Paint in the Monet Gardens and by the Lily Pond

III Workshop in Giverny, France

In Italian Mon 3-7 Fri Agosto 2015

In English Mon 10-14 Fri August 2015

Inquiry here

This Giverny experience is designed to learn and get inspired by the father of Impressionism Claude Monet. We’ll spend five days in Giverny, north of Paris, where Monet lived for 30 years. Here we’ll be painting in the village and in the gardens along the water lily pond the master had built. These are the real locations where Monet’s masterpieces were created. We are coming here for the third time because the atmosphere is so magical to say the least, and left an unerasable mark in all of us. You can add extra days to your vacation, prior and after Giverny. The group meeting point will be in Paris at Gare Saint Lazare where the train leaves to Vernon, nearest station to Giverny. Here Francesco will welcome you in person.

The Monet’s Paris

To prepare for the culture and spirit of Impressionism, you would want to visit two Paris museums: Le Musée Marmottan e l'Orangerie. The first one displaying Impression du Soleil Levant, (Impression of the Rising Sun), from which the term Impressionism was conied. At Musée de l'Orangerie you can admire a selection of giant paintings among the 250 that Monet painted of the lilies and the reflections on the waters of the Giverny pond.

We will not guide your visit of Paris, but will provide some precious tips you’ll find in the Planner attached. I will also connect you with other participants who wish to share the Parisian experience. I know Paris very well so feel free to ask for insights.

Welcome to Giverny

Once you arrive the Vernon station, a reserved group taxi and a car for luggages will pick you up for the hotel. The same day a visit to the house and gardens of Monet is scheduled. Followed by a ice breaking drink and a good dinner.

The following mornings we’ll be painting in the hotel garden. Then will return to Monet’s the next four afternoons, with a private pass to paint in the property without the presence of tourists. These sessions have no structured instruction, just some advise and great deal of inspiration from the golden hours of the day!

Watercolor Workshop

Watercolor is the official media and beginners are welcome. Oil or acrylic are allowed for outdoor expert painters only. Instruction is mainly based on demos. Francesco will be available for individual advise on request. An open feedback will take place on last day, followed by a farewell dinner. On departure day a taxi is scheduled to Vernon station for Paris, or directly to the airport.

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To get help you can email Francesco at workshops@francescofontana.com

Inquiry here

© Francesco Fontana 2015 Documento aggiornato il 21 gennaio 2015

Join me at Painters' Woodstock and Save $100

I am so excited and honored to know I will be part of the faculty of 4th Plein Air Convention and Expo, the Woodstock of plein air painting, taking place in Monterey, California next April 2015.  I've been invited to offer demos on the watercolor stage. This invitation is a great honor. The Convention only invites top quality artists and its stage is the daydream of hundreds of American and International painters. As the only European presenter to date, I feel the thrill and responsibility of it all!

New details come out almost daily. Make sure you are signed up to my Newsletter to stay up to date. This also qualifies you for a $ 100 off your registration fee, should you decide to attend the Convention. Which I warmly recommend you! In the next news I'll tell you the many reasons why you cannot miss this amazing event!

Sign up to my Newsletter Now!

www.francescofontana.com

All You Need to Meet the Artist

Here you have all the links to images, videos, credits and events about the art and business of Francesco Fontana

Order Now my DVD Watercolor the Italian Way!

Main Events and Credits

​

• Dallas, TX, USA Watercolor Workshop for Southwest Watercolor Society, April 2022 
• Article on American Watercolor Weekly (Mountain M) April 2020

2019

• Feautured on The Artist Magazine, #1Uk Magazine, London, Jan 2019
• Feautured on Plein Air Magazine,  USA, March 2019 
• Fabriano in Acquerello International Festival, Invited in Italy's 20 Representative Masters, April 2019
• Exhibiting at Galleria Labor Limae, Torino, Italy, May 2019
• Palermo, Sicily w/c Workshop 22 – 27 May, 2019
• Valencia, Spain, w/c Workshop, July 2 — 9, 2019
• Giverny, France w/c Workshop 22 — 27 July, 2019
• Philadelphia, PA, USA Exhibition at PWS 40th International Juried Show 31 Aug - 26 Oct, 2019
• San Pedro, CA USA Exhibition at NWS 99th International Juried Show 3 Oct - 17 Nov, 2019 
• Don Demer's presentation on excelence at San Angelo Museum of Fine Art, Oct 2019 (Video)​

2018

• Article on American Watercolor Weekly, Feb 2018
• Galleries on The Cyber Art Show, March 2018
• Demo Article for Daniel Smith Fine Art Supplies, June 2018
• Workshop in Sidmouth, East Devon, UK, June 2018
• Winner 1st Place, Monreale Sicily Plein Air Festival, Sept 2018
• Workshop in Valencia, Spain, 8 - 12 Oct 2018
• Exhibiting Solo Show at La Comune, Milano, Oct / Nov 2018
• Exhibiting Finalist at the International Watercolor Prize, Cagliari, Galleria Esdé, Nov 2018
• Feature on The Art of Watercolour, world #1 watercolor magazine, Paris, Dec 2018
• Paintings as Interior Design on the Prime Time RAI 1 Series 'La Compagnia del Cigno' 

2017

• Exhibiting at City of Bengigamin, Valencia, Spain, International Show, Jan 2017
• Exhibiting at Jack Meier Gallery, Houston, TX, USA, Feb 2017
• Exhibiting at Bankside Gallery, London, UK for Royal Watercolor Society, March 2017
• Winner, The Joe Carmichael Award at National Watercolor Society, June 10, 2017 San Pedro, CA
• Winner Best Overall Watercolor, Plein Air Salon July 2017 (The Shop Window)
• Featured in Fine Ar Connoisseur Magazine, Nocturne - Aug Sept 2017
• Workshop in Valencia, Spain, Watercolor in One Stroke, 10 - 16 Sept 2017
• Workshop in East Devon, UK, Watercolor in One Stroke 4, 5, 6 Oct 2017
• Exhibiting at Mall Galleries, London, UK with Royal Society of Marine Artists, 4 - 15 Oct 2017
• Featured Artist at En Plein Air Festival, San Angelo, TX, USA, 22 - 29 Oct 2017
• Featured in Fine Ar Connoisseur Magazine, Industrial - Nov Dec 2017
• Watercolor Workshop ‘Alla Seconda’, Padova, Italy 10, 11 December 2017

2016

• Feautured Artist at Lighthouse Plein Air Festival, Jupiter, Florida 9 — 13 March, 2016
• DVD Release ‘Watercolor the Italian Way — Alla Seconda Method’ — 15 April 2016
• Faculty at 5th Plein Air Convention & Expo, Tucson, AZ 15 — 19 April 2016
• Exhibiting in Fabriano, Italy – International Watercolor Festival, April 2015
• Workshop in Giverny, France, by Monet’s Lily Pond, June 27 —July 2, 2016
• Invited Artist at Premio Marche d’Acqua - Permanent Oeuvre at Museo della Carta, Fabriano
• Featured Artist at Door County Plein Air Festival, WI, Fish Creek 24 — 30 July 2016
• Workshop Instructor at MISA Madeline Island School of Arts , WI, 29 Aug— 2 Sep 2016
• Extended Article on Watercolor Painting Process on The Artist Magazine, UK Sept 2016
• Judge and Instructor at Watercolor Society of Oregon Conference, 7 — 14 October 2016
• Top 15% in the Bold Brush Painting Competition, Nov 2016 (The Installation)
• Winner Art Muse Contest, Master Class Prize, Nov 2016 (The Art Lover)

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Website www.francescofontana.com
Paintings Quick Gallery on FB

Blog http://francescofontana.blogspot.it

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/francesco.fontana.5203

Twitter https://twitter.com/Fontasco

Video:

Biography: http://vimeo.com/100711179

Workshops: http://vimeo.com/101597256

Oil painting demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVv8x3MCF4M

Watercolor demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j31ymS8aB2Q

Mail contact

Francesco Fontana Fine Artist

Alexandria VA, USA 20124

Via della Capinera 5 — Milano, Italy 20147

Cell +39 3381328003

info@francescofontana.com

Giverny. Story of a Master's Garden

Look where I will take you to paint this summer. A great video about Claude Monet garden in Giverny Monet Garden by James Priest

The California Impressionists and Today Plein Air

Meet me in Monterey & Carmel 7 -13 April 2014

It's very exciting for me to be preparing for California to attend the Plein Air Convention & Expo in Monterey. There I will also exhibit three paintings. Then my plan is to honor the beauty of the Carmel peninsula, staying three extra days to workshop in the area and paint in the stunning coastal natural reserve of Point Lobos.

Mary Agnes Yerkes,
California Impressionist Painter, (1886–1989).
"Plein-Air painting at Carmel’’, Carmel Beach, CA, circa 1920s.

For an European like me, with a background in the French Impressionism and the Italian Macchiaioli, it's intriguing to engage with the nature and the southern bright light that inspired the Early California plein air impressionists.

A Bridge Across the Ocean

Ever since the early '900 the connection with Europe was very tight. Painter Guy Rose, studied in Paris and lived in Giverny 1904-1912, becoming friend and pupil of Claude Monet in person. A colony took home in Giverny and the Giverny Group was first recognized in the US with an exhibition at New York's Madison Gallery in 1910.

After a decline lasting three decades due to the rising of modernism and the Great depression, -- a revival of the California plein air impressionism, took up in the 70's. In 1978 curator Nancy Moure released a Dictionary of Art and Artists in Southern California Before 1930 and curated a retrospective exhibition for the Laguna Beach Museum.

Continuing a Glorious History

Now publisher and painter Eric Rhoads is the enthusiast and proud promoter of the 3d Plein Air Convention & Expo. With his Plein Air Magazine and many other activities, he highly contributes to build up an integrated art industry and favor the cohesion of the artists' community.

I'll fly a long way from old Europe to be part of this history and make it a valuable step in my career. Which I want to share with YOU! After the Convention, join me in Carmel to paint out in the week end 11 - 13 April. Just write to my email workshop@francescofontana.com to share a great time together!

Live in painting! Francesco

PS. If you're in this business but ain't a painter, write to my email workshop@francescofontana.com to arrange a meeting between 7 and 13 April to plan new projects across the pond!

A Moveable Feast Through Impressionism

The Monet Tour in Paris & Giverny July 2014

A few days before we set our easels by the magical lily pond in Giverny, this unique Monet tour starts in Paris. Two major museums will show us the actual masterpieces that started the Impressionist movement and became an universal reference: Le Muesée Marmottan and l'Orangerie.

A repro of Impression Sunrise by Claude Monet

The first one displaying Impression du Soleil Levant, Impression of Rising Sun, from which the term Impressionism was first coined. At the Musee de L'Orangerie, a selection of giant paintings from the 250 that Monet painted of the water lilies in Giverny, awaits to be admired.

12 -- 19 July, 2014

I planned the dates carefully. The day before we head to Givenry, July 14, it's time to let it go in the greatest National French celebration: la Fete de la Republique. A true moveable feast going on till dawn, with music and dance all over the streets of Paris!

How can you resist such an invitation! Say yes today!

Live in painting! -- Francesco

PS. Since I announced the Monet Tour, I received more inquiries than expected, in just one week. No wonder for this is really an amazing experience -- I am the sole to offer.

People from overseas are busy making travel plans. So, I expect the only 8 spots I limited this group size, fill much ahead of booking deadline.

Request your spot now, first come first served. 

Monet Paris & Giverny Painting Holiday

Living The Spirit of Impressionism

Giverny is a tiny village about 75 km north of Paris, in Lower Normandy. Claude Monet, the father of Impressionism, lived in Giverny the last 30 years of his life.

Me painting in the Monet's garden, July 2013

There he built his mansion and designed in person a luscious flower garden and the lily pond. Later the lilies became the subject of a series of large paintings. These paintings – we can now admire at Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris -- become his most famous masterpieces, after Impression du Soleil Levant, which gave birth to the Impressionism and constitutes our legacy as painters.

Next July I'll have again the privilege to paint right along the lily pond in the colourful garden of my muse Monet. Believe me when I say you can feel his spirit and something enormously greater in the air as you paint in the quite late afternoon of Giverny. The sky becomes peach rose thru the trees and you can only hear the frogs splashing in the pond. We feel as witnesses and humble carriers of  his Art. We become aware and grateful for it seems he made all this to share his inspiration with us!

12 -- 19 July, 2014

The Japanese Bridge --
Watercolor 33 x 46 cm (c) Francesco Fontana

I’ll offer this 4 day workshop in Giverny – after a brief tour in Paris. Dry and water media are preferred -- but oil is welcome if you have a basic gear and painting know how outdoor. I pre-booked only 8 rooms at the hotel we stayed last year, just around the corner of Monet’s house. Are you going to miss this chance?

Be part of this memorable experience! Sign up now!. 

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