Dave Santillanes Workshop in Southwestern France

Moulin in Languedoc, Oct 6 – 14, 2025

You are invited to join us for a 9-day workshop with Dave Santillanes, one of today’s most accomplished plein-air artists. Dave returns after a highly successful and sold-out workshop with rave reviews in Provence 2023. Due to the demand, we invited Dave back to lead another extraordinary plein air workshop. This time, in our newly discovered location in Southwestern France.

 The program offers a perfect combination of learning and cultural immersion in the south of France. This is a rare opportunity to learn from Dave as he demos, makes paintings, helps you, explains the methods in a relaxed setting, and shares informative critiques.

Dave is passionate about helping you. His attention and guidance throughout the workshop will give you useful experience in painting en plein air.  

Like so many artists, Dave draws inspiration from Impressionism which of course, began in France and was carried across the Atlantic through the California Impressionists. This trip allows guests to follow in the footsteps of many artists who have painted in the south of France chasing it’s legendary light and color. 

“Abundance of Spring” by Dave Santillanes

Dave Santillanes: A Passion for Plein Air Painting

Dave has a well-deserved following of devoted students because of his extraordinary ability to impart his vision and teach painting in an insightful and accessible manner.

This workshop is suitable for all levels of artists from beginners to professionals who work in oil, acrylic, and even pastels. However, Dave recommends some experience with drawing and painting would be very helpful. Even the most experienced of artists have sung praises after attending Dave’s workshops.  He teaches a new way of seeing color and imparts his legendary Color Relationship Foundations. Dave will also focus on how to use this color information to create atmosphere in painting and how to create more depth in our work. It is massively important in landscape painting but will also have a great impact on still lifes and figure painting.  

Dave has trained and mastered the art of plein air painting and teaching his insight to make more dynamic, captivating compositions. He says:

“In terms of composition, I look for simplicity.  I’ve found that there are many opportunities to simplify a scene without compromising its sense of ‘place’.  And because I’ve departed from a literal interpretation, I’m free to rearrange elements to fit this concept.  In this way, I am able to describe the scene in my own “words.”

He doesn’t just enjoy plein air painting, he considers it a vital and spiritual part of his painting process.

The workshop is designed so that you leave with paintings, more confidence, and inspiration that will continue to motivate you to paint.

Welcome to our community of artists!