Join Gail Jones at Clos Mirabel in May 2027 to admire and paint the spring flowers of the Pyrenees. This botanical art retreat will be an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature at Atelier Clos Mirabel.
About this course:
Explore your creativity and learn to draw and paint beautiful botanicals on a relaxed and inspiring retreat with Gail Jones at Atelier Clos Mirabel, a stunning Atelier in the South West of France. A self taught fine artist Gail knows just how to make the art of watercolour accessible to everyone regardless of experience. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature at Atelier Clos Mirabel, where we choose Spring flowers from the gardens to observe and paint during the week and create something truly beautiful.
Gail’s artwork reflects a careful attention to detail, using light and shadow to create beautiful botanical paintings. Her layers of watercolour create richness and depth balanced by areas of simple pencil drawing and a thoughtful understanding of when to leave parts of the work untouched. Gail will guide you through this process during the week.
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Atelier 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
Introduction and choosing our flowers to draw and paint.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Studio: Observing the flowers and starting to ‘get to know’ them with quick drawing exercises and more detailed drawing.
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
Studio: Drawing and starting to notice the form of the flower by observing the light and shadow.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Studio: Continuing on from the morning session with demonstrations and drawing out our flower ready to paint.
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
Studio: Talk and demonstration about colour choice and techniques and painting
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Studio: Further painting your subject with one to one advice.
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
Studio: Painting and further painting demonstrations.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Studio: One to one advice, final painting techniques and 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 – 1.00 Morning Session
Studio: Starting to add finishing touches to our paintings and one to one advice.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Afternoon Session
Studio: Final touches
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)
Non-participating guests: We are more than happy to welcome 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.
