In her third botanical art retreat at Atelier Clos Mirabel in the French Pyrenees, RHS Gold Medal-winning artist Jarnie Godwin hosts the ‘Jewels of Autumn’ watercolour workshop. This immersive week focuses on capturing the rich, vibrant colours of seasonal autumn finds, including rose hips, seeds, chestnuts, leaves, and acorns.
About this course:
Your week with Jarnie will begin with an inspiring walk through the Clos Mirabel grounds to forage for unique and inspiring subjects. Curiosity is key during this workshop in order to find subtle details and character hidden in plain sight.
Throughout the workshop, Jarnie will guide you through her signature techniques for mixing different shades of natural greens, deep earthy browns, and soft complex greys, using only primary colours. Working with a limited palette, you will explore and play with layering washes and mastering wet-into-damp and dry-brush methods to capture intricate textures, patterns, and contrast. Mistakes are part of the course and Jarnie will demonstrate how to deal with them thanks to her brilliant troubleshooting techniques.
Key Points
• Explore key ideas of contrast, tonal variation, form, character, and structure.
• Learn and explore Jarnie’s techniques for completing a painting, from first wash to final details.
• Experiment with primaries to mix complex green, grey, neutral, and ‘dark as you dare’ near black mixes.
• Pick up troubleshooting techniques to help you rescue an error in your painting.
• Receive one-to-one tuition during the week, along with personalised written feedback and advice.
• Receive digital pdf resources including tip sheets, exercises and support materials designed exclusively for this course.
• Take your practice further by playing with dynamic lighting and contrast.
Programme outline – Jewels of Autumn with Jarnie Godwin
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 Introduction to the workshop by Jarnie followed by a walk in the grounds to find your subjects.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Getting to know your subject. Observation, planning compositions, lighting your subject, and sketching thumbnails.
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 Jarnie will demonstrate her watercolour mixing and painting techniques before you make a start on your paintings. Jarnie will be on hand to guide you.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Continuing to paint your piece with Jarnie’s guidance to help you.
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 Jarnie will demonstrate a range of details, and textures. She will introduce her techniques for introducing wider and more dynamic contrasts.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Painting your final piece with Jarnie on hand to help you
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday – Free day
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
We suggest 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 Q&A focus on troubleshooting. Followed by demonstration of techniques by Jarnie. Continue you painting, or start another study
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Painting your final pieces. Jarnie will be on hand to help you
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 Looking at the finishing touches. Jarnie will guide you through the fine details, glazing, and completing the painting.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Finishing off your final piece. Jarnie will be on hand to help you
6.00 – Ending our week with a relaxed exhibition in the studio over apéritif
7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday – 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.
