# Paint, Play, and Procreate Art Retreat with Artist Lisa Bardot in France Find your authentic artistic voice during a playful art retreat with Lisa Bardot in the Loire Valley, France. Returning to this beautiful destination for the second time, Lisa has prepared an inspiring course, covering analog art alongside Procreate illustration. Benefit from daily classes with your favorite instructor, individual feedback, insightful demonstrations, fun creative challenges, and expert guidance. By the end of the retreat, you'll have completed two digital projects in Procreate, in addition to several smaller projects using traditional media. This retreat is best suited to artists with some prior experience with Procreate.Explore the Loire Valley through two art trips: to the historic town of Saumur and a charming local market. Stay at a 19th-century château, enjoy chef-made cuisine, and delight in an exquisite wine-tasting event with a renowned sommelier. Connect with a supportive group of 15 other artists and create wonderful illustrations together! ## Details - **Dates:** September 10 - 17, 2025 - **Location:** Concourson-sur-Layon, France - **Starting Price:** $4,500 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Paint, Play, and Procreate Retreat Join illustrator Lisa Bardot on an inspiring digital art retreat using Procreate, taking place in the heart of the Loire Valley, France. This weeklong adventure will help you rediscover your childlike curiosity, silence your inner critic, and unearth your authentic creative voice with Lisa's help. You'll explore digital and traditional media and combine techniques from each style to create artwork that truly stands out. Lisa will also share her unique method of creating her famous Procreate brushes and teach you how to make your very own. You'll get the most out of this retreat if you have some previous Procreate experience and wish to take your skills the extra mile. You'll benefit from Lisa's expert guidance, individual feedback, insightful demonstrations, and exciting creative challenges. Play and experiment in a supportive environment, joined by 15 other like-minded students. In addition to several smaller exercises in traditional or digital media, you'll develop two complex art projects over the course of the retreat. Draw inspiration from the gorgeous French countryside surrounding your venue and from two art trips: to the historic town of Saumur and a local French market.Some of the topics Lisa will cover include:Letting go of inhibitions and rediscovering your childlike creativityCreating your own Procreate brushesSketching with traditional media versus sketching in ProcreatePerspective and scene-buildingAdding real-life texture to digital workFinding your own styleUsing brushes to optimize your working processTaking excellent reference photosColor theory and working with limited palettes...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 to catch the 4:00 PM transfer, reaching the majestic château by 5:00 PM. Meet Lisa Bardot and your fellow artists, then settle into your elegant room. Join the orientation tour to discover the stunning venue in detail. Explore the château's enchanting gardens, woodlands, period salon, and charming library. Enjoy a special welcome dinner where you'll indulge in a three-course feast, local wines, and artisanal cheese. Meet your fellow artists and toast to the exciting week ahead! ### Day 2: Art at the château Greet the day with a delicious breakfast, relishing delightful pastries, local produce, and fresh fruit. Learn more about today's schedule during a leisurely check-in, then get ready for your first class of the retreat.You'll start with an icebreaker to raise your spirits and acquaint you better with Lisa and your peers. Follow it up with a creative exercise (which will mark the beginning of each morning session from now on). This free-flowing, playful task will help you find your childlike mindset and silence your inner critic. Set some personal objectives and get more familiar with the overall structure of the course.Following a well-deserved break for lunch, join Lisa for the afternoon class. Inspired by still-life subjects found at the venue, she'll begin with a couple of demonstrations, sharing practical tips for sketching and ideation techniques for both physical sketchbooks and your Procreate projects. Your instructor will guide you in developing a unique visual style with exercises designed to explore and refine your artistic voice. Lastly, Lisa will introduce the first big project of the retreat: an imaginative tabletop scene inspired by your enchanting surroundings.After the class, you may unwind by the pool, relax with a good book at the library, or stroll through the gardens. As evening falls, get together with your fellow artists for a chef-prepared dinner accompanied by exquisite local wines. ### Day 3: Trip to a French market Greet a new day with another delectable breakfast and learn more about today's art trip: a visit to a nearby traditional market.Local French markets are a cherished cultural tradition, showcasing the perfect slice of life in the Loire countryside. Stroll among the many stalls and wares on display and find intriguing trinkets, fresh produce, antiquities, and delicacies. Sketch and photograph these items, adding them to your ever-growing source of inspiration. Lisa will share some advice regarding taking excellent reference photos using an iPhone, drawing from her over 12 years of experience as a professional photographer. While you're browsing, why not grab a souvenir for your loved ones back home?Return to the venue and savor a satisfying lunch. Using the objects, reference photos, and sketches from your trip, you'll begin working on your very own tabletop scene. Lisa will demonstrate how to build a scene and choose between multiple perspective options. After the demo, practice on your own. Lisa will provide individual guidance if you run into any challenges. By the end of the class, you'll have completed your tabletop scene sketch.Enjoy the late afternoon as you wish; relax by the pool, share impressions with your fellow artists, or stroll through the gardens. End the day with a chef-prepared dinner and celebrate your adventures with fine wine in the company of fellow artists. ### Day 4: Art at the château Indulge in another delightful breakfast and join a check-in session with Lisa, where you'll discuss your progress so far.The morning class starts with another exciting warm-up exercise, getting you into the groove and loosening your style. Today you'll try some painted paper play, a fun creative challenge that focuses on incorporating texture into digital work. This morning's class will be your introduction to combining traditional and digital painting methods. With Lisa's guidance, you'll learn how to create multiple textures using physical media, which you'll later add to your tabletop piece digitally.Savor a delicious lunch, then keep perfecting your tabletop scene in the afternoon class. You'll spend this session adding your physical textures to your digital project. You'll also learn about working with a limited color palette to create a unified look in your completed scene. With Lisa's expert advice and guidance, you'll bring your artistic vision to life and finish the first project of the retreat.Unwind with a walk in the gardens or chat with your art group. The evening culminates in a chef-crafted dinner, paired with local French wine. ### Day 5: Brushmaking class Start another morning with a filling breakfast. Chat with Lisa and your fellow artists and prepare for your next art session at the château.Join Lisa and the art group for a rather special morning class. Lisa will show you how to create some of her famous Procreate brushes. The creative warm-up will be followed by your first tutorial on brushmaking. The first step (and the physical component of the process) involves mark-making with ink, creating the various shapes and textures you'll use to craft your own Procreate brushes. You'll spend the entire morning making Procreate brushes to suit your digital projects.After lunch, finish up your brushes in the afternoon session. You'll dive into advanced methods of creating digital brushes and learn how to use your new tools to simplify and speed up your work as an illustrator. Lisa will offer one-on-one guidance and individual feedback if you need an extra hand.Unwind after the afternoon class with an activity of your choosing, and wrap up the day with a tasty dinner crafted by the venue's private chef. Pair the delicious dishes with premium French wine. ### Day 6: Trip to Saumur Start the day with a delicious breakfast and gather for a coffee check-in with Lisa. Set off on a trip to one of France's most charming medieval towns, Saumur. This unforgettable place is a short 30-minute drive away.The picturesque town is known for its stunning scenery and rich history. Spend the morning exploring Saumur's cobbled lanes and medieval architecture with Lisa and your art group. As you wander the town, make on-location sketches or take reference photos of eye-catching scenes. Lisa will be happy to impart more photography advice if you're having trouble finding the perfect shot. The town has a romantic, typically French allure and features gorgeous panoramas, particularly of the Loire and the bridges across the water.The impressive Château de Saumur is not to be missed either. Celebrated as the "Château of Love," this majestic construction is one of the best-preserved remnants of royal architecture from the Valois dynasty. Your photos and sketches of the castle will be used for your next big Procreate project-illustrating a fantastical castle. Lisa will introduce this new challenge during the trip.Return to the venue just in time for a delicious lunch, followed by the afternoon class, where you'll further develop your fantastical castle project. Let your creativity run wild as you brainstorm ideas for the castle's components, including its doors, turrets, patterns, and colors. Tap into your inner child to imagine the fantasy elements of your scene and complete the first sketch by the end of the class. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Share your impressions of the Saumur trip with your fellow artists during another mouthwatering dinner. ### Day 7: Art at the château After breakfast, Lisa will use the morning class to help you color your castle piece. She'll explain color theory, and then, after playing around with color combinations and choosing a suitable palette, you can begin making a color plan. Don't be afraid to get a little experimental. In the afternoon, you'll refine your sketch digitally, then apply the colors you selected and add the finishing touches—shading and texturing. You'll incorporate the hand-painted textures and your custom Procreate brushes into the final rendering. If you need a little guidance, Lisa will gladly lend you a hand. The end result will be an imaginative and whimsical scene inspired by the majestic Château de Saumur! The day ends with a celebratory three-course dinner, carefully crafted by your private chef. Reminisce about your time at the retreat with your newfound friends over a glass of French wine. ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy breakfast with your art group, exchange any last contacts, and get ready for your 8:00 AM transfer to the St. Laud train station, arriving at about 9:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Lisa Bardot** - Illustrator and educator ## Accommodation ### French Château ### Shared room - shared bathroom (female only) ### Shared standard ensuite room (female only) ### Shared superior ensuite room ### 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/paint-play-procreate-art-retreat-artist-lisa-bardot-france](https://uptrek.com/retreat/paint-play-procreate-art-retreat-artist-lisa-bardot-france) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*