Berchtesgaden + The Alps 2027

More About the Workshop:

 

Our workshop is well-structured, exciting, and offers a thoughtfully planned itinerary. My wife Janelle and I are entering our 12th year organizing this study abroad course, and we go above and beyond to ensure every participant is well cared for and supported. When we are in Germany, we treat each other like family.

Students will arrive in Munich, Germany, on May 26th and travel together to Berchtesgaden—a picturesque town in southeast Germany along the Austrian border. It offers everything we could want in a workshop destination: a beautiful Altstadt (old town) steeped in history, charming shops, bakeries, and wonderful restaurants. Nearby is Lake Königssee, a pristine Alpine lake with turquoise waters and majestic mountain peaks towering above. The Berchtesgaden Alps will serve as our home base for the first half of the workshop, featuring many painting locations in the surrounding area, including a day trip into Austria to paint and explore the iconic town of Hallstatt.

For our mid-workshop break, we will visit Salzburg, Austria, for a day of relaxation and exploration. En route to our second destination, we will stop in Mittenwald to enjoy a meal, walk through the town to admire its traditional painted architecture (Lüftlmalerei) set against the Alps, and experience the charm of local shops.

Our home base for the second half of the workshop will be Füssen, a Bavarian town dating back to Roman times situated along the banks of the beautiful Lech River. It is famous for the Hohes Schloss (High Castle), the former residence of the prince-bishops of Augsburg. The surrounding countryside features Rococo churches, idyllic farms, rolling foothills, and magnificent castle views—including the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle, visible directly from our lodging. Here, we will have abundant opportunities for plein air painting set against the backdrop of the Bavarian Alps.

The workshop includes all ground transportation (including airport transfers), all lodging in Germany and Austria, daily breakfast, welcome and departure dinners, museum entry, classroom space, and full instruction from James Kroner. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip airfare.

Each morning begins with a traditional German breakfast as a group before heading to our daily painting location. After a full day of painting, private van transport will take you back to your lodging to relax before dinner. On select evenings, we will have the unique opportunity to paint during the warm, cobalt twilight. All painting sites are pre-scouted for shade and restroom facilities, and door-to-door transportation ensures a safe, seamless, and accessible experience.

Students will develop a solid skill set for plein air painting to help elevate their work. Through two full weeks of plein air immersion and one-on-one instruction tailored to each experience level, participants learn in a supportive, inspiring environment. Through live demonstrations and peer observation, I will guide students in selecting compelling compositions, identifying challenges, and making thoughtful edits during the painting process. By the end of the course, students typically complete around 14–16 paintings.

My plein air approach is structured and direct. I will conduct three comprehensive demonstrations for students to observe and annotate. Each location includes a dedicated daily lesson plan, supported by two group critiques where students learn to critically evaluate and refine their own work.

What students will learn:

  • How to choose a painting concept and select compelling subjects

  • How to design strong compositions

  • How to interpret values and simplify forms

  • How to paint intuitively while maintaining a loose, impressionistic style

  • How to mix colors to achieve color harmony

  • How to evaluate value shapes and manipulate soft and hard edges

  • How to use variety to create visual interest

  • How to finish a painting

  • How to evaluate and self-edit your work

A few important things to remember:

  • Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.

  • The arrival date in Germany is May 26th, 2027. Please purchase airline tickets by the end of March or sooner (and confirm flight details with me prior to booking).

  • Applications are due by February 20th, 2027, but early submission is strongly encouraged!

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