Join Molly Reeder at Atelier Clos Mirabel in 2027 for a week long botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals.
About this course:
Step into the beautiful scenes of the French countryside where you will explore your own personal connections to plants and the natural world through the channel of watercolour painting. With a mindful and meditative approach, we will work slowly through the layered process of creating a detailed watercolour, inspired by the lush gardens around us.
Our days will start in meditative ritual and will be filled with our own imaginative discoveries. Our process will follow the rhythm of the land:
Discovery – Wandering the gardens to find our painting subjects within the local flora.
Composition – Learning to compose and photograph our collected subjects to capture their essence.
Creation – Moving into the slow work of awareness, sketching, and painting.
This is a retreat for anyone wishing to feel more rest and depth through the creative process – to allow what is emergent to be felt and seen, and to honour the beautiful land around us through the paintings we create.
Beginner painters are warmly welcomed! Together, we will cover specific techniques including:
– Shading with pencil and the “wet on dry” watercolour method
– Applying delicate finishing touches with coloured pencil
– Cultivating ritual within your creative practice to take home with you
Botanical Art Workshop – Outline Programme with Molly Reeder:
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.00 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Morning Session
Introductory welcome & meditation from tutor. A walk around the grounds: botanical subject selection & initial sketches and composition.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Back in the studio – botanical subject/s chosen by you from your gatherings. Observation & planning your composition. Drawing begins.
6.00 – 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 – 1.00 Morning Session
Meditation + setting the painting container with ritual. Drawing and composition continue.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Technique demonstration from tutor. Painting begins.
6.00 – 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 – 1.00 Morning Session
Meditation + ritual for opening our creative time. Continue painting your chosen subject. Talk/demonstration from tutor on building colour using specific techniques, followed by further work on your piece.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Further painting/drawing your subject. One on one meeting time with tutor.
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday – Free Day (Please note lunch is not included on this day)
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce. We suggest wine tasting in a local vineyard, exploring Pau or beyond.
6.00 – 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
10.00 – 1.00 Morning Session
Meditation and ritual. Demonstration from tutor on adding more details in with coloured pencil and fine brush work.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Adding more detail & time for last minute tutor advice. You may begin an additional piece if you are finished.
6.00 – 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 – 1.00 Morning Session
Meditation and ritual. Final tuition session & discussion on continuing your practice at home. Time for last minute tutor advice and 1-1 feedback.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Finishing touches and preparation for the exhibition. Time for last minute tutor advice. After care instructions for work and pack up.
6.00 – Evening exhibition in the art studio of Atelier Clos Mirabel
7.00 – Farewell dinner – 4 courses in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out 11am)
