WHEN: 4-9 AUGUST 2024
​
PRICE: From €2,400 per person (non painting partner packages available)
​
INCLUDES:
​
- Five nights' accommodation & hospitality
- Breakfast & Lunch with local wines
- Wine Tastings & Chateau Tour
- Four nights' of evening meals at Le Cafe 1500 and Private Dinners
- All art materials and tuition fee
THE PROGRAMME
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.
​
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.
​
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.
​
Saturday 3 August: Welcome
​
15h00. Check-in and Relax
​
19h30. Welcome Dinner accompanied by a selection of local wines (wine included)
​
Sunday 4 August: Letting Go
​
08h30. Breakfast
​
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.
​
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.
​
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.
​
12h30. Lunch accompanied by a featured local wine presentation.
​
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.
​
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'.
​
16h30. Class Ends
​
19h00. Dinner - Private Group Garden Supper
​
Monday 5 August: Glorious Chateau de Fayolle
​
08h00. Breakfast
​
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.
​
13h00. Picnic Lunch & Wine Tasting
​
14h00. Individual Project Work - whereby you'll each have time to spend working on your chosen landscape or start a new one. Interspersed during this session we will take a look at some theory and provide technical support on :
​
- Making the most of colour
- Making good form
- Creating texture
​
16h00. Class Ends
​
18h30. Wine Tasting Party - Village Square
​
20h00. BBQ & Movie Night at Le 1500
​
​
Tuesday 6 August: Studio Day
​
08h00. Breakfast
​
08h30. Optional Morning Donkey Walk
​
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 two days. This will give you time to quietly progress with your work and benefit from individual tutoring and advice.
​
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.
​
12h30. Lunch with featured wine
​
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.
​
16h00. Class Ends
​
19h30. Free Evening (this is your opportunity to try one of our other great local restaurants. Or join us for our weekly Bad Boy Burger Night at Le Café 1500)
​
Wednesday 7 August: Style & Figure
​
08h00. Breakfast
​
10h00. Individual Project continuation and Studio Practice - space to continue work on the individual project with hands on tuition and guidance.
​
12h30. Lunch
​
14h00. Introducing the Figure - Life Drawing and Painting Class. Our life model will join us for the afternoon in the Chateau Studio where you'll find the opportunity to explore some expressive drawing and painting techniques.
​
16h00 Class Ends
​
18h30. Wine Tasting
​
19h30. Farewell Dinner - accompanied by a selection of local wines (included)
​
Thursday 8 August: Plein Air
​
08h00. Breakfast
​
10h00. Chateau Feely* - we'll head over to our friends at Chateau Feely biodynamic winery where you'll have the opportunity to draw and paint one of the many stunning scenes around the property. As one of our most progressive wine growers in the area, we will focus in particular on the Chateau's practice of biodynamic farming and consider how to express this with paint.
​
13h00. Wine Pairing Lunch
​
16h00 Vernissage - we'll regroup in the Tilly to take time to celebrate our work and share our experiences.
​
17h00. Departure for those leaving.
​
Friday 9 August: Farewell or Stay Longer
​
10h00 Depart Le 1500 (or enquire about extending your stay for the weekend or longer and enjoy preferential rates)
MICHAEL F RUMSBY FRSA. Since shifting from the corporate world to life as a full-time artist in 2012, Mike has enjoyed international success as an expressive landscape painter. His unusual approach to painting has earned him a solid reputation as a painter of joyous, colourful works and is represented by the UK's largest gallery portfolio, Clarendon Fine Art. Mike is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London.
​
You can find inspiration in Michael's work by visiting his website at www.mfrart.com or Clarendon Fine Art at www.clarendonfineart.com.
YOUR TUTOR
Mike's 30 years of experience as a senior director of a global business sets him apart from many traditional art teachers. He brings real expertise in people management and a genuine passion for engendering a truly creative environment for guests.
