Passing on my artistic experience and knowledge is a vocation. Through the process of teaching I remain a student myself, having to let learn and adapt to each individual’s vision and process.
I believe in democratizing art to anyone who wants to try or improve their practice. Painting and drawing are fundamental means of expression which can lead towards emancipation and cultural changes. Thanks to constructive and positive feedback I have developed intuitive tools to help any student, or artist, to gain confidence and pursue with greater depth their artistic discoveries. Looking at art and working from life, or nature, is essential to enriching one’s imagination and ability to render one’s vision with wholeness through colors or only values.
I partner with different schools and programs and I offer private courses for groups or individuals, in person or online. I am part of the community and work closely with The Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing founded in Aix-en-Provence in 1972. I am fluent in French and English
Recent article by the journalist and author Sarah Belmont with whom I had the joy to teach and share rich discussions in the Bibémus Quarries : Aujourd’hui en France pour les Régions et du Parisien pour l’Ile-de-France.
Interview for channel France 3, Vue d’ici, Sainte Victoire in the foot steps of Cezanne
Sign up for private art classes : I work with destination management companies, entrepreneurs and private companies for tailored and high-end experiences. If you are looking to design a unique artistic adventure in Provence, or elsewhere in France, contact me for more information.
Fall Online Workshops with The Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing
Are you looking to start painting and drawing again and reconnect with your practice? Maybe you don’t know where and how to begin? These four online sessions will be a great opportunity to refresh your memory about the essentials of drawing and painting. Complete beginners are also more than welcome to participate! During each 1.5-hour session, we will learn about a specific topic through hands-on exercises. We will also review important vocabulary (values, hues, light, shadows, character, wholeness, etc.) and learn to see them emerge from our work.
Details: Price: $35/session
Location: Virtual Class on Zoom
Instructor: Pauline Bétrancourt
Dates/Times:
Sunday, September 7th, 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern Time: Drawing, Back to Basics
Sunday, October 19th, 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern Time: Drawing, Let There Be Light!
Sunday, November 2nd, 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern Time: Hues and Values, Let’s Take a Look
Sunday, January 25th (rescheduled), 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern Time: Composition, It Will All Come Together
Ongoing / By Reservation: Personalized Online Critiques through The Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing – LMSP&D
Vision and Guidance: Personalized Feedback on Your Artwork and Process
Schedule a one-hour online critiques with me in collaboration with LMSP&D. In a community of artists, sharing one’s artwork with others is a vivifying experience and an important part of growth. Looking together at artwork and sharing ideas and references can enrich the solitary process of creation and help you go further. You will get individualized feedback to accompany you in your artistic journey.
The Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing
Monthly Masterwork Practice Hour with Nick Cruz Velleman
I was the guest teacher for Sunday, July 27th session– watch the replay HERE
Dedicated time for your creative practice.
Trying to get back into painting and drawing? Struggling to make time for your artistic practice? We’ve got you covered with our FREE monthly online practice hour. This is an opportunity for you — our wonderful Leo Marchutz School community — to gather together online, hone your craft, or just play around with your own projects alongside artist Nick Cruz Velleman.
We are happy to offer this monthly online practice hour at no cost to our community. If you are enjoying this program, please consider making a donation to support the mission of the Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing. Donations can be made here.
For the occasion of the Cezanne 2025 exhibition I am an official partner of the office of tourism : I have created a set schedule of art classes nearby some of Cezanne’s motifs in exceptional natural sites. These classes run with a group of maximum 8 people and are accessible to any artistic level.
You can sign up directly by contacting me, or through the office of tourism website :
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« Studying with Pauline in Aix has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Her style of teaching encouraged me to discover my own vision through leading questions, while guiding me towards improved technique by demonstration. Whether your goal is to expand as an artist, experience the Provençal landscape, or develop a more mindful and present relationship with your environment, Pauline is the perfect teacher. » Lois through LMSP&D
« Yesterday, 26 September, I attended one of Pauline’s sessions at the Carrières Bibémus. Pauline is a generous and very able teacher. Her exposition of the conditions and demands of landscape painting was excellent. Having been involved in art making for several decades, I doubt that I have ever heard such a clear, concise account of the problem. » Paul
« My wife and I joined a drawing and painting class with Pauline at the Bibemus quarry near Aix. Neither of us had any previous experience of painting. Pauline was a great teacher! We learned so much from her about how to take in the landscape visually, and she then helped us through the process of transferring our perceptions onto paper with pencils and then watercolours. We had come to Aix for the Cezanne 2025 exhibition and I can truthfully say that we learned more about Cezanne and how he saw the world from our class with Pauline than we did from the exhibition itself (though that, too, was a great experience!). I would 100% recommend her as a teacher and guide. Thank you Pauline! » Andrew
« Absolutely fabulous painting instructor. Pauline treated our pilgrimage women’s group to a wonderful, rich watercolor experience! » Cindy
« I would like to thank Pauline for a great lesson in the Mt. Sainte-Victoire massif. The weather and the setting were beautiful, and the whole event was perfectly organized. Pauline is attentive to all the participants and has a great way of conveying what to focus on – technically and in the overall experience of drawing and painting in nature – while encouraging personal expression to come through. » Vlatka
« It was such a joy to experience the Bibemus quarries with Pauline. I am an enthusiastic art and Cezanne lover and a decided beginner in drawing and painting. It was an unreal experience to be in that place and observe. Pauline is an energetic, incredibly supportive and encouraging teacher. I learned much about looking, listening and feeling, more than the inhibiting attempt to « draw well, » which has a lot in common with concepts of my creative vocation, which is acting. I highly recommend the experience. If I lived in Aix, I’d do it again. Also, Pauline speaks fluent English, and patiently and seamlessly moved between English and French for the participants. » Kendra
« Painting in the Bibemus Quarries was undoubtedly the highlight of our vacation in Provence. Pauline showed us several places where Cézanne had painted. Then, we drew a picture with a pencil and a second one with watercolors. Pauline is an excellent teacher who provided just the right amount of helpful advice. Further, she is a very motivating teacher, and time flew by. We highly recommend it! » Rebecca and Sebastian
« Pauline has a remarkable way of shaping your perspective as an artist. Painting with her is not only about learning technique, but also about discovering new ways to see and engage with the world around you. She guides and supports your work with encouragement and inspiration, making every session a true joy. » Nicholas
« I had the pleasure of taking part in the one of the trips to the forest area in Bibemus and it was such a treat. The walk to the location was an easy 10 minutes with our lovely instructor, Pauline, opening our eyes to the many facets of colour and light that we take for granted most of the time. The location itself was truly breathtaking, its little wonder Cezanne was so fascinated by this incredible peak. We were taught about technique and colour appreciation, and encouraged to think about perspective. An excellent experience which I will definitely do again. » Raina
« The watercolor class in Aix-en-Provence, held outdoors with a panoramic view of Mont Sainte-Victoire, was one of those rare creative experiences that feels both grounding and transcendent. The mountain itself-so beloved by Cezanne-was bathed in late-afternoon light, and under Pauline’s guidance the act of painting became less about reproducing the view and more about sensing it. Pauline had an extraordinary ability to connect on a deep, intuitive level, helping each participant translate feeling into form through brush, pigment and water. » Diane
« I appreciated a lot my watercolor lesson in Bibemus with Pauline Bétrancourt. Though I started painting at least 25 years ago, this lesson was refreshing. The fundamental bases need to be heard and heard again, nothing was useless in this lesson in Bibemus. I hope, if I can, to improve my practice and hope too, to find another opportunity to meet this beautiful teacher so full of good advice. Thank you very much. » Catherine
« Working with Pauline is a transformative experience. She doesn’t just teach painting skills—she opens your eyes to fresh perspectives and deeper connections with your surroundings. Her guidance is warm, uplifting, and inspiring, turning each class into something both meaningful and enjoyable. Can’t wait to come back » Willfido
« It was a wonderful experience to walk through the Bibemus Quarries with Pauline and other group members, to surrender to the special atmosphere of this magical place, which touched me deeply emotionally, and to capture these impressions on paper in my first tender attempt.
Pauline took wonderful care of us all, was perfectly prepared and organized, encouraged us and always explained things, but also gave us the freedom we needed and was there to help us when we needed her experience and knowledge.
I can recommend it warmly and wholeheartedly…an unforgettable experience.
Thank you, Pauline, for showing us this magical place and sharing it with us. And yes, I promise… I will continue painting and expressing the artistic side of my soul. Stay healthy, have many more great participants, interesting encounters, and much success with your own wonderful artistic works. Best wishes from Germany, » Katja« Es war ein wunderbares Erlebnis und Erfahrung mit Pauline und anderen Gruppenteilnehmern gemeinsam die Bibemus Quarries zu durchschreiten, sich der besonderen Atmosphäre dieses zauberhaften Ortes, welcher mich emotional sehr berührt hat, hinzugeben und diese Einrücke in zarten, ersten Versuchen auf Papier zu bringen.
Pauline kümmerte sich rührend um uns alle, war perfekt vorbereitet und organisiert, ermunterte einen und erklärte stets, liess aber auch den benötigen Freiraum und war helfend zur Seite, wenn man Ihre Erfahrung und Kenntnisse brauchte.
Ich kann es wärmstens und von Herzen empfehlen…ein unvergessliches Erlebnis.
Danke Pauline, dass Du uns diesen zauberhaften Flecken Erde gezeigt und ihn mit uns geteilt hast. Und ja, ich verspreche… ich werde das Malen fortsetzen und den künstlerischen Teil meiner Seele ausleben. Bleib gesund, habe weiterhin viele tolle Teilnehmer, interessante Begegnungen und viel Erfolg mit Deinen eigenen tollen künstlerischen Werken.
Herzliche Grüße aus Deutschland, » Katja
Pauline Bétrancourt 