Join Mary Dillon at Clos Mirabel in late April 2024 to admire and paint the spring flowers of the Pyrenees Atlantic. This botanical art retreat will be an opportunity for you to rest well, eat well and replenish your personal resources in the process of creating something beautiful, inspired by the plants surrounding this very special place.
About this course:
An explosion of colour arrives in the pastures and woodlands surrounding Clos Mirabel in late April. Fields of bee orchids, pyramid orchids and early purple orchids on the lower slopes of the Pyrenees lead to alpine plants like gentians, saxifrages and butterworts dotting the upper slopes.
During our workshop we will take time to really look at our locally sourced plant subjects. Simple observational drawing techniques will help us to explore and examine the structure and habit of our subjects.
Accurate colour mixing and matching comes with practice and experience. I will guide you through some easy exercises to help you grow in confidence in how you use and choose colour.
The nature of watercolour is that it is fluid, spontaneous and transparent. Exploring and practicing watercolour painting techniques in a simple but systematic way can be applied to painting any subject. Using controlled wet and damp techniques and finishing with dry techniques we will work in layers to create a painting that is both true to science and true to your emotional connection with your plant subject.
Outline programme – Botanical art course with Mary Dillion 2024
Saturday
Guests settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
An introduction to the course by Mary Dillion
Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Day out working en plein air in the mountains
Getting to know your subject….
Choosing, Lighting, Observing, Drawing, Composing
Quick sketches based on observations of the plants we see in situ to get as much information as possible
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at local Auberge or gourmet Picnic lunch
2.00 – 4.00 Return to Studio to continue work with individual tuition
6.30 – 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 Studio
Colour – mixing and matching
Practicing wet watercolour painting techniques
Laying the first washes
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio
6.00 – An evening talk on prominent local landscape artists by Xavier
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Tuesday
8.30– 9.30 Breakfast
10.00 – 1.00 Studio
Mixing greens
Painting petals, painting leaves, painting shadows
Layering washes for impact
1.00 – 2.00
2.00 – 4.00 Studio
6.30 – 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
Free day to explore the locality – we suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore Pau or beyond
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast
10.00 – 1.00 Studio
Learn and practice dry brush techniques
Building form and create texture in your painting
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio
6.30 – 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 Studio
The Wow Factor …..!
Finishing with finer details using dry brush techniques
Troubleshooting your painting
Bringing it all together
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio
6.00 – Evening exhibition in the double living room of Clos Mirabel
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday – Buffet Breakfast and departure
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 55 m2. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.
