Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

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"Floral Design & Painting Workshop"
May 16, 2025
 

The workshop begins with creating your own flower arrangement. Jennifer will have a beautiful selection of fresh flowers, and a container/vessel for each student. She will thoroughly instruct the arranging of the flowers; giving one-on-one help as needed. She’s an excellent instructor and makes the workshop fun. Students will go home with a gorgeous fresh floral arrangement in a container. After the flower arranging is complete, we break for a one-hour lunch. Students can bring their own or go out. The afternoon will be spent painting flowers with Jan. She will begin with a brief demo. She will then work with students for the remainder of the afternoon as they create paintings from their own floral arrangements.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jennifer Reed & Jan Wier
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Master Class with Bill Scott: Still Life Into Abstraction"
May 17 & 18, 2025
 

Don't miss this opportunity to work with renowned painter Bill Scott to explore the sensuous yet thoughtful abstract construction of space in this two-day, intensive studio workshop. Color will be the focus as participants paint from an expansive still life environment with special prompts from Scott. This workshop is designed for intermediate/advanced painters. This Master Class is held in conjunction with Bill Scott's current exhibition at Cerulean Arts Gallery, "Love Letters to an Unknowable Future," April 23 - May 18, and will include a tour.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bill Scott
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Watercolor and Ink Women's Art Retreat"
May 19-23, 2025
 

Our all-inclusive retreat is designed for women only, located in the heart of wine country in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. Stay in one of 3 enchanting guest rooms in our beautiful Victorian home. Nestled between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, we offer a quiet haven in a small town where you can relax and enjoy a variety of art classes in a small group setting, taught by owner/artist, Christy Wilcox. This retreat will focus on learning how to paint with watercolors and ink highlights. Classes are designed for any experience level. We start out simple and work through more complicated paintings as the week progresses. Each retreat includes all your lodging, gourmet meals and art supplies.
 
Location: Interlaken, New York
Instructor: Christy Wilcox
Cost: $2,250
Sponsor: Christy's Place
Website, email, 607-319-1423


"Watercolor Painting Workshop"
May 23-30, 2025
 

You probably fell in love with making art before a painting holiday occurred to you. Classroom lessons, online sessions, or time in the studio are typically safe environments in which to learn. But once we venture outdoors to paint, the light can be dramatic, the air is filled with sights, sounds, and smells of nature. While this can all be new, it enriches the painting experience even more. When we arrive on the Costa Brava, my job is to help you capture the nuances of our surroundings with confidence. Even before departure I’ll provide practical pointers on what to bring, what to leave behind. My plein-air workshops are jam-packed with helpful tips to help you make powerful statements through your art.
 
Location: Costa Brava, Spain
Instructor: Randy Hale
Cost: $3,790 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Florals in Pastel"
May 31, 2025
 

Join instructor Robert Wortmann for this 1-Day workshop all about painting Florals. The instructor will demonstrate using soft pastels, but students are welcome to use the medium of their choice. This course is open to all levels of students.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Robert Wortmann
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Botanical Sketching and Painting with Lara Call Gastinger"
June 7-14, 2025
 

During this week of Botanical Sketching and Painting in the French Pyrénées with Lara Call Gastinger we will be observing, drawing and painting the local flora of Atelier Clos Mirabel. We will go through the process of how to create a botanical painting, starting with sketching and learning the important characteristics of plants. We will seek botanical inspiration from the acreage of Atelier Clos Mirabel and with a trip to the blooming meadows of the Pyrénées. After the first day of sketching, we will focus on using watercolours to capture the colours and textures of the plants. In the end, we will work on composition and how to create a finished botanical painting. All levels are welcome.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Lara Call Gastinger
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Ease into Oil Painting"
June 7-8, 2025
 

Want to paint but don't know where to begin? This two-day structured workshop makes it painless and easy to ease into oil painting. Begin with a black-and-white painting (just like drawing) to become familiar with painting tools and materials. Be introduced to color with a simple earth-palette painting. Move on to a brighter prismatic palette, and then top off the weekend by completing a painting in a full palette of colors. This course will utilize still life subject matter. Drawing experience recommended.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Pastel Painting for Beginners & Advanced Beginners"
Mondays, June 9-30, 2025
 

Join Art League instructors Don & Joyce Nagel for this exciting 4-week class for anyone wanting to learn more about or brush up on the exciting medium of pastel! Week 1: Students will work from a simple still-life set up provided by the instructors. Week 2: Students will start value sketches from their own reference photos to build towards a finished painting. Advanced students will start their day with a critique, work, and then will have an end-of-the-day wrap up discussion. Week 3 & 4: Students will work on and complete their paintings with one-on-one assistance from the instructors.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Don & Joyce Nagel
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Illustrating the Plants of Clos Mirabel with Catherine Watters"
June 14-21, 2025
 

Join Catherine Watters for one week of drawing and painting the incredibly diverse flora of Clos Mirabel, using watercolours and/or coloured pencils to capture the colours and textures of the plants. Discover the fascinating world of Botanical Art, starting with a walk around the magnificent property to choose your subject. A variety of plants will be in bloom including Roses, Hydrangeas, Iris, Lupin, Lilies and numerous fruits and vegetables growing in the Orchard. Catherine will introduce her 10 stages to successfully illustrate a subject. You will carefully observe, measure and draw your subject focusing on form, light and texture. All levels of experience are welcome.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Catherine Watters
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Loose and Free Watercolor Workshop"
June 22-29, 2025
 

In this watercolor workshop, I will help you discover new approaches to your works. Values and Color are the two main elements I will focus on and a dramatic sense of design. My personal style is basically a loose and carefree approach. Leaving a lot of the white of the paper, for me, is paramount in my watercolor work. We will work mostly from our own reference photos, in a relaxed studio environment. You can choose which genres best suit your personality - florals, landscapes, structures, etc. Critiques of the work and one-on-one directions will also be a part of this workshop. I hope you will join me in Bruges for this fantastic painting experience.
 
Location: Bruges, Belgium
Instructor: Rae Andrews
Cost: $3,840 before Nov 30th
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Botanical Drawing and Painting"
June 23-27, 2025
 

Explore flowers and other natural forms, beginning with line and value drawing and progressing to full-color rendering in watercolor and mixed media.  Topics will include sighting techniques, line quality, tone and value, creation of depth, composition, texture, and basic color. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $15 materials fee for floral subjects, provided.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Linda Gist
Cost: $465
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Drawing and Painting"
Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 2025
 

This 8-week course is for beginners who want to explore drawing and oil painting, and for more experienced artists who want to improve their artistic skills. Using still-life compositions, students will learn about form, space, design, value, and color through working observationally. In addition, the instructor will introduce a variety of artists who are representative of the lessons provided and conduct in-process and final critiques for a helpful synopsis of the student’s progress and ideas. The class will be broken up into two weeks of drawing and four weeks of painting, but the student is open to work in any medium if they prefer.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Annie Thompson
Cost: $320
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Oil Painting Starting Up & Moving Along"
Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 2025
 

Acquaint or re-acquaint yourself with the pleasure of oil painting. Learn about the materials and techniques that form the basis of the medium. Students will use still life, simple and complex, as subject matter. All levels are welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Karen Fogarty
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Gouache Painting Workshop"
June 28, 2025
 

Learn the fundamentals of painting with gouache, an opaque watercolor paint! Gouache is portable, fast-drying, and an easy-to-clean-up alternative to oils – great for travel or limited working time and space. Ideal for painters of all levels from beginning to experienced. Learn to develop paint application techniques for fluidity and control, with opaque and wash applications; gain the ability to mix color and to predict its effects; recognize and promote gouache’s characteristics and learn how to problem-solve with the material; learn to incorporate principles of line, value, color and space for a greater command of the medium. Work from still life to learn how to representationally depict a variety of subject matter and to recognize abstract concepts.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Allison Syvertsen
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Summer Flowers of the Pyrenees with Mary Dillon"
July 5-12, 2025
 

Join Mary Dillon at Atelier Clos Mirabel for a week-long botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals. Join me in early July, 2025, as I return to Clos Mirabel to paint Summer flowers. Wild and garden flowers will be at their best, filling the air with delicious scents and delighting our eyes with an array of colour. Everything about being in Clos Mirabel is special. From the warmth of your welcome by the family and team at Clos Mirabel to your first view of the Pyrenees, your beautifully appointed accommodation and the most delicious variety of locally sourced foods, you know that this will be a week for you!
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Mary Dillon
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 600 Euros tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Watercolor: Depicting the Natural World"
Tuesdays, July 8 - August 12, 2025
 

The natural world is an infinite and fantastic source of inspiration for the artist, and the versatility and luminosity of watercolor make it the perfect technique for recording nature in a fresh and fun way. In this course, learn fundamental drawing techniques and essential watercolor techniques to create both quick field sketches and detailed, finished artworks. Subject matter will include flowers, plants, and animals. Reference images will be gathered through observational sketches and photography. An ideal course for those interested in both the fine arts and the Illustration field.
 
Location: Web-delivered (Online)
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Cost: $265
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Watercolor: The Color-Focused Still Life"
Tuesdays, July 8 - August 12, 2025
 

Explore both the versatility of watercolor and the exciting possibilities of color through still life painting. Learn to capture form with the freshness and fluidity of all prima techniques. Promote color in your work through instruction on color properties, mixing, and basic theory, as well as how to use hues in combination to create impactful compositions. Discussions and in-depth demonstrations will enforce all content so that students gain the facility and freedom to use color and painting techniques as means of personal expression. This course is excellent for beginners or anyone who loves color and loose, painterly techniques in watercolor.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Oil Painting Countryside Retreat, Italy"
July 12-18, 2025
 

All-inclusive oil painting retreat in stunning surrounding in the heart of the Italian countryside. Demonstrations, Art materials, excursions, cooking class, vineyard paint & sip, all meals (excl lunch excursion day), accommodation included.
 
Location: Ascoli Piceno, Italy
Instructor: John W. Skelcher
Cost: USD 2.500 single; Twin/Double USD 2.350 p.p.
Sponsor: Painting Holiday Italy
Website, email, 3349034401


"Gestural Figure and Essential Still Life Watercolour"
July 12-19, 2025
 

Join international artist and art educator Wendy Artin at Atelier Clos Mirabel in South West France for a week-long painting workshop. Enjoy painting instruction exploring the finer details of nature through wet washes and colour, light and form. All levels are welcome from complete beginners to professionals. We will spend 5 mornings painting the live model for 2 hours, with poses ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. After personally picking a still life subject from the gardens of Atelier Clos Mirabel, we will paint preparatory sketches and work on longer paintings, experimenting with wet on wet, edge control, composition, shadows, and colour. There will be one free day mid-week for visiting the surrounding area or painting on one’s own.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Wendy Artin
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee & model fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Suggest Rather than Render"
August 7-9, 2025
 

This three-day workshop will focus on painting “alla prima” (all at once) as well as developing greater skills of observation, simplification and quickly painting “wet on wet”. Most importantly, we will discuss how thoughtfully and purposely “suggesting” and editing the elements of a composition – rather than simply “rendering” every detail of your reference – will create a stronger, more compelling and “painterly” painting. Graziano is an award winning, nationally exhibited artist whose paintings capture the hidden beauty found in the ordinary and unexpected fleeting moments of everyday life. His work has been featured in numerous publications and is in the collections of private and corporate collectors throughout the world. For more information, visit dangrazianofineart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Dan Graziano
Cost: $650 Museum members/ $700 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"Color Temperature in Painting Workshop"
August 9-10, 2025
 

Color temperature is the perceived warmth and coolness of a color. It’s a vital tool for any artist for creating contrast and focus, establishing relationships between light and shadow, suggesting space or distance, and generating mood and meaning. This two-day course will investigate color temperature through a series of still-life exercises that will encourage experimentation, enforce understanding of color’s relative nature, and help you promote temperature effects in your work. Examples from historic and contemporary artists will be discussed. Instruction will be conducted chiefly in watercolor, but painters of all media are welcome!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $195
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Charcoal: Expressive Mark Making, A Painter’s Approach to Drawing"
August 21-24, 2025
 

Students will explore charcoal as the perfect drawing medium for expressive mark making and develop a personal approach to loose, aggressive mark making with a combination of additive and subtractive techniques using charcoal and erasers for mark making and developing grounds. While charcoal will be the primary medium, eventually students will be encouraged to combine other media such as conte crayon and spray paint. Gary Chapman is a Professor of Art – Drawing and Painting at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has had over 60 solo exhibitions with institutions such as The Arts Center of St. Petersburg, Florida and the Indianapolis Art Center. For more information, visit garychapmanart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Gary Chapman
Cost: $525 Museum members/ $575 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"Watercolor Painting & Sketching"
August 25 - September 1, 2025
 

Join Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling in Bruges, Belgium and have a creative life experience. You’ll enjoy inspiring locations such as canals, wind mills, Flemish architecture, daily painting demonstrations, personalized instruction, and encouraging support from Cindy and Theresa. “We show you how to simplify and design your subject, draw confidently, jazz up your colors, paint with serendipity and experiment with new techniques. Create colorful paintings en Plein Air with an emphasis on celebrating your own unique point of view”.
 
Location: Bruges, Belgium
Instructor: Cindy Briggs & Theresa Goesling
Cost: $3,840 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Watercolor sketching and Journaling"
August 30 - September 6, 2025
 

Join me for an unforgettable painting holiday in Giverny, a strikingly beautiful part of France famous for its stunning scenery and captivating light. We’ll have plenty of time to capture once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the pages of our watercolor journals. You’ll learn how to add style and interest to your sketchbook pages through the use of unique page layouts and borders, and we’ll cover several fun new lettering styles. In addition, I’ll offer daily demonstrations of techniques for painting the subject matter you’ll encounter each day. And you’ll be painting right along with me, since we learn more by doing than by simply observing. The workshop is suitable for all levels, but some experience with drawing and watercolor would be helpful.
 
Location: Giverny, France
Instructor: Leslie Fehling
Cost: $3,840 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Watercolor Painting & Sketching"
September 4-11, 2025
 

Join Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling in the French Alps and have a creative life experience. You’ll enjoy inspiring locations such as mountains, lakes, chalets, meadows, daily painting demonstrations, personalized instruction, and encouraging support from Cindy and Theresa. “We show you how to simplify and design your subject, draw confidently, jazz up your colors, paint with serendipity and experiment with new techniques. Create colorful paintings en Plein Air with an emphasis on celebrating your own unique point of view”.
 
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Instructor: Cindy Briggs & Theresa Goesling
Cost: $3,840 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Watercolor sketching"
September 6-13, 2025
 

Do you struggle to apply watercolour or get overwhelmed sometimes when sketching? I will help solve your problems by showing you how to make fast improvements through sharing my most successful tips with watercolour sketching. You will receive plenty of individual tuition, demonstrations and examples to support you along the way. Return home armed with new skills in watercolour and sketching as you will have learnt how to sketch confidently, understand paint consistency and application and mix wonderful glowing colours to capture the magical scenes of Giverny. I will encourage you to sketch what makes your heart sing! The subjects covered will be truly inspirational – including French buildings, landscapes, local scenes and Monet’s garden!
 
Location: Giverny, France
Instructor: Judy Salleh
Cost: $3,840 before Jan 31
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Capturing Radiant Light in Your Paintings in Oil or Acrylic"
September 11-13, 2025
 

Master your ability to capture radiance in your paintings and join South Carolina artist Michael Story for this three-day landscape painting workshop. Michael will explain and demonstrate the fundamentals of building radiant color by applying complementary and analogous color combinations. Students begin their paintings with an initial charcoal drawing, followed by a color wash applied over the image. Starting with rich shadow colors, you’ll begin blocking in our painting, then progressing dark to light to completion. Building final layers of color and avoiding muddy mixtures, you’ll achieve fresh, bright, radiant color while capturing depth and drama to your work. For more information, visit michaelstory.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Michael Story
Cost: $575 Museum members/ $625 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"Perfect Imperfection: Capturing decay & fading blooms in watercolour with Jarnie Godwin"
September 13-20, 2025
 

Study with Jarnie Godwin at Atelier Clos Mirabel during a 5-day botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals. Jarnie Godwin will guide you into the ethereal mysteries of the fading bloom. As blooms begin to fade you will learn how to capture these intimate, fragile and fleeting moments of decay. Using a range of watercolour techniques, Jarnie will show you how to create the unique acute textures and colour transitions of decay and fading colour. You will learn more about the unique form and detail of fading flowers, and will gain confidence in using and manipulating watercolour to convey an intimate moment in time.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Jarnie Godwin
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + £400 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Colours of France Painting Retreat at a Private Chateau"
September 13-20, 2025
 

Experience mixed media painting in an authentic 16th-century French château during this 7-night art retreat in the Dordogne countryside (September 13-20, 2025). Led by award-winning artist Jacintha Krish, this intimate workshop (max 8 guests) combines daily instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on creation with chateau accommodation and gourmet Perigord cuisine prepared by a personal chef. Perfect for experienced hobbyists and serious artists looking to refine their contemporary impressionist technique. Package includes accommodations, food, local excursions, wine with meals, and train station transfers. Single occupancy from €2995, double occupancy from €2695 (10% discount available for pairs).
 
Location: St Germain des Pres, France
Instructor: Jacintha Krish
Cost: €2695
Sponsor: Manor & Maker
Website, email


"Expressive Loose Watercolors - Flowers to Figures"
September 21-26, 2025
 

Flowers in the studio at beautiful Dillman's Resort will be the inspiration for students to begin this energetic and enlightening workshop, in which we will explore watercolor in a spontaneous and intuitive way. Learning how to interpret flowers - leading to the Head and Figure will be featured as Janet provides pathways to learning for all levels. The studio will be available 24/7 for students. Janet will also provide photos and drawings of her demonstrations of the head. Students are welcome to paint what she demos or paint from their own photos. The goal of this workshop is to discover the magic and intuition of capturing life in our paintings!!! and having fun all the way!!!
 
Location: Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
Instructor: Janet Rogers, AWS, TWSA, FWS
Sponsor: Dillman's Bay Resort
Website, email, 715-588-3143


"Watercolor sketching and Journaling"
October 1-8, 2025
 

Join me for an unforgettable painting holiday in Alsace, a stunningly beautiful part of France famous for its charming scenery and clear light which has captivated artists through the centuries. We’ll have plenty of time to capture once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the pages of our watercolor journals as we explore all the charming villages of Alsace. In this week-long workshop, I’ll offer daily demonstrations of techniques for painting the subject matter you’ll encounter each day. And you’ll be painting right along with me, since we learn more by doing than by simply observing. The workshop is suitable for all levels, but some experience with drawing and watercolor would be helpful.
 
Location: Alsace, France
Instructor: Leslie Fehling
Cost: $3,840 before 1/30/25
Sponsor: French Escapade
Website, email, 510-483-5713


"Autumn Produce of the Pyrénées with Laura Silburn"
October 11-18, 2025
 

Join Laura Silburn at Atelier Clos Mirabel for a 5-day botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, accommodation and delicious meals. Explore the botanical delights of this flora-rich part of the world. Laura will help you examine a chosen plant or vegetable through careful observation and sketchbook work. You will then compose an image that reflects its natural character whilst observing botanical truth. You will be guided on how to take your drawings through to a completed botanical watercolour and shown techniques for dry-brush finishing. Laura has work at Kew Gardens, The Hunt Institute, the Florilegium of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, and the Eden Project Cornwall.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Laura Silburn
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Finding Light and Inspiration in Your Photo References in Pastel"
October 23-25, 2025
 

In this workshop, beginning to advanced students will explore ways to create unique, personal works of art based on their own reference photos. Participants will learn how to find dynamic compositions with strong focal points and push color to enhance their vision. We’ll step away from the confinement of exact “copying” of reference materials and move toward finding our own interpretation of a scene. Jill Stefani Wagner received a B.F.A. in painting from The University of Michigan School of Art. She owned an award-winning advertising firm in Ann Arbor MI, before “seeing the light” and becoming a full-time artist. For more information, visit jillwagnerart.com.
 
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Instructor: Jill Stefani Wagner
Cost: $650 Museum members/ $700 non-members
Sponsor: Huntsville Museum of Art
Website, email, 256-535-6372


"Painting Spring Flowers on Vellum in France"
April 18-25, 2026
 

Learn my approach to painting on vellum during this five-day workshop at the beautiful Clos Mirabel in the south of France. We will begin by doing some exercises on small bits of vellum to learn technique and to get a feel for painting on this surface. Then, we will explore the grounds of Clos Mirabel to choose painting subjects – roses, hellebores, poppies, columbines, fruit trees, iris, and so much more will be blooming this time of the year. If we are lucky, there may even be a few vegetables ready in the garden. The workshop combines demonstrations, discussion of materials and techniques, hands-on time for developing skills, and lots of individual attention and feedback.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Denise Walser-Kolar
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + $500 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Paint Beautiful Flowers with Confidence and Excitement, an Oil Painting Workshop"
April 24-26, 2026
 

This workshop focuses on how to paint beautiful, luminous flowers with confidence and excitement! Diane Reeves is an award-winning artist and seasoned instructor whose engaging teaching style, clear explanations, and valuable demonstrations make learning new concepts and skills straightforward and enjoyable. Her goal is for every participant to leave with valuable new insights and confidence in painting their own beautiful florals! Each morning, we’ll focus on specific concepts and skills paired with a demonstration using garden flowers such as roses and hydrangeas. Each afternoon will include plenty of one-on-one assistance as participants apply that day’s lessons while painting floral setups.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Diane Reeves
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738


"Little Botanical Treasures Collection"
May 23-30, 2026
 

Join Giacomina Ferrillo for a week-long botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees of South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals. This workshop is designed not only to provide basic technical notions and the main tools of botanical art, but also to teach you how to approach various botanical subjects. We will learn to use the ink pen with specific exercises, shadows, colour and how to compose sketchbook pages. We will tackle botanical watercolour techniques by mixing colours, organizing the palette and studying the control of the brushstroke. Thus, over the course of the week, we will create a composition with various botanical subjects different in species, shape and colour, respecting their character and scientific data.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Giacomina Ferrillo
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"2026 Gestural Figure & Essential Still Life Watercolour"
June 6-13, 2026
 

Join international artist and art educator Wendy Artin at Atelier Clos Mirabel in South West France for a week-long painting workshop. Enjoy painting instruction exploring the finer details of nature through wet washes and colour, light and form. All levels are welcome from complete beginners to professionals. We will spend 5 mornings painting the live model for 2 hours, with poses ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. After personally picking a still life subject from the gardens of Atelier Clos Mirabel, we will paint preparatory sketches and work on longer paintings, experimenting with wet on wet, edge control, composition, shadows, and colour. There will be one free day mid-week for visiting the surrounding area or painting on one’s own.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Wendy Artin
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Botanical Treasures of Clos Mirabel"
June 13-20, 2026
 

Discover the fascinating world of Botanical Art, starting with a walk around the magnificent Clos Mirabel property to choose your subject. A variety of plants will be in bloom including Roses, Hydrangeas, Iris, Lupin, Lilies and numerous fruits and vegetables growing in the Jardin Potager. Catherine will introduce her 10 stages to successfully illustrate a subject. You will carefully observe, measure and draw your subject focusing on form, light and texture. After composing your illustration, we will discuss the properties of watercolours and transparent colour mixing. You will apply several layers from the base tea wash to the dry brush finishing touches, using proper lighting to make your subject come to life. If you prefer, you can use coloured pencils.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Catherine Watters
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + $525 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Summer Blooms with Mary Dillon"
July 18-25, 2026
 

Join botanical artist and experienced tutor, Mary Dillon, for an immersive botanical art retreat where you’ll explore the beauty of summer blooms and refine your artistic skills in a serene, stunning setting. Connect with fellow artists, discover new watercolour painting techniques, and let the vibrant surroundings inspire you. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to create, relax, and grow — all while surrounded by the enchanting landscapes of south west France. Everything about being in Clos Mirabel is special. From the warmth of your welcome by the family and team at Clos Mirabel to your first view of the Pyrenees, your beautifully appointed accommodation and the most delicious variety of locally sourced foods, you know that this will be a week for you!
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Mary Dillon
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 600€ tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"Drawing Your World: A Visual Storytelling Workshop"
August 15-22, 2026
 

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. This 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. You will learn to organise your thoughts by creating meaningful visual narratives and challenge yourself to draw in new ways – all while capturing your adventures with confidence and creativity.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Samantha Dion Baker
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + $579 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"2026 Mixed Media Workshop with Jenny Muncaster"
September 19-26, 2026
 

Join UK Artist Jenny Muncaster for a fun filled creative retreat exploring and developing your skills in mixed media. Jenny is a professional artist whose work is mainly focused on mixed media and acrylics. Jenny is committed to making creativity available to everyone. During this week-long painting holiday, she will introduce you to different techniques using a whole range of wonderful art materials. Combining traditional & non-traditional methods & tools for exploring line, painting, print, texture & collage in your work. Using these new skills, capture & interpret your subject matter to create totally original artwork inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Clos Mirabel in the French Pyrenees.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Jenny Muncaster
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + £400 tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


"The Land of the Colossal"
September 26 - October 3, 2026
 

Join Ùrsula Romero at Atelier Clos Mirabel for a week-long botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Focusing on leaves, we will explore the drama that can be created through thoughtful lighting and clever glazing. You will have the exciting opportunity to capture the dramatic autumnal colours of leaves in an idyllic setting. From yellowing deciduous leaves to luscious evergreens; the countryside and gardens that surround our course venue are abundant. We will start with a short talk about leaves – their taxonomy, physiology and how to paint them larger than life. And you will learn how to tackle trickier things, such as the translucency and hairs, as well as realistic colors. This course is suitable for all levels.
 
Location: Pau, France
Instructor: Úrsula Romero
Cost: 1595€ to 2895€ for accommodation + 450 € tuition fee
Sponsor: Atelier Clos Mirabel
Website, email, +33.6.79.59.04.91


 

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