Paris — Paint the Music workshop (St Germain des Prés)

What if you left Paris with something you created yourself — not a souvenir you bought, but an artwork that came from you?

Welcome to Paris — Paint the Music workshop (St Germain des Prés), a gallery-atelier on rue du Dragon in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés — the neighborhood where Sartre debated freedom, Giacometti sculpted through the night, and Miles Davis played until dawn. A place where intellectual curiosity and creative experimentation have always gone hand in hand.

That spirit is alive here. This is not a painting class. You don't need any skills — not in painting, not in music, not in anything. You just need to be curious and ready to play.

The artist designs the game. You play it. There are rules — surprising ones — and within those rules, total freedom. What appears on your canvas is entirely up to you: abstract forms, shapes, a flower, a face, whatever your instinct tells you. Everyone follows the same instructions, yet every result is completely different. That's the paradox at the heart of this experience: the constraints set you free.

The session lasts about two hours in a small, intimate group. All materials are provided — canvas, brushes, paint, everything. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks are offered throughout. The atmosphere is relaxed, playful, and unlike anything you've experienced in a gallery before.

At the end, you take your artwork home — a one-of-a-kind piece, born from a game you played in a Parisian atelier.

Not just spectators. Players.

What You'll Experience

The session unfolds over roughly two hours in an intimate group, designed to feel more like play than instruction.

Arnaud opens with a brief introduction to the game's rules — unexpected, thought-provoking, and just structured enough to unlock rather than constrain. From there, you paint: following the same instructions as everyone around you, yet producing something entirely your own. Three rounds, three layers, one canvas that reveals your instinct more than your technique. The session closes with drinks and a look around the group — a moment that never fails to surprise, as you discover how differently twelve people can interpret identical rules.

About the Instructor

Arnaud Quercy is a contemporary painter, sculptor, and jazz musician formed at the Paris College of Music. He creates in front of visitors every day in his gallery-atelier on rue du Dragon — a working studio open to the public, in the tradition of Saint-Germain. Having lived in the UK for over fifteen years, he is fully bilingual and leads sessions fluidly in both English and French. His teaching philosophy is simple: everyone already knows how to create. The game just reminds you.

Practical Information

Art Quam Anima is located at 28 rue du Dragon, 75006 Paris — in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, steps from the Café de Flore and the Seine. All materials are provided and included: canvas, brushes, paint, apron. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks are served throughout the session. Wear whatever you like — aprons are provided and cover well. Your finished painting will be carefully wrapped for you to take home or pack in your luggage.

FAQ

Do I need any artistic experience?
None at all. The game is specifically designed to work without prior skills. Many participants haven't held a brush since school — and they leave with paintings they're genuinely proud of.

What exactly is a "game"?
Arnaud gives the group a set of rules — often paradoxical or surprising — that guide what you paint without dictating the result. The structure removes decision paralysis. Within the rules, everything is yours to decide.

Is the session in English?
Absolutely. Arnaud is fully bilingual (French and English) having lived in the UK for over fifteen years. He adapts naturally to whatever language the group needs.

Can I come with a friend or partner?
Yes, and it makes the experience richer — seeing how differently two people interpret the same instructions is one of the highlights of the session.

What happens to my painting?
It's yours. We wrap it carefully so you can carry it home or pack it in luggage. International shipping can be arranged for an additional fee.

How large is the group?
Sessions are kept intimate — a maximum of 12 participants — so Arnaud can engage with everyone individually.