The course starts with an introductory talk; looking at slides of paintings and drawings. We will discuss the different subject matters artists have chosen; as well as the way these subjects have been painted. The talk will help to place plein-air painting within its historical context.
For morning subject matter we will travel to nearby St Puy (This is a new feature for our courses, the travel cost is included in the price). St Puy offers wonderful views across the patchwork Gersois landscape as well as having many beautiful lanes flanked by charming stone houses, a chateau (still producing wine, Floc and Armagnac) and the village square with its iron covered market.
During the afternoons we will work back at La Residence in Valence-Sur-Baïse. You may choose to work from the mornings drawings, or set up a still life in the studio. Outside the studio the courtyard, where the private swimming pool is, offers many interesting painting subjects. There is also the town of Valence-Sur-Baïse that I am sure you will want to explore; the tree lined river Baïse, the river barges at the port, the ramparts and cliffs with their hanging cacti, the old arched gateway Port de l’Hérisson and the views into the landscape are all potential paintings.
All in all there is a wealth of subject matter at both Valence-Sur-Baïse and St. Puy. I will be there to help you draw and paint your chosen motif. After two optional introductory sessions – a drawing workshop and a colour mixing workshop I will help you on an individual basis. I cycle round and find you in front of your chosen subject. It is there that I can be most of help. Perhaps it is perspective, composition, light, ellipses, arched doors, colour mixing or some other difficulty that I will assist with.
Rue du Chateau (2006)
Ben Brotherton
Oil on linen mounted on board
The aim of the course is to help you gain in confidence to paint and draw in front of your subject matter. What ever you level of experience, confidence and skill I can help. On previous courses I have had students from total beginners upwards. At La Residence we like to keep the number of students on our courses small so you can receive maximum amount of tuition possible within the group setting.
You could expect to finish your week at La Residence with many drawings and two to three paintings completed.
There will be an evening talk on art work related to the course.
At the end of the course there will be a mini show of the students work.
Easels, field chairs, drawing boards, masking tape, turpentine will be available for use. Other materials will need to be brought by the students. Paper, rubbers, pencils, primed linen and some oil paints will be available to buy.
I hope you are interested in joining us.
Ben Brotherton
About Ben
Ben Brotherton BA, MA was Artist in Residence and part-time art teacher at The King’s School Canterbury between 2002 and 2007. Whilst at the school he ran classes for students and evening classes for adults. From 2007to 2009 Ben taught two week residential courses every September at The Centro d'Arte Verrocchio in Tuscany, Italy.
Since moving to France in 2007 Ben has been teaching painting and drawing in Bassoues, in 2008 he started part-time teaching at The Atelier des Berges du Gers in Auch where he continues to teach.
Ben has exhibited in London with The Royal Society of Oil Painters and Royal Society of British Artists, was short listed for the Winsor and Newton Young Artist in 2006 and shows work regularly with Grandy Art. Work can be seen at: