ROSSO EMERALD CRIMSON
MODERN MUSES
“The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” —Robert Henri
July 16th -23rd 2025
5,000 € - 6,200 €
All Taxes and Fees Included
MODERN MUSES | A week of portraiture with Rosso
Step into a world where art and history converge, and invite classical themes of myth and legend into your work. This workshop invites you, as an artist, to reimagine the timeless heroines of history—not as distant figures, but as vivid personas brought to life through your creative lens.
Join renowned artist Rosso Emerald Crimson for a week-long workshop designed to deepen your understanding of portraiture, figure, color and technique. We will explore techniques and sensibilities from historic and classical movements, while staying anchored in a thoroughly contemporary approach. Together, we will aim to capture not just the likeness, but the essence of our model—a living embodiment of muses throughout the eras styled in golden fabrics, intricate textures, and an opulent setting.
The Château’s history, spanning from the medieval era to the 18th century, will provide a complete immersion into a rich historic sensibility. Capture the interplay of light and texture on satin, gilded accents, and dramatic backgrounds. Explore techniques to create unique pieces that blend figurative realism with expressive, abstract surroundings.
This workshop offers more than skill-building—it’s an opportunity to refine your artistic perspective and push the boundaries of your creative voice. Creating in community with other artists from around the world, and supported and balanced by an immersive itinerary of play, dining, entertainment, exploration and connection- this will be a week you will never forget.
Due to high demand, as well as to ensure a cohesive group dynamic, we invite you to apply below.
7 -NIGHTS ALL INCLUSIVE
IDEAL FOR ADVANCE BEGINNERS TO
INTERMEDIATE PAINTERS
PAINT FROM LIVE MODEL
A TEXTURED,
EVOCATIVE UNIVERSE
Classical inspirations, reimagined. A contemporary vision of feminine power at the 13th century Château de Puy Vidal.
At the heart of the week is the opportunity to work with a live model styled in a lush historic dress, featuring elaborate details, and rich, textured backdrops. These elements create the perfect canvas for studying light, texture, and the movement of luxurious materials like satin. While rooted in the aesthetic grandeur of Baroque and Rococo influences, the workshop will take a playful, modern approach, incorporating Rosso’s distinctive techniques to reimagine historical motifs with a contemporary edge to capture portraits that evoke dream, memory, and fantasy.
MEET THE LADY OF THE CHATEAU CREATIVE TEAM
We are your retreat designers and guides, and it is our pleasure to welcome you into our world. A multi-generational American family who moved to France, we combine our backgrounds in the film industry, painting, data science, tech and astronomy to shape and guide you through our retreat experiences which focus on creativity, personal growth and connection.
Julia and Caroline are a couple and are the founders of the Lady of the Chateau retreats. They scout incredible talent from around the world to find Guest Instructors for each retreat. They design and run each retreat with Penelope, Julia's sister, and their parents Maruca and Robert, who enjoy hosting people from around the world. Together with our guest instructor, retreat chef, and chateau staff, we pride ourselves on retreats distinguished by fully integrated hospitality.
We cannot wait to welcome you to this experience that will leave your cup full for months to come.
"I am all of the women I paint."
Rosso Emerald Crimson
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Rosso Emerald Crimson
London-based Italian artist Rosso specializes in expressive portraiture. Her work draws the viewer in with intense, introspective gazes that reveal a personal resonance with the women she paints. Combining traditional and contemporary painting techniques, Rosso's style bridges abstract and figurative elements to create a striking visual balance.
She began her artistic journey after a successful career in advertising and retrained at the London Atelier of Representational Art (LARA), influenced by artists whose work resonated deeply with her. Since then, Rosso has received numerous accolades, including the Holly Bush Emerging Woman Painter Prize, Jackson Open Painting Prize, and finalist spots in Sky Portrait Artist of the Year and the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize. She has exhibited internationally, including at the MEAM in Barcelona and the Mall Galleries in London, and her work has appeared in The Artist Magazine, International Artist Magazine, and Portraits for NHS Heroes.
WHAT SETS HER APART
As a portrait artist who brings a unique fusion of abstract and figurative techniques to her work, Rosso Emerald Crimson creates striking portraits of women that invite deep introspection. Her art is defined by meticulously rendered figures that emerge from complex, textured backgrounds, evoking themes of renewal and rebirth from decay.
In her workshops, Rosso combines structured and experimental approaches, guiding participants in creating compositions that blend realism with expressive, atmospheric backgrounds. She shares invaluable insights into her techniques and artistic process, enabling painters of all levels to explore the balance between abstraction and realism, refine their technical skills, and cultivate a personal, expressive voice in their art.
AWARDS & FEATURES
EMERALD WINTER PRIDE AWARD
EMERGING WOMAN PAINTER
BEAUTIFUL BIZARRE PRIZE
THE ARTIST MAGAZINE - COVER
A LETTER FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Dear Workshop participant,
I’m thrilled to welcome you to this one-of-a-kind workshop setting for our week of portraiture together. We’ll be surrounded by the very elements that inspire my work: echoes of Baroque and Renaissance beauty, the textures of a timeless environment, and the rich patina of history all around us.
Chateau de Puy Vidal invites us to experiment and explore, blending contemporary techniques with the classical influences that have shaped the foundations of portraiture for centuries.
There is something transformative about painting from a live model in such a setting. The Château will breathe life into each of our sessions, infusing our work with a sense of history and storytelling.
As we capture the model’s form and expression, we’ll also be capturing the light, colors, and textures of this magnificent place—a setting that invites us to balance realism with atmospheric abstraction. Working within these walls, we’ll have the chance to create compositions that feel both timeless and personal.
I’ll be guiding you through this process, sharing my own techniques and helping you build an expressive, textured foundation on which to paint. We’ll use every corner of the Château as a source of inspiration, allowing its beauty to influence our color choices, our backgrounds, and even the mood of each portrait. Together, we’ll work to harmonize figurative realism with abstract patterns and textures, pushing our creative boundaries to find a deeply personal artistic expression.
I can’t wait to explore the Château’s incredible surroundings with you and see the beautiful work we’ll create together in this unforgettable space.
See you soon at Puy Vidal,
Rosso
MODERN MUSES AT PUY VIDAL
sample daily itinerary
8:30am - 9:30am Breakfast in the Château Courtyard
10am - 1:30pm Morning Painting Class and Session
1:30pm - 2:30pm Lunch in the Interior Courtyard
3 pm - 5:30pm Afternoon Painting Session
5:30pm - 7pm Free Time – Relax, Explore, or Continue Painting
7:00pm - 8:00pm Aperitif Hour
8:00pm - 9:30pm Dinner in the Renaissance Dining Room
9:30pm - 11:00pm Château Evenings – Cognac Tasting, Bonfire Under the Stars, Outdoor Cinema
ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES
Our all-inclusive packages, lovingly curated, cover everything during your stay, from train pick-up to accommodations to day trips. Our goal in putting these together is to allow you to completely relax during your time here, delve into learning, and have the rest taken care of.
PAINTING CLASSES
A week of morning and afternoon painting classes, demos, lectures, and history. Discussions about painting and evenings with the Instructor. Ongoing feedback and review as well as an end-of-week group review.
ACCOMMODATIONS
A private chateau bedroom and bathroom await you for your 7-night stay at Puy Vidal. These bedrooms are large enough to share so bring a fellow Artist or a Non-painting partner with you.
AUTHENTIC FRENCH
MEALS & WINE
Breakfast buffets each morning, with both continental and savory options. Light refreshing lunches. Aperitif hours with local cocktails and nibbles. Decadent dinners with flowing French wines.
DAY TRIP
Transportation on our day trip to the local village of La Rochefoucauld, entry ticket to Chateau museum, and lunch at a riverside restaurant all included.
CHATEAU EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
The Chateau's spirit comes alive after dinner. Join the group for bonfires under the stars, mystery games, costume nights, and cinema screenings by candlelight.
TRAIN PICK UP | DROP OFF
On arrival day and departure day, a Chateau shuttle will meet you at the train station in Angouelme - an 18min drive from the Chateau. The train is the best way to travel to the Chateau from Paris- the total time is 2 hours.
July 16
July 17
July 18
July 19
July 20
July 21
July 22
July 23
Arrival Day
Welcome to the Château!
Meet your hosts, settle into your room, and enjoy a Château tour.
Later, join a Champagne reception in the studio to kick off the workshop week. Remember to bring your week intentions written down to share with your fellow Artists.
Creating Abstract Grounds & Initial Compositions
Ease into the morning experimental exercises, using stencils, metal leaf, and mixed media to build expressive, abstract backgrounds. After a leisurely lunch, our live model joins us in an intricately styled, baroque-inspired setting. Capture photographs, sketch compositions, and let your artistic vision start to unfold. This is the day to lay the groundwork and plan for the week to come.
Realist Portraiture & Sketching Foundations
Start the day with an demo on portraiture essentials, focusing on axes, planes, and the subtleties of shadow and light.
With our model posing all day, dive into capturing her likeness through sketches or preparatory drawings. For the more adventurous, begin sketching directly onto your panel to establish the framework for your final piece. This is where technique meets vision.
Skin Tones & Color Mastery
Today, bring your work to life with color! Begin with a hands-on demo in skin tone mixing, exploring the nuances of chroma and temperature to create lifelike tones.
With the model as a reference, continue refining your piece, diving into small color studies before progressing to full-scale painting.
Inspiration Day in Angouleme
Step away from the studio and into our local city of Angouleme. Wander through charming shops, and savor French bistro fare in an idyllic setting.
This day is designed to recharge and inspire, giving you fresh perspectives to bring back to the easel.
In-Depth Painting & Personalized Guidance
Immerse yourself in the art of figure painting.
Receive personalized feedback and, if needed, join a focused demo on details like fabric or hair to elevate your painting. This is your day to make bold strides and refine the delicate details that bring character to your piece.
Bringing Harmony to Your Composition & Art Review
In the morning, learn how to balance abstraction with realism in a lecture on compositional harmony. Then, spend the final day polishing and perfecting your piece, with opportunities for a one-on-one review to receive valuable insights and encouragement. By the end of the day, you’ll have a finished work that captures your unique vision and the spirit of this artistic retreat.
Departure Day
We bid you a warm farewell!
Shuttle service to the Angoulême train station, starting as early as 5:45 AM.
Included in Your Stay
ART SUPPLIES AT THE CHATEAU
The Puy Vidal Art Studio is outfitted just for you!
With a large variety of easels, canvases, lightweight tripods, palettes, solvents, aprons, carry bags,
painting stools, still life trinkets for inspiration, and much more.
*Optional Add-on: we can ship your completed artwork home at cost.
*Brushes, Sketch Pads and Pencils Not Included.
A list of recommended colors and brushes will be supplied in advance.
“I speak from personal experience- this is a magical place you will never forget!
The hosts are fabulous, the atmosphere of the Chateau not only invites but insists that your creativity will be at its best, and living in a literal castle for even a few days…
come on now- this is the stuff Bucket Lists are made of!”
- Terry Stanley, Creative Retreat Participant, 2023
How to Join us
How do I get there?
Puy Vidal is nestled in the scenic Charente region, just 2 hours south via SNCF Train from Paris-Montparnasse station. This idyllic location offers the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility.
We offer complimentary pick-up and drop-off from our local train station of Angouleme just 18 minutes from the Chateau . If you’re driving, detailed directions will be provided upon booking. We’re easily accessible from major French cities, making your journey as smooth as possible.
What supplies do i need to bring?
Bring your Brushes!!
We provide the majority of the supplies, including painting tubes to share amongst your fellow Artists - Easels, Palettes, Solvents, Aprons, etc are all available for your to use in our Puy Vidal Art Studio.
Once you've booked your retreat we will send you your specific instructors Art Supplies.
Is there a pool ?
Yes! Our outdoor pool is heated, perfect for a refreshing dip in summer and a comfortable swim in spring and fall.
Our large hot tub makes a perfect place to unwind alone or with some new friends after a day of creativity.
Are Dietary Restrictions Accommodated?
We cater to various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. However, due to the nature of our environment and kitchen, we cannot accommodate multiple food restrictions or severe life-threatening food allergies. Please contact us before booking at admin@ladyofthechateau.com.
In addition, if you have severe dietary or environmental allergies (e.g., to insects, dust, or humidity), please contact us before booking at admin@ladyofthechateau.com. For your safety, we reserve the right to cancel bookings if we determine we cannot safely accommodate your needs.
FAQ
Our guests most frequently asked questions
THE CHÂTEAU STAY
5,000 € - 6,200 €
All taxes & fees included
Chateau de Puy Vidal offers 8 bedrooms for Retreat participants to stay at the Chateau full-time. Ranging from large and magnificent rooms fit for a king, to romantic, sensual decor, to French country charm, we have an experience for you. To see each bedroom visit our Chateau Bedrooms Page here. Bedroom assignments happen on a first-come, first-served basis. Book early!
Pricing based on single occupancy. For Artists looking to share a room please email us at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com for more information. To make this retreat more accessible, we offer flexible payment options. The retreat fee is divided in three installments, and we’re happy to work with you to arrange a payment plan that suits your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for details!If you have any questions regarding our retreats or if you are having trouble booking please email us at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com
If you'd like to bring a Non-Painting Partner to share your room with you they are welcome to join you in any of our double occupancy rooms. If they'd like to explore the region during the week, a car rental is recommended.
Non-Painting Partner rate: 2,500 €
A GLIMPSE INTO THE WEEK
Offsite Participants
3,900 €
Accommodations not included
The Offsite Participant option lets you experience Château de Puy Vidal by day while enjoying your own nearby accommodations by night.
This option is ideal for artists looking for a budget- friendly way of attending the workshop, as the local accomodation prices are very reasonable. It is also ideal if you prefer a bit more independence during your stay.
This package includes everything except your overnight accommodations - Guided Instruction, full access to all Château facilities (art studio, gardens, common spaces, pool, and sauna), art supplies, and three French-style meals daily, plus an all-day coffee, tea, and snack bar, as well as transportation on the day trip excursion. This does not include pick up or drop off at the train station, nor transportation to and from the Chateau each day.
We provide a list of recommended nearby accommodations(family-run B&Bs) all within a 10 minute drive of the château. A car rental is required for daily travel between your accommodations and the château. To keep class sizes intimate, this option is limited to 3 spots.
To book, please email us at retreat@ladyofthechateau.com
Apply Below
This retreat is carefully curated to foster a harmonious environment, bringing together like-minded participants who inspire and learn from one another. Due to high demand, as well as to ensure a cohesive group dynamic, we invite you to apply below. The application process ensures that we are able to personalize this journey as much as possible to your needs and that the group is balanced and supportive so that everyone can flourish.
You will be notified within 48 hours of submission whether you have been accepted.Once accepted, you will receive an invitation to book your spot. Your spot will not be confirmed until you book. To make this retreat more accessible, we offer flexible payment options. The retreat fee is divided in three installments, and we’re happy to work with you to arrange a payment plan that suits your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for details!If you have any questions regarding our retreats or if you are having trouble booking please email us at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com
Classical inspirations, reimagined. A contemporary vision of feminine power at the 13th century Château de Puy Vidal.
At the heart of the week is the opportunity to work with a live model styled in a lush historic dress, featuring elaborate details, and rich, textured backdrops. These elements create the perfect canvas for studying light, texture, and the movement of luxurious materials like satin. While rooted in the aesthetic grandeur of Baroque and Rococo influences, the workshop will take a playful, modern approach, incorporating Rosso’s distinctive techniques to reimagine historical motifs with a contemporary edge to capture portraits that evoke dream, memory, and fantasy.
A TEXTURED, EVOCATIVE UNIVERSE
FIND BEAUTY WITHIN
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