Join Lara Call Gastinger to learn and appreciate plants of the region. We will learn how to accurately draw key plant characteristics and create a watercolour composition with several found specimens. All levels are welcome.
About this course:
During this week of Botanical Sketching and Painting in the French Pyrénées with Lara Call Gastinger we will be observing, drawing and painting the local flora of Atelier Clos Mirabel. We will go through the process of how to create a botanical painting, starting with sketching and learning the important characteristics of plants. We will seek botanical inspiration from the acreage of Atelier Clos Mirabel and with a trip to the blooming meadows of the Pyrénées. After the first day of sketching, we will focus on using watercolours to capture the colours and textures of the plants. In the end, we will work on composition and how to create a finished botanical painting.
Botanical Sketching and Painting Workshop Schedule
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 – 12.00 Studio: Welcome and introduction, pen techniques and botanical sketching
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
1.30 – 4.30 Walk about Clos Mirabel to collect and find materials, continue sketching and making studies of plants
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 – 12.00 Studio: Introduction to watercolor, mixing and brush control
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
1.30 – 4.30 Studio: Continue work with watercolor
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 – 12.00 Day trip to the Pyrenees: Field sketching, photographing and collecting
12.30 – 1.30 Picnic lunch
1.30 – 4.30 Studio: composing paintings
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4-course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday day off
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore Pau or beyond
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 In the Studio: Start composing final paintings, create study sheets, transfer to paper
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
1.30 – 4.30 In the Studio: Continue working on final painting
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 – 12.00 Studio: Continue working on final painting
12.30 – 1.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
1.30 – 4.30 Studio: Finishing any work for sharing
6.00 – Evening exhibition in the Atelier with Aperitifs
7.00 – Farewell dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday – depart for airport after breakfast (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, full of natural light was designed by our Italian architect and offers a spacious open plan layout of 75 m2. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.
