About the course:
Award winning artist Jenny Aitken is passionate about the depiction of light in paint. She has taught thousands of students throughout her career, and recently written a book on the subject, Painting into the Light. During this week long atelier at Clos Mirabel in Jurançon, France, she will cover all her methods and techniques, both in the studio and plein air.
2025 Painting holiday programme outline:
Saturday
4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel
6.30 – Welcome drinks and dinner
Sunday
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
10.00 – 1.00 Landscape painting in the studio, from photographs, specifically looking at colour, composition, tone and brushwork. Short demonstration for students to work from
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio work with individual tuition throughout the day
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 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 Landscape painting en plein air at Clos Mirabel – beginning with a demonstration. Quick sketches based on observation – looking at the difference in colour, how to achieve painterly depth
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Afternoon – studio work from sketches with individual tuition
5.30 – An evening talk on prominent local landscape artists
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Tuesday
10.00 – 1.00 Day out working en plein air in the mountains, with the large vista looking south. Quick sketches based on observations, followed by lighting, colour, depth and texture and the economy of brushwork to get as much information as quickly as possible.
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at local Auberge
2.00 – 4.00 Plein air painting/sketching in the area of lac de Castet
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday – day off
8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce
We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore Pau or beyond
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 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 Studio work from photographs and sketches of the mountains/village. Demonstration, followed by individual tutoring
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Studio work with individual tuition throughout the day
6.30 – Aperitifs before 4 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 Free day of painting at Clos Mirabel, with individual tuition throughout. Working either en plein air, still life, or from our photographs and sketches
1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel
2.00 – 4.00 Free day of painting at Clos Mirabel, with individual tuition throughout. Working either en plein air, still life, or from our photographs and sketches
6.30 – Evening exhibition in the Atelier and aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday – Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out 11am)
Non-painting guests: we are more than happy to welcome non-painting 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.
