Kathleen Speranza has had an academic career of more than thirty years. Her paintings explore the visual language of space, light, colour and form and are related to nature. She is best known for her series of work with Garden Roses.
About this course:
Kathleen Speranza is an American painter. She works in oil and is best known for her series of work with Garden Roses. She approaches them as individuals in a poetic dialogue with space and light.
Despite their fragile appearance, roses are powerfully designed pieces of living architecture. This class will focus on perceiving their underlying structure and simplifying their forms. Students will learn a specific limited palette in order to translate their exquisite colour shifts. Roses from the garden at Clos Mirabel will provide the class with the best kind of inspiration!
Students will learn the proper technique for lighting their own small still life motifs. We will do some preparatory drawing and a monochrome “wash in” technique on the first day. Subsequent days will be spent working from life with an emphasis on mixing accurate colour. A custom “colour checker” will be provided to each person for this purpose. We will work to find an emotional connection through close observation and proper technique.
Paining Holiday Programme Outline with Kathleen Speranza
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 – 12.00 Discussion and Demonstration, choosing roses from the garden.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Set up and lighting, Monochrome “wash in” technique
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 Demonstration limited palette, block in layer
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Students mix limited palette, block in layer
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 Demonstration, using the color checker, second layer
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Students create second layer using the color checker.
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 – 12.00Demonstration third layer, edges and transitions
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Students paint third layer concentrating on edges and transitions
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 Demonstration final layer
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 5.00 Students create final layer
6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday November 01
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.
