This 4 – day workshop is for botanical artists who wish to deepen their understanding of botanical illustration with a focus on spring bulbs. The workshop will combine wet and dry watercolour painting techniques, color theory, and detailed observation to capture the delicate beauty and intricate structures of spring flowers. Participants will enhance their skills in realistic rendering and learn new methods for working with botanical subjects.
Mary Dillon returns to Barcelona to offer this exciting workshop.
Whether you are a beginner or experienced, this will be
the perfect opportunity to enhance your skills and increase
your competence using Mary’s simple and effective
approach to drawing and painting spring flowers.
Course Content:
‘Getting to know your plant…’
Examining the structure of the plant more closely.
Light and shade to create form in your drawing.
‘Grow in confidence with painting techniques…’
Tips and tricks to simplify colour mixing and matching.
Learn, practice and apply controlled washes and layers.
Master watercolour techniques for painting flowers and leaves.
‘Finish with a Wow!’
Use dry brush watercolour to create detail, texture and depth.
Join me at Atelier Clos Mirabel in 2026 for a week long botanical art workshop in the French Pyrenees ~ South West France. Enjoy wonderful surroundings, delightful accommodation and delicious meals.
About this course:
Escape to the breathtaking Pyrenees for a week of creativity and inspiration! Join me 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. 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.
Dates: from 18 July 2026 to 25 July 2026
25 hours of tuition per week
Medium: Watercolour
Level: Beginner / Experienced
Language: English
Full Board Accommodation: 1595€ to 2895€ per week based on room choice & single or shared occupancy + tuition fee
Non-painting guests: we are more than happy to welcome non-painting guests, accompanying partners, family or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around Clos Mirabel, that will make your holiday unforgettable
Botanical Painting Holiday – Programme Outline:
Saturday 4.00 – Check-in time from 4pm onwards. Guests arrive, settle in and explore Clos Mirabel 6.00 – An introduction to the course by Mary Dillion over welcome drinks 7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Sunday 8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce 10.00 – 1.00 Getting to know your subject…. Choosing, Lighting, Observing, Drawing, Composing 1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel 2.00 – 4.00 Return to Studio to continue work with individual tuition 6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Monday 8.30 – 9.15 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce 9.30 – Depart Clos Mirabel 10.00 – 12.30 Morning visit to the higher slopes of the Pyrenees to observe alpine plants in their natural habitat, followed by field sketching 1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at local Auberge 3.00 – 4.30 Studio: Colour mixing and matching, practicing wet watercolour painting techniques and laying the first washes. 6.00 – An evening talk on prominent local landscape artists by Xavier over aperitif 7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace Please note this programme may be subject to change depending on the weather. Please ensure you bring sensible walking shoes, layers, waterproof jacket, water bottle, sunscreen and a hat.
Tuesday 8.30 – 9.30 Breakfast 10.00 – 1.00 Studio: Mixing greens, painting petals, painting leaves, painting shadows 1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel 2.00 – 4.00 Studio: Layering washes for impact 6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Wednesday – Free day (Lunch is not provided) 8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce Free day to explore the locality. We suggest wine tasting in local vineyard, explore Pau or beyond. 6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Thursday 8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast 10.00 – 1.00 Studio: Learn and practice dry brush techniques. Building form and create texture in your painting. 1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel 2.00 – 4.00 Studio 6.00 – Aperitifs before 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Friday 8.30 – 9.30 Buffet breakfast of local and regional produce 10.00 – 1.00 Studio: The Wow Factor! Finishing with finer details using dry brush techniques. Troubleshooting your painting. Bringing it all together. 1.00 – 2.00 Lunch at Clos Mirabel 2.00 – 4.00 Studio 6.00 – Evening exhibition in the art studio of Atelier Clos Mirabel with aperitif 7.00 – 4 course dinner in the Manor House or on the terrace
Saturday 8.30 – 9.30 Buffet Breakfast and departure (Check-out time 11am)
Easy and slow…..! Learning the art of botanical painting with MaryDillon
I am happy to give you details of some upcoming workshops I will be giving. I look forward to sharing with you my love for plants, painting and botanical art.
Spain – February 21 – 24, 2019
October 31 – November 3, 2019
Austria – May 17, 2019
Ireland – November 19 – 23, 2018
Spain
Barcelona
Course 1: February 21 -24, 2019
Course 2: October 31 – November 3, 2019
ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS:
Barcelona
February 21- 24, 2019
October 31 – November 3, 2019
Studio: Art Valles, Carrer Pallars, Barcelona. Time: 9 am to 3.30 pm each day
Cost: €280
Taking our inspiration from the changing seasons we will practise observational drawing to focus on light, form and composition before moving on to learning the basics of wet and dry watercolour techniques. By exploring a vibrant but simple colour palette we will use transparent layers of colour to bring vitality to our painting.
A small group will allow for demonstrations and individual tuition. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.
Enquiries to Laura Alonso: lauraalonso27 @gmail.com
To facilitate broader group collaboration, the Vienna School of Botanical Illustration are organising GET TOGETHER 2019 where artists can meet, exchange ideas and work together in practical workshops. Specialist visits to museums and archive collections along with a field trip to the Donau – Auden National Park will also be included. Portfolio showcases will be given by botanical illustrators and the workshop instructors. These will last one to two hours in the mornings and will be followed by a discussion.
All components of the programme are independent so that attendees can decide on their own level of involvement.
MARY DILLON - Botanical 