Join award-winning Botanical Artist and Program Director Sarah Roche for an immersive botanical illustration retreat in South West France. Bringing over three decades of expertise, she will guide you through step-by-step foundational techniques in a relaxed atmosphere, helping you capture the colours, textures, and delicate rhythms of nature with botanical accuracy.
About this course:
In this week-long botanical sketching and painting retreat, celebrate the diversity and beauty of the Clos Mirabel potager (kitchen garden). Whatever your experience level, Sarah will help you explore your creativity in the relaxed and inspiring surroundings of the Clos Mirabel Atelier.
Taking advantage of the wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown on the estate, Sarah will lead you through the process of botanical painting. You will start with observing and sketching in the garden, creating a composition and colour matching and then working through the final stages of your watercolour painting back in the spacious and comfortable studio.
The course will include many presentations, demonstrations, and lots and lots of individual instruction.
What the course will cover:
- How to use a sketchbook on location, what to look for and how to record it
- How to use your observations to explore detail and then create an accurate composition
- Light and form: How to make your drawing and thus your painting dimensional
- Watercolour basics and techniques and exploring your palette
- How to use these techniques for accuracy and atmosphere. And lots and lots more!
The peace and tranquility of Clos Mirabel will offer you time for relaxation, reflection, focus and creativity. As well as being the inspiration for our artistic journey, the potager, as well as local produce, is the source for the many delicious meals you will enjoy during your stay.
This course is ideal for all ability and experience levels, perfect for any artists who would like to delve deeper into the focus of botanical drawing and painting.
Botanical Art Workshop – Programme outline:
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards
Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel.
6.00 – Introductions, welcome drinks and 4 course dinner.
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Introductions, tour of the potager (kitchen garden) and beginning sketches/demo.
1.00 – 2.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Continuing to explore and sketch in the potager
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 From sketchbook to composition – with demos
1.00 – 2.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Exploring light on form and recording observations – demos
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Tuesday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Watercolour basics and beginnings – demos
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 An afternoon of painting – washes and layers – demos
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Wednesday – Free day (lunch is not included)
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produceWe suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, exploring Pau or beyond.
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Painting and perfecting – exploring drybrush detail to build form and create texture
1.00 – 2.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Painting – adding more detail and drama
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Painting – dry brush and glazes to add fine detail
1.00 – 2.30 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.30 – 4.30 Studio – Informal individual appraisals of the weeks work
6.00 – Evening exhibition with aperitifs in the studio
7.00 – Farewell dinner – 4 courses in the Manor House
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.
