CLASSIC PAINTING HOLIDAYS

CAN BE ARRANGED ANY WEEK IN APRIL,MAY & SEPTEMBER 2012

Please contact us to discuss your requirements - we can be flexible on other dates

Early booking is strongly advised

In  the heart of the beautiful Charente Maritime, surrounded by sunflowers and Cognac vineyards is La Rose des Vents, a charming Charentaise Manoir set in 2.5 acres of gated grounds.  It is the ideal setting to enjoy an exciting painting course, led by a professional artist who will share his knowledge and passion for drawing and painting with you during a relaxing and memorable holiday.

This is a painting course for beginners and intermediate ablity and Michael Harris, the artist, aims to pass on his experience and love for art by designing a tailor made programme for each individual student.  He will teach you different techniques in drawing and painting in either water colour, pastel, charcoal, pencil or acrylic and instruction will be given in English and/or French depending on the composition of the group.

Michael will contact you in advance of  you arriving on your painting holiday to discuss your requirements.

Subjects will include landscape painting outdoors, or from photographs and still life.  Techniques, theory and practice of perspective and composition.  In case of inclement weather, drawing interiors, still life and working from photographs will take place in the artists studio.

Painting Media:    Watercolour, pastel, charcoal and acrylic.  Oils are possible - though bear in mind transporting your painting while it is still drying.  Oil and acrylic painting is not permitted inside the cottages to avoid damage to fabric, furniture, floors etc.

To ensure sufficient  personal tuition, the course will be held for a minimum of 4, and a maximum of 10 students.

Please note that non-painting partners are welcome - suggestions on exploring the area, visits to Cognac houses etc are provided.

The stunning countryside, chateaux, Romanesque churches, village settings and the beautiful gardens of La Rose des Vents will all provide you with inspirational subject matter.

MICHAEL HARRIS - BIOGRAPHY

www.michaelharris-art.com

Michael studied graphic design at Art School in England, before working as a graphic designer in London and the SW of England.  For the last ten years, before moving to France, he worked as a freelance artist and part time lecturer in graphics and illustration at BTEC, NDD and HNC levels.

Now living in the Charente Maritime in France with his wife,  he holds a series of morning drawing and painting classes for beginners and intermediates.  The group are a mix of British, French and other nationalities.

He regularly paints with French and British artisits, also exhibiting with many of the artists and also individually.  His work has been exhibited in London, Bath, Cheltenham, Leicester, Cirencester, Dorchester and Devizes.  In France, in Paris, Nantes, Cognac, Angouleme, Matha, Cherves Richemont, Jonzac and Neuvicq le Chateau.  More exhibitions are planned for the coming year.  He has also won National painting competitions in England and France.

His work has been sold in the UK, USA, France, Italy, Portugal and Australia and he also undertakes private commissions.  He works in all media - watercolour, pastels, charcoal and oil and his favourite themes are landscape, life and costume painting and drawing.

PROGRAMME 

With the emphasis on a relaxing painting holiday, in delightful surroundings with delicious food,  you will arrive on Saturday evening to welcome aperitifs and a 4 course dinner with wine, served in the Manor House.

Sunday - Enjoy a day of leisure, exploring the local area or relaxing by the heated swimming pool.  In the evening join your fellow guests for aperitifs and a 4 course dinner with wine served  either in the garden or Manor House.

Monday - Drawing and painting in and around La Rose des Vents, in the hamlet of La Tacherie.  Painting in the gardens and around the village where we will concentrate on perspective, composition and applying colour.  In the evening, aperitifs  and a BBQ or 4 course dinner with wine, again served in the garden or Manor House.

Tuesday - drawing and painting, just a stones throw away in the village of Mesnac.  Here we can make use of the river and concentrate on reflection and colours.

Wednesday   - A painting morning in the grounds of  Chateau Chesnel.  In the afternoon, the resident owner the Comtesse de Rouffignac  will give you a personal tour of her beautiful home, followed by a tasting of pineau and cognac made on the estate.

Thursday - We take a short drive to Neuvicq le Chateau to paint/draw the fairy tale 16th century chateau and the spectacular panoramic views from the chateau.   

Friday

During the course we will discuss what you would like to do on the final day.  You may like to return to a venue and complete an unfinished work, or try a different approach.   There is of course the chance to try a new venue - for example somewhere you may have discovered during your free time, which you would like to paint.

The course ends with a farewell dinner at a riverside restaurant in Cognac.

COST PER PERSON

   Sharing double/twin room ensuite/private facilities                                                                       £695 

   Single occupancy of double/twin bedroom with ensuite/private facilities                             £895

   Non-painting partner sharing double/twin room with ensuite/private facilities                 £485

Includes:

• 7 nights accommodation in a luxury cottage (ensuite/private facilities) with continental breakfast
• 5 days painting course (aprox 5 hrs per day) 9.30 hrs - 12.00; 14.00 hrs - 16.30 hrs)
• Afternoon tea, time for questions and a review of the days work
• Aperitif and 4 course dinner with wine coffee & cognac on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights)
• 5 lunches or picnic if on location
• Personal guided tour of Chateau Chesnel and pineau and cognac tasting
• Farewell dinner with wine served at a riverside restaurant on Friday night

It excludes transportation and all materials and equipment

The luxury cottages are fully equipped for self catering, and you can enjoy the local delicacies bought in the local shops and markets, or sample the excellent local restaurants on the 3 days when an evening meal is not included.