Transylvania
Exploring the Beauty of Transylvanian Flora
botanical 5 - day masterclass 31 May - 6 June, 2021
The Flora of wild flower Transylvanian meadows is very beautiful and diverse. The village of Copsa Mare lies in the middle of tens of thousands of hectares of oak and beech forest, interspersed with traditional farm grasslands exceptionally rich in flora & fauna.
In this master class we will be lucky enough to explore the beautiful landscape of Copsa Mare and learn, how to observe, depict and capture the beauty of local meadow plants. With help of local botanist we will learn about different species and will find a plant to work with in the studio. You will learn different technics of capturing plants and many tips on how to set up a sketchbook and create beautiful botanical illustration. It will be a relaxing time in beautiful romantic settlement where we will work, walk and have nice creative time together.
ACCOMODATION
We all will stay with our hosts, Rachel and James Candole, who live in the former Saxon village of Copsa Mare. The house is the former town hall which The de Candole restored as their family house.
THE POD ART STUDIO
Pod is a spacious botanical art studio filled with North light. It sits in the grounds of a private house of The de Candole family in Copşa Mare in southern Transylvania. Each student will have their own desk. Limited to 4 students.
DATES
31 May - Arrival, Flying to Sibiu Airport (SBZ) and transfer to Copsa Mare
1st - 5 June - Classes - Intensive painting combined with relaxing
6 June - Departure
The Transylvania Florilegium
Rachel & James de Candole are a founding subscriber to the Transylvania Florilegium, with over 100 illustrations of local plants drawn by 35 artists. The Prince of Wales is a passionate supporter of the conservation of this precious environment, and the paintings of the florilegium were created by artists studying the flora at his properties each presented with John Akeroyd's text giving scientific details. The books will be available for study during our stay.
Price - 1 600 euro - includes
- Airport transfers
- All fresh food and wine
- Tuition 5 days
- Botanical guide
- Accomodation in your own room (6 nights)
Not included
- International flights
- Art materials
- Travel/Medical Insurance
Booking and further details: james.decandole@outlook.com
As the botanist John Akeroyd, author of the Transylvania Florilegium, writes: "The Transylvanian grasslands demonstrate how once-widespread land-use and farming systems associated with rich biodiversity, including fodder crops and other species required for plant breeding, may yet be a model for the agricultural and conservation policies needed to restore farmland habitat diversity across Europe."
80km to the south are the Făgăraș Mountains, the highest mountains of the Southern Carpathians.
The hills and valleys around the village are home to some forty brown bears.