# Figures and Fantasy Art Retreat with Artist Jimena Agra in France Join artist Jimena Agra for an inspiring and transformative oil painting retreat set in the enchanting Loire Valley, France. Open to artists of all levels, this immersive week-long retreat focuses on mastering figure and portrait painting.In the serene French countryside, dive into essential techniques such as color mixing, skin tone shading, and crafting narrative-driven art. Through daily workshops, demonstrations, and personalized guidance from Jimena, you’ll refine your skills and explore new avenues of artistic expression.Savor delicious chef-prepared meals, relax in the château’s tranquil gardens, and form lasting connections with a community of like-minded artists. Visit historic castles and paint from a live model every day. Bond with a supportive group of 15 other artists and make memories to last a lifetime! ## Details - **Dates:** September 1 - 8, 2025 - **Location:** Concourson-sur-Layon, France - **Starting Price:** $4,150 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Figures and Fantasy Art Retreat Join artist Jimena Agra for an inspiring oil painting retreat in the heart of France’s Loire Valley, set against the serene backdrop of a historic château. This art retreat is open to all levels of experience.Engage in immersive workshops where you’ll master essential techniques such as color mixing, skin tone shading, and narrative-driven painting. Each session begins with demonstrations focusing on proportions and brush selection. Each day, learn how to confidently paint directly from a live model. Gain invaluable experience in capturing realistic form and movement. Practice techniques like portrait painting and figure composition, using references from inspiring trips to Saumur and Château de Villandry. Sketch your model in fantasy-inspired attire, then integrate these elements into your paintings. Learn to create cohesive works by blending multiple elements, with a focus on light washes, ambiance, and natural elements.In the final classes, polish your work, ask any leftover questions, and discuss how to continue your practice at home. Jimena has a wealth of experience in the art business, and she'll touch on topics like selling art, getting commissions, overcoming artist’s block, and maintaining a daily creative practice. The retreat ends in style with a mini-exhibition to celebrate your progress and gain feedback from your peers.By the end of this retreat, you’ll leave with a portfolio of work, a renewed sense of purpose, and the tools to take the next step in your creative journey.Topics covered in your classes include:Color mixing, skin tone shading, and proportionsCreating narrative-driven paintingsConfidently transferring images into artSustaining your creative practice and marketing your workOvercoming artist's block and integrating art into daily life...and many more.The retreat takes place at a majestic 19th-century château featuring lush gardens, a heated pool, and stunning surroundings. Immerse yourself in French culture in a picturesque setting, coupled with authentic French cuisine prepared by the venue's private chef. Indulge in a wine-tasting event hosted by a renowned sommelier in the château's gardens, where you'll discover the finest flavors of the region. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Angers' St. Laud train station in time for the 4:00 PM transfer, bringing you to the magnificent château by 5:00 PM. You'll be welcomed by Jimena and your fellow artists before settling into your elegant room. Take part in an orientation tour to fully explore the venue, including its enchanting gardens, woodlands, period salon, and charming library.In the evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner featuring a three-course meal, local wines, and artisanal cheeses. Meet your fellow artists and raise a toast to the inspiring week ahead! ### Day 2: Class at the château Start your day with a nourishing breakfast before diving into an introduction to the course. Jimena will outline the week's program, guiding you through what to expect as you embark on this immersive painting journey. The morning will include smaller demonstrations, focusing on key techniques like mixing skin tones, understanding light, and mastering proportions.In the afternoon, it's time to practice these techniques in your portrait work, painting from the model. Jimena will take you through the materials, explaining the selection of brushes and tools, and how they impact your painting. You'll learn the technique of painting alla prima, working directly onto the canvas to capture spontaneity and expression in your work.After class, unwind by the pool, browse the library, or take a leisurely walk through the gardens. The day concludes with a delightful dinner, where you can enjoy a glass of French wine and reflect on the day's progress with your fellow artists. ### Day 3: Art trip to Saumur After a nourishing breakfast, you will set off to the charming town of Saumur, renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture.The charming town of Saumur, known as the birthplace of Coco Chanel, is home to the magnificent Château de Saumur. Originally constructed in the 10th century, the fortress once served as a royal residence, and now holds UNESCO World Heritage status. It offers a breathtaking view that evokes both power and romance. Spend the morning sketching this majestic castle, capturing the way light dances across its historic façade and drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape to gather visual ideas for your later work.Following a tasty lunch, the afternoon will be dedicated to integrating the morning’s observations into your paintings. Jimena will guide you through techniques to capture the shifting light values and how they influence your portrait’s depth and emotion. Drawing inspiration from the history and ambiance of Saumur, explore how to weave your personal narrative into the piece, infusing the scene with meaning and story. As you continue the painting you started the day prior, you’ll begin to see how the details you observed in Saumur enrich your artwork.The day concludes with a chef-prepared dinner, celebrating your progress with fine wine and lively conversation. ### Day 4: Art at the château Begin your fourth day with a delicious breakfast, followed by a morning demo led by Jimena. Focus on figure painting and explore proportions and the ambiance of a painting. Start with a light wash to break the white of the canvas and set the stage for a looser, more expressive style. Learn to integrate multiple elements into one cohesive, larger piece. You'll experiment with balancing the composition and creating depth.In the afternoon, shift your focus to portraying clothing and natural elements in your figure painting. Jimena will explain how to bring these components to life with texture and movement. Dive into discussions about great artists who have inspired her, learning how they approached similar subjects. The session will conclude with hands-on practice as you continue painting from the live model, applying what you’ve learned throughout the day.As the day winds down, join your fellow artists for a nourishing dinner prepared by the château's private chef, reflecting on the progress made. ### Day 5: Trip to Château de Villandry After a nourishing breakfast, set off for an inspiring trip to the Château de Villandry, a stunning example of Renaissance architecture. Originally built in the 16th century and lovingly restored in the early 20th century, the chateau is famed for its intricate, geometric gardens, which span several terraces.With its towering stone façade as a backdrop, the château offers the perfect setting to sketch your model, who will pose alongside this majestic landmark. Explore angles, light, and proportion as the model stands in contrast to the château’s grand structure. Learn to integrate human form with architectural and natural elements and sharpen your skills in blending both into cohesive compositions. Whenever you need a break, take a break with a packed lunch in the gardens.In the afternoon, continue sketching in different locations around the château, experimenting with quick gesture drawings and more detailed studies in the gardens. Improve your ability to capture movement and essence. Hone your observational skills and learn how to quickly depict the human form. Meanwhile, discuss and refine your approach, getting feedback and advice from your peers and instructor.As evening falls, return to the venue to unwind and reflect on the day's creative work. Enjoy a chef-prepared dinner with your group, celebrating the progress made and the inspiration drawn from such a breathtaking setting. ### Day 6: Art at the château Begin your day with a refreshing breakfast before diving into a focused and enriching morning session. Drawing from the references you gathered during the previous day’s trip, start working on a more complex painting. Jimena will begin the session by demonstrating her approach, showing how she incorporates these references into her own artwork. Observe her techniques for depicting elements of color, light, and composition.After a delicious lunch, the afternoon is dedicated to further refining your painting. Jimena will provide guidance on key techniques such as color mixing, achieving realistic skin tones, and creating the right ambiance within your work. Focus on bringing depth and emotion to your painting, with personalized feedback to support your creative process.The day wraps up with a peaceful dinner, offering time to reflect on your progress and share insights with fellow artists. ### Day 7: Art at the château Start your day with a nourishing breakfast alongside your fellow artists, then gather for the final morning session. The first part of the morning will be dedicated to polishing up your work, addressing any last-minute questions, and troubleshooting any challenges you’ve encountered during the retreat.Engage in a discussion about how to continue your creative practice once you return home. Jimena will lead a discussion touching on some essential topics: selling your paintings, securing commissions, and leveraging social media for promotion. You'll learn to navigate challenges like overcoming artist’s block, maintaining momentum, setting goals, and keeping a sustainable daily practice.Following a delicious lunch, participate in a meaningful mini-exhibition that serves as both a celebration and a reflection of your progress. Receive feedback, engage in discussions, and honor the progress you’ve made during the retreat.The day will conclude with a special three-course farewell dinner, lovingly prepared by the château’s chef. It’s a time to share stories, laugh, and express gratitude for the art you’ve created and the connections you’ve built throughout the week. ### Day 8: Departure After one last breakfast together, it’s time to pack up and bid farewell. Enjoy your meal with the group, exchange any final contact details, and prepare for your 8:00 AM transfer to the St. Laud train station, where you'll arrive around 9:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Jimena Agra** - Oil painter, educator ## Accommodation ### French Château ### Shared room - shared bathroom (female only) ### Shared standard ensuite room (female only) ### Shared superior ensuite room (female only) ### Shared bathroom - single room ### Single standard ensuite room ### Single superior ensuite room ### Single suite ### Single deluxe suite ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/figures-and-fantasy-art-retreat-with-jimena-agra-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/figures-and-fantasy-art-retreat-with-jimena-agra-france) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*