Join Samantha Dion Baker for a fun week exploring the joys of sketching and watercolour. Create your own original artwork and discover a beautiful area of South West France.
About this course:
This week-long workshop at Atelier Clos Maribel explores the art of seeing and storytelling through drawing, no matter your experience level. From abstract sketches to detailed renderings, there’s no right way to capture your world. Through hands-on exercises, you will get familiar with tools and materials, practice blind contour and continuous line drawing, as well as experimenting with colour, line, and composition. Samantha’s forthcoming book, ‘Draw Your Adventures’, will be available by the time you meet, providing the opportunity to work through some of its challenges and prompts together. You will learn to organise your thoughts on the page by creating meaningful visual narratives and challenge yourself to draw in new ways – all while capturing your adventures with confidence and creativity.
Programme Schedule:
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in from 4pm onwards
Guests arrive, settle in, and explore Atelier Clos Mirabel
6.00 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Material Exploration & Sketchbook Techniques – Discover different media for sketchbook work, experiment with combinations, and find your preferred tools. Basic drawing exercises, blind contour and continuous line.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Observational Drawing & On-Site Sketching – Learn to see and simplify forms through direct observation. Sketch around the estate while exploring line, shape, and value. We will focus on big and small (the whole landscape vs. a flower in your hand).
6:00 – Aperitifs before a four-course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Monday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Colour & Composition – Work with a limited palette, explore color relationships, and experiment with layering techniques to enhance sketchbook pages
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Storytelling Through Sketches – Learn how to compose pages that capture moments, using drawing, text, and thoughtful layout choices. We will talk about negative space and leaving some areas looser than others.
6.00 – Aperitifs before a four-course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Tuesday
8.30 – 9.15 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
9.30 – Depart Clos Mirabel
10.00 – 12.45 Plein Air Sketching at Lac de Castet or a Nearby Village – Explore the landscape, practice layering scenes, and work with one and two-point perspective as well as atmospheric perspective.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at a local auberge or gourmet picnic
2.30 – 4.30 Expanding Your Composition – Create a larger, more detailed composition inspired by the day’s sketches
6.00 – Aperitifs before a four-course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday – Rest & Exploration Day (Lunch is not provided)
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
A free day to explore Pau, visit a vineyard, or simply relax.
Optional: 5.00 – 6.00 Twilight Drawing Session – A still-life set up in the studio
6:00 – Aperitifs before a four-course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Thursday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Urban Sketching in Pau – Develop confidence drawing in public, capture movement, and simplify complex scenes. (Transport provided; lunch is not included.)
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch on your own (recommendations provided)
2.00 – 4.00 Sketchbook Development – Refine pages, integrate storytelling techniques, and experiment with mixed media approaches.
6.00 – Aperitifs before a four-course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Friday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Final Sketching Session – A free morning to work on personal projects with individual guidance. Focus on plein air, still life, or mixed media experimentation.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Individual Review & Exhibition Prep – Receive feedback on your work, refine sketchbook spreads, and prepare for the evening’s showcase.
6.00 – Evening Exhibition & Aperitifs – Share your week’s work in the studio at Atelier Clos Mirabel
7.00 – Farewell Dinner – A four-course meal in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast and departures. (Check-out by 11am)
Non-participating guests: we are more than happy to welcome non-drawing 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.
