For 2025...
Explore the botanical delights of this flora-rich part of the world in the charming and luxurious location of Clos Mirabel.
~Twin and double rooms available for friends sharing or for partners/friends not on the course - all welcome~
We will take in the gorgeous surroundings of Clos Mirabel with its views over miles of vineyards to the Pyrenees.
The flora of the area ranges from the twirling vines of its viniculture to the wild flowers of the foothills of the Pyrenees and you will choose the subject that inspires you to immerse yourself into its botanical detail for five delightful days of painting.
During the course you will explore and understand your chosen plant through careful observation and sketch book work as well as by sketching your subject to capture its ‘personality’. You will then compose an image that reflects its natural character whilst observing botanical truth. You will be guided on how to take your planned drawings through to a completed botanical watercolour and then the techniques to take your picture to the ‘next level’ using dry-brush finishing. All levels of experience are welcomed and there will be an emphasis on developing at your own pace and in your own style.
The studio at Clos Mirabel provides us with a beautiful and relaxing dedicated space in which to produce our plant portraits. When we are not painting we can walk around the grounds or take a swim in the pool. The food and wine promises to contain all the delights the region has to offer.
Partners or friends not taking part in the course are welcome to accompany you as there is plenty here to keep them relaxed and occupied!
If you'd like any further information visit the Clos Mirabel web page.
Clos Mirabel Itinerary from 2023
Saturday
Guests settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
Introductory chat about the course by Laura Silburn
Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
9.30 – 12.30 Exploring/collecting plant material from the estate. Posing and preserving plant material
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
1.30 – 3.30 Siesta or free time in studio
3.30 – 5.30 Studio Session, sketching and accurate drawing of plant material. Looking at different composition styles and how we might portray our subjects
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.30 Studio Session: short talk on ‘fixed light-source’ and why we use it, completing a tonal study of our subject, transferring our line drawing to watercolour paper
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch
1.30 – 4.00 Studio Session: Colour matching and practice painting, initial washes to build form
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Tuesday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.30 Studio Session: Continuing with washes to build form, blending and perfecting washes
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch
1.30 – 4.00 Studio Session: continuation from morning. Starting to use dry-brush for sharpness and detail on our subjects
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday
– Free day
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
Day out, exploring Pau or beyond/wine tasting in local vineyard.
– Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
9.30 – 12.30 Studio Session: Adding sharp detail and textures through dry-brush techniques – a more controlled use of watercolour
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
1.30 – 3.30 Studio Session: continuation from morning
3.30 – 5.30 Works critiqued and readied for the exhibition on Friday evening
6.30
Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.30 Studio Session: finishing our pieces using dry-brush techniques and glazes to enhance colour
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
3.30 – 6.00 Get ready for evening exhibition in the double living room of Clos Mirabel
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday – Buffet Breakfast and departure
The studio at Clos Mirabel