Painting the Figure in a Landscape Monday July 06 - Wed. July 15 2026
This summer, I’ll be joining Le Cot Workshops & Retreats in Cognac, France to guide a focused study in figurative painting, centered on integrating the human form within the landscape.
Set within a restored vineyard compound, Le Cot offers a rare environment to slow down, observe, and build work with intention. It’s a place where time feels slightly expanded, allowing for a deeper connection between what we see and how we translate it into paint.
My workshop will focus on the relationship between figure and environment how the presence of the human form can activate a space, and how the surrounding landscape, in turn, shapes the narrative of the figure.
We’ll approach this through a series of structured studies designed to strengthen both technical clarity and conceptual awareness.
Participants will work through:
Compositional design — learning how to place the figure within the landscape in a way that feels intentional and balanced
Tonal structure — simplifying light and shadow to create clarity, depth, and cohesion
Presence within place — developing a sense of atmosphere so the figure feels grounded, not placed
Rather than focusing on a single finished piece, students will be encouraged to produce a series of fresh, workable studies, paintings and sketches that act as anchors for future studio work. These studies are often where the most honest and dynamic ideas emerge.
This workshop is designed for artists who want to strengthen their ability to think through painting, not just render what they see, but understand how to build a visual narrative that holds together.
Throughout the week, we’ll move between observation, discussion, and hands-on painting, creating space for both technical growth and personal direction.
Cognac itself offers an incredible backdrop with vineyards, historic architecture, and open landscape, all of which provide rich opportunities to explore how figure and environment interact.
If you’re looking to deepen your painting practice, develop stronger compositional thinking, and return home with a body of work that continues to evolve beyond the retreat, this experience is designed with that in mind.