Join Botanical Artist Ann Swan, RHS Gold Medalist and author of ‘Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils’ for a week of Botanical drawing with a specific focus on creating contrast using coloured pencils.
About this course:
“We see objects because of light and in order to create realistic images of plants we need to fully understand light and observe how it reacts with our subjects to describe their shapes.” In this workshop Ann will show you how to interpret light and shade and to accurately capture these contrasting tonal values to create a true sense of three-dimensional form and volume in your work.
Ann will demonstrate ways of creating realistic highlights and sheen and help you choose convincing shade colours to create depth in shadows whilst maintaining vibrant colours so that your work will come to life on the page.
You will be able to put all this into practice on a more finished piece with guidance on composition and full support from Ann.
Saturday – Arrival Day
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards
On arrival we will enjoy some light refreshment : tea & cake then we will have time to unpack and settle into our rooms
Late afternoon we will meet in the studio to set-up and discuss our work plan, expectations, subject matter and requests for technical demonstrations during the week.
6.00 – Aperitif before 4-course dinner
Sunday – Tuesday & Thursday – Friday
Formal teaching will take place in the mornings from 10.00am – 1.00pm and then after a relaxed lunch the afternoons are free for work or play – your choice, but most people work in the studio for some of the time.
There will be no formal teaching in the afternoon but Ann will be around for one to one support and working on her own piece in the studio, this allows those with partners or needing some rest and recuperation to enjoy some free time without missing any vital instruction.
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Breakfast
10.00 – 1.00 Studio
1.00 – 2.00 Relaxed Lunch
3.00 – 5.00 Free time in studio with one to one support
6.00 – Aperitif before 4-course dinner
Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Breakfast
10.00 – 1.00 Studio
1.00 – 2.00 Relaxed Lunch
3.00 – 5.00 Free time in studio with one to one support
6.00 – Aperitif before 4-course dinner
Tuesday
8.30 – 9.30 Breakfast
10.00 – 1.00 Studio
1.00 – 2.00 Relaxed Lunch
3.00 – 5.00 Free time in studio with one to one support
6.00 – Aperitif before 4-course dinner
Wednesday – After a buffet breakfast of local and regional produce you are free to spend the day as you wish. Perhaps a visit to a local vineyard for wine tasting, sightseeing in and around Pau, or you may wish to relax or continue with your artwork. The team at Clos Mirabel are able to offer assistance with travel logistics and planning.
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Breakfast
10.00 – 1.00 Studio
1.00 – 2.00 Relaxed Lunch
3.00 – 5.00 Free time in studio with one to one support
6.00 – Aperitif before 4-course dinner
Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Breakfast
10.00 – 1.00 Work in studio most of the day preparing for our end of holiday exhibition
1.00 – 2.00 Relaxed Lunch
3.00 – 5.00 More finishing touches, then we will clear the studio, set up the exhibition and finally we will review our work with Ann.
6.00 – Aperitif and end of week exhibition followed by farewell dinner – 4 courses
Saturday – (Check-out 11am)
8.30 – 9.30 Breakfast
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. Click here for more information.
