Drawing inspiration from nature, join textile artist Pauline Greuell as she returns to Atelier Clos Mirabel to share her techniques in layered stencil printing, surface pattern design, and textile art on fabric.
About this course:
This course will guide you through the technique of layered stencil printing, a versatile method for creating both unique individual prints and repeating patterns. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, maker or designer eager to explore a new technique, this course is designed to suit you. Pauline’s approach welcomes all styles from naturalistic to abstract.
While there is a structured programme, you will always be encouraged to delve deeper into aspects that interest you, allowing a personalised learning experience tailored to your interests and skill level. If you have taken Pauline Greuell’s courses before, you can continue where you left off.
During the week we will take advantage of the stunning surroundings of the Pyrénées to find inspiration from the spring flowers. One morning we will go out into nature together to find floral inspiration as well as inspiration in the landscape. We will be sketching outside and bring our sketches back to the studio to translate them into stencils, prints and patterns.
By the end of this workshop, you will have gained the skills and confidence to continue your printing journey at home. As part of the course, you will receive a set of brushes to keep, the fabric pieces you have created, and a collection of informative materials covering the techniques explored. The course fee is inclusive of all necessary materials, including fabric, so you can focus entirely on your creative exploration.
Programme Outline – Stencil design, print and pattern making on fabric with Pauline Greuell.
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4.00pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in, and explore Clos Mirabel.
6.00 – Apéritifs before a 4-course dinner in the Manor House
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Introduction to the course and the possibilities of this technique. Making first prints focusing on working with a brush on fabric to achieve various effects and textures. A playful introduction to pattern making with simple single stencils and a single colour.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Examining the use of colour in stencil printing. Printing patterns using one or more simple single stencil motifs with multiple colours.
6.00 – Apéritifs before a 4-course dinner in the Manor House
Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Exploring the creation of more complex motifs using multiple stencils. Understanding how to build layered motifs. Practice translating sketches into stencils.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Working with the sources of inspiration that inspire you, like plants, flowers, the landscape, or historical sources drawing from pattern resources in the Clos Mirabel studio library. Translating morning sketches into stencils for printing.
6.00 – Apéritifs before a 4-course dinner in the Manor House
Tuesday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Excursion into nature, sketching floral inspiration or translating the landscape into more abstract sketches, as well as using colour inspiration drawn from nature.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Translating the sketches made in the morning into stencilled motifs and spontaneous patterns
6.00 – Apéritifs before a 4-course dinner in the Manor House
Wednesday – Free day (Lunch is not provided)
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce. Free time to explore Pau or the surrounding areas. The Clos Mirabel Team will be available for suggestions and to assist with organising transfers.
6.00 – Apéritifs before a 4-course dinner in the Manor House
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Learning techniques for creating repeat patterns with registration, using a grid system. Setting up a pattern for a print and making the necessary stencils.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Making a print with a repeating pattern using the prepared stencils and the chosen grid
6.00 – Apéritifs before a 4-course dinner in the Manor House
Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Expanding on the pattern-making techniques from the previous day or choosing a new grid and/or motif to work with. Developing a final project.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Finalising our work and sharing our creations and learning experiences, culminating in a mini-exhibition of our work.
6.00 – Apéritifs before a 4-course dinner in the Manor House
Saturday – Buffet breakfast and departure (Check-out 11.00 am).
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.
Non-participating guests: We are more than happy to welcome non-workshop 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.
