Join Giacomina Ferrillo at Atelier Clos Mirabel 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:
Through ink drawing in a dedicated sketchbook, small elements of essential botany up to the basic notions of botanical watercolour, we will portray different seasonal subjects. Wild flora from the Pyrenees, flowers, leaves and seeds from the Clos Mirabel garden and vegetables from the kitchen garden to create a personal “cabinet” of botanical treasures.
This workshop is designed not only to provide basic technical notions and the main tools of botanical art, but also to approach various botanical subjects. We will learn how to keep a sketchbook and make it a study tool through the observation of Nature and the practice of drawing. We will learn to use the ink pen with specific exercises, shadows, colour and how to compose pages. We will tackle the botanical watercolour technique by mixing colours, organizing the palette and studying the control of the brushstroke. Thus, over the course of the week, we will create a composition with various botanical subjects different in species, shape and colour, respecting their character and scientific data. Our personal collection of treasures, drawn and painted.
Botanical Art Workshop – Outline Programme:
Saturday May 23
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Atelier Clos Mirabel
6.00 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday May 24
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Studio. Introduction to botanical sketching and its importance. Specific exercises with the pen.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Finding and drawing a first subject with the techniques learned in the morning. Notions of page composition and collection and drawing of other subjects.
6.00 – Aperitifs
7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Monday May 25
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Studio. How to add colour and shadows to our drawings in the sketchbook.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Studio: Introduction to botanical watercolour. Monochromatic and colour exercises. Watercolour techniques and exercises for brush stroke control. Mixing the colour and organizing the palette.
6.00 – Aperitifs
7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Tuesday May 26
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Day trip to the Pyrenees for drawing and observing wild flora
12.30 – 13.30 Picnic lunch
2.00 – 5.00 Studio: Drawing of the first specimen of our collection. Demonstration on a specific subject, shape, colour and details. Start colouring of our first specimen with the techniques learned.
6.00 – Aperitifs
7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Wednesday May 27– day off (optional: drawing in the Pyrenees)
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
6.00 – Aperitifs
7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Thursday May 28
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Outdoor drawing to study in the sketchbook the next subject (or more) to be introduced into the collection
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Studio: Demonstration (on a specific subject). Drawing and colouring a new element (or more) of the composition.
6.00 – Aperitifs
7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Friday May 29
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Studio: How to respect a harmonious composition when adding new elements. Portrait of new subjects to add to the composition.
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Studio: Completion of the plate (or several plates) with the collection of botanical elements painted during the week and prepare the exhibition.
6.00 – Aperitifs and evening exhibition in the studio
7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Saturday May 30
8.30 – 9.30 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. Click here for more information.
