Silk Painting France

8-15 November 2009 : Silk Painting Adventure in Paris

Silk Shops, Silk Paint Suppliers, Silk Painting Workshop

Above: Silk painted in Paris, June 2008

Does silk painting France sound like a wonderful adventure you'd like to be part of?  Join me for a silk painting adventure in Paris, which includes sightseeing by bus,  exploring the silk shops and silk painting suppliers and the Beginners' Learning To Paint On Silk sessions.  You'll be visiting French cafes for lunch, French restaurants for yummy dinners, checking out the fabulous Salons de The and coffee shops, and enjoying yourself tremendously.  Bring your sense of humour!

Maxiumum group size : 6-8 students

Teacher 

Teena Hughes has been painting on silk since moving to France in 1980, and has shared her knowledge worldwide ever since.  Teena has lived on several continents and is well-known for her vibrant handpainted silk wearable art and textile designs, as well as her passion for silk and the importance of colour in our everyday lives. Involved in exhibitions around the world for over 20 years, Teena shares almost 3 decades of knowledge and experience in painting on silk and surface design. A sense of humour will be required as you're bound to have a fun time painting on silk with Teena. :-)

For photos of previous students, classes and more information, please click this link >>

What you'll learn about silk painting 

Learn tips and tricks from an experienced silk artist which will include :

• an overview of silk history
• using gutta, cold wax, antifusant, salt (3 different ways) and sugar
• all about steaming silk dyes several different ways
• using fibre reactive dyes which don't require steam setting.

Itinerary - 8 days/7 nights in Paris

• Day #1 - Sunday :  arrive in Paris, transfer to hotel;  at 5pm we head off to a fabulous pre-dinner Champagne Cruise on the River Seine which starts at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.  We'll have a delicious Welcome to Paris Dinner together in one of my favourite restaurants.
• Day #2  - Monday : Today after breakfast we head off to explore Paris by guided bus tour, getting acquainted with as many districts as possible to get a feel for this beautiful city, hop on and off whenever you feel like it.  The Bus Tour Pass is for 2 days.  Learn how to use the metro and buses to get around easily in Paris.  This afternoon we enjoy a wine tasting at 4pm.
• Day #3 - Tuesday :  This morning we vist the silk painting supply store where you can buy everything needed for the class (list will be provided before you leave home, feel free to bring your supplies with you).  In the afternoon explore Montmartre and enjoy the fabulous fabric stores at the foot of the Sacre Coeur.  If you'd like to see more of Paris in the late afternoon/early evening you can use your 2 day Bus Tour Pass.
• Day #4 - Wednesday :  silk painting in the morning - learn painting techniques, and how to create your own Silk Journal of techniques from your own handpainted silk samples [beautiful as a keepsake].  Afternoon visit to the Musee de la Mode et du Textile at the Louvre (Museum of Fashion and Textiles).
• Day #5 - Thursday :  silk painting in the morning and afternoon.  
• Day #6 - Friday :  silk painting session in the morning - use your newly-acquired techniques;  in the afternoon join me on a fabulous 2.5 hour leisurely barge cruise (buy a sandwiche baguette on the way, or bring your choice of food for a picnic lunch).  You may prefer to skip the cruise and spend the afternoon wandering, exploring or shopping - please let me know on Wednesday before I buy the tickets.  
• Day #7 - Saturday -  final silk painting session in the morning.  The afternoon is yours to explore Paris or rest.  Our Farewell Dinner will be at one of my favourite restaurants. This will be when we say our goodbyes.
• Day #8- Sunday  :  your last breakfast in your hotel, morning checkout, an airport transfer is provided back to the airport or Eurostar.

Possible extra events :

• textile exhibitions - if any are happening in Paris while we're there
• meet other well-known silk artists if their schedules permit
• attend a lovely Jazz club in Montmartre one evening.

The Costs Include:

1. Your Trip Diary, Carry Bag & Silk Journal

You will receive:

• a Travel Journal where you can keep notes about your silk painting lessons and attach business cards etc
• our very own fabulous carry bag to carry your arty bits and pieces in
• a Silk Journal booklet with silk samples (created by you in the workshop).

2. Accommodation

3. Transport/Getting Around

• airport pickup to and from Charles De Gaulle (or Orly) airport or Eurostar in Paris, France
• metro (train)/bus/boat to each destination (details provided upon registration). 

4. Eating & Tours

• breakfasts x 7 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun) at your hotel
• dinners x 2 (Welcome dinner and Farewell dinner)
• Champagne Cruise on the first night
• Barge Cruise on Friday afternoon
• entrance fees to textile museum
• the cost of all guided tours
• two day Bus Tour of Paris

Optional:  Cellphone / Mobile

• if you wish, you can rent a Pay-as-you-go Cellphone, so that your phone costs will be lower than using your own cellphone
• as the cellphones are using the French network, you won't experience any of the difficulties of setting up Mobile Roaming on your own phone
• all incoming calls and incoming text messages/SMS are free; outgoing calls are approx 50 centimes for 30 seconds, so a quick call might cost around 1 euro
• during the week, you will be able to buy a recharge card whenever you need to, starting from 10 euros (these cards last for 15 days each time, and are available in Tabac shops everywhere)
• rental cost is $50 for the week - plus a deposit of $US100 - charged at the start  of the week; when the phone is returned on Friday evening, you will receive a refund of the deposit. The phone will be your responsibility - if the phone is lost, stolen or broken, there will not be a refund
• please advise well in advance if you require a phone.

*You will be required to pay:

• travel expenses to arrive in Paris
• your own travel insurance - this is absolutely compulsory, a copy of your Travel Insurance receipt will need to be forwarded to me prior to your departure - I am unable to accept any responsibility for any loss or expense related to your trip
• alcoholic and other beverages unless advised
• lunches, dinners/other meals not mentioned in the Itinerary
• any tips you wish to pay tour guides, drivers etc
• any non-group activities
• art-related painting materials needed -  please provide dyes, brushes, frames, apron, gloves, hair dryer, etc. - you have two options:
• bring your supplies with you, or
• buy your supplies on arrival - everything is available at the silk paint supply store we will be visiting
• a list will be provided once your deposit has been paid.

Getting Around - how is your mobility?

Paris is a relatively small city, and the public transport system is extremely efficient.  Everything we do will be by bus, metro or boat - or on foot.  To participate in this adventure you will need to be healthy, relatively fit,  used to walking, and you may have to climb stairs where there is no lift or elevator.  

At this time I am not able to provide assistance for travellers with health issues, or who are unable to climb more than one flight of stairs, or those who require assistance - with handicaps or disabilities.  Paris is an ancient city, and many buildings do not cater for handicap/disabled access - they are slowly making progress but still have some way to go. You may consider having a friend come with you who can also participate in the Silk Adventure, and who is willing to help you with your mobility.

Getting to know you before the trip

When you sign up for the Silk Adventure, you will become part of an email group so we can get to know each other before the trip and prepare for our adventure together - there'll be plenty of tips on packing, great books and videos about Paris, what to bring, what to leave home and more.

Join us! Sign up today!

If you have questions, please complete the form at the bottom of this page to ask questions.

If you're ready to reserve a place today, please click here to sign up for your adventure in Paris!

Above: Teena's handpainted silk devoré velvet with Dupont and AlterEgo dyes

Optional Extras

I've designed some t-shirts which will commemorate our adventure (including plus size big roomy tshirts) - you'll be able to buy them online before you depart and if you want to you can wear them while painting in Paris, to protect your clothes, and to have as a colourful reminder of your adventure.  Some of my favourite clothes to paint in are old t-shirts with lots of colours where I've wiped my brushes on the tshirt - a walking art exhibition :-)

Fill in the Registration Form today >>

Costs for the adventure are shown above; if you'd like to be on the mailing list or ask other questions, please do fill in this form and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Silk Painting France Adventure > Sign Up > Details > French to English > Pay now

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