Thirteen watercolour artists invite you into their creative worlds.
During Les Rencontres de l’Aquarelle, discover thirteen artists with different styles, approaches and artistic journeys, brought together by one shared passion: watercolour.
They invite you into their creative worlds to share their vision, techniques, discoveries and ways of working — along with everything they have learned through years of practice and experimentation.
Three days to find inspiration, share ideas and take your own artistic journey further.
Join us from 12–14 November 2026
13 renowned artists
A unique event in French
with English subtitles
Free access available
Thirteen artists, thirteen distinctive worlds: renowned watercolourists, travel sketchers, plein-air painters, artists fascinated by pigments and unexpected effects… Each one invites you into their studio, sketchbooks and creative practice.
Whatever your level, you’ll discover that there is no single “right” way to paint, but countless paths to explore.
It’s up to you to find your own
There are as many ways to paint as there are artists
Les Rencontres began with a simple observation
Until now, learning watercolour has often meant stepping into one artist’s world, following their gestures and adopting their methods — sometimes forgetting that there are many other ways to paint.
Les Rencontres de l’Aquarelle grew from a simple belief: the true richness of watercolour lies in this diversity.
An urban sketcher who captures a building in just a few minutes before adding colour works very differently from an artist who spends hours carefully developing a painting in the studio.
And yet, each has something valuable to share with you.
INSPIRE — SHARE — GROW
Be inspired by different perspectives, artistic sensibilities and creative worlds.
Share in the experience, techniques, discoveries and expertise of 13 artists.
Grow by exploring new possibilities, daring to experiment and, little by little, developing your own way of painting.
There is no hierarchy of styles here, and no rule telling you which technique is the “right” one. Just 13 different paths to explore, helping you find your own.
Because water can never be completely controlled… and perhaps that is precisely where the beauty of watercolour lies.
Practical answers to the questions that have been holding you back
Playing with water and colours
Choosing paper
Painting a seascape
Light and vibration
Plein air painting
Travel sketchbooks
Candle wax and gouache effects
Painting mountains
During Les Rencontres de l’Aquarelle, the artists share their own answers through demonstrations, talks and practical advice.
13 artists. 13 unique ways of seeing watercolour.
No two artists paint in quite the same way.
Some work with precision, others embrace spontaneity. Some are drawn to light, others to colour, movement, atmosphere or the expressive possibilities of water and pigment.
Across demonstrations, talks and step-by-step sessions, 13 artists share their own approach to watercolour — their techniques, their experience, but also the choices and ideas behind their work.
From studio painting to plein-air work, from urban sketching to more experimental approaches, you’ll discover just how varied watercolour can be.
13 artists. 13 creative worlds. And plenty of inspiration to help you find your own way.
3 days to discover and experience watercolour
Follow Les Rencontres in English
Les Rencontres is a French-language event, but all talks and demonstrations are available with English subtitles, so you can enjoy the full programme wherever you are.
Talk — Melka : The History of Watercolour
Talk & Demonstration — Laurent Russ : Dare to Paint Outdoors
Talk — Isabelle Lostis : Dare to Paint Outdoors — My Approach to Travel Sketchbooks
Demonstration — Katerina Safantevskaia : Snow-Covered Mountains
Talk — Aquarelle et Pinceaux : Choosing the Right Materials from Different Product Ranges
LIVE Demonstration — 6 pm — Marie-Christine Sergent Painting a Seascape
Talk — Lucien Loëffler : Watercolour Through the Centuries: Water, Pigment and Gum
Travel Sketchbook Demonstration — Claire Parker : Sketching with Freedom
Talk : The Artists of Les Rencontres Answer Your Questions
Demonstration — Hippolyte Pitoiset : Watercolour and Gouache
LIVE Demonstration — 6 pm — César Gordillo : Exploring Pigments and Papers as Catalysts for Transforming Your Work - (In English with French translation)
Talk — Sylvie Cesari : Learning Watercolour on Your Own
Demonstration — Larisa Anaya : Painting En Plein Air (In English with French translation)
Talk : The Artists of Les Rencontres Share Their Tips and Techniques
Demonstration — Martine Trellu : Vibrant Colour: Working with Candle Wax
LIVE Demonstration —2 pm - Janine Gallizia - Painting flowers : adapting and improving the painting as you go
Enjoy Les Rencontres at your own pace
There’s no need to be in front of your screen at a specific time — or all day long.
With the Entry Pass and VIP Pass, you’ll have access to the replays, so you can enjoy Les Rencontres at your own pace, revisit the demonstrations as many times as you need and make the most of every session.
Les Rencontres: rediscover the joy of painting and take your watercolour further
Your next painting won’t be quite like the others. After all, watercolour is unpredictable — and Les Rencontres will have given you plenty of new inspiration.
Throughout the event, you’ll learn how to:
understand why one paper may work better than another;
know when to let a bloom become part of your painting… rather than trying to correct it;
discover new ways to overcome the challenges you encounter most often;
recognise the artists, approaches and styles that resonate with your own artistic sensibility.
And above all, you won’t be alone in front of that blank sheet of paper.
You’ll become part of a community where people exchange ideas, share their experiences, discoveries and doubts, and move forward together.
Everything you need to fuel your inspiration, enrich your practice… and make you want to paint even more.
Choose how you want to experience Les Rencontres
From free access to the complete experience, there’s a Pass to suit everyone.
From free access to the complete experience, there’s a Pass to suit everyone.
The Free Pass opens the door to Les Rencontres: three days to discover the artists, explore their creative worlds and fill up on inspiration.
The Entry Pass gives you more time to revisit the demonstrations, observe each artist’s techniques, try them for yourself and make your own the ideas that truly speak to you.
The VIP Pass keeps Les Rencontres going throughout the year. Enjoy a full year of access to the demonstrations and talks, so you can revisit a technique, explore a subject in greater depth or simply find fresh inspiration whenever you need it.
And every month, from November to April, meet one of the artists Live to discuss their demonstration or talk, ask your questions and benefit from their advice in real time.
A wonderful way to keep learning, experimenting and growing as an artist.
Time left for Early Bird discounts
English subtitles available for all talks and demonstrations
Free Pass
€ Free
Access to all talks
Access to all demonstrations
24-hour access
Access to the Facebook and Instagram community
Entry Pass
35€ Early Bird / 40€ / 45 €
Access to all talks
Access to all demonstrations
3 weeks of replay access - available until 5 December 2026
Access to the Facebook and Instagram community
VIP Pass
100 € Early Bird / 120 € / 140 €
Access to talks
Access to demonstrations
1 year of replay access - available until 10 November 2027
Profiles of all 13 artists
Monthly live sessions — one Live each month from November to April, giving you the opportunity to meet the artists and ask them your questions
Exclusive bonus videos: From the First Idea to the Finished Watercolour, Sketching Bicycles, Choosing the Right Paper for Different Effects
In-depth Q&A
Downloadable and printable step-by-step guides (in French)
Extra tips and advice from the artists
Access to the Facebook and Instagram community
Prize draws
The VIP Pass: your creative companion for a whole year
What if Les Rencontres didn’t have to end after three days?
With the VIP Pass, you have time to explore further. Exclusive videos, detailed step-by-step guides, profiles of all 13 artists and the extra tips add even more to the demonstrations and talks.
Come back to a particular technique, explore a subject in greater depth or simply find fresh inspiration whenever you need it.
And best of all, the Les Rencontres Live sessions give you the opportunity to meet an artist each month, revisit their demonstration or talk and ask your questions live.
Between sessions, the Facebook community keeps the conversation going.
Resources to explore at your own pace, artists to meet live, and a community to keep learning and growing with.
You don’t need years of experience to enjoy Les Rencontres. However, you’ll get more out of the event if you’ve already taken your first steps in watercolour and are familiar with a few basic techniques.
The artists won’t be starting with the fundamentals. Instead, they’ll take you straight into their own practice, techniques and ways of painting.
If you’ve already experimented a little and are keen to discover new approaches, understand more and take your watercolour further, you’re in the right place.
No. With the Entry Pass and VIP Pass, you’ll have access to the replays, so you can enjoy Les Rencontres at your own pace.
Yes. The Free Pass gives you access to all the talks and demonstrations at 8 am (French time) everyday, with each session available for 24 hours.
It’s a great way to experience Les Rencontres in full. The Entry and VIP Passes are designed for those who want more time to revisit the demonstrations, explore the techniques in greater depth and, with the VIP Pass, enjoy additional opportunities to connect with the artists.
The Entry Pass gives you access to all talks and demonstrations for 3 weeks.
The VIP Pass gives you access for a full year, along with exclusive content, profiles of all 13 artists, the Watercolour Toolkit and monthly live sessions with the artists from November to April.
With the VIP Pass, Les Rencontres continue long after the event itself. You’ll keep access to the content for a full year and have the opportunity to meet the artists during the monthly live sessions from November to April.
The Early Bird price is a special reduced rate available until 10 November 2026. After that, prices change:
Entry Pass: €40 from 10–14 November, then €45 after the event
VIP Pass: €120 from 10–14 November, then €140 after the event
Yes. All talks and demonstrations in French are available with English subtitles, so English-speaking participants can enjoy the full programme.
Two demonstrations are presented in English and translated in French.
What if Les Rencontres were the spark you’ve been waiting for?
Sometimes, all it takes is a different perspective, a new technique or an artist’s way of working to open up new possibilities.
For three days, 13 artists invite you into their creative worlds, sharing their experience, techniques and discoveries — not to show you one way to paint, but to help you explore your own.
Watch. Experiment. Be inspired.
And above all, enjoy painting.
Join us online from 12–14 November 2026 for the very first edition of Les Rencontres de l’Aquarelle.
13 artists. 3 days. Countless ways to explore watercolour.
Ready to join us?
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