With such an abundance of beautiful villages and undulating scenery on our doorstep, it will come as no surprise that the course looks, in particular, at the art of expressive landscape painting (in the broadest sense) but encourages other subjects to be treated and incorporated into the landscape.  You'll get to paint and draw in a variety of places, from the medieval grandeur of the main hall of the Chateau de Saussignac to the rolling vineyards of our favourite local wine makers.

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Our teaching methods allow you to discover your own talent - and there are bags of it in everyone - and, above all, to enjoy the process of painting and creating.  We encourage a relaxed and fun environment without judgement or comparison.

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Whilst some theory relevant to expressive painting will be covered at the beginning of the course, most theory and technical guidance will be incorporated into a continuous painting exercise that students will follow, ensuring that participants have as much practical painting and drawing time as possible.

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Thursday 20 July:  Welcome

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15h00. Check-in and Relax

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19h30. Welcome Dinner accompanied by a selection of local wines (wine included)

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Friday 21 July:  Letting Go

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08h00.  Breakfast

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10h00.  Introduction to the Course and a quick guide to Expressive Painting and how we got here.  A look at some examples of expressive painting over the centuries that will inspire the creative juices to flow.

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10h45.  Opening Up - starting work on a drawing or painting is arguably as difficult, if not more so than knowing when to finish.  Our first session will help you free up your hands and minds and quickly feel comfortable with letting go.

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Collaborative Workshop on Expressiveness - Thinking Big and Letting Go:  we're getting straight into the dirty business of painting, working as a team to create our first masterpiece of the week.  This is a chance to throw away any inhibitions and get comfortable with paint, paper and the environment you're in.

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12h30. Lunch accompanied by a featured local wine.

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14h30. Building the Ideas Bank - we'll wander into the village and the vineyards with some tools to start sketching and planning.  This session serves as an inspiration gathering exercise for your individual project - through photos, sketches and note-making.

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Kicking off the Individual Project - over the course of the week you will create a lot of work.  However, you will focus on one or two project pieces that you will step in and out of until completion of the final day, applying what you learn and discover - layering paint, stepping back, embracing complete change and understanding the meaning of 'finished'.

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16h30. Class Ends

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19h00.  Dinner - Private Group Garden Supper 

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Saturday 22 July:  Glorious Chateau de Fayolle

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08h30.  Breakfast

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10h00.  Chateau de Fayolle Field Trip - Landscape painting in the open - embracing the weather to enhance expression.  Using mixed media to create a variety of expressive paintings, this session will give students the freedom to express themselves without fear of spillage or studio confines.  This is your chance to throw, spread, tear, spill and generally let loose.

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We'll start the morning with a Vineyard Tour, accompanied by Frank, the Chateau's American owner since 2018. The tour will give you a host of ideas and images to use as you build on your day's painting.

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13h30. Picnic Lunch & Wine Tasting

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15h00. After a relaxing lunch in the shade of the Arboretum 

we'll head back to The 1500 where you'll have time to kick back and chill out by the pool.

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18h30   Wine Tasting 101. 

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19h30. BBQ at Le 1500

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21h00. Movie Night with Popcorn & Prosecco (included when booked in advance)

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Sunday 23 July:  Market Day, Relaxation

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08h00. Breakfast

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09h00. Depart for Issigeac - you'll have time to wander through this famous medieval wine town and visit the small market, drawing on inspiration for later work.  We'll have breakfast at a local restaurant before heading back to Le 1500 to relax for the rest of the day or, for the more adventurous, to lend a hand in the kitchen.

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12h30.  Farmers' Lunch

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15h00. Relax Poolside or Personal Studio Time

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19h30.  Private Group Dinner, Le 1500 - The French Classics 

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Monday 24 July:  Studio Day

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08h00. Breakfast

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08h30. Optional Morning Donkey Walk

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10h00.  Studio Session.  We'll set aside the vast majority of the morning to continue painting the pieces you will have created on the previous three days.  This will give you time to quietly progress with your work and benefit from individual tutoring and advice.

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New Tools Please - painting with a traditional brush or even a palette knife are well known painting techniques.  There are, however, no rules when it comes to how you apply paint on to the paper.  This exercise will push the boundaries of your ability to express yourself differently by introducing a number of new tools for you to try.

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12h30. Lunch with featured wine

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14h30. Dramatic Skies - in landscape painting the sky is often used as the dramatic backdrop to the elements you want to include on land.  This session will give you the opportunity to discover a new individual technique to painting dramatic skies.

 

Individual Project continuation and studio practice - space to continue work on the individual project with hands on tuition and guidance.

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16h00.  Class Ends

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18h30.  Wine Event, Place de l'Eglise, Saussignac

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19h30.  Free Evening (this is your opportunity to try one of our other great local restaurants.  Or if you'd rather stay at the Wine Event in the village you will be able to find inexpensive snack food - or have book the local restaurant, Mélange - with advance notice)

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Tuesday 25 July:  Style & Figure

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08h00. Breakfast

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10h00. Individual Project continuation and Studio Practice - space to continue work on the individual project with hands on tuition and guidance.

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12h30. Lunch

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14h00. Introducing the Figure - Life Drawing and Painting Class.  Our life model will join us for the afternoon where you'll find the opportunity to explore some expressive drawing and painting techniques.

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16h00  Class Ends

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17h30. Wine Tasting. - Chateau Court Les Muts

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19h30. Bad Boy Burger Night at Le Cafe 1500.

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Wednesday 26 July:  Plein Air at The Naked Vigneron

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08h00. Breakfast

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10h00. The Naked Vigneron - we'll head over to the Naked Vigneron winery where you'll have the opportunity to draw and paint one of the many stunning scenes around the lake and rolling vineyards.  

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13h00.  Wine pairing lunch, The Naked Vigneron - once packed up we'll head back to the winery courtyard where David will give us a short explanation of this vineyard's wonderful organic wines over a glass of bubbles and Amanda will provide us with a healthy and declicous lunch paired with a selection of their wines.

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16h00.  Vernissage - we'll take some time to review what we've achieved over a glass of bubbles and enjoy the moment.

 

18h00.  Poolside Cocktail Bar and Music

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19h30. Dinner at Le 1500

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Thursday 27 July:  Farewell or Stay Longer

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10h00 Depart Le 1500 (or enquire about extending your stay for the weekend or longer and enjoy preferential rates)