Classes
During this five-day workshop you will explore the key aspects of botanical illustration, from visiting an alpine botanical garden with a guide to understand the local flora, to collecting your own specimen and learning how to draw it. You will be guided through every essential step of the process, from measuring the plant to applying watercolour techniques.
You will also have the opportunity to join a guided walk in the beautiful Swiss mountains to learn about local edible plants. After collecting some of these plants, the chef will cook them for you and you will enjoy a delicious lunch in a centuries-old barn.
We will explore the alpine flora by visiting a 132-year-old alpine botanical garden nestled at 1,264 metres altitude, home to over 3,000 alpine plant species. The garden's passionate caretaker — a local botanist — will guide us throughout the visit and help us select our specimens from the nursery.
Each morning, Işık will demonstrate different techniques and approaches for achieving life-like paintings. You may choose your own specimen to practise with and complete under Işık's guidance. The classes will help you to combine scientific accuracy with an aesthetic vision to create beautiful botanical paintings.
Classes take place in a beautiful, light-filled studio with a breathtaking mountain view. Each student has their own desk.
In addition to the art classes, you may choose to join gentle yoga sessions to balance the long hours of desk work. The yoga classes are adapted to all levels and tailored to individual needs.
Programme
11 June 2023 — Arrival and welcome dinner
12 June — Morning visit to the Alpine Botanical Garden of La Thomasia in Bex and specimen collection / Afternoon studio work begins
13 June — Botanical illustration classes in the studio
14 June — Botanical illustration classes in the studio
15 June — Morning forest walk and wild edible plant foraging; lunch in the centuries-old barn / Afternoon studio work
16 June — Botanical illustration classes in the studio
17 June 2023 — Departure after breakfast
Price: €2,970
Level: All levels
Participants: Limited to 10
Language: English
To apply and for enquiries: Christina Spire — info@sukharetreats.com
Accommodation
The week will be spent in an eco-responsible village in the beautiful Valais Valley at 1,200 metres altitude. You will stay in small wooden chalets built from local larch wood, where you will feel at home immediately. Each chalet has three bedrooms and two bathrooms arranged across generous, light-filled spaces, with a private terrace offering a breathtaking view of the Rhône Valley and Lake Geneva on the horizon.
All meals are prepared daily by Chef Jérémie and his team, who offer a unique concept of "wild cuisine" — made from local produce and foraged ingredients.
What is included
6 nights' accommodation in your own room
All meals (3 per day) and soft drinks
Visit to the alpine botanical garden with a local botanist
Guided walk and wild edible plant foraging
Special lunch in a centuries-old barn
Masterclass tuition and botanical guide
Yoga classes for those who wish to participate
What is not included
International flights
Airport transfers
Travel and medical insurance
Personal expenses
Art materials (see list below)
Getting There
The venue is located in the canton of Valais, in the village of Les Cerniers, at the foot of the Dents-du-Midi mountain range — the very beginning of the Swiss Alps. Swiss Cabins is a 45-minute drive from Montreux and approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Geneva Airport. It faces the renowned ski resort of Villars and stands above the town of Monthey.
By train: The nearest international airport is Geneva (GVA), with a train station located directly inside the terminal. The closest station to Swiss Cabins is Monthey, reached by taking the inter-regional train to Aigle and then a regional train from Aigle to Monthey. Timetables and prices: www.cff.ch
From Monthey station, Bus No. 63 runs all the way up to Les Cerniers. Alight at the final stop, "Les Cerniers Restaurant". Allow approximately 45 minutes for the uphill bus journey.
By car: Motorway A9, Exit 19 — Bex/Lavey. Follow signs towards Monthey. At the roundabout at the entrance to Monthey, follow signs for Choëx, then Les Giettes and Les Cerniers. The chalet will be on your right upon arrival. Parking is directly in front of the chalet.
Taxi options (per trip, not per person):
Geneva Airport — CHF 450
Aigle train station — CHF 115
Monthey train station — CHF 60
Recommended Materials
Drawing pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B)
Propelling pencil (with 0.35 point 2H, HB lead)
Divider
Eraser and Putty rubber
Sharpener
Ruler (if possible)
Tracing paper
Sketching paper (smooth cartridge paper or pad, 120–160 gsm, A4 or A3)
Watercolour sable brushes (sizes 4, 3 and 2; a selection of finer brushes for detail work, Winsor & Newton Series 7 recommended, though any preferred brand is suitable)
Palette
Watercolour pigments (Winsor & Newton Artist's Value recommended, though any preferred brand is suitable. Suggested colours: Indigo, Payne’s Gray, French Ultramarine, Winsor Blue (green shade), Perylene Maroon, Winsor Red, Winsor purple, Permanent Rose, Cadmium Lemon, Green Gold, Sepia)
Watercolour papers (minimum 300 gsm, hot pressed, 100% cotton recommended, A3 or A4, *Cold press papers are not suitable for this course)
Drawing board (if possible)
