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 adapetd 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 immediatly feel at home. Each chalet has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms distributed in generous volumes and flooded with light. A private terrasse 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.
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)
 
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
 
DATES
11th June 2023 - Arrival and welcome dinner
12th of June – Morning visit of Alpine Botanical garden of La Thomasia in Bex and getting our samples / afternoon start of the studio work
13th of June – Full day of studio work (10am to 4 pm) – continue drawing / strating painting
14th of June – Full day of studio work (10am to 4 pm) – continue painting /fine details 
15th of June - Morning, Forest walk, wild harvesting of edible plants, lunch in the barn / Afternoon studio work
16th of June – Full day studio work (10 am to 4 pm) - fine details, demonstrations of other techniques
17th of June – departure after breakfast
Limited to 10 participants
Price – 3000 CHF (approx. 2963 Euros)
 
The price includes:

• 6 nights of accommodation in your own room

• 3 meals a day incl. 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
• daily art classes
• daily yoga classes for those who want
 
Not included:

• International flights
• Transfer from and to the airport

• Travel/Medical Insurance

• Personal expenses
• Art materials (see below)