A sketchbook and a solid pair of walking shoes are the essential supplies for an outing with RandoCroquis (☎ 01 47 07 50 54, www.randocroquis.com), a group that combines light hiking (rando) with sketching (croquis). The focus is on nature sketching along the Seine, in Paris parks or nearby forests, with total walking time of one to three hours. It’s open to all levels, with qualified artist guides to offer tips and advice on technique. There are also regular night-sketching outings within Paris. It’s a casual, fun way to see a bit of the city from a different perspective. Weekly half-day (€23) or full-day (€38) hikes are organized throughout the year (less in August) in Paris as well as other cities in France. To check the schedule or reserve a spot, call Cyrille (he speaks some English) on Monday or Tuesday, 10am to 2pm.
The Académie de la Grande Chaumière (14 Rue de la Grande Chaumière, 6th, M° Vavin, ☎ 01 43 26 13 72) is a scruffy little Montparnasse arts academy with an illustrious list of alumni, including Picasso and Modigliani. Visitors can attend the afternoon sketching sessions (atelier croquis) with a live model on weekdays, 2 to 5pm, and Saturdays, 1 to 5pm. The fee is €15 (less if you attend more than once), with an instructor who offers individual advice if needed. Open to all levels. Call ahead or just show up a few minutes early. Sketchbooks and pencils are available at the art-supply stores on the same street as the Académie.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: There are many places to buy art supplies in Paris, especially in Montparnasse. |
Those inspired by the medieval arts can join the Carnet de Dessins sessions at the Musée National du Moyen Age (Thermes & Hôtel de Cluny, 6 Place Paul-Painlevé, 5th, M° Cluny La-Sorbonne, ☎ 01 53 73 78 16), where visitors of all artistic abilities are guided by a professional artist in sketching the museum’s treasures. The cost is €12 per person, no supplies needed, and you get to keep your sketchbook afterwards. The instruction is in French, so basic French comprehension is helpful. The two-hour sessions take place Saturdays from March through September; call in advance to reserve a place.
Contemporary Brazilian artist Saulo Portela opens his private atelier just off the Canal St-Martin (10th) for weekly sketching sessions with a live model. These aren’t classes, but more of an artists’ social group; each participant does their own thing with some advice if they ask, in a very casual environment. There’s also some outdoor sketching around the Canal. The group is made up of all ages, nationalities, and artistic abilities, and provides a unique glimpse into a real artist’s life in Paris. Sessions from €15 (and participants split the model’s fee). Call Saulo (he speaks very good English) for more information, ☎ 01 40 68 74 46.
TERMS TO KNOW The word cours means class, either for the whole academic year or just one day. When looking for short-term classes of a day or week, look for the word stage, which means workshop or internship. Another helpful word is baptême, which literally means baptism, but in an activity context means initiation. |
