2024 The beginning of the Swiss Alps

We are going to the highlands, to the beginning of the Swiss Alps. Let's paint some of those wild alpine plants.

To apply and for inquiries - Christina Spire <savigny10@gmail.com>

CLASSES

During this 5-days workshop, you will explore major aspects of botanical illustration, from visiting an Alpine botanical garden with a guide in order to understand the local flora, to picking up your own sample and learning how to draw it. You will be guided through each essential step of the technique, from the measuring of the plant to the watercolor techniques.

In addition to this you will have the opportunity to have a guide walk in the beautiful Swiss moutains in order to learn about the local edible plants. After having collected some of these plants, the chef will cook them for you and you will enjoy a delicious lunch in century old barn.

We will explore the alpine flora visiting a 132 years old alpine botanical garden, nestled at 1264 meters altitude , with over 3000 alpine plants. The passionated caretaker of this garden, a local botanist, will guide us during this tour and enable us to chose our specimen in the nursery.

Each morning, Işık will demonstrate the different techniques and approaches that achieve life-like paintings. You may choose your own specimen on which to practice and to complete under Işık’s guidance. The classes will help you to combine a scientific accuracy with an aesthetic vision to create beautiful botanical paintings.

Classes shall take place in a beautiful classroom filled with northern light and a breathtaking mountain view. Each student will have their own desk.

In addition to the art classes, you can chose to have soft yoga classes to balance the long sitting sessions at the desk. The yoga classes will be adapted for every level and personalised following to each one needs.

ACCOMODATION

The week will be spent in an eco-responsible village in the beautiful valley of Valais, at 1200 meters altitude. You will stay in small wooden chalets, made of local larch wood where you will immediately feel at home. Each chalet has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms distributed in generous volumes and flooded with light. A private terrace with a breathtaking view of the Rhone Valley with Lake Geneva in the horizon completes your cosy cabin.

In terms of food, you will be served every day the cuisine of Chef Jérémie and his team, offering a unique concept of « wild cuisine » made from local products and wild harvesting.

DATES

9^th June 2023 - Arrival and welcome dinner

10^th June - Morning visit of Alpine Botanical garden of La Thomasia in Bex and getting our samples / afternoon start of the studio work

11^thJune - Botanical illustration Classes in the studio

12^thJune - Botanical illustration Classes in the studio

13^thJune - Morning, Forest walk, wild harvesting of edible plants, lunch in the barn / Afternoon studio work

14^thJune - Botanical illustration Classes in the studio

15^th June 2023 - Depart after breakfast

Limited to 10 participants

Price – 3000 EUR

The price includes:

 • 6 nights of accommodation in your own room

 • All food (3 meals a day) and soft drinks

 • Visit of the alpin botanical garden with a local botanist

 • Guided walk harvest wild edible plants

 • Special lunch in a century old barn

 • Classes and botanical guide

 • Yoga classes for those who wants

Not included: 

• International flights

• Transfer from and to the airport

 • Travel/Medical Insurance

 • Personal expenses

• Art materials (see below)

Recommended Material List:

 1. Drawing Pencil (2H, HB, 2B, 4B)

 2. Divider

 3. Eraser

 4. Sharpener

 5. Tracing Paper 

6. Sketching paper (Smooth surface Cartridge paper or pad, 120-160 g/s, A3 or A4 size)

7. A range of Watercolour brushes (Number 4, 3 or 2, and some small number of brushes will be useful for fine details)

 8. Palette

 9. Watercolour pigments (Winsor&Newton Artists’ Value is recommended but any pigment you prefer to use) 

10. Watercolour Paper (Minimum 300 g/s, Hot Pressed, 50-100% Cotton watercolour paper is recommended, but don’t hesitate the one you like to use.  

11. Backboard (if possible) 

ABOUT THE PLACE AND HOW TO REACH IT

The place is located, in the canton of Valais, in the village of Les Cerniers, at the foot of the Dents-du-Midi Mountain range – the beginning of the Swiss Alps. Swiss Cabins are at a 45-minute drive from Montreux or a 1h30 drive from Geneva airport.

It faces the renowned ski resort Villars and stands above the city of Monthey.

By public transport

The nearest airport is Geneva (GVA). There is a train station directly inside the airport. The closest train station to Swiss Cabins is Monthey. The interregional train takes you to Aigle, than a regional train from Aigle to Monthey. Timetables and prices can be found on www.cff.ch.

From Monthey train station (CFF), the bus n° 63 goes all the way up to Les Cerniers. We are located at the final stop «Les Cerniers Restaurant». Count approximately 45 minutes for the bus ride up. (Bus n°63)

By car

Highway A9, exit n°19 Bex – Lavey. Drive direction Monthey. Arriving at the roundabout at entrance of Monthey, follow Choëx. Drive up up up, follow Les Giettes, Les Cerniers. The chalet Les Cerniers will be on your right when you arrive.

Parking is right in front of the chalet Les Cerniers.

Taxi pick up options

Prices per trip, not per person
Pick up from Geneva airport CHF 450
Pick up from Aigle train station CHF 115
Pick up from Monthey train station CHF 60