A Unique Painting & Fine Art Photography Experience — Loire Valley, France

A week-long working workshop in the Loire Valley for photographers moving toward fine art practice, and artists wanting to integrate photography into their work.

Hosted by Martin and Samantha Lee Osner — a father-daughter collaboration. Samantha is known for her minimalistic approach and feminine touch to art, while Martin brings an expressionist approach with bold, strong colours, lines, and texture. Both styles have earned recognition in their respective art galleries.

An Art Workshop Hosted by Martin & Samantha Osner in France

How This Workshop Embraces Art and Photography

This workshop is a creative working week, not a photo tour. You'll spend time in medieval villages, riverside landscapes, and historic châteaux — places shaped by centuries of use and royal patronage, not designed for display. The light changes everything by the hour, and we work with that rhythm rather than against it.

Martin and Samantha will guide you through both capture and creation, teaching you how to shoot with intention and how to turn those photographs into finished artwork using traditional methods like brush, ink, and printmaking.

The Pace & What you will Achieve

There are no image quotas, no daily critique sessions where everyone has to present, and no pressure to produce on command. You work at the speed that makes good work, which means some people finish one strong piece while others finish several. What matters is that it's considered rather than rushed.

By the end of the week, you'll have original artwork rather than a folder of JPEGs. This could be a finished print worked over with pigment ink wash or chromatic oil wash, pieces incorporating ink-to-fibre transfers and selected luxe interlays, or a small series combining your photography with brush, paint, and ink techniques. It will be something you made with your hands rather than just software, something that could only have come from this week, this place, and this process.

About the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley has drawn artists, poets, and travelers for centuries, earning its titles as the "Garden of France" and the "Valley of the Kings." This is where Renaissance monarchs built their châteaux, where fertile lands produce renowned wines, and where the landscape itself has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Artists like Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Picasso were drawn to similar landscapes across France — seeking that essential quality of light and place where rural life, architecture, and nature converge. Henri Cartier-Bresson photographed villages and people throughout the Loire region, capturing the authentic rhythm of French rural existence.

The characteristic grasslands, forests, gardens and orchards, heather fields, and waterways have inspired generations of creative work. The light here is softer than the Mediterranean, more atmospheric, constantly shifting with weather moving across the river valley.

The medieval village of Sainte-Sévère-sur-Indre, where this workshop takes place, sits along the Indre River with its narrow streets, centuries-old market square, and stately château overlooking the valley. This is authentic French rural life, the kind that inspired Jacques Tati's classic film Jour de Fête — a place where history and tranquility meet without performance or staging.

The landscape teaches you if you let it, with morning mist rising from the river, stone walls aging into warm honey tones by afternoon, and château towers catching the last light of evening.

Who would Benefit from this Experience

Photographers who want to make art rather than just good photos — you're done collecting images and ready to interpret what you see, to express rather than simply document. This workshop is for those ready to move beyond recording into something more personal and intentional.

Artists working in painting, printmaking, or mixed media who want photography as source material that actually works — composition, texture, and tone you can build from — and who want to experience new in-camera art techniques and work with brush, paint, and ink. If you're after real craft rather than digital presets, this is for you.

This workshop tends to attract people who think before they shoot, who value craft over speed, and who want to make work that lasts. Friendships form naturally when people are working on real things together, which has been true every time we've run this workshop.

How the Week Works

The itinerary changes daily based on weather and light conditions, which creates better opportunities to explore different lighting scenarios. There's a real difference between photographing for a photograph versus photographing for a painting, and light conditions alter mood entirely. Soft morning mist brings out subtlety and quietness, hard midday sun creates contrast and bold shadow, and evening warmth shifts everything toward gold and nostalgia.

If morning light is exceptional for riverside landscapes, that's where we'll be, and if evening conditions look promising, we shift our schedule accordingly. We also work through village architecture, market scenes, château grounds, and street documentary photography when the moment suits. This isn't about sticking to a printed schedule but responding to what the Loire Valley gives us each day.

You won't stampede as a group or line up with tripods to all capture the same shot. You're taught, briefed on the day's focus, then given personal creative time to work independently. Self-drives or walks are encouraged because this is about individual focus and creativity — connecting with the artist within through quiet reflection, without pressure.

Mornings often begin early when the light is soft, working with old stone, medieval architecture, riverside scenes, and forest edges. The focus is on shooting with purpose rather than volume.

Midday is spent working in the studio where Martin covers composition, visual communication, design principles, and selected art techniques that he has adopted in his workflow, while Samantha works on translating your images into physical artwork using techniques like pigment ink wash, chromatic oil wash, ink-to-fibre transfers, and selected luxe interlays.

Afternoons move into village architecture, markets, château grounds, and street scenes, or we stay in the studio when weather changes or when your creative process needs that interior time.

Evenings shift to late light along the river and in the fields when conditions are right, or otherwise continue with studio time and group discussion.

Dinner brings fantastic food celebrating local cuisine from the region known for classic French dishes, paired with noble wines from the Loire and Sancerre regions. Conversation happens naturally, without forced critiques or structured presentations.

Workshop Date

Secure your place in our Loire Valley Creative Photography and Art Workshop and develop your artistic practice in one of France's most inspiring regions. €4,990

• 21 - 26 September 2026 (Now Booking)

Spaces are limited – book early to avoid disappointment!

• Includes five nights’ accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers from Châteauroux or Montluçon.
  

• We keep numbers small so everyone gets proper instruction and the space stays workable, allowing genuine connection and focused teaching rather than crowd management.
  

Château de Najade — locally known as Le Petit Château — sits amidst forested banks along a tributary of the Indre River. Recognizable by its two towers and built with stone from the adjacent Auvergne region, the château has been restored with natural fabrics, glass, and a minimalist, elegant approach that enhances rather than overwhelms its woodland surroundings.

This is a functional, comfortable, and honest space that works well for an art and photography workshop. Private rooms, shared tables for meals, and communal areas offer enough quiet to think and enough comfort to work without distraction. The château's illuminated garden and pool beneath ancient trees provide spaces for reflection between working sessions.

Where You Will be Staying

Frequently asked questions about the Loire Valley Art Experience

Who is this retreat for?

This experience is designed for photographers who want to move toward expressive, fine art practice, and for artists who wish to integrate photography into their painting or mixed-media workflow. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you will gain practical, artistic, and conceptual skills that elevate your work beyond mere documentation.

We know choosing the right course is a big decision. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the Fine Art Photography and Painting Workshop. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.

Do I need advanced photography skills to attend?

You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable using a DSLR or mirrorless camera in manual mode. The workshop is open to all skill levels, and Martin and Samantha Lee Osner will guide you through the techniques and creative processes at a pace that suits you.

What is included in the workshop fee?

The fee includes:

• Expert tuition from Martin and Samantha Lee Osner

• All creative sessions, field work, and studio activities

• One-on-one guidance and personalised feedback

• A fully catered experience with meals prepared by a South African chef
  

It does not include:

• Flights

• Train tickets

• Travel insurance & personal expenses

How do I secure my booking?

Once you have filled in the form, you will receive a contact via email to secure your booking. Once you have booked, you will receive:

• Confirmation of your application

• A detailed information pack

• Travel guidance and suggested flight/train options

• A materials list, optional art-pack details, and contact information for any assistance you need before arrival

What type of camera and equipment do I need?

• A DSLR or mirrorless camera

• Lenses from 24–70mm and/or 70–200mm (optional but useful)

• A sturdy tripod (recommended)

• Extra batteries and memory cards

• A laptop or desktop computer with editing software

• Art materials (brush set, pigment inks, sketchbook, etc.) An optional art pack can be made available on request.

What if I need to cancel?

We understand that plans change.

• A full refund is offered for cancellations made at least two months before the workshop

• If your place can be filled from the waiting list (even within the last month), you will receive a full refund.
  A detailed cancellation policy is provided upon registration.

Where will I be staying?

You will stay at Château de Najade, a beautifully restored stone château in the Loire Valley, surrounded by forest, gardens, and river landscapes. Accommodation includes:

• A comfortable private room

• Shared lounge and dining areas

• Quiet indoor and outdoor spaces ideal for reflection and art-making. A relaxed, welcoming environment suitable for creative work

Will we be doing a lot of driving?

No. One of the strengths of this location is that inspiration is close by. Most fieldwork happens within short walking or driving distances from the château. The focus is on real creation, not tourism or rushing around.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience includes both outdoor and studio-based work. If the weather changes, we adapt immediately — working indoors on painting, printmaking, and mixed-media processes. No day is ever “lost”; bad weather shifts the focus.

How do I get to the château?

Most international delegates will fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). From Paris, you have two options:

Option 1: Train (recommended)

• Take the train from Gare D’Austerlitz to Châteauroux or Montlucon
  (approx. 2 hours; trains run frequently)

• We will meet you at the station.
  (approx. 35–40 minutes)
  This is the easiest and most efficient option.

Option 2: Car hire from Paris

• Driving time: approx. 3 hours

• Motorways are well-maintained and easy to navigate

  Full travel instructions will be provided after booking.

We recommend:

• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) — easiest for international flights

• Optional: Orly (ORY) for European connections
  

  From either airport, you can reach the TGV network quickly.

How physically demanding is the week? And is there medical assistance nearby?

The experience is not strenuous. Activities involve short walks, light equipment carrying, and time standing at an easel or desk. Anyone with moderate mobility should be fully comfortable.

There are medical facilities, pharmacies, and a doctor’s office in nearby towns such as La Châtre and Châteauroux, both within easy driving distance.

Emergency services are easily accessible.

What techniques are covered?

Throughout the experience, you will work with techniques such as:

• Pigment ink wash

• Chromatic oil wash

• Ink-to-fibre transfer

• Mixed-media overlays

• Brush and paint-based enhancements

You may bring your own materials or request an art pack when booking.

Can I extend my stay in France?

Absolutely — and it is strongly encouraged.
Many delegates stay:

• Before the workshop, to adjust and explore quietly

• After the workshop, to continue creating with the techniques learned

  Paris, Tours, Orléans, and dozens of Loire villages are easily accessible.

What is the group size?

The group is intentionally very small. This allows for: Individual mentorship, quiet working conditions, personalised artistic development, and a retreat-like atmosphere