Normandy Workshop with Aldo Balding
In a French Chateau
Chateau in Normandy, France – May 1 – 9, 2025
This is a unique painting workshop with one of the art world’s leading figurative painters, Aldo Balding. Our art adventure takes place just outside of Paris, France in an intimate medieval château. Here, students will discover and develop their technical skills by painting figures, the landscape, abundant florals, French interiors, and of course, the light.
The magic takes place on the grounds of an authentic 18th-century chateau where the alchemy of classic art and romantic imagination come together to create the ideal workshop and art retreat environment. Our workshops are so much more than a classroom. You will spend the entire time living and working under the same roof as the instructors and other creative guests who share their passion for art and la belle vie!
We are not limited to the chateau grounds with plenty of excursions in the surrounding areas just northwest of Paris. This makes it an ideal destination for couples with non-painting partners, artist friends who want to travel and paint together, or even family members who share their artistry. Plenty to do for non-painting partners.
Get ready for some painting and an immersive experience in the Normandy region just outside of Paris. This once-in-a-lifetime inspiring and instructive workshop will be unforgettable.
The workshop experience is open to artists of all levels. There will be demos, one-on-one painting sessions and critiques. You will explore different approaches and create art using the principles learned. You will also be plein air painting on the historic Château’s Estate. Sound like heaven? We thought so…
With Aldo Balding, you will experience a comprehensive learning experience for painting that you can use and refer to and further your own work. Aldo is both a skilled figurative and landscape painter. We will have live models on-site and will paint them in and out of the studio. Aldo Balding has been a resident of France for years and has created countless compositions in the small villages that make up this country. He is deeply familiar with the European landscape. Aldo will provide a wealth of knowledge to students.
The instruction and accommodations are in a 18th-century château estate. You will be able to venture out with the group and capture landscapes and scenes of life in France in the surrounding countryside. In addition to obtaining painting skills, you’ll also enjoy an immersive French experience.
You’ll be able to explore the neighboring villages, visit vineyards to taste the local vintages, and shop at local outdoor markets as part of your retail therapy. You can see our chateau featured below! See more images here.
Aldo Balding
Aldo Balding was born and raised in the United Kingdom and currently lives in the South of France. He started off his career as an illustrator before moving to France to become a full-time artist. He is represented by a number of galleries around the world, including ones in the United Kingdom, United States of America, France and South Africa.
There is a narrative element to Balding’s work in which he sets up scenarios, with no specific outcome, leaving it up to the viewer to interpret and make their own. He believes that the way a person holds their body can say more about their feelings and intentions, than words can. His subtle use of space distortion creates a sense that something is amiss or is about to happen. Similar talents were shown by great black and white movie filmmakers, like Hitchcock, in the sense that many of Balding’s works can be seen as stills from a movie. Balding considers himself a storyteller, he takes an idea and moulds it to his liking; furthermore, the colours, the figures and the scenery are all adjusted for the viewer based on what he wants them to see.
Some of Aldo’s exhibitions include his solo exhibitions at Galerie Anagama and the Galerie Anagaman, both in Versailles, France, the Galerie en Ré in Bois-Colombes, France, at the Christopher Moller Art Gallery in S.Africa, the Catto Gallery in London, UK, and at the Alexander Gallery in Bristol, UK.
In addition, Aldo has had work in the following exhibitions; in the Barcelona Museum of Modern Art MEAM Exhibition, the Art Renewal Center Salon, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, the IAACC Pablo Serrano de Zaragoza Museum Exhibition, Thompson’s Gallery, London three-man show, and the Royal Institute of Oil painters exhibition. See the paintings below in the portfolio section.
Normandy France
Normandy France
Normandy, France, is a haven for artists seeking inspiration from its picturesque landscapes and charming coastal villages. Known for its enchanting light and vibrant colors, Normandy has long been a favorite retreat for painters like Claude Monet, who found endless muse in the region’s lush gardens, serene rivers, and iconic cliffs. A visit to Monet’s house and garden in Giverny is a must for any art enthusiast, offering a glimpse into the life and work of the father of Impressionism. The region’s unique blend of pastoral countryside and dramatic seaside vistas provides a diverse array of subjects for painters, photographers, and sketch artists alike.
After soaking in the tranquil beauty of Normandy, we recommend extending your stay with a short trip to Paris. The City of Light has been the cradle of artistic innovation for centuries, home to the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and countless galleries showcasing masterpieces from every era. Wandering through Montmartre, once the bohemian heart of Paris, artists can follow in the footsteps of Picasso and Van Gogh, drawing inspiration from the lively atmosphere and historic charm. Together, Normandy and Paris create a rich tapestry of experiences for any artist, blending serene natural beauty with the dynamic pulse of one of the world’s greatest cultural capitals.
“Leonardo da Vinci said that one must paint two main things in order to become a good painter — man and the workings of a man’s mind; the first is the easier of the two.
It resonates with me, I am a storyteller, I want to convey a moment in time that we can relate to. A shared sense of being. I hate contrived poses and find the natural and spontaneous stimulating. The psychology of my choice of expression is in what happens between people; it is what we are all about.”
This Workshop Includes:
- Exclusive workshop with world-class instructor Aldo Balding.
- 9 days of artistic immersion near Normandy, France.
- Chateau accommodation
- Ongoing demos, art discussions and evenings with the instructors.
- Tuition, all meals on the estate, wine, accommodation, and ground transportation. We eat out at our own expense at one lunch and one dinner.
- Airfare is not included.
- Charles de Gaulle airport pickup is included at select times.
- Paint, sketch and enjoy the good life in beautiful French surroundings.
- Daily painting locations: Private vineyards, charming villages, markets (painting and excursion locations vary with weather)
- Balanced itinerary of painting, exploring and relaxation for artists of all media – all levels!
- Live, learn, and paint side-by-side with Aldo Balding.
- Additional Cultural event – A visit to Auvers-sur-Oise
Aldo Balding in a Chateau in Normandy
$5,500
May 1 – 9, 2025
Aldo Balding Workshop in a chateau in Normandy, France. Limited number of guests.
All prices are in USD.
Works by Aldo Balding
