Bavaria + The Alps 2026

More About the Workshop:

 

Our workshop is very exciting and well structured, with a thoughtfully planned itinerary. My wife Janelle and I are entering our 11th year in organizing the study abroad course and we go above and beyond to make sure each workshop participant is cared for and has what they need. When we are in Germany together, we are like family. 

Students will arrive in Munich, Germany, on May 20th and travel together to Füssen, a Bavarian Alps town dating back to Roman times and located on the banks of the beautiful Lech River. It is known for the Hohes Schloss, or High Castle, the former residence of the prince-bishops of Augsburg. The surrounding Bavarian countryside is exceptionally beautiful, with Rococo churches, farms and livestock, green rolling foothills and castle views—including the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Here we will have many opportunities for plein air painting with stunning views set against the backdrop of the Bavarian Alps.

 Our home base for the second half of the workshop will be Rothenburg ob der Tauber, in the Franconia region of Bavaria—a 13th-century medieval town with picturesque lanes and cobblestone streets. Rothenburg is known for its well-preserved medieval old town ( Altstadt) and Gothic architecture, including a stone fortification wall from the 12th century, looking down over the green Franconian valleys below. 

 The workshop includes all transportation including to and from the airport, All lodging while in Germany, daily breakfast, the welcome and departure dinners, a dinner by our local host family, museum entry, classroom, and full course instruction with James Kroner. Airfare will be the responsibility of each participant. 

Each morning, we have a wonderful German breakfast together as a group, after which we head out to our painting location for the day. After a day of painting the van will return you back to your lodgings to rest before meeting again for dinner together. A couple evenings we'll have the opportunity to paint during the warm cobalt evening light. All painting locations are pre-scouted with shade and restrooms. Door to door pick up and drop off is provided during painting times making the workshop safe and accessible. 

 Students will develop a solid skill set for plein air painting that will truly allow them to take their work to the next level. This comes from a full two weeks of plein air study and immersion, with personal one-on-one instruction tailored to each student’s experience level. Between the demos and the opportunity to observe other students’ work, the environment becomes one of learning and inspiration. I will guide students in selecting strong compositions, identifying problems and editing key issues during the painting process. By the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to create about 14–16 paintings.

 My plein air approach is simple and straightforward. I will do three full demos while students watch and take notes. I have a lesson plan for each day according to the location, and we'll have two group critiques. Students will learn how to use a critical eye to evaluate and adjust their own work.

 What students will learn:

  • How to choose the idea for a painting and select a subject

  • How to decide on composition

  • How to interpret values and simplify forms

  • How to paint intuitively keeping a loose, impressionistic approach

  • What color mixtures are used to create color harmony

  • How to look for and simplify value shapes and their edges

  • How to use variety to create interest

  • How to finish a painting

  • How to make corrections and edit your own work

A few important things to remember:

  • Make sure you have your passport, and that it’s valid for at least six months beyond the travel dates.

  • Arrival date is May 20th, 2026, so try to purchase your airline tickets by the end of March or sooner (please confirm with me beforehand).

  • The application is due Feb. 20th, 2026, but please send it in as soon as you can!

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to write to me at jkroner@live.com. This is going to be a very exciting trip, and I look forward to seeing you in Germany!

Sincerely,

James Kroner