There Is Always Something To Do
We have had guests who go explore on their own, go to play golf, or go into town to enjoy the café culture and shops while we artists are tethered to our easels. In a way the non-painters are more flexible with their time as they have the freedom to wander and explore so much more!
If the non-painter joins us with their painting spouse, we’ve even seen their relationship change for the better! We remove all of the distractions so they can better concentrate on their own interests when apart, and each other when together.
At one of Carol Marine’s Workshops, Gregory a non-painter, came with his lovely wife Coralie. He was such an asset to the group as his enthusiasm for life was infectious! He even ended up painting and surprised everyone with his wonderful work! We enjoyed their company so much that we invited them to be crew for us in Scotland and they are returning again to help us deliver the retreat in Tuscany. We are thrilled to say that we have quite a few couples returning with us for our next season, so our harmonious blend of activities for painters and non-painters must be working!

Blogger: Shirley Hambrick
Shirley Hambrick is an award-winning stained-glass artist and painter. She has lived in Scotland, Spain and the USA. Shirley is part of the Workshops in France team and attended over 20 of these trips. She writes about her adventures.
Being Scottish, she was trained at Edinburgh College of Art and Design. Shirley teaches in the West Virginia area and you can some of her beautiful work here.
Your Artist Getaway Awaits
Check out more blogs about art workshops, tips and hacks for artists traveling in France, Scotland and Italy.
The Allure of Gold Leaf with Olga Krimon
Captivated by the radiant shimmer of gold leaf in Olga Krimon’s innovative oil paintings, we knew we had to learn more about her artistic process. Renowned for her contemporary approach to figurative painting, Olga masterfully combines traditional oil painting techniques with bold experimentation, creating works seamlessly blending classic craftsmanship with modern sensibilities. Workshops In France hosts a workshop in Normandy, France, with Olga Krimon, May 2025.
24 Hours in Florence
What if you just had 24 hours spend in Florence? Let the team at Workshops in France guide you through some of our favorite highlights in this famous city.
Sargent And Spain Exhibition Delights
Being a frequent traveler, arguably his genius was the ability to capture the light of the Mediterranean. In this collection, you can see that particular Spanish light. It’s similar to the Mediterranean light we encounter in Provence and Tuscany. The take-away from this show is the inspiration and invigoration that comes from travel can ignite any artist and when you are Sargent, the world will look upon the pieces for generations to come.