Class Listings

The historic Cylburn Mansion, built in 1863, is open to the public on the 2nd Saturday and 2nd Sunday of each month from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. In December, the mansion will be open every weekend, decked out for the holidays, with live music on Saturdays 10 - 1.

In the mansion dining-room will be collections from which to draw, such as autumn leaves, flowers, shells, rocks, skulls and bones, depending on the monthly theme.

Art supplies are provided (watercolors, cheap colored pencils, graphite, pastels, paper), but feel free to bring your own.

Students become proficient in the age old skills of pen and ink and crowquill. Technique, composition, scratchboard, anatomy, professional practices, final projects, handouts, tutorials, live video conferencing and email are included as above. In all Sessions, we work from live material as much as possible. 

Fees, application forms, and information are on the website, or contact Gretchen at gretchen.halpert@gmail.com

Build your drawing skills using graphite. Learn how to begin and take your work from sketch to an accurate, full-value rendering in a virtual classroom setting. We cover observation, perspective, proportion, rendering textures, scientific conventions, lighting, and transferring drawings. All drawings are from life. Students also become comfortable with computer and technical skills for proper scanning, uploading and preparing artwork, as well as video conferencing and creating files. Students are introduced to pen and ink, and to professional and business practices. Fee covers all assignments, tutorials, handouts, video conferencing and emailing. Beginning and intermediate students are encouraged to apply. https://www.gretchenhalpert-distanceprogram.com/blank or contact gretchen.halpert@gmail.com

Can’t draw a straight line? Don’t know where to start? Right here at the beginning! This six week class will introduce you to the basics of drawing from pencil to paper to erasers and sharpeners. We will build up from the basics and work on drawing simple shapes to still life compositions.

All classes meet online and will be recorded for your personal use or if you prefer to watch the recording on your own time and cannot make the class time, watch it when it works for you!

Discover the serene beauty of blue, silver and green in this three-week watercolor course inspired by winter’s quiet charm. Each session explores a unique blue pigment, from soft cobalt to deep ultramarine. Along the way, we’ll introduce subtle warm tones to complement and enhance the cool blues, creating balance and depth in each piece. Learn to embrace the

challenge of non-staining pigments while developing your layering, lifting, and blending techniques. Perfect for watercolor artists eager to deepen their understanding of color harmony and find inspiration in the cool tones of the season.

What Students will learn:

• A deeper understanding of blue watercolor pigments and their properties.
• Practical experience with non-staining pigments, learning to lift, glaze, and layer effectively.
• Three finished botanical studies and expanded confidence in color mixing.

All classes meet online and will be recorded for your personal use or if you prefer to watch the recording on your own time and cannot make the class time.

Register: https://lymeartassociation.org/online-class-winter-blues-florals-in-watercolor/

Through guided practice and creative exploration, you’ll discover how watercolor moves effortlessly between control and spontaneity—where precision intermingles with the beauty of “happy accidents.”

Designed for both beginners and students with previous experience looking to refine or revisit foundational techniques.

We’ll explore traditional drawing techniques that will help you create a foundation towards your own unique way of expressive mark-making.

Whether you’re a beginner or building on past experience, this class encourages curiosity, investigation, and the confidence to make drawing a personal and powerful form of expression.

This class is designed to increase your skills and confidence in the use of the various art media taught at the Garden. The instructor demonstrates techniques to combine watercolor, ink and colored pencils to create vibrant botanical paintings. Students receive one-on-one instruction to evolve their own unique drawing and painting. 

Through guided practice and creative exploration, you’ll discover how watercolor moves effortlessly between control and spontaneity—where precision intermingles with the beauty of “happy accidents.” Designed for both beginners and students with previous experience looking to refine or revisit foundational techniques.

Take your sketchbook outdoors and reconnect with plants in their natural environment. In this course, students are encouraged to shed old habits and try new techniques as they travel to a variety of gardens and habitats. Through a combination of guided exercises and free experimentation, students discover new ways of seeing plants, new problem-solving skills, and a refreshing way of thinking about layout and color. Several media are used, from ballpoint pen to watercolor to pencil. No prerequisites.

Colored pencil is a next step in advancing from drawing to painting, and introduces the full array of fine art pigments. This course is a hands-on introduction to commonly used materials and techniques such as layering, blending, burnishing and tonal gradation. 

This class explores how to create realistic texture using graphite. Through close observation of different parts of plants, you will use line, value, and layered mark-making to suggest surface detail and form. Through demonstrations and guided practice, we will work with layering, pressure control, and a range of graphite techniques to create variations—from rough bark and pebbled surfaces to delicate veining. We’ll have discussions about contrast, mark making and value. Creating texture in a drawing can really make a drawing come alive.

Before gardens are full, spring announces itself quietly, in budding branches, soft petals, and trees briefly covered in bloom. The First Signs of Spring is a three-week watercolor class focused on capturing the delicate beauty of flowering trees such as crabapple, magnolia, and dogwood.

In this course, students will learn watercolor techniques especially suited to painting tree blossoms, including dry brush, wet-on-wet washes, layering transparent color, and using negative space to suggest light and air. We’ll explore how to paint blossoms in clusters along branches, create movement and softness, and let watercolor naturally bloom on the page.

Each week a photo will be provided to reference from. The class emphasizes

observation, color mixing, and process over perfection. Offering a calm and

supportive space to experiment and grow.

This course is ideal for anyone who loves nature, seasonal inspiration, and

working with watercolor. Whether you’re new to the medium or looking to reconnect, this course will be perfect for you.

Classes are Recorded for a flexible schedule.

Register Here: https://lymeartassociation.org/online-class-first-signs-of-spring-wc/

Create your own botanical sketchbook in this week-long course with Dianne Sutherland in South-West France.

Whether you want a sketchbook to be part of your regular practice as an artist, or as an occasional activity for relaxation and to engage with nature, this course is an ideal starting point.

During the week Dianne Sutherland will provide demonstrations and instruction on how to get started with your botanical sketchbook. On day one you will be provided with materials to make your own small sketchbook, after which you will be guided through the process of filling the pages with beautiful drawings and paintings of plant material from within the grounds at the beautiful Clos Mirabel. Working both indoors, with collected plant material and some outdoor work in the surrounding area.

You will learn about the drawing and watercolour painting techniques that Dianne uses in her own work, which is applicable to both sketchbooks and other artwork. This will include the necessary sketching and watercolour techniques, such as the wet and dry painting techniques, which Dianne specialises in teaching. Subjects such as leaves, flowers, dissections and all of the relevant plant parts as well as surrounding plant habitat will be demonstrated.

You will also learn how to compose a page in your book by identifying the important parts of the plant to record, as well as how to annotate the pages with written texts and plant stories. At the same time you will be encouraged to develop your own interests and individual style as an artist. By the end of the week you will have made the first steps in your botanical sketchbook journey, and if you are like Dianne, you will always be looking for your next sketchbook subject.

To find out more and book, visit:

atelier.clos-mirabel.com

Learn Denise Walser-Kolar's approach to painting on vellum during this five-day workshop at the beautiful Atelier Clos Mirabel in the south of France.

You 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, you 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...there may even be a few vegetables ready in the kitchen garden.

This class is designed for students new to vellum (learn how to successfully paint on vellum) as well as for more experienced vellum painters (learn new tricks and techniques and bring your work to the next level).

The workshop combines demonstrations, discussion of materials and techniques, hands-on time for developing skills, and lots of individual attention and feedback. You may also choose to do a Hoefnagel-inspired painting of the treasures you find in the gardens. Experienced vellum painters can use this as a studio class to work on anything they like.

To find out more and book your place, visit:

atelier.clos-mirabel.com

Join Botanical Artist Ann Swan as she returns to Atelier Clos Mirabel in April 2026.

Ann Swan works primarily in graphite and coloured pencil. She is well known for her fine detail, vibrant colours and strong contemporary style. She favours the underdog or the unusual in the plant world, drawing our attention to their beauty through her striking compositions. She is constantly experimenting with her chosen medium, trying to achieve a more painterly effect and ever brighter colours and has recently started a series of ‘Larger than Life’ images magnifying small sections of plants and pushing the boundaries of botanical art a bit further.

Further details of Ann Swan’s 2026 Botanical Art Workshop to follow.

Spring Blooms in Ink & Watercolor is a three-week art class inspired by the beauty of spring flowers. Students will explore how to draw floral forms using ink and then enhance their work with light, transparent watercolor washes. We’ll focus on developing confident ink stippling first, followed by gentle watercolor techniques that allow the drawings to stay fresh and expressive. Instructor examples and photo references will be provided, and students will work with a variety of spring blooms while developing their own artistic style. This class is suitable for beginners and intermediate artists.

Classes are recorded live for flexible schedule.

Register Here: https://lymeartassociation.org/online-class-spring-blooms-in-ink-wc/

Through ink drawing in a dedicated sketchbook, small elements of essential botany up to the basic notions of botanical watercolour, we will portray different seasonal subjects. Wild flora from the Pyrenees, flowers, leaves and seeds from the Clos Mirabel garden and vegetables from the kitchen garden to create a personal “cabinet” of botanical treasures.

This workshop is designed not only to provide basic technical notions and the main tools of botanical art, but also to approach various botanical subjects. We will learn how to keep a sketchbook and make it a study tool through the observation of Nature and the practice of drawing.

We will learn to use the ink pen with specific exercises, shadows, colour and how to compose pages. We will tackle the botanical watercolour technique 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. Our personal collection of treasures, drawn and painted.

https://atelier.clos-mirabel.com/botanical-art/botanical-painting-workshop-france-giacomina-ferrillo

Working primarily in ink and watercolor in a sketchbook/journal, you’ll learn techniques for recording the nature of place here, and wherever you choose to go next. Daily instruction in watercolor journaling and painting techniques will focus on building your artistic skills, as well as offer opportunities to practice and gain confidence with Jean’s guidance and support. The group will work together in a supportive environment and people at all levels of experience are welcome. Jean will work with you to grow your skills and leave you feeling inspired. https://sofiainmonsaraz.com/en/jeanmackay/

Catherine will be returning to Atelier Clos Mirabel in June 2026 to deliver her week long Botanical Art Workshop.

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.

The course will include a PowerPoint presentation, numerous demonstrations and an exhibition on the last day.

Catherine will also show you how to create a Botanical Journal to document your experience at Clos Mirabel. This is a lovely way to capture a special moment in a magical place.

Students will work with graphite and watercolour. If you prefer, you can use coloured pencils. All levels of experience are welcome.

To find out more and book your place, visit:

atelier.clos-mirabel.com

At Ghost Ranch, Georgia O’Keeffe found inspiration in the desert around her. Flowers and animal bones were among her favorite subjects. Here is your chance to explore how the same subjects inspire YOU. Refine your realistic drawing skills with 5 days & 6 nights in residence at historic Casa del Sol, amid the spectacular landscape where O’Keeffe lived and painted. We will draw bones and blooms from life. Morning instruction with daily demos will cover drawing techniques in charcoal (for the bones) and colored pencil with watercolor (for the flowers). Afternoons will offer free time to continue working, or to rest, hike, or take a horseback ride. Evenings will include guided nature walks, stargazing, and camaraderie around a courtyard fire. Space will be limited to 9. Some drawing experience is helpful but not required. Join us!

This workshop is strictly for students of botany and other natural sciences keen to improve their scientific illustration skills. Just 6 places available to residents of the seven Carpathian Mountains countries.

Join botanical artist and experienced tutor, Mary Dillon, for an immersive botanical art retreat at Clos Mirabel, where you’ll explore the beauty of summer blooms and refine your artistic skills in a serene, stunning setting.

You will connect with fellow artists, discover new 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!

The spacious art studio is a haven for artists. Taking your inspiration from the plants in the garden and the countryside you’ll practice some observational drawing and mark making. Early in the week you will have an opportunity to travel towards the upper slopes of the Pyrenees to experience alpine plants in their natural habitat. After a gentle walk and some field sketching you will enjoy a simple lunch in a village auberge.

Back in the studio, Mary will guide you in exploring the nuances of colour through easy exercises to help you grow in confidence with how you choose and use colour. Exploring and practicing watercolour painting techniques in a simple but systematic way can be applied to painting any subject. Using controlled wet and damp techniques and finishing with dry techniques, you will work in layers to create a painting that is both true to science and true to your emotional connection with your plant subject. This week will be a week to rest well, eat well and to replenish your personal resources in the process of creating your botanical painting!

To find out more and book your place, visit:

atelier.clos-mirabel.com

We are delighted to welcome back Billy Showell to teach her second botanical art retreat from Atelier Clos Mirabel. Centred around ‘Autumn Finds’, in this workshop you will be painting found seeds, chestnuts, leaves and cones in all of the beautiful colours that the season has to offer. With Billy’s expert guidance, you will learn to lay out your chosen botanical findings in a range of stunning compositions, whilst also mastering the skills and techniques needed to paint a unique botanical portrait.

Billy Showell is an internationally known botanical painter, illustrator and tutor based in Kent in the UK. Her works are distinguishable by striking & fluid compositions, and she has won several botanical awards including a Gold medal from the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. Billy has produced four best-selling botanical painting books, and runs The Billy Showell School of Botanical Art, nurturing talent in thousands of budding botanical painters.

To find out more and book your place, visit:

https://atelier.clos-mirabel.com/botanical-art/botanical-art-retreat-billy-showell-france

or email:

atelierclosmirabel@gmail.com 

Come and explore the land of the colossal with Úrsula Romero and learn how to paint larger than life. Focusing on leaves, this workshop will explore the drama that can be created through thoughtful lighting and clever glazing.

You will have the exciting opportunity to learn how 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 Atelier Clos Mirabel are abundant.

This course will start with a short talk about leaves – their taxonomy, physiology and how paint them larger than life, then we will create our cleverly lit ‘leaf stages’. During this course we will examine the importance of composition and reveal the colours needed to mix realistic greens, browns and reds. You will learn more about capturing light in watercolour paint – how to make things look really three dimensional and how tackle trickier things, such as the translucency and hairs.

Úrsula will prepare a step-by-step process for each so you can see how to paint your subject in stages and she will be on hand, giving live demonstrations for you to watch so you leave feeling full of expert knowledge. This course is suitable for all levels.

6-7 DAYS PAINTING - under the expert tutorship of Vincent

Jeannerot in the

Floral Kingdom/ Namaqualand region

Cape Town - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

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.

The course will include presentations, numerous demonstrations and the chance to exhibit your work on the last day. Catherine will also show you how to create a Botanical Journal to document your experience at Clos Mirabel. This is a lovely way to capture a special moment in a magical place.

Students will work with graphite and watercolour. If you prefer, you can use coloured pencils. All levels of experience are welcome.

This workshop offers the perfect balance of structured demonstrations, guided exercises, and personal tuition.

Specific areas covered include:

• How to observe and interpret light on botanical subjects
• Ways to use layering, transparency, and controlled washes to create luminous watercolours
• Practical methods for confident colour selection and mixing
• Techniques to express both botanical accuracy and emotional connection

Early in the week, the group will travel into the mountains to sketch alpine plants in their natural light. Back in the studio, these studies will be developed into finished paintings, working step-by-step with Mary Dillon’s guidance throughout the course of the week.

This creative retreat also offers time to rest, reflect, and enjoy delicious meals from locally sourced produce in a peaceful, inspiring setting. With beautiful accommodation, a spacious studio and warm hospitality, Clos Mirabel provides the perfect environment to focus on your art and recharge your creative energy. This workshop is ideal for artists who wish to deepen their botanical practice and learn to paint with light as their guide.

During your week with Lara Call Gastinger, you will be observing, drawing and painting the local flora of Atelier Clos Mirabel in the French Pyrénées.

Lara will guide you 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 meadows of the Pyrénées. 

After the first day of sketching, you will focus on using watercolours to capture the colours and textures of the plants. In the end, you will work on composition and how to create a finished botanical painting.

This workshop is the perfect opportunity for all levels of experience.

Learn Denise Walser-Kolar’s approach to painting on vellum during this five-day workshop at the beautiful Atelier Clos Mirabel in South West 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 from the grounds, orchards, and kitchen garden.

This class is designed for students new to vellum (learn how to successfully paint on vellum) as well as for more experienced vellum painters (learn new tricks and techniques and bring your work to the next level). The workshop combines demonstrations, discussion of materials and techniques, hands-on time for developing skills, and lots of individual attention and feedback.

You may also choose to do a Hoefnagel-Inspired painting of the treasures you find in the gardens. Experienced vellum painters can use this as a studio class to work on anything they like.

During this botanical art retreat at Atelier Clos Mirabel, Jarnie Godwin will focus on some of her favourite and most loved autumn finds. In the ‘Abundant Autumn’ workshop you will be exploring and painting rose hips, seeds, chestnuts, leaves, and Jarnie’s most loved acorns in all of the rich, vibrant, and beautiful colours that the season has to offer.

Your botanical art retreat will begin by taking in the enchanting grounds of Clos Mirabel, where you will source the most intriguing and inspiring found subjects. Curiosity is the key, as you open your mindset to look for character and presence in your subjects.

During the week, Jarnie will take you through her own techniques to mix a wealth of vibrant colours including pure, natural greens, rich neutral browns and soft complex greys with just your primary hues. Using a limited palette, you will explore, play and experiment with colour mixing and layering clean, and vibrant watercolours. Take your practice further as you learn how to manipulate and form natural texture, pattern and contrast using wet into damp, and dry brush techniques. Jarnie will also demonstrate how to deal with mistakes with her successful techniques for troubleshooting.

There will be plenty of time for Jarnie to offer dedicated one-to-one tuition to all students, supporting and encouraging you every step of the way. Each day introduces new opportunities to pick up ideas and techniques for your own practice through Jarnie’s unique and relaxed teaching style. Her experience as a teacher informs Jarnie’s warm, knowledgable, and approachable tuition, as she aims to inspire, and empower her students to develop their own style and skill with confidence. This will make for a relaxing, fun and inspiring week away at Atelier Clos Mirabel ideal for all.

To find out more and book your place, visit:

https://atelier.clos-mirabel.com/botanical-art/abundant-autumn-jarnie-godwin-botanical-art-retreat

or email:

atelierclosmirabel@gmail.com 

Kathleen Speranza is an American painter. She works in oil and is best known for her series of work with Garden Roses.

Kathleen approaches roses as individuals in a poetic dialogue with space and light; despite their fragile appearance, roses are powerfully designed pieces of living architecture. This class will focus on perceiving their underlying structure and simplifying their forms. Students will learn a specific limited palette in order to translate their exquisite colour shifts. Roses from the garden at Clos Mirabel will provide the class with the best kind of inspiration!

Students will learn the proper technique for lighting their own small still life motifs. We will do some preparatory drawing and a monochrome “wash in” technique on the first day. Subsequent days will be spent working from life with an emphasis on mixing accurate colour. A custom “colour checker” will be provided to each person for this purpose. We will work to find an emotional connection through close observation and proper technique.

To find out more and book your place, visit:

https://atelier.clos-mirabel.com/painting-holidays/painting-garden-roses-with-kathleen-speranza-2027

or email:

atelierclosmirabel@gmail.com