Money - How Much? What Kind of Funds?

Passport and Money

Is your passport up-to-date? 

If not, get this done right away!

How much and what kind of money do I need?

Although I don't know how much you personally will want to spend, I will give you an idea of what worked for me in the past. For daily expenses, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how little you need. 

Meals: Our breakfasts are delicious and very plentiful and most of our fantastic dinners are all arranged. These meals are already paid for in your fees. You are responsible for all of your lunches. These can be very simple with cheese, breads, fruit, pastries etc. purchased quite inexpensively at the market or shops in Limoux and taken along with us. Wine at dinner is provided but if you wish to have some in the evening it is very cheap! "Coca light" is not. Although traditionally dinner is served late in France, our hosts recognize that westerners prefer to dine earlier and so they accommodate us. You are responsible for just one dinner each week at a local restaurant, of your choosing, or bring something home from the market. 

Our daily activities: Visits to villages are arranged so you will experience real French life, rather than tourist traps. You will not have to be constantly putting out euros to pay for admission. 

Souvenirs and gifts to take home: Use your credit card for these personal purchases, or give a little painting that you did to friends or family!

Tips: If you wish to leave a small tip for a waiter it is appreciated, but not necessary. In France the tax and tip are included on the bill as "service compris" (tip included). The one time that I am sure you will want to leave a tip is at the end of our stay for our guide/translator/wonderwoman/driver at Le Monastere. Generally there are three or four dedicated people who work hard, night and day to make our stay wonderful and are deserving of our appreciation.

Shelling Out

DEBIT CARDS - Do go to your bank and ask if your debit card will work in France. There are a variety of symbols on the back that your bank will check to confirm this. Also ask which account it will work with. (Most likely only your chequing account.) You will want to be sure to have money in that account. Unless things have changed in the recent past, bank cards works only in bank machines and not at stores. 

CREDIT CARDS - work at most shops. 

  EUROS -  The rates change daily. Most banks will have euros on hand, but be sure to get your money changed a week or so ahead of our trip, just in case.

So to sum it up: bring along a few hundred euros and if you need more, walk up the street to the ATM machine.

Travellers Cheques - Traveller's cheques are not happily accepted, if accepted at all.Best to use cash, or Credit card in shops.

My suggestion is that you only carry in your pocket or money belt what you are comfortable with (or comfortable losing!). There is an ATM just down the street from our home base and although there is a fee to get cash, when travelling it is recommended that it is wise not to carry too much money with you. When I last checked, my bank charges $4.00 for foreign ATM service and there will most likely be a fee in France. I would rather pay $15.00 to get extra money, when I am running low, than risk a stash disappearing from my pocket or pack. We are in a very safe area and no one on my trips has had any problem, it is wise to be cautious.

Brush Essentials

Take just the minimum number of brushes. Fewer to carry/fewer to lose!  Mark your name on the handles just in case. 
Bring your favorite selection of styles and sizes but it is best not to bring your most expensive sable brushes.

Here is my kit - from left to right: 
- #2 or #4 rigger or signature brush

- 1.5" flat wash brush (Loew-Cornell Skywash 7750 or Robert Simmons Skyflow)

- 1" flat skyflow (Loew-Cornell Skywash 7750 or Robert Simmons Skyflow)

- A small stiff craft brush for spatters and lifting

- Round brushes - sizes 14, 12 or 10 - your choice of size, but go for bigger, rather than tiny.

- Two 1" badger type brush. (Kemp Badger or a Skipper from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff) *If you cannot find a Badger brush you can purchase one from me and I will mail it out to you before the trip.

Along with those in the photograph I also carry a 3/4" flat. It is handy for carving around shapes.
How to carry your brushes
This particular brush caddy, shown in the picture above, came from the drugstore rather than the art store. It is intended for make-up brushes but I like it because it is much smaller and lighter. A rolled bamboo placemat works well too and allows your brushes to air dry.

Paints and Palette

Travelling with Paint

With all the changes in travel these days, it is essential to know how to transport your paints. You must put your paints in your checked baggage! Do not put them in your carry-on.

With your paints in your suitcase you will want to be sure that your clothes are protected from squishy paint tubes. I pack my paints in plastic sealtight containers, such as Tupperware or Lock and Lock. The locked box of paints is then further encased in a ziplock bag.
Mark on the outside of the container and bag as shown above: Non-combustible, Non-toxic, Non-flammable and any other "Non" you might like to add. You may be able to get a safety information sheet from your supplier it include. I have had my bags inspected regularly when flying as evident by the note that is left to indicate that it has been searched. With the paints labeled and stored in this manner, I have not had a problem. Of course there is always a first time. So let's hope everyone will pass through without any trouble.
I will post a list of my colours but do bring your own favorite colours and brands. Artist's quality tube paints are superior! 

Palette, Water Container and Spray Bottle

This is my favourite travel palette! 

http://www.cheapjoes.com/art-supply/HWP18_4568_heritage-folding-palette-well.asp


Here's what Joe has to say about it:
The Heritage Folding Palette is a great travel palette that won’t put a crimp in your travel plans! The Heritage Folding palette is one of the nicest travel palettes that we have seen in a while. It’s unusual because the lid doubles as a hearty-sized mixing area that has a clear removable plastic tray. This tray can also be used as a second mixing area! In addition the lid has a soft plastic seal which keeps the palette from leaking and keeps your colors from drying out so quickly. Each well in this palette holds approximately 5ml. of paint. Here’s a tip! If you hold the tube over the deep end of the well, then come back towards the shallow end while squeezing the tube, then hold the palette in both hands & gently tap the palette on a flat surface- the paint settles nicely in the wells. 18 Wells

I couldn't have said it better myself! there is also a larger version if you wish something bigger or use large brushes.

You may wish to fill the wells now and give the paint a chance to set up before you hit the sky.
Bring a palette that you like and that fits into a ziplock bag. You may wish to hunt around for an additional mixing surface, such as a white plastic plate. 


I've included a collapsible water container and mist bottle in this 

picture - complete with their own plastic zip-bag.

Palette Preparation

Most art supply store carry the Heritage Palette or contact Cheap Joe's Art Stuff. They are small enough to tuck into a zip-lock plastic bag and they have a rubber gasket in the lid so there is less worry about paint leaking out and ruining the stuff in your suitcase! 

Although they are light-weight they are very sturdy. 

The smallest model has 18 wells and a white inner lid for mixing colour.
This model also has a clear plastic tray for  mixing.

How To Modify A Large Heritage Palette

New models of the larger palette are white inside but if you have an older one it will have a solid blue case that can be easily refashioned to make a palette that is more serviceable and lighter. It only takes a few minutes!

- Remove the white trays and scour the inside of the palette with sandpaper.
- Carefully apply masking tape to edges to protect the rubber gasket and clasp.

In a well vented area or work outdoors, lightly coat the sanded surface with white spray paint. You will need to use paint that is recommended for plastic such as patio furniture i.e. Krylon Outdoor Spaces Paint.
- Set aside to dry thoroughly, then re-coat with two or three layers.
- Remove the tape and you are all set! Now you can use the new white surface for mixing colour. It is incredibly durable!

You can snap the trays back into the palette and fill the wells with fresh paint.  My choice is to simply squeeze the paint into the palette "as is" and leave the extra pieces at home. Nice and light with plenty of mixing room!

Paper for Your Masterpieces

Selecting Your Paper

Watercolour paper is surprisingly heavy so consider how many paintings you might do each day. 

Always work with good quality rag paper. Coil pads may seem like good value but will only result in frustration and poor results. Blocks will do but I like loose sheets, pre-torn to my favourite sizes. 
Bring your choice of paper, weight and surface. My choices include Arches 140 or 300 lb cold press, Saunders Waterford 200 lb CP, Strathmore Gemini 140 or 300 lb and Stathmore Aquarius II 80 lb.

Tear your paper into the sizes you like to work on before you leave home. I recommend that you work small, such as a 1/4 sheet or 11 x 15". For travel, the dimensions I choose are 5.5" x 7.5" and 7.5" x 7.5", the largest being 11" x 11". 

Carrying Your Paper
The torn papers are stacked and sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard or mat board and bound with an elastic band or tied with a string. Neat, organized and light! Each day I select 4 or 5 pieces of paper in a variety of sizes to take along. The extras can be left in the studio for another day to help keep the pack light.

Packing Your Art Supplies

Have you started to think about what painting gear you will need to take along?

A little planning will help you keep your kit light while still having everything you require for painting since there isn't an art supply store in Limoux. You will need to carry your gear as we tour villages and are out in the open. There will be times when we will take only sketch books but most likely you will want to throw your kit into the van so you will be ready to paint if the mood strikes.
In these posts you will find more detailed information and photos of brushes, my palette etc. Here are a few ideas to keep things simple and portable.







1. A rolling backpack works well to cart your equipment.

2. A light, small pack for days when you want just the essentials.
3. A small water flask for drinking or painting. There will be jugs available in the van but you will want to have a small container.

4. Watercolour paper. (more on this to follow)

5. A small piece of plexiglass cut to fit in your pack.

6. Brush caddy and brushes (more to follow)

7. Lightweight wooden board, cut to fit in your pack.

8. Clips or clothes pegs to stop your masterpieces from blowing away.

9. Palette (see below)

10. Sketch book(s) and marker.

11. Collapsible water container and small water-sprayer.

12. Pencil case with pencils, markers, sharpener, watercolour pencils if you wish to use them etc.

13. Paints in a sealed container. (list to follow)

14. Small sack or paint bag to use when travelling extra light. I have a very small backpack.

15. Tissue! Bring several packages (multi-purpose)... there may be times when there is no TP in the public toilettes. (Don't worry - once you get the hang of it you might actually enjoy the adventures that each new day brings!) Here is a bit of reading to bring you up to speed: 
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/June05/1520atoilettimidtourists.htm
http://gofrance.about.com/od/travelplanning/ht/toilet.htm

16. Binoculars/bird watching book if you are into birding.

17. Paper towels and a terry-cloth hand towel. The cloth towel works well to sit on if you find yourself on a hillside or other natural perch.

18. Wet wipes.

19. How about your camera, extra memory cards and battery charger? There is so much to see and many photo-opportunities.

  Note: most things go into your kit in zip-lock bags to protect the rest of your equipment and clothes.
No doubt there are more things you will want to add - a light rain jacket, snacks, sunscreen, bug repellent (you can purchase small individual wipes rather than bringing big heavy bottles), candy for the teacher...

If you can think of things that I have left off the list, please leave a comment.

Get Ready For France 2014 - Flights

Arranging Your Flights!

Here we go! If you don't have your plans in order you will need to arrange your flights to and from Toulouse, France. Once you arrive at the airport all other transportation is taken care of. You will be greeted at the airport and once everyone arrives we will head for Limoux! 

Flight arrangements:
Plan to arrive in Toulouse Saturday May 10, 2014 in the morning. Close to noon would be ideal!
Depart Toulouse Saturday May 24, 2014 mid-morning or later. If you book a departure early in the morning you may need to arrange to stay in a hotel close to the airport the night of the 23rd as we co-ordinate the travel of the group from Limoux.

If you are looking for a travel agent to help with booking your flights I would recommend Ingrid at Brinkman Travel. She is up-to-speed on the dates and times you need to be at the Toulouse Airport. Ingrid does a great job and several of my participants on past trips found her services were excellent. There is a small fee for this service. Ingrid can arrange your flights whether you live in Canada or the USA.

Ingrid Raakman

Certified Travel Counsellor
Brinkman Travel Inc
8 Duke St.
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 5W3

Tel: 905 988 9100 extension 2
Fax:905 988 9400
ingrid@brinkmantravel.com


www.brinkmantravel.com