Join Botanical Artist Giacomina Ferrillo for a week of drawing and painting the incredibly diverse flora of Atelier Clos Mirabel and the Pyrénées, using watercolours to capture the values and textures of spring plants.
About this course:
From sketchbook drawing to botanical watercolour, a week dedicated to observing and drawing the flora of Clos Mirabel and the French Pyrénées in the pages of a sketchbook and painting using botanical watercolour techniques.
This course will help deepen the practice of drawing and studying seasonal species in a dedicated sketchbook, using ink pen and colour to create rich and vibrant pages. Students will also be introduced to botanical watercolour and the dry brush technique for creating a portrait of one or more spring subjects.
From sketches to watercolour, students will learn to pay attention to detail and composition, while respecting the poetry of natural forms.
Botanical Art Workshop with Giacomina Ferrillo – Programme Outline:
Saturday 11 March
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.00 – Welcome drinks followed by dinner
Sunday 12 March
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Studio: Introduction to botanical sketching and its importance. Specific exercises with the pen.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Finding and drawing a first subject with the techniques learned in the morning. Exploring page composition. Collection and drawing of additional subjects.
6.00 – Aperitifs before a 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Monday 13 March
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Studio: How to add colour and shadows to our drawings in the sketchbook
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Studio: Introduction to botanical watercolour. Monochromatic and colour exercises. Watercolour techniques and exercises for brush stroke control. Organising the palette and mixing colour.
6.00 – Aperitifs before a 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Tuesday 14 March
8.30 – 9.15 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
9.30 – Depart Clos Mirabel
10.30 – 12.45 Half day trip to the Pyrénées for observing and drawing wild flora.
1.00 – 2.30 Lunch in a local auberge, then return to Clos Mirabel.
3.30 – 5.30 Studio: Drawing of the specimen. Start colouring of the specimen with the techniques learned.
6.00 – Aperitifs before a 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Wednesday – free day – 15 March (lunch is not provided)
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 a 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Thursday 16 March
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Outdoor drawing to study in the sketchbook
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Studio: How to respect a harmonious composition adding new elements. Portrait of new subjects to add to the composition.
6.00 – Aperitifs before a 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Friday 17 March
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 12.00 Studio: Drawing and colouring a new element or continue working on final painting
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Studio: Completion of the plate painted during the week and the sketchbook studies, prepare the exhibition.
6.00 – Aperitifs and evening exhibition in the studio followed by a 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Saturday 18 March
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 m 2. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.
