Painting and Photography

Courses in France

Do you and your partner enjoy taking holidays or courses together, but find you like to do different things?

Or maybe you have a friend who would like to go on a photography course while you come for a painting course, or vice versa?

Well, here you'll find the best of both worlds: a combined cooking and photography course.

One shoots while the other paints...

So, while your partner or friend paints and draws on the painting course, you could be snapping away on your photography course.  And over lunch and dinner you'll be able to swap stories about what you've each been up to during the day.

There's really no better place to brush up on your photography or painting skills than France: birthplace of some of the greatest photographers and painters in the world.

The cost...

Prices start from just £120 per person.  Everything you'll need is included in the cost of a standard five day/six night painting or photography course.

But, if you only want to come for a day or two, ask about our One, Two and Three day courses. 

Either way, contact us for availability.

Your photography course in France tutor, David Quinn...

Patiently guided and encouraged by your photography tutor, David Quinn, you'll quickly become highly adept behind the lens.

David Quinn is a professional photographer who is passionate about his work. As patient as he is skilled, he imparts his knowledge with a minimum of fuss and pretension.

Under his gentle guidance you'll learn about your camera and what it will do as you go, developing your own skills in a natural and progressive way.

Choose from a good range of subject matter...

Specialising in portraiture, David is adept in whatever subject he focuses on and will teach you:

• Landscapes - how to frame a scene and which camera settings to use

• Portraiture - how to light and position your subject

• Still life - how to set up a convincing arrangement and how to light it

• Food photography - how the pros get those mouthwatering shots

• Action shots - using shutter speed, aperture priority and ISO settings to capture that fleeting moment

• Nature - the Dordogne is home to an abundance of flora and fauna just ripe for snapping

• P, TV, AV, M & B. What's all that about?! - those mysterious camera settings explained and explored

• The 'SCN' and 'AUTO PICT' setting - use your cameras' built-in SCENE and AUTO PICTURE settings for spontaneous on-the-hoof shooting

Together, you'll cover many practical and technical elements of the digital photography genre...

Digital cameras are now the way to go for amateur and professional photographers alike. And, with pixels increasing and prices tumbling, there has never been a better time to buy, but, with literally hundreds to choose from, where do you start?

You obviously need to decide what you want a camera for and what you want it to do, and we can help you do just that...

• Thinking of buying a camera? - advice on the best for you and your budget

• Which lens? - fixed focal length, zoom, tele? We'll navigate the minefield with you

• Camera know-how - a look under the hood to see what makes it click

• Camera care - learn how to treat it right!

So, you've got your perfect camera, now what..?

Well, once you've decided on your weapon of choice, what are you going to do with it? Again, this is where we come in...

• The digital darkroom - shed light on this complex subject with Photoshop

• Take great photos for the web - learn how to take great images that entice your site visitors and download fast

• Holiday snaps - take great photos that don't bore your friends! ;-)

Your painting course tutor, artist Gill Mitchell...

As soon as you meet your painting course tutor, Gill Mitchell, you'll realise that she is easy to get on with. Naturally chatty, brimming with character, and possessing a great sense of humour, she is a born teacher who'll use her enthusiasm and keen eye to guide and encourage you.

Your painting course in France tutor, Gill Mitchell...

An award winning art tutor and professional artist, Gill Mitchell has been painting nearly all her life, gaining a Fine Arts degree in Art History at UEA Norwich (UK) in 1974.

For the next twenty years she lectured in Painting, Drawing and Art History while living in Devon, south west England.

A sought-after freelance artist...

Gill then held a successful freelance career taking commissions for many portraits and landscapes, and produced a published range of signed Limited Edition prints and cards.

With many successful exhibitions under her belt her sought-after work resides in private collections throughout the United States, France and the UK.

Her artwork...

Embodying the traditional skills of painting and drawing, her artwork covers such divers subjects as:

• Landscapes

• Still-life

• Portraiture

• Buildings and architecture

She works in:

• Watercolour

• Gouache

• Oils

• Acrylic

• All traditional drawing materials

The inspirational effect of light...

Gill partly takes her inspiration from the effects of changing light: evening light on trees, shadowed light on frosty ground, warm tones of Autumn light towards dusk, or reflected light in water.

Landscape also plays an important role in many of her portraits, where she uses a garden or other setting of importance to great effect.

Like to know more or want to book..?

Booking is easy, just email me and I'll get straight back to you!