Sunday August 4th will be our first morning in the studio and

you will slowly begin to explore the use of dyes and resists, water

and salt. Over the next six days (5th to the 10th) the course will

follow a regular daily pattern. Each day we will meet in the

studio at around 9.30 am and spend the morning painting with a

short break for Organic coffee and biscuits mid-morning.

At 13.30 we will break for a light lunch of cheeses and cold meats with salads and fresh breads

On the morning of Saturday 10th August, we will go as a group in

shared cars to the local market in Revel. This is a wonderful

weekly market and has all you would hope to find in a southern

French marketplace.

Following our market visit we will have a light lunch and spend

the afternoon in the studio and I will ask you to

complete any work you may have by 18.00 so I can steam it by

the evening ready for you to take home the next day.

Each evening we will eat together in the village or at local

restaurants a short drive from the village. When booking please

let me know of any special dietary requirements you may have. 

During the course you will be using Habotai 8 silk.

Habotai is a soft medium weight sheer silk originally from Japan

but now made in China. It was traditionally used for Kimonos.

and now often used for Lingerie, scarves and blouses. Habotai 8

refers to the weight of the silk and while weight ranges from

5mm to 16 mm I prefer 8mm as it is easy to work with.
We shall

begin by working with small silk squares to practice technique

and the use of brushes/water/resist, once you are more

confident, we can move onto larger pieces including scarves.

After the initial small squares, you will be able to create a four or

six-foot-long scarf and two square or rectangular pictures of

medium size 50 x 50cm as part of the inclusive cost.

Outside of the above-mentioned silks there is a charge at very

reasonable cost for any extra pieces.

The accommodation is in the village in an ancient house built in

the 14th/15th century around 1300 - 1400 AD

The houses are made of timber and local stone, each one being

unique in its history, layout and ambience. You will usually share the house with others attending the course.

The bedrooms are mostly single or shared with twin beds.

A double room is available should you wish to bring a partner

along, there is a reduced price for partners not doing silk

painting.

There are reduced rates for students by arrangement.

I will need proof of current study, current course

documentation plus an International Student Identity Card or similar proof is required. There are also reduced rates for those coming on a return visit.

For anyone who may wish to stay in the village before travelling

on in Europe after the course I am able to offer overnight

lodging and a simple meal for one night at no further charge,

please let me know beforehand if this is of interest.

The nearest airports are Toulouse and Carcassonne with

Toulouse being the best for International flights.

The village of Durfort and directions can be found on the map

page on this website

Car Hire:

I would suggest sharing the cost of car hire and by doing so the

individual cost will be in the region of 175 – 250 euros per week

depending on the model of car hired.

Car hire companies include the following:

Avis - www.avis.com

Ada – www.ada.fr

Hertz – www.hertz.co.uk/France

Sixt – www.sixt.com

Europecar – www.europcar.com

The above companies are usually available at both Toulouse and

Carcassonne airports. I can connect you with other people

attending the workshop for car sharing nearer the time of the

course. I hope to have provided enough information about the

course and accommodation but there will no doubt be questions.

Please email me with any queries and I will respond with helpful,

practical answers as soon as possible.

Lastly,  if you are by any chance passing through the village at

any time during August do drop in to say hello and i can show you around.