"Under the blue sky, the patches of orange, yellow and red flowers shine brightly, and in the clear air there is something more cheerful and sweet than in the north."

Vincent Van Gogh, 1888

OCRES DU LUBERON

A Sensual Journey into the Raw Core of Oil Painting

June 20th — June 27th, 2026 

Registration Open — 4 Places Available

Ocres du Luberon is not just a residential oil painting course; it is an immersive, heightened sensory awakening set in the absolute heart of Provence. There is a forgotten secret in art history: when the French founded the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome in the 17th century, they did so with a revolutionary mission—to encourage artists to fiercely share, rather than conceal, their exceptional, sacred knowledge of colour. One of the Academy's earliest directors spoke passionately of promoting a "sensual use of colour", fiercely believing that the true soul of a painting lies in the raw richness, breathtaking beauty, and primal intensity of its hues.

This summer, we are returning to the source where that very colour is born.

The Luberon is legendary. For centuries, this sun-drenched earth has produced the most outstanding, vibrant pigments, supplying master colorists from Paris to Buenos Aires and Tokyo. To spend a week here is a remarkable, rare opportunity to study the true, physical substance of painting.

We will escape the sterile walls of modern studios to set up our easels exactly where the magic originates. Immersed in a landscape of blinding light, surrounded by ghost-like 19th-century pigment factories and walking along dusty, burning-orange ochre trails, we will paint en plein air. You will not just learn technique; you will touch the raw material of art history, mastering the oil medium through its most powerful, sensual, and pure expression.

This precious experience is almost fully booked. If you want to check right away if there is still a spot left for you, send an email to info@progettoecate.it or a WhatsApp message to +39 331 9054880. I will personally get back to you as soon as possible.

This is a comprehensive, rigorously structured oil painting masterclass. Over 36 hours of intensive academic guidance, you will be taken through every single sacred stage of creating an oil painting—from the physical preparation of the canvas to the application of the final, luminous coat of varnish.

But art does not live in isolation. To feed your brush and deeply enrich your creative vision, our studio practice will seamlessly merge with an extraordinary, curated exploration of Provence:

• Walk the Trails of Colour: We will journey through the blindingly beautiful ochre canyons and follow the footsteps of masters along the legendary Ochre Trail.

• Touch History: Step inside a historic yellow ochre mine and breathe in the atmosphere of a preserved 19th-century pastel workshop.

• Savour the Landscape: Enjoy an elegant, slow picnic immersed in a vibrant dye-plant garden, understanding where natural colours originate.

• The Spirit of Place: We will wander through the timeless, sun-bleached architecture of authentic Provençal villages—Gordes, Roussillon, Apt, Lacoste, the mysterious Château de Sade, and the silent beauty of the Abbey of Sénanque.

• Painting Under Van Gogh's Skies: In a breathtaking finale, under the very same stars that inspired Van Gogh's brush, we will host a private astronomy session with a local expert, merging the poetry of the cosmos with the canvas.

By the end of this journey, you will not only complete a refined, profound oil painting to take home, but you will return with an advanced mastery of oil techniques, a rare intimacy with natural pigments, and an entirely transformed art of seeing.

AN EXPERIENCE OPEN TO ALL LEVELS: FROM BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED

Whether you are a seasoned painter looking to master natural pigments, or a complete beginner who has never held a brush before, this masterclass is designed for you. Because this is a structured, step-by-step course, we don't take anything for granted.

• If you are a beginner: You will be guided with patience and clarity through the absolute fundamentals. You won't face the blank canvas alone; Elena will teach you the exact technical rules of composition, colour mixing, and brushwork from the ground up, ensuring you build immediate confidence and finish your very first painting with pride.

• If you are an advanced artist: You will have the rare opportunity to deepen your technical knowledge, refine your plein-air speed, and experiment with historical pigment techniques under expert academic guidance.

Our small, intimate group ensures that every participant receives highly personalized, one-on-one attention tailored to their own rhythm and experience level.

THE LIVING SPACE: AN ENCHANTED REFUGE SUSHED IN TIME

The time we spend together will unfold within the walls of a magnificent 18th-century noble estate. Fully restored with timeless elegance, the villa still preserves its original terracotta floors, exposed wooden beams, and historic stone fireplaces—seamlessly blending the rich charm of past centuries with the most refined modern comforts.

Perched gracefully upon a rolling hill, the property is embraced by a sea of vineyards, ancient olive groves, and cool oak forests. Lush rose gardens and sun-dappled pergolas surround the estate: a sacred space where time noticeably slows down, allowing you to breathe in the raw, powerful energy of nature.

Choosing to join us here means stepping into a world suspended in time, where every day is an open invitation to embrace freedom and stillness.

• The Ritual of Plein-Air: Surrounded by meadows and century-old trees, we will set up our easels outdoors. We will follow the shifting rhythm of natural light as it transforms the landscape, feel the breeze on our skin, and mix the living materia of colours on our palettes.

• Curated Artistic Pilgrimages: Almost every day, we will venture out to discover picturesque hidden corners, ancient pigment factories, and historic villages deeply connected to the birth of color. These journeys are designed to enrich the masterclass with visceral, unusual inspirations, engaging your senses and expanding your creative imagination.