Ever set your easel down...?
 

I enjoy painting immensly and have often thought about carting my tools 'cross the pond to capture some of those wonderful sights. What has been said of Paris and the special lighting is so true. I am planning a trip to Paris and want to know if any of you have set your easel down on the banks of the Seine and if you needed a special license or permit. <BR>I'd love to hear of your experiences! <BR>Gigi

Gigi-what type of painting do you do? <BR>Are you a professional artist? <BR>

We have no artists in the group? Picasso-merely a hobby. I would love to paint full time, need to make a living, however. I think I would find it difficult to part with my art and probably couldn't sell it. I like to paint places I have been, so they get to be pretty special to me. <BR>I have thought about a trip to Giverny. I wonder if they offer places for wannabe artists to paint? <BR>Anyone know if you need a permit to set up an easel in Paris? And, if you do see a 30-something woman, with a beret, of course, painting along the banks of the Seine, be kind would you? :)

I once took an artists' tour to Paris and Normandy. Everyone in the group was either a part-time art student(several), a hobby artist(almost all), or a professional artist(3 people). Most took paints and pads or canvases with them. I took drawing pads, pencils, Conte, etc., only. At the time, I used to draw a lot(I don't any more), but I did not draw on the trip; i could never feel settled in enough on the tour to just draw. Several of the others did, however, sketch or do quick watercolors in many places, most did some watercolor work in Giverny, and one person set up her easel and did oils in Rouen. Most complained that it was too difficult to carry their easels around Paris. <BR> <BR>I used to carry drawing materials everywhere every day. I stopped. However, in my most recent trip, I spent some time in small south Italian towns where there was nothing more important to do than soak up the atmosphere, watch people, take pictures, walk around, talk to strangers. I really regretted not taking a pad, because there were many elderly people who would have been the most wonderful subjects to draw, as well as animals (oxen), rock formations, groups of people talking, men working. <BR> <BR>For drawing, I prefer people as subjects. (Next best thing: animals or old trees) For me, the best places to draw would have been southern Italy, Sicily, rural Greece. I'm not a painter.

cmt- thanks for responding. I thought I was the lone one besides Picasso. (And, thanks for asking, Picasso) <BR> <BR>Can you tell me more about the artist's tour? Was is offered here in the States or through an agency in France? How long were you on the tour? <BR>My sister would faint if I came up with a plan for this. She loves to paint, as do I. <BR>I still wonder about the need for a permit to paint in Paris. Perhaps this is a foolish question, but, I would dislike having taken all my things along and then not be allowed to paint. <BR> <BR>Oils and acrylics are my favorites. I will take my sketch pad along and get some of the colors in place. A camera will have to help fill me fill in the details later. I like to paint people as well as architecture. How wonderful for those talented people to be able to do it all the time. <BR>I appreciate you taking the time to let me know of your experience. :) <BR>Gigi

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