Art At the castle
John Hulsey and Ann Trusty
John Hulsey is a professional artist, author, sculptor and teacher who has been conducting workshops in Europe and the U.S. for over 35 years. His paintings are included in many hundreds of private and corporate collections including the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, The Hudson River Museum, The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, and have travelled to the United States Embassies in Australia and Jordan.
Ann Trusty is a third-generation artist whose oil and watercolor paintings celebrate the mysteries of Nature—“the fleeting light on the landscape, the unimaginable diversity, the beauty of each leaf and flower.” Her work has been exhibited throughout the UnitedStates, France and Turkey in both museum and gallery exhibitions, and has received favorable reviews by the New York Times. With John Hulsey, she co-founded and publishes the educational website, The Artist's Road.
John and Ann infuse their workshops with kind and open attitudes. They love to help students to excel in their art and share their encyclopedic knowledge of art and vast experience as teachers, travelers and fellow painters with all their students. John’s mastery of watercolor earned his work a place in the National Watercolor Society’s Best of One Hundred Years exhibition, among many other professional accolades and achievements gained in over 50 years as a professional artist. His watercolor portrait of Margaret Thatcher was published on the cover of Time Magazine.
Art at a French Castle: Watercolor Retreat
Retreat Date: Sept 30 to October 7
This is a very special opportunity to live and paint for six days and seven nights at a private, restored castle in the heart of the Perigord region in the heart of the South West of France!
Join John Hulsey and Ann Trusty on this private 270-acre estate to paint, explore and enjoy sumptuous chef-prepared meals and luxuriate in the amenities of this remarkable castle and grounds. Upon your arrival at the nearby TGV station, you will be chauffered directly to the chateau where you will settle in to a room decorated with beautiful antiques befitting an elegant castle residence like this. Meals are served in one of two high banquet halls, where our cheery group will gather each evening and morning. Each day,we will either paint the grounds or explore the wonderful Perigord countryside and nearby ancient villages in a private van piloted by our host and owner of the castle, Miles Copeland. At the end of the week, you will be driven back to the TGV station at Angoulême.
Our Art at the Castle plein air workshop will be all about learning how to work quickly on location in watercolor and gouache, to capture the qualities of light and place as we visit picturesque villages and landscapes located near the castle, and of course, the marvelous castle and grounds. Each day, John will explain the best ways to build a composition, eliminate details, assess values and develop a harmonious color palette as he demonstrates the necessary painting techniques you will need. A perfect watercolor wash can express an entire world if the values, edges, color and shape are just right, and this week-long workshop is designed to help you learn and practice this essential skill.
Moving from student to student, Ann will share her watercolor skills with everyone as the week progresses. Whether you are working in a travel journal or creating a larger painting, this course is structured to give you the insights and tools to progress from where you are to where you want to be. Advanced students will benefit by John’s ability to strengthen their work through his one-on-one positive critiques and pointers. There is no better, faster or more fun way to learn!
Above all, we will live like queens and kings while at the castle, and your days of painting and touring will be pleasant and care-free. Truly an experience of a lifetime!
Materials/supplies list provided.
A complimentary copy of John and Ann’s book - The Field Guide to Plein Air Painting in Watercolor, will be sent to registered students.
Rooms
*There are no elevators! Only stairs. If you have problems with stairs please choose a ground floor room*
The prices below include all meals, tickets to places of interest, local trips, and transportation to/from train station to castle.
There are 13 rooms in all. 9 have ensuite bathrooms and 4 have shared bathrooms. 6 bedrooms have King size beds ideal for couples.
For booking, please contact us via email below.
Booking Deposit is $500
Final Day of Payment is May 1st 2025
Contact/Booking
For retreat booking/inquiries: artatthecastle@gmail.com
Location
Art at the Castle
399 Route du Chateau de Marouatte
Grand Brassac, 24350
Dordogne
France