Join Ali Hargreaves for a fun week exploring mixed media painting in the beautiful grounds and surroundings of Atelier Clos Mirabel in South West France.
About this course:
During this painting holiday, Ali will be exploring a variety of water based media including watercolours, Brusho, water soluble pens & crayons, and acrylic inks. She will encourage you to experiment to your heart’s delight…and then guide you through planning and including some of these ideas in your paintings.
Ali is well known for interesting and exciting new ideas. She will be introducing you to lots of ideas using these media together in a variety of ways. She has a lot of exciting techniques to share. You will also be encouraged to use materials usually saved for the kitchen such as table salt and cling film…even knives and forks could be used! Also using materials from nature as additional tools. You will be greatly encouraged to add texture and pattern and interest to your paintings. This could be anything from print to splattering techniques. Ali pushes her students to experiment and therefore evolve as artists during their week away. She is known for her enthusiastic and fun loving approach.
Painting holiday programme outline:
Saturday
Guests settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
An introduction to the course and demonstration by Ali Hargreaves (your tutor)
6.00 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Exploring exciting techniques for landscapes with Autumnal colours using water based media including watercolours, resist methods, Brusho, & acrylic inks (including metallic coppers and golds).
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Using the stunning and inspirational views from the terrace of Clos Mirabel, Ali will encourage you to draw and paint “En plein air” (outside using all your senses) and apply the methods taught in the morning session.
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 Introduction to the exciting mix of “pen and wash” using a variety of permanent and water-soluble pens and water based media. Ali will include “one line drawing” and other inspiring ideas.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Afternoon – studio work introducing lots of exciting techniques for painting Autumnal trees including the use of sponges, wallpaper, leaf & bark printing, wax resist methods, splattering, and more! She will also demonstrate useful tips on perspective for drawing buildings (in preparation for our visit to the village in the mountains).
5.00 – An evening demonstration using the techniques tutored so far and tips on sketching “En plein air” using pen and watercolour
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Tuesday
10.00 – 1.00 Day out working “En plein air” with a breathtaking vista of the Pyrenees mountains. Ali will encourage her students to use inks and Brusho as well as watercolour paint in a free painting style to capture the essence of the landscape.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at local Auberge or gourmet picnic
2.00 – 4.00 More “En Plein air painting/sketching in the area of lac de Castet or another village with a focus on using “Pen & wash” for the lovely interesting buildings there
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
We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore 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 Studio work to complete paintings from photographs and sketches of the mountains/village
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 An intro’ to sketching & painting people in readiness for the trip to the market tomorrow. Then studio work with individual tuition throughout the rest of the day.
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 A visit to Jurançon Market focussing on drawing or painting people
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Free painting at Clos Mirabel, with individual tuition throughout. Working either “En plein air” in the grounds of Clos Mirabel or in the studio
6.00 – Evening exhibition in the Atelier with aperitifs
7.00 – Farewell 4 course dinner 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.
