ALPINE CREATIVE TOURS
Painting Workshops in Europe since 2018
FRANCE - "Postcards from Provence", a Beginner's
Watercolor Travel Journaling Workshop
Dates: May 4-11, 2024
Medium: Watercolor, sketching BEGINNER'S
Price: $3,590 after Early Bird Discount

Lo Peyron Mathews is our instructor for the Beginner's Watercolor Travel Journaling workshop in Bonnieux, France.
Born and raised in Sweden, she has always been drawn to art. Growing up, she took every chance she had to create, and painted just about anything, anytime. Her ancestry is French, and she draws inspiration from three countries in her art: the vast landscape of Sweden, the stunning and scenic mountains of Colorado, and the picturesque villages of Provence. Her art style is representational, and she paints uniquely in watercolor. The unforeseen and unplanned nature of this medium is challenging, and she believes that is a major part of its appeal.
She cannot wait to get back to Provence and teach a beginner’s watercolor journaling workshop. Please read more about Lo on the About Us page.
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
This Travel Journaling workshop in beautiful Provence has been designed with the Absolute Beginner in mind. We will tailor the workshop toward those students who have never painted before but want to explore the exciting world of watercolor. Creating a watercolor journal when you are traveling is the complete opposite of how many of us travel these days: taking photos after photos with our phones. Watercolor Travel Journaling gives us a chance to slow down, to sketch scenes around us, to bring out our paints and add some color to our travel journals.
In the mornings we will go over the basics of watercolor. The medium of watercolor can be challenging and has a reputation for not being as “forgiving” as other mediums – but by learning the basic techniques early on, students will be able to avoid making many of the mistakes that beginners often do.
During the days we will visit all the gorgeous little towns in the area, filling up our travel journals with sketches, pictures, text, and practicing adding watercolor to our pages.
In the afternoons we will meet for more instruction before we have dinner at our hotel - or go out for dinner to one of the many local restaurants.
All this in a magical setting, rich with history and the fragrance of lavender.


Early Bird Discount $200
when booking by 11/30/2023.
FACTS ABOUT THIS TRIP:
Tour: Postcards from Provence, A Beginner's Watercolor Travel Journaling Workshop, Bonnieux
Dates: May 4-11, 2024
Teacher: Lo Peyron Mathews
Lodging: Hotel Clos du Buis
Closest airport: Marseilles
Price: $ 3,590 after Early Bird Discount
Price includes:
7 night lodging in shared double room
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Wine with dinner
5 days art instruction
All excursions, museum entrances
and other programs during the week.
All local transportation including round trip airport transfer to and from Marseilles.
Folding chairs to use in Provence.
Single supplement: $ 550
Not included:
Airline tickets
Transportation to and from your departure airport
Any pre-tour hotel costs
Travel insurance
Meals not listed above
ABOUT BONNIEUX
Bonnieux is located in the Luberon part of southern France. The town is situated on a steep cliff with many hilly streets and overlooks the valley below. Our excursions include visits to Roussillon with the world famous Ochre trail and mines, Lourmarin, l'Isle sur la Sorgue and other small towns in Provence.The architecture of Bonnieux, which was a papal town for about 500 years, testifies to the prestige of its inhabitants over the centuries: ecclesiastical dignitaries, counts, lords... up until the modern times of the 19th century. The village has kept all its authenticity, its steep sloping streets, its fountains and wash-houses, its old church and a view that is worth it all.

Lodging: Hotel Clos du Buis
The hotel has a great location in the center of Bonnieux. It is possible to walk to restaurants, shops and galleries. The hotel has a lovely garden, a small pool, plenty of space to paint indoors after our excursions! The breakfast is extraordinary and can be taken in the dining room that has a panoramic view over the beautiful valley below.
As an added benefit, there is a guest kitchen at our disposal, as is a washer and a dryer (that we can use for a small fee).
Please be aware that there are steep hills and stairs in Bonnieux!
Some of Lo's art from travels below:





Itinerary for our week in Bonnieux
Arrival Day
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We will meet you at the Marseilles airport to go to our hotel
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Welcome dinner
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Meet fellow students, teacher and staff
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Presentation of the week
Painting Days
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Breakfast
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Excursions by minibus to our paint out locations, among them:
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Roussillon with its famous Ochre Trail and art store La Companie des Ocres
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Lourmarin, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France
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L’Isle sur la Sorgue, known for its antique stores and ancient water wheels
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Gordes, with winding cobblestone streets
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We will also visit one or two markets to paint (and maybe to shop!)
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Five days of travel journaling and watercolor instruction
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Three lunches
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Three scrumptious 3-course dinners are included!
Departure day After breakfast we will say our farewells and coordinate transfers to the Marseilles airport
We reserve the right to change the itinerary if needed.
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