ATELIER NATURA
A series of courses held in a stunningly beautiful valley in the heart of Suisse Normande which focus on the wildlife and surrounding landscape for ideas and inspiration. Using an old pressoir for studio and workshop space, and under the tutelage of Anne Shingleton, the courses are designed for everyone from beginners and serious amateurs to professional artists. Taking the natural world as the starting point they explore new ways of expressing its creative possibilities.

A landscape watercolourist might want to work with charcoal and mixed media.  An oil painter might find a monoprint of woodcut achieves a more profound result.  A painter of flowers might want to explore ways of capturing dragonflies in flight.  The possibilities are endless with the prospect of sharing new ways of working, discussing ideas together, and discovering fresh ways of looking at nature creating an enthusiastic energy to the course.
 
Stepping away from the notion of a ‘painting holiday’ or a masterclass led by a superior who performs in front admiring rows of attentive artists, the emphasis of Atelier Natura is on informality with tutoring shaped by the inquiring demands of individuals or the desires and enthusiasm of small groups.  At the start of the course we will discuss together the hoped for outcomes for each individual, and look at possibilities and various potential areas to focus on.  Then each day, either as individuals or in small groups we begin work – some in the surrounding meadows and orchards, others in the studio, and perhaps others working with the tutor; some out in the local village, others in the nearby gorge.  Day by day that pattern will change, but each afternoon at the same time we will gather to look through the days’ results we have created and make plans for the following day.  The ever constant and changing display of work pinned around the studio and the open discussion that it stimulates, are crucial elements to the success of Atelier Natura.
 
Essentially, the aim of the course is to create an exciting buzz about art and nature among enthusiasts sharing the same experiences.   It is hoped that each participant will leave with refreshed enthusiasm for their own particular way of working.  More importantly, it is hoped that they will have learned a new technique or tried a completely new medium and will leave with more confidence, eager to continue the exploration of the art of nature on their own. Identifying students areas of interest, discussing ideas on gathering information, field painting, sketching.  Looking at the local environment, i.e. studio, lake, meadows, orchards, garden and surrounding landscape.

Anne Shingleton Course A........Saturday 21st July - Saturday 28th July 2007

Anne Shingleton Course B........Saturday 28th July - Saturday 4th August 2007

THE SCHEDULE
The emphasis is on informality and flexibility, therefore the schedule for each day and activities is variable, but will be include the following:
Saturday........Arrive, sort out accommodation, shopping etc.
Sunday..........Introduction to the course and the Atelier, identification of students areas of interest discussing
......................ideas on gathering information, field painting, sketching.
....,,,,,,,,,,........Light lunch.
......................Getting to know the local environment
......................Evening barbecue at Le Coisel
Monday.........Course with lunch
Tuesday.........Course with lunch
Wednesday....Course with lunch
Tursday.........Course with lunch
Friday............Course with lunch
......................‘pin-up’ session and general discussion
......................Soiree / Exhibition in the evening with lots of local produce and drinks
Saturday........Farewells

The highlight of the day is lunch!
Each day (Monday - Friday) we provide a gourmet alfresco lunch with cider and wine, this also enables everyone to get together and exchange ideas (students only)

We also provide a welcoming barbecue at Le Coisel and organise an exhibition and soiree on Friday evening with local foods and drinks. Non - painting friends are welcome to the above free of charge

Each course is self contained and costs £295.00

ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL & OTHER ACTIVITIES
You can find details of accommodation, travel and other activities under details.
We shall be pleased to assist with booking gites etc. see gites

TO RESERVE A PLACE
Telephone::.....+ 44 (0)1 949 850 220... or....+33 (0)2 33 66 36 40
By post:...........Le Coisel, Athis de L’Orne 61430 France
Deposit:...........£50.00 for each place would be appreciated
Payment:........ Cheque (£ Sterling) payable to The Jane Neville Gallery or by Credit Card

Notes from the Tutors about their courses

ANNE SHINGLETON

General aims
..........Improvement of visual awareness
..........Drawing and painting in pastels and oils - landscapes, animals and still life

Subjects covered
...........Perspective, composition and construction
...........Materials, canvas preparation, papers, oil colours pastels, brushes, boards for bozzetti etc.
...........Structure and planning a picture
...........Study of tone
...........Study of colour and setting out of palette
...........Understanding light

Structure of the day
...........Demo / talk in the morning
...........After lunch students work by themselves with personal tuition
...........Group critique?

In addition
...........Demonstrations in the use of oils, pastels and working in the field
...........Individual attention to each student, no matter how much art experience they have had
...........Will suggest what materials to bring (what you're used to using) what will be supplied