The deep South West of France is an amazing place to work, if you enjoy landscape painting the range of terrains available here is astonishing, from the drama of the high pyrenees to the soft, rounded Tuscan-like hills of the Gers. Whatever your preferred subject matter what makes this place so special for the visually creative is the extraordinary light and the range of atmospheric effects, from the diamond-like clarity of mountain air to the blanketing warmth of early morning mists, when the cool air from the mountains meets the warms air from the Gers. During your time with us you can just relax and enjoy the sunshine and go about your own creativity in a no-pressure environment. Equally you can use the resources available to fire-up your productivity. There's no need to worry about food or drink once you're here they're included as part of the price.
We can offer painting and sculpting workshops for individuals and small groups of friends throughout June and the early Autumn (from August 20th to the end of September).
 | These are week-long (arrive Sunday, depart Saturday - but you can stay for 2 weeks or more if you like), and are led by Mark Tooms, a practicising artist and a teacher with more than 15 years experience. Mark has shown work and curated exhibitions in the UK and internationally. Instruction in all the workshops is clear, positive and supportive, so you'll enjoy making artworks without pressure. The ambiance is relaxed and friendly, allowing you the freedom to explore personal inspiration at your own pace and freely discuss what you're doing in a relaxed sociable environment. Painting and sculpture courses at Bonne La Vie invariably use the beauty of our region as inspiration. |  |
| The pace of the workshops (see our sample itinerary) are such so that you also have a chance to sample the other delights of our region; food, wine and weather! | ||
During the February half-term breaks and Easter holidays, GCSE, A level and IB diploma student
The point of departure is usually subjects around us when we arrive, drawing and painting in our 'jaw-droppingly' beautiful village. This is to explore individual approaches in dealing with subjects; observation, analysis and interpretation. During your time at Bonne La Vie there are further opportunities to do this, but we will also take in subjects from further afield. Each day your field study can be developed in our generous studio area or in our shaded outdoor work space. |  |
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Sample itinerary for a painting week
Sunday
- Arrivals in France
Hire car and drive to Bonne La Vie (maps to be provided on booking). - Welcome drinks on arrival
- 1.00 Lunch
- 2.30-5.00 Afternoon painting session - introduction and requests for the week
Note: Even when 'official' class is over, you are encouraged to continue painting and chat to fellow students and Mark about your ideas! - 7.00 Aperitifs
- 8.00 Welcome barbeque
Monday
- 8.30 - 9.00 Breakfast
- 9.30-12.30 Morning painting session at the abbey
- 1.00 Lunch
- 2.30-5.00 Afternoon painting session
- 5.30 Afternoon tea
- 7.00 Aperitifs, followed by dinner
Tuesday
- 8.30 - 9.00 Breakfast
- 9.30-12.30 Visit Trie-sur-Baise market for sketching
- 1.00 Lunch
- 2.30-5.30 Afternoon painting, or Free time in the afternoon (stay and paint or relax, visit the abbey, go to Trie for a massage and a coffee, go further afield to explore).
- 5.30 Afternoon tea
- 7.00 Aperitifs, followed by dinner
Wednesday
- 8.30 - 9.00 Breakfast
- 9.30-12.30 Morning Painting session
- 1.00 Lunch at 'Le P'tit St Sever' bistro
- 2.30-5.30 Afternoon painting session
- 7.00 Aperitifs, followed by dinner
Thursday
- 8.30 - 9.00 Breakfast
- 9.30 - 5.00 (approximately) Outing to the Pyrenees
- 1.00 Picnic lunch
- 5.30 Afternoon tea at Bonne La Vie
- 7.00pm. Aperitifs, followed by dinner
Friday
- 8.30 - 9.00 Breakfast
- 9.30-12.30 Outing to local beauty spot
- 1.00 Lunch
- 2.30 - 5.30 Afternoon wrap-up session
- 7.00 Drinks and farewell dinner
Saturday
- Breakfast from early, as required
- Check-out and departures
- Optional lunch at family-run bistro
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Sculpture workshops
Our sculpting workshops seek to exploit the wealth of natural materials available in the area.
 | Our main focus is working with wood, there may also be opportunities to carve sandstone, use some basic metalworking and work with more ephemeral natural media recorded photographically, and left as surprise 'cadeaux' for others to come across. |
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