Painting Holiday in the Pyrénées

07.11.2020 - 14.11.2020 South West France | Xavier Micol painting, landscape, oil, acrylics 995 EUR

Landscape. Portraiture. Still Life. An Artistic Journey! As an Art teacher and a Painter, Xavier’s interest is to help inexperienced as well as trained participants to expand their artistic skills. The importance of training the eye comes first. Not only is it necessary to look at nature that surrounds us, it is hugely important to study the work of well known artists. They help us find out what to paint and how to do it. They tell us how to choose a setting and how to organize the different elements of our composition.

We may just have to ask ourselves simple questions: “What do I see when I’m looking at a landscape painted by Turner or Monet?” Or: “What is the difference between a landscape painted during the Renaissance and another created in the 19th century?” 
During the week, we will concentrate on landscapes. The breathtaking panorama at Clos Mirabel offers incredible inspiration and opportunity to improve technique. The sessions will lead participants through three stages.


WEEK'S PROGRAMME 

Saturday
Arrival Drinks reception / Introduction to the week
19:30: Welcome Dinner

Sunday
8h30: Buffet breakfast of fresh and local produce
10h to 12h: Art Session One
Exercises in composition, perspective and atmosphere. Training in specific technical aspects of drawing and observation.
13h: Buffet Lunch
15h to 17h: Art Session Two
Individual coaching - each participant following a personal interest or concentrating on aspects studied in the morning.
19h: Wine tasting followed by 4 course dinner including local wine

Monday
8h30: Buffet breakfast of fresh and local produce
10h to 12h: Art Session One
Landscapes: ‘What do you see when looking at a landscape painted by Turner or Monet’. Difference between Renaissance and C19th landscape painting. Exercises based on the geometrical approach to landscape, simplifying reality and learning how to balance a picture. Following the genius of Cezanne.
13h: Buffet lunch
15h to 17h: Art Session Two
Perspective: Exercises in primary colours as well as in the rendition of depth. A number of great masters of the Renaissance such as Giotto, Mantegna and Leonardo will be our guides.
19h: Aperitif followed by 4 course dinner including local wine

Tuesday
8h30: Buffet breakfast of fresh and local produce
10h to 12h: Art Session One
Atmosphere: Focus on light, shades, colour harmonies with the works of Rembrandt, Corot and Bonnard.
13h: Buffet lunch
15h to 17h: Art Session Two
Painting in the park of Clos Mirabel.
17h to 18h: Lecture
19h: Aperitif followed by 4 course dinner including local wine

Wednesday
A day out in the Pyrenees with lunch out.
8h30: Buffet breakfast of fresh and local produce
Morning: We will be visiting the village of Bescat at the entrance of the Ossau Valley which has open views and perspectives of the valley as far as Laruns and the Pic d’Ossau. We continue to Bilhères en Ossau where, before lunch at Auberge La  Perchade you will choose your own location to paint in the afternoon.
13h: Lunch
Afternoon: Landscape Drawing & Painting in Bilhères or the Benou Plateau
19h: Aperitif followed by 4 course dinner including local wine

Thursday
Free Day, the opportunity to visit Pau and its Chateau, have lunch on Place Royale and enjoy the beautiful views of the Pyrenees from the Boulevard.

Friday
Free day for independent study and reflection
8h30: Buffet breakfast of fresh and local produce
Morning: Atelier on Portrait Painting: examples taken from various periods in art history will be observed and discussed.
13h: Buffet lunch
Afternoon: Individual coaching provided.
17h-18h: Lecture
19h: Aperitif followed by 4 course farewell dinner including local wine

Saturday
Departure


Painting Holiday in the Pyrénées
Xavier Micol