Join printmaking and drawing specialist Sam Marshall in South West France for a week of experimentation with linocut and drypoint, creating beautiful artworks inspired by your surroundings.
About this course:
During this week, you will discover the joys of keeping an observational sketchbook; using the contents as inspiration to create linocut and drypoint prints. You will spend the first part of the workshop sketching outside (or inside in case of bad weather), finding which elements of the landscape interest you most. You will experiment with different types of drawing materials — coloured pencils, brush pens, wax crayons — finding your own unique style of drawing and mark-making. You will then return to the studio and begin the process of transforming these drawings into ideas for your linocut and drypoint print creations.
This workshop will have a light touch, with no pressure – just a week of experimenting and having fun. By the end of the week, you will have a sketchbook bursting with drawings, a set of prints inspired by your observations and the knowledge and skills to continue your work at home.
Sam Marshall is based in rural Northamptonshire where she makes her work and runs online workshops and coaching sessions. She has since developed a love of drawing and printing. Her LINOCUT book was published by Bloomsbury and she is currently working on a new book all about drawing which will be published in 2026
Drawing into printmaking with Sam Marshall
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 week with Sam. Starting with some gentle graphite pencil sketching in the garden, familiarising yourself with the surroundings and becoming comfortable sketching outside. Sam will provide support/ tips and guidance.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Continuation of morning sketching in the garden – exploring drawing using coloured pencils, crayons, marker pens etc. Experimenting with composition and mark making.
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 Sketching in the landscape, working on a drawing that will be used as inspiration for linocut and drypoint print.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Working in the studio – introduction to linocut. Experimenting with cutting tools to explore mark making. Carving a small test block and then inking and printing.
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 Preparing linocut and transferring chosen drawing onto the block. Carving and printing. Sam will give individual help and advice.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Continuation of mornings work and completion of single colour linocut followed by group discussion.
6.00 Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Wednesday – Day off
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
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 Introduction to drypoint printing. Discussion of materials and experimentation with scratching small metal plate, inking and printing. Starting to work with larger plate using drawings as inspiration.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Continuing to work on drypoint plate, inking and printing. Completion of print and group discussion.
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 Individual tutorials with Sam to focus on how to continue creative practice back home. Independent work either on drawings, linocut or drypoint for presentation later in the day.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Work completed for an informal exhibition and celebration that evening
6.00 Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Saturday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out 11am)
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.
