laura Silburn botanical art
'Autumn Produce of the Pyrenees'
11th-18th October 2025
A week of painting the fruits of the season with me at Clos Mirabel in South- West France.
To see what the week involves click here.
I'm looking forward to returning to this glorious part of the world to paint - and eat! - the fruits of autumn. With their wonderful twirling vines, 'kiwi tunnel' and productive kitchen garden there will be plenty of bountiful produce to explore.
To find out more, watch this short video: 'Clos Mirabel 2025'
With a day out mid-week to the charming local town of Pau or a walk in the Pyrenees, you will find the surroundings luxurious and inspiring. We will be well-looked after by all the lovely Clos Mirabel staff and so can relax and focus on our botanical artwork in the light and airy studio.
I aim to cover all levels of experience, responding to what you would like to get from the course and focusing on techniques to take your painting to the 'next level'.
Friends and partners are welcome and there is plenty to keep them occupied in beautiful surroundings whilst you study and paint. The courses are relaxed, sociable and fun!
The accommodation and tuition fee are paid separately with accommodation options ranging from E1595 to E2695 depending on your choice. Click here to see all options.
Botanical Art Course – Outline Programme:
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.30 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
9.30 – 12.30 Studio Session: 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.
6.30 – 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 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
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 Art Workshop.
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday – Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out 11am)
Non-painting guests: we are more than happy to welcome non-painting guests, accompanying partners, family or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around Clos Mirabel, that will make your holiday unforgettable Click here for more information.
The Art Studio offers a spacious open plan layout of 75 m2. It is available at all times during your stay. To see a video of the trip in 2023 click here.
I look forward to seeing you in 2025!