Drawing inspiration from nature, join textiles artist Pauline Greuell as she returns to Atelier Clos Mirabel to share her techniques in layered stencil printing and pattern making on fabric.
About this course:
We invite you to find inspiration in the beautiful surroundings of Clos Mirabel for our upcoming stencil printing workshop. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Pyrenees, our garden with its spring flowers provides a unique connection to nature that you can translate into your own fabric prints using the stencil printing techniques taught. Beyond our grounds, the extensive library at Clos Mirabel offers a wealth of additional inspiration for your creative projects.
This workshop will guide you through layered stencil printing, a versatile technique perfect 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 medium, this course is designed to suit you. Our approach welcomes all styles, from naturalistic to abstract. While we have a structured program for the week, we also encourage you to delve deeper into aspects that particularly interest you, allowing for a personalized learning experience tailored to your individual interests and skill level.
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
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.00 – Welcome drinks followed by dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Introduction to the course, focusing on working with a brush on fabric to achieve various effects and textures. Exploration of spontaneous ‘tossed’ pattern creation. 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 – 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 Exploring the creation of more complex motifs using multiple stencils. Understanding how to build layered motifs. Practice translating quick sketches into stencils. Exploring the surroundings of Clos Mirabel for natural and other sources of inspiration, sketching for the afternoon session.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Working with diverse sources of inspiration, including plants, flowers, and the landscape, or drawing from pattern resources in the Clos Mirabel studio library. Translating morning sketches into stencils for 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 Creating various quick patterns using the stencils prepared the previous day.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Producing a print utilizing one or more of the motifs developed in the morning.
6.00 – Aperitifs before 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 organizing transfers.
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 Learning different 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 – 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 Expanding on the pattern-making techniques and grid system from the previous day or choosing a new grid to work with. Developing a final project.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Finalizing our work and sharing our creations and learning experiences, culminating in a mini-exhibition of our work.
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.
