LETTERS FOR St Remy de Provence
First of all Robin prefers that you bring your usual palette of colors to Provence. Traveling to a foreign country to paint is challenging enough without having to learn a brand new palette! I wholeheartedly agree.
Of course you will need some form of easel of pochade box. If you have one already, that's great. If you don't, here are some options for you to consider:
- Coulter Plein Air Easel
- Daytripper Plein Air Easel
- Easel Butler
- Guerrilla Campaign Box
- Plein Air Pro
- The tried and true 1/2 size French Easel
- U.Go Plein Air Box
Paper towels are notoriously disappointing in France so bring your own roll; you can bring hog bristle brushes -rounds, filberts or flats. sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 should be adequate - maybe two of each size; This is a good brush washer because it won't leak your paint thinner https://www.dickblick.com/products/anderson-sons-stainless-steel-airtight-brush-washer/. Speaking of paint thinner we can get what's called White Spirit in France - low odor paint thinner. Now for canvas. You do have a number of choices and of course you will have to be carrying wet paintings. Robin will be painting on canvas panels and using these to separate them from each other. Here are some canvas panels you can use https://www.dickblick.com/categories/canvas/panels/
This is what I've used in years past: Cut yourself some pieces of canvas of a size you would like to paint on and bring them along in a roll; Also bring one Fredrix cotton canvas panel. Here's a list of many sizes. You only need to buy one. Simply tape on one of your cut pieces of canvas (bring masking tape). When you finish that painting, remove it from the cotton canvas panel and tape the next piece on.
You will want to have dry paintings when you return home. You can start mixing in fast drying Liquin into your paints about 2-3 days before the end of the workshop. You can also bring a tube of Alkyd White paint (fast drying) and use that as your white - everything will dry faster. The last day's painting will be a bit tacky so bring along some wax paper to protect it from the other canvases as you roll everything up to bring home.
So you have some choices here. If you already have your system set and ready to go, great! If not let's talk about this and what will work best for you.
Let's look at trains running to the Avignon TGV station from Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Start by clicking on this website https://www.sncf.com/en/booking-itinerary/book-tickets
When you go to that site in English, click on 'book your ticket'. You should see: "Find and Book Your Train Tickets". In the space below it where you put in 'a destination, question' put in Avignon TGV. Click on that and you will see a space to add your starting location. Write in 'cdg' which brings up Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2 (CDG2) and Charles de Gaulle Terminal 1 (CDG1). Pick CDG 2 if that's the terminal you're coming into.
Click on Outbound and a calendar will come up where you can click on the date of your train travel (September 27). There is a box where you can select the time of the train you would like. (That will depend on what time your flight arrives in Charles de Gaulle - what flight did you pick????)
Click on 'add a return trip' if that is in your plans (October 4). Click on Validate.
Click on Direct Travel. You will see 'Traveler 1 30 - 59 years of age'. That ain't me, so I click on that, which brings up a sidebar and a drop-down box where you can click on your age - like if you're over 60. Then click on "Apply this Profile". Click on See Prices and the scheduled trains and their prices come up. Pick the 12:36 train because that's most likely the train others in our group will be on. You will see prices for 2nd class and 1st class tickets. however, first class does not seem to be an option on that train.. The second class generally has 2 seats on each side of the aisle. Let's say you click on 2nd class for 16 euro. So once you select 12:36 train on the right, you will see two options: Ouigo Plus and Ouigo Essential.. Those two choices are similar with one or two differences. Click on show details to see the differences, but you can select your seat on either option. Once you select Ouigo Essential and click on 'Select This Outbound Journey" you can select your seats. Play around with that page. You will see numbers across the top which are just the numbers of the train cars (coaches). You can click on any of the 'coach' choices, which then brings up the available seats in that coach.
Once you select your seat, click on 'confirm your selection. Click on continue once or twice until you see the train schedule from Avignon TGV to the airport. Make sure then that you click on 'display previous journeys' and there you will see the 7:15 AM train getting into the airport at 10:30. Click on either First or Second Class and then continue to seat selection, including aisle or window. If all works ok click on Continue on the bottom of the page to see your selected itinerary. Then click on 'Validate the Basket' and then Validate and Pay . You might have to add some info in Who Is Traveling and then Who is Booking the Ticket.
If you get stuck let me know.
Start by clicking on this website https://www.sncf.com/en/booking-itinerary/book-tickets
When you go to that site in English, click on 'book your ticket'. You should see: "Find and Book Your Train Tickets". In the space below it where you put in 'a destination, question' put in Avignon TGV. Click on that and you will see a space to add your starting location. Write in 'cdg' which brings up Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2 (CDG2) and Charles de Gaulle Terminal 1 (CDG1). Pick CDG 2 if that's the terminal you're coming into.
Click on Outbound and a calendar will come up where you can click on the date of your train travel (September 27). There is a box where you can select the time of the train you would like. (That will depend on what time your flight arrives in Charles de Gaulle - what flight did you pick????)
Click on 'add a return trip' if that is in your plans (October 4). Click on Validate.
Click on Direct Travel. You will see 'Traveler 1 30 - 59 years of age'. That ain't me, so I click on that, which brings up a sidebar and a drop-down box where you can click on your age - like if you're over 60. Then click on "Apply this Profile". Click on See Prices and the scheduled trains and their prices come up. Pick the 12:36 train because that's most likely the train others in our group will be on. You will see prices for 2nd class and 1st class tickets. however, first class does not seem to be an option on that train.. The second class generally has 2 seats on each side of the aisle. Let's say you click on 2nd class for 16 euro. So once you select 12:36 train on the right, you will see two options: Ouigo Plus and Ouigo Essential.. Those two choices are similar with one or two differences. Click on show details to see the differences, but you can select your seat on either option. Once you select Ouigo Essential and click on 'Select This Outbound Journey" you can select your seats. Play around with that page. You will see numbers across the top which are just the numbers of the train cars (coaches). You can click on any of the 'coach' choices, which then brings up the available seats in that coach.
Once you select your seat, click on 'confirm your selection. Click on continue once or twice until you see the train schedule from Avignon TGV to the airport. Make sure then that you click on 'display previous journeys' and there you will see the 7:15 AM train getting into the airport at 10:30. Click on either First or Second Class and then continue to seat selection, including aisle or window. If all works ok click on Continue on the bottom of the page to see your selected itinerary. Then click on 'Validate the Basket' and then Validate and Pay . You might have to add some info in Who Is Traveling and then Who is Booking the Ticket.
If you get stuck let me know.
Most of you will be bringing phones or tablets or even computers. These modern devices are dual voltage (110V and 220V) therefore you do not need a converter. But you sure will need at least one adapter to plug your device into their weird wall receptacles. They look like this Amazon sells them. Click here.
Painting groups seem to enjoy painting in the spectacular vineyards of France, with a degustation (tasting) afterwards.
So with that being said, I've arranged a day at the Chateau Romanin www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vHHkMspbBw
For you non-painters, there are plenty of things for you to do and see: Of course you can visit all the places the painters go: this vineyard, Van Gogh's asylum, our cooking classes and of course, Gordes. Later on, I want to poll the non-painters to find if you have any special requests I can research for you.
Flying with paints:
People are asking about traveling with paints and issues at the airport. Read these two articles:
http://www.gamblincolors.com/newsletters/studionotes14.html from Gamblin Paints
http://www.paintingfrance.com/paints.htm from my site.
Bringing meds with you:
If you’re bringing any medications bring them on the plane with you. Do not check them in with your valise. On a trip to France a woman’s luggage arrived 4 days after she did and her meds were in that luggage. We were able to go to the local pharmacy and get the French equivalents, so it can be done!
Don’t bring any art supplies on board either. Even watercolors I believe should be checked inside your luggage. That would include not only paints (from now on you will call them “artists colors made with vegetable oils and no solvents”) but palette knives, brushes or anything else that could be seen as threatening. We will buy paint thinner for oil painters when we get there. It goes by the name of White Spirit and is ubiquitous. OR - get some Gamsol odorless mineral spirits from Gamblin and bring them with you. They are ok to fly with. You can get them from Dick Blick http://www.dickblick.com/products/gamblin-gamsol-odorless-mineral-spirits/ or Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Gamblin-Gamsol-Odorless-Mineral-Spirits/dp/B0006IKCHW T
Money issues:
ATM machines are available, but not on every street corner as they are here in the states. So I advise you to take some time and purchase euros before you leave if you can. I often suggest bringing two cards just in case some silly machine over there isn’t accepting one. It’s happened for no apparent reason. I would also notify your bank of your travel plans so they don’t block your card when they see charges coming in from overseas - that’s important.
Traveler’s checks are a pain in the #^%&E^. Don’t bring ‘em if you can help it. Debit ATM cards are great and easy to work with. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere and the ATM machines are not far away. Still, it’s always a good idea to bring a couple of hundred Euro with you so you have one less thing to do when you arrive.
We have a reservation for dinner on the night of the 27th –
On our first group dinner out – and for any group dinner we have, you should have euros with you. The French are notorious for NOT liking to give out separate checks. So make sure you have enough euros. Get them before you come or at an airport ATM or at one of the ATM’s in Aix when you arrive.
A couple of reminders and miscellaneous things..
All rooms should have hair dryers.
The weather:
You never know what it’s going to be like. However, I like to keep an eye on a long range forecast, so I kind of know. But I would come prepared for a variety of conditions, including rain. Rain will never be an excuse not to paint!
Trip insurance:
I spoke with someone at http://www.travelinsurancereview.net about trip insurance, and here's what she said:
"As to your travel insurance question, each insured would need to buy their individual cancellation plan, and they would base the 'trip cost' on their pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. So, if the workshop fee is non-refundable and the airline tickets are non-refundable, then insure the cost of both. You can also go to http://www.insuremytrip.com and get comparative quotes on policies.
So with that being said, I've arranged a day at the Chateau Romanin www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vHHkMspbBw
For you non-painters, there are plenty of things for you to do and see: Of course you can visit all the places the painters go: this vineyard, Van Gogh's asylum, our cooking classes and of course, Gordes. Later on, I want to poll the non-painters to find if you have any special requests I can research for you.
Flying with paints:
People are asking about traveling with paints and issues at the airport. Read these two articles:
http://www.gamblincolors.com/newsletters/studionotes14.html from Gamblin Paints
http://www.paintingfrance.com/paints.htm from my site.
Bringing meds with you:
If you’re bringing any medications bring them on the plane with you. Do not check them in with your valise. On a trip to France a woman’s luggage arrived 4 days after she did and her meds were in that luggage. We were able to go to the local pharmacy and get the French equivalents, so it can be done!
Don’t bring any art supplies on board either. Even watercolors I believe should be checked inside your luggage. That would include not only paints (from now on you will call them “artists colors made with vegetable oils and no solvents”) but palette knives, brushes or anything else that could be seen as threatening. We will buy paint thinner for oil painters when we get there. It goes by the name of White Spirit and is ubiquitous. OR - get some Gamsol odorless mineral spirits from Gamblin and bring them with you. They are ok to fly with. You can get them from Dick Blick http://www.dickblick.com/products/gamblin-gamsol-odorless-mineral-spirits/ or Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Gamblin-Gamsol-Odorless-Mineral-Spirits/dp/B0006IKCHW T
Money issues:
ATM machines are available, but not on every street corner as they are here in the states. So I advise you to take some time and purchase euros before you leave if you can. I often suggest bringing two cards just in case some silly machine over there isn’t accepting one. It’s happened for no apparent reason. I would also notify your bank of your travel plans so they don’t block your card when they see charges coming in from overseas - that’s important.
Traveler’s checks are a pain in the #^%&E^. Don’t bring ‘em if you can help it. Debit ATM cards are great and easy to work with. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere and the ATM machines are not far away. Still, it’s always a good idea to bring a couple of hundred Euro with you so you have one less thing to do when you arrive.
We have a reservation for dinner on the night of the 27th –
On our first group dinner out – and for any group dinner we have, you should have euros with you. The French are notorious for NOT liking to give out separate checks. So make sure you have enough euros. Get them before you come or at an airport ATM or at one of the ATM’s in Aix when you arrive.
A couple of reminders and miscellaneous things..
All rooms should have hair dryers.
The weather:
You never know what it’s going to be like. However, I like to keep an eye on a long range forecast, so I kind of know. But I would come prepared for a variety of conditions, including rain. Rain will never be an excuse not to paint!
Trip insurance:
I spoke with someone at http://www.travelinsurancereview.net about trip insurance, and here's what she said:
"As to your travel insurance question, each insured would need to buy their individual cancellation plan, and they would base the 'trip cost' on their pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. So, if the workshop fee is non-refundable and the airline tickets are non-refundable, then insure the cost of both. You can also go to http://www.insuremytrip.com and get comparative quotes on policies.