During this fun painting holiday in South West France, Ali will introduce a variety of additional media to watercolours including the exploration of interesting surfaces. She will encourage you to experiment and then guide you through planning and executing paintings.
About this course:
Ali is an experienced Artist, Teacher and Demonstrator. She has boundless energy and is extremely innovative. She works with a variety of subjects and will introduce you to interesting techniques. Her lessons are always fun and her paintings and demonstrations are full of colour and texture.
You will be painting and sketching “En plein air” as well as in the studio. You will explore different surfaces for watercolour including tissue paper, gesso and watercolour ground. Collage techniques, acrylic inks and pen work with watercolour will all be demonstrated and may be incorporated in to your work.
Artists of all abilities, including beginners, are welcome and will be given plenty of one-to-one tuition throughout the week. AlI will be on hand to offer you as much (or as little!) guidance as you need to create some original pieces of art to take home.
2024 Painting holiday outline programme:
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.30 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Exploring different surfaces for watercolour including tissue paper, gesso, watercolour ground etc
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio work trying out the different surfaces with a variety of subjects
6.30 – 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 of collage work and watercolour ground as another underlying base for producing exciting watercolours
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Afternoon – studio work using the techniques from the previous tutoring
5.00 – An evening demonstration using the techniques tutored so far and tips on sketching en plein air using pen and watercolour
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House
Tuesday
10.00 – 1.00 Day out working en plein air in the mountains, with the large vista looking south. The opportunity to produce paintings worked over prepared backgrounds from the previous days tutor sessions (but not obligatory!)
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at local Auberge or gourmet picnic
2.00 – 4.00 Plein air painting/sketching in the area of lac de Castet or another village
6.30 – 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
6.30 – 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 from photographs and sketches of the mountains/village. Demonstration/tuition using Yupo paper, acrylic inks and salt followed by individual tutoring
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio work with individual tuition throughout the day
6.30 – 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 Demonstration/tuition on the use of acrylic inks and pen work with watercolour followed by a day of painting at Clos Mirabel, with individual tuition throughout. Working either en plein air, still life, or from our photographs and sketches
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, still life, or from our photographs and sketches
6.30 – Evening exhibition in the double living room of Clos Mirabel followed by aperitifs before 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.
