Riviera Pebbles Blog: Art Courses on the Cote d’Azur

Posted on 4th Jul 2018 in Go & Do

Want to paint like Henri Matisse? There's a Cote d'Azur art course for you

Art and the Cote d’Azur play together like watercolours on canvas. The light that welcomed greats like Matisse, Picasso and Renoir has welcomed generations of artists and amateurs alike.

As well as sunshine, the South of France has the requisite art stores, painting studios and stunning landscapes and vistas to make any painting holiday complete.

The Cote d’Azur boasts several superb painting courses too. Instruction ranges from one week to a single afternoon, with methods ranging from fine art to sculpture.

(Of course, with backdrops this bucolic you’d be forgiven for just setting up your own easel above Cannes à la impressionist Pierre Bonnard or on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais like Fauvist painter Raoul Dufy.)

One of the most authentic courses takes place at Vence’s Villa Le Rêve. Henri Matisse lived in this spell-bindingly sunny property from 1943-49 as its light-filled interior reminded him of his old Cours Saleya apartment in Nice.

Each July, residential courses are offered with British artists - you can stay for 5 nights in Matisse’s eight-bedroom mansion and receive tuition in this unique and inspirational setting.

The most flexible art instruction is offered by The Hangar arts centre, in Chateauneuf de Grasse near Valbonne. A multi-lingual team teach aspiring and experienced artists of all ages.

Subjects include watercolours, oils and life drawing. The Hangar’s professional painter-teachers include Dutch acrylicist Pim de Jongh and Romanian print maker Gabriela Boiangiu.

For laid-back painting on La Croisette join l'Association des Beaux-Arts de Cannes. Once you have paid an annual membership fee of €70 you can enrol on a wide variety of courses including modelling, plastic art and engraving and hone your artistic talent!