Georgie Forbes Workshop 2026

The Colourful Path to Creativity – 16–25 September 2026
Join Australian artist Georgie Forbes (Lordy Dordie) for a vibrant 10-day retreat at Périgord Retreats in the beautiful Midi-Pyrénées. Through playful mark-making, mixed media and expressive painting, you’ll explore new ways to embrace colour and unlock your creativity. With inspiring art sessions, delicious French food and wine and cultural excursions, this immersive retreat will leave you refreshed, connected and full of creative inspiration.

See price information and book your spot

Plein Air & Studio Painting

Delicious Homemade Dinners

Daily Excursions

To Beautiful Locations

About Georgie Forbes

Georgie Forbes, known to many as Lordy Dordie, is an Australian artist, art educator, surface pattern designer and creative mentor whose work is celebrated for its bold use of colour and joyful, uplifting spirit. For Georgie, colour is at the heart of her practice — a language of positivity, experimentation and self-expression. Her vibrant paintings and playful patterns transform everyday subjects, from Australian native florals and elements of nature through to colourful abstractions — into works that uplift and inspire.

As a teacher and mentor, Georgie is known for her welcoming, encouraging approach and is passionate about helping others find confidence in their creativity. She co-hosts the popular Painting to Pattern retreats in Australia, offers 1:1 art business mentoring, teaches workshops around Australia and is currently developing an online platform of courses focused on vibrant mixed media painting and creative business skills. Her retreats and workshops are more than art classes — they are joyful, encouraging and welcoming spaces where participants not only learn new techniques but also reconnect with curiosity, creativity and gain in creative confidence.

For Georgie, art is more than paint on canvas — it’s a joyful practice of connection, storytelling, experimentation, and colour that uplifts both artist and viewer.

“Colour is the heart of my work — it has the power to spark joy, shift energy and give people the freedom to express themselves in ways words can’t.”

A Day out Looks Like this:

You’ll start your day with a breakfast of freshly baked French pastries, homemade yoghurt, or fresh fruit, which you can enjoy in the conservatory as you watch the sun rise. We’ll head out around 9 am when the places we visit are quiet and the weather is perfect.

You can spend a morning exploring a new place by walking around the side streets to get a feel for the local atmosphere or by sitting in a quiet spot to do some sketching. There’s always a beautiful picnic lunch of fresh salads, quiches, homemade cookies, and much more waiting in the shade when you’re ready to eat (wine, of course!).

Then, in the afternoons, we generally head back to the studio for some creative time as well as some time to use the pool, nap or find a quiet spot for reading, sunbathing, painting or chatting.

In the evening, we put on a homemade, locally sourced 3-course meal complete with wine. Katel really is the star of the show; you won’t be disappointed with her cooking!

After dinner, you’re free to head back to the studio to paint, enjoy the sunset or use the hot tub. There are plenty of little walks to go on, lots of nature to experience or time to catch up with family and friends.

We design our workshops so that everyone gets what they want out of their time with us.