Residential Art Courses 2025
This year we are hosting three art courses from our riverside home in the Dordogne.
Watercolours: 5th - 12th June with Christine Forbes
Felting: 11th - 18th September with Sarah Waters (FULLY BOOKED)
Abstracting from the Landscape Mixed Media: 18th - 25th September with Boo Mallinson
Watercolours
5th - 12th June 2025
Come and join Christine Forbes to explore all things watercolour. This course is for anyone who has some watercolour experience and enjoys (or would like to try) painting outside. Christine will guide you on everything from simple observational drawing through to exciting wet watercolour, and will encourage your creativity allowing you to blossom while you gain confidence.
The Tutor:
Christine Forbes
With a background in design, Christine has a natural flair for drawing which she progressed through a BA in fine art some 20 years ago, graduating with the painting prize for her final year. Now much influenced by Chinese and Japanese brushwork skill, she converted her knowledge and teaching experience into a book: ‘Drawing with the Brush,’ which was published last year and has been selling well.
Drawing from nature, with a touch of East Asian philosophies have permeated all Christine’s artwork over the years and forms a natural part of her teaching. Focus is always on line and form and all the shapes that can be harnessed by the artist. Mastering watercolour technique is always an adventure. A week at Sergeac under Christine’s guidance will provide you with the perfect opportunity to explore and develop all these exciting new painting possibilities, whilst using the local views, flora, landscape, markets and chateaus for inspiration. What a wonderful environment to build skill and socialise with like-minded artists.
More information on Christine and her art can be found on her website.
Felting
11th - 18th September
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist looking to expand your creative repertoire, this felting and sketching course offers an inspiring environment to explore the potential of texture and form in your artwork, unleash your creativity and develop your technical skills.
The Tutor:
Sarah Waters
The course will be led by esteemed British artist and feltmaker Sarah Waters. Sarah has nearly three decades of teaching experience, sharing her knowledge and passion with others. As your tutor, Sarah will undoubtedly inspire and guide you through the wonderful world of felting and sketching, imparting valuable skills and fostering your creativity. Get ready for a delightful and enriching artistic journey under Sarah Waters' expert guidance!
Sarah’s passion for felting originates from her love of sheep. Having graduated in Agriculture she set up and ran her own company, producing yarn and knitting kits from her own flock of several hundred Rare Breeds of sheep. After having to disperse the flock when her father sold his smallholding, felting was a natural progression.
Living in the New Forest her work reflects her desire to connect with nature and the importance of sustainability. The work she produces is not only functional but has colour, texture and tactile qualities. Using both traditional and innovative techniques she aims to show the diversity and qualities felting can be taken to, and she’s always pushing the boundaries with her work.
To find out more about Sarah and her work please visit her website:
Abstracting from the Landscape Mixed Media
18th - 25th September
In this course you will use the landscape to start exploring abstraction, quickly learning to ignore your inner critic and respond to your surroundings in an intuitive, brave and playful way. Initially using charcoal to focus on composition, contrasts & simplification, then reinterpreting these studies in black & white paint before moving into colour and mixed media. Over the week you will develop a series of small abstract paintings from your studies.
The Tutor:
Boo Mallinson
Boo attended The Byam Shaw School of Art and City & Guilds in London in the 1980s and moved to Dorset in 2002 where she discovered her love for landscape painting; a style and approach which has evolved slowly over the years. Boo is interested in translating ambiguous images from the landscape into new compositions, allowing her to respond freely and to explore abstraction through colour, shape, line, light and gestural mark-making. Her work is grounded in the exploration and response of being very present within the landscape.
She has painted professionally for many years and regularly exhibits her work with The Lime Tree Gallery in Bristol, Highgate Contemporary in London and Nadia Waterfield Fine Art in Hampshire.
Boo’s approach to teaching is less about rules and technique and more about helping people to rediscover a sense of play and spontaneity. Using the landscape as a point of inspiration and departure, you will learn how to free up your practice, ignore the inner critic, let go and enjoy the process!
To find out more about Boo and her work please visit her website:
Course Schedule
Breakfast - 8:00am - 9:00am
Studio - 9:30am - 11:00am
Coffee - 11:00am - 11:30am
Studio - 11:30am - 1:00pm
Lunch - 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Studio - 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Leisure time - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Aperos - 7:00pm - 7:30pm
Dinner - 7:30pm
Accomodation
During the course you will be staying at Gites L’Enclos in the medieval hamlet of Sergeac. The ensuite bedrooms are spread between the old farmhouse and converted stone barn and come equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay. There is plenty of space for you to relax in your free time, with the secluded parkland gardens on the banks of the Vézère river boasting two swimming pools and a covered outdoor terrace.
Price Per Person
Art Course and a private ensuite room
£1,700
Art Course and a shared twin ensuite room
£1,550
What’s Included
-
Accommodation, Food & Drink
7 nights ensuite accommodation (See Note 1)
Full board - breakfast, lunch & dinner
Tea, coffee and cake
Aperos - beer, wine & soft drinks
Wine - included with dinner
-
Activities & Excursions (may include the following)
Wood fired pizza oven night
Outdoor cinema evening
Dinner at local restaurant
Picnic Lunch
Visit to a local market
Visit to Montignac
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Items Not Included
Food & drink bought on excursions or visits
Transport (see notes 2 & 3)
Travel insurance
Materials and art equipment (list provided)
NOTES
1. If you wish to stay on for a few days after the course to explore this beautiful part of France, then you would be very welcome. If you would like more details please contact us.
2. Suggested flights from Bournemouth
Water Colours: From Bournemouth - Ryanair FR7098 5th June departing at 11:50 arriving in Bergerac at 14:20. Return from Bergerac Ryanair FR7099 12th June departing at 14:45 arriving back at Bournemouth at 15:05.
Felting: From Bournemouth - Ryanair FR7098 11th September departing at 11:50 arriving in Bergerac at 14:20. Return from Bergerac Ryanair FR7099 18th September departing at 14:45 arriving back at Bournemouth at 15:05.
Mixed Media: From Bournemouth - Ryanair FR7098 18th September departing at 11:50 arriving in Bergerac at 14:20. Return from Bergerac Ryanair FR7099 25th September departing at 14:45 arriving back at Bournemouth at 15:05.
Transfers to and from Bergerac airport to L’Enclos are included in the price of the course if you travel on the suggested flights. A vehicle will be waiting to collect you on arrival at Bergerac airport.
3. Car rental or taxis are available from all airports (Bergerac, Brive-la-Gaillard, Bordeaux, Limoges Toulouse) at your own cost. We can provide directions and advice to anyone wishing to travel by car.
The Local Area
Nestled in the heart of southwestern France, the picturesque Vézère valley is an archaeological treasure trove, boasting an extraordinary concentration of prehistoric sites that have earned it the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage site. For thousands of years, this region has witnessed the ebb and flow of human civilization, making it one of the most important archaeological regions in the world. Its natural beauty is equally captivating, offering a wealth of outdoor activities for nature lovers. Explore the verdant hills and meandering rivers on foot or by bike, marvel at the breathtaking views from ancient hilltop castles, or embark on a leisurely canoe trip along the tranquil waters of the Vézère River. Whether you're an avid hiker, a history buff, or simply seeking a serene escape, the Vézère Valley promises to enchant you at every turn.
For more information on the local area and things to do and see please refer to our Information page.
