Join Ùrsula Romero at Atelier Clos Mirabel for a week long botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals.
About this course:
Come and explore the land of the colossal with Úrsula Romero and learn how to paint larger than life. Focusing on leaves, this workshop will explore the drama that can be created through thoughtful lighting and clever glazing. You will have the exciting opportunity to learn how to capture the dramatic autumnal colours of leaves in an idyllic setting. From yellowing deciduous leaves to luscious evergreens; the countryside and gardens that surround our course venue is abundant.
This course will start with a short talk about leaves – their taxonomy, physiology and how paint them larger than life, then we will create our cleverly lit ‘leaf ‘stages’. During this course we will examine the importance of composition and reveal the colours needed to mix realistic greens, browns and reds. You will learn more about capturing light in watercolour paint – how to make things look really three dimensional and how tackle trickier things, such as the translucency and hairs. Úrsula will prepare a step-by-step process for each so you can see how to paint your subject in stages and she will be on hand, giving live demonstrations for you to watch so you leave feeling full of expert knowledge. This course is suitable for all levels.
Botanical Art Painting Retreat – Outline Programme
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 – 12.00 Short presentation of the workshop with examples from Úrsula’s portfolio. Followed by a walk of the grounds.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Leaves chosen by you in gardens and you set up your leaf stage. Drawing starts.
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 – 12.00 Drawing continues and the watercolour paper is prepared for painting
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Demonstration of painting by Úrsula and painting begins
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 – 12.00 Painting on your chosen leaf continues. Úrsula talks about colours and demonstrates her own painting techiques.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Painting on your chosen leaf continues. Úrsula talks about burnishing.
6.00 – 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
We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore 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 – 12.00 Painting on your chosen leaf continues or you can chose a new leaf. Úrsula talks about black backgrounds.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Painting on your chosen leaf continues or you can chose a new leaf
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 – 12.00 Painting on your chosen leaf continues or you can chose a new leaf
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Painting on your chosen leaf continues
5.00 – 6.00 Get ready of the evening exhibition
6.00 – Evening exhibition in the studio over apéritif
7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday
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 m2. It is available at all times during your stay. Click here for more information.
