You'll leave the retreat with a solid knowledge of watercolor technique, a mighty portfolio of watercolors and a sketchbook filled with ideas to take home with you.
Morning workshops will take place over a traditional French breakfast in a storied artist studio in the the heart of Montparnasse, a hub of creative exchange for young, international artists at the beginning of the 20th century including artists like Picasso, Kandinsky and Matisse to name a few. Afternoons are a time to source inspiration in some of the best museums in the World like the Musee d’Orsay, Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Fondation Cartier and lesser-known Parisian spots.
“Spending a week with Jessie is a bespoke, intimate experience where students are welcomed into her world like old friends. Jessie is a gentle, thoughtful and confident teacher. Students are shepherded along, but left feeling capable, independent and inspired.” -Lindsay, Nova Scotia
Objectives
Watercolor techniques
Instruction covers essentials like understanding watercolor, color theory, dosing out transparency, strategy and evolving an idea to a fleshed-out final piece through observational drawing & painting.
Paris as Muse
Use the backdrop of Paris a primary reference visiting museums, galleries, bookstores, green spaces and more. You’ll fill up a sketchbook is inspirations to take home with you and access Paris like never before.
Develop your style & voice
Renowned illustrator and author of “Thinking in Watercolor” Jessie Kanelos Weiner will meet you where you are on your journey, encouraging you to identify and develop your own personal painting style.
“The Paris Watercolor Retreat is a very special experience that I will treasure always. A gifted artist and illustrator, Jessie shares not only her artistic techniques but all that she loves about art, food and fashion, with mornings of instruction in an inspiring, historic art studio, and afternoons exploring the canvas of Paris -- its museum masterpieces and the city itself. I would love to join this retreat again!.” -Claire
Who is this for?
All levels
Maybe you always loved art and drawing, but have been too caught up in life to commit to a daily practice.
Paris lovers
Anyone looking for a new way to experience Paris with a generous insider as a guide
Watercolorists
Anyone who has a strong desire to understand and paint with watercolor on a deeper level
Snapshots from the first Paris Watercolor Retreat, May 2024
Itinerary
(subject to minor changes)
DAY 1
9:00AM French breakfast welcome at the artist atelier. Intros and presentation of retreat
10:00-12:00PM Watercolor 101 and still life workshop
12:00PM Lunch in an old-fashioned French hole-in-the-wall restaurant
1:00PM Watercolor 102 (Building layers and color mixing) still life workshop 2
3:00PM Palais Royale sketching
4:00PM Visit to the Musée des Arts Decoratif
DAY 2
9:00AM French breakfast bonjour and recap of previous day’s lesson. Theory and color mixing in watercolor
10:00AM-1:00PM Watercolor still life workshop focusing on light and color
1:30PM Presentation of afternoon activity: painting en plein air
2:00PM Guided museum visit, Musee d’Orsay
4:00PM Watercolor painting in Les Tuileries
DAY 3
9:00AM French breakfast bonjour and presentation of day’s activities
9:30AM Live model painting workshop focusing on shape, form and volume
2:00PM Guest watercolor artist speaker on their own personal technique and rendering the human body
4PM Fondation Cartier Museum visit
DAY 4
9AM French breakfast bonjour
9:30AM Drawing life in motion
10AM-1:00PM Watercolor model workshop dedicated to movement and experimental techniques
2PM Café live watercolor session at the celebrated cafés of Montparnasse with special guest
3PM Guided visit of artist studios in Montreuil
DAY 5
9AM Final French breakfast bonjour
9:30AM Guest speaker architectural illustrator on sharing the secrets of painting spaces
10:30AM Plein air architecture painting
12:00PM Shared lunch picnic provided by Jessie Kanelos Weiner
13:30PM Final museum visit Fondation Louis Vuitton
3PM Ballade Bois de Boulogne
4PM Champagne toast to a wonderful week and a traditional French aperitif or cocktail hour provided by Jessie Kanelos Weiner. Ciao for now.
I promise you will…
Connect
with other like-minded artistic types from all walks of life and inspire one another.
Experience
the Good Life as Parisians do and a charming side of the city otherwise inaccessible to tourists.
Master
watercolor in your own way by painting from life and being under the tutelage of JKW.
ABOUT JKW
Franco-American watercolor illustrator, author of the new book “Thinking in Watercolor”, bestselling coauthor of “Paris in Stride” and educator, Jessie Kanelos Weiner is known worldwide for her whimsical style and strong wit. She has worked for clients like Vogue, The New Yorker, The New York Times, WSJ, Chevrolet, Cartier, Nespresso & Free People. Originally from Chicago, she has been based in Paris for over 15 years where she lives with her French husband and son. More here.
RATE
This doesn’t include:
Airfare
Accommodations
Travel insurance
Transportation, food purchases and lunch during free time. (However, I will share tips, recommendations, and contact information.)
Additional visits and trips not part of the itinerary.
Travel or Metro card within the city
Any preferred art supplies not provided by instructor
Any other expenses guests may incur on their own
3870 euros, 2000 euros payable to book reservation
This includes:
5 curated days of bespoke watercolor experiences
A traditional French breakfast welcoming you each morning
All professional quality watercolor supplies used during this course which you can take home with you (100% cotton paper, natural bristle brushes and your own Kuretake watercolor set)
Access to a one-of-kind and historic artist studio venue
Your very own copy of Jessie’s book “Thinking in Watercolor: A Daily Practice to Unlock Your Creativity & Discover Your Inner Artist”
Payment for guest watercolor speakers
Live model fees
Tickets for all museum visits in the itinerary
Lunch on 2 days of the retreat
Champagne toast to wrap up the experience
Individual 30-minute portfolio review with each guest
