Scroll down for more info on the following that you may wish to know about traveling to beautiful Tuscany:
What's Included
Registration for Ten Days in Tuscany
Class Descriptions
Testimonials
Materials List
Workshops and Activity Schedule
Other Activities in Tuscany
Travel Tips
Join our professional art instructors for ten days in the Tuscany countryside, fifty minutes from Florence. Live like an Italian on our hundred-acre estate. Relax in your beautifully restored apartment. Make antipasti in your own kitchen. Play tennis, bocce ball or just read by the pool. Walk to town, take the train to Arezzo, Florence or simply stay on the farm. Draw, paint, cook, eat and drink in the views!
Celebrating our 8th year at this stunning locale, we welcome beginning and intermediate artists and their friends. The accommodations are 2 to 4 bedroom stone farmhouses which have been lovingly restored by Sr. Lorenzo Lori, a local businessman, art patron and partner with Italy’s agriturisimo.
Our Multi-media approach to a Tuscan holiday will include four features this year:
Traditional drawing skills are taught ~ line, contour, value, perspective, composition ~ based on da Vinci and Dürer. The drawing skills are then transferred to watercolor and the basics of this marvelous media. Studio and en plein air oil and acrylic classes, taught by Mike Rooney, will focus on easy techniiques that will make your paintings "better than ever!" Susanna LaMaina, an american living if Florence will engage our creativity as we explore other levels of photography. And you'll bring home a hand-painted ceramic signed by you!
Equipment, materials, technique and style are all addressed in a warm, supportive environment. Our goal is to teach adults to see and then draw and paint what they see and to have this happen in the most inspiring locations.
All-day art classes consist of morning instruction and afternoon instruction as well as studio time. Each day a project will involve the Tuscan sights; the nearby castle town, the farmer’s market, a mansion, a vineyard, a thousand-year old church or, perhaps, a monastery in the mountains. Activities are designed to support your vision and engage you in the local culture. Art, architecture, food and wine and the fantastic and friendly Casentino Valley locals make our visit truly memorable.
Register today via our website ~ class size is limited! Early Bird Registration until May 31st, 2010. Click here to register!
$2,290 Artist tuition or $1,000 Non-artist, per person, Double Occupancy /
$400 single supplement (subject to availability)
What's Included
Accommodations in shared, stone farmhouses complete with kitchen, fireplace and loggia or patio. You will be able to prepare some of your own meals and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow students
Welcome basket of food and beverages for each apartment
Welcome wine and appettiti reception followed by a Tuscan, buffet dinner
Art classes (14), mornings and afternoons, lecture, demo's, en plein air, constructive critique
"Drawing the DaVinci Way" and "Watercolor Basics" , taught by Pamela Rhodes
"Paint Better Than Ever" in oil or acrylic, taught by Mike Rooney
Creative Photography", taught by Susanna LaMaina
"Hand-painting Italian Ceramics", taught by local artisans
A comprehensive Workbook with detailed travel information, art reference, assignments and notes
Continental breakfasts (9) every workshop day and departure day
Lunch, al fresco, at an osteria near the town castle
Dinner at an authentic trattoria featuring local produce and game
All meals include a selection of local wines
Painting excursions, en plein air, at the local farmer’s market and 13th century castle grounds
Gala "Proseco Party" with appettiti and a Gallery Exhibit showcasing and celebrating our work
An "Arrivederci Dinner" at our favorite ristorante
Renaissance art and architecture, museums, vineyards, churches, artisan and antique shops, medieval castles, farmers’ markets, golf, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing are available in the local area
Optional cooking classes, tastings and trips to olive oil and wine producers, tour of a private castle; excursions to Arezzo's Antique Fair or Sienna or Cortona...you decide!
Tuscany Video
Select from video list on the right
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Register for Ten Days in Tuscany
STEP 1: Complete your online registration form here.
STEP 2: Select the appropriate tuition, from one of the three options below, to guarantee a seat in class ~ class size is limited. A single supplement of $400. will be charged, subject to availability, upon arrival. Please indicate your desire for a single room on your registration form
"Drawing the DaVinci Way"; Classes A1 through A3; Pamela Rhodes, instructor, first Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; Basic Drawing, Introduction, Equipment and Materials, Learning to See, Line, Contour, Value, Still Life, Composition, Landscapes and Portraits
"Watercolor Basics"; Classes B1 through B3; Pamela Rhodes, instructor, second week - Monday, Tuesday,and Wednesday afternoons; Watercolor Basics; Introduction, Equipment and Materials, Studio Set-up, Techniques, Color and Mixing, Landscapes as a Stage Set, Comments and Critique
"Painting the Best You've Ever Painted!" Oil or Acrylic; Classes C1 through C5; Mike Rooney, instructor,Saturday and Monday through Thursday mornings; Materials, equipment, Studio and En Pein Air set up; Values, Composition, working loose. Constructive critiques
"Creative Photgraphy ~ Making Your Digital Do What You Want it to Do"; Classes D1 through D3; Susanna LaMaina, instructor, First Wenesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons, Bring your camera's manual!!!
"Hand Painting Italian Ceramics"; Class E1; local artisans; Saturday afternoon at the factory (fattoria); painted pieces will be fired and ready to bring home as a souvenier later in the week.
"Open Studio"; the estate (Borgo) and surrounding area offer endless opportunities to apply what you're learning. Our instructors are available for creative suggestions and constructive critique. We want to return home with an album of new experiences and a portfolio of the art you've created.
Testimonials
I learned to see tonal values. I loved being immersed in the beauty of Tuscany. I enjoyed the people in the group and the Italians. The introduction to the workshop was thorough. I loved the bocce ball. --Pat O., Sacramento
I learned about color and how to let the paint do its own thing. In the cooking portion, I learned about simplicity in preparation, using fresh ingredients. I enjoyed meeting new friends and the grappa parties at our apartment. --Suzanne C., MillValley
I got tons out of the workshops. I learned a different approach to the way I begin a painting, step by step. I learned to love Tuscan food. The site could not have been more beautiful or comfortable, The food was outstanding. The location was beautifully scenic. The program was terrific. The drawing class was informative, fun and challenging. It was nice to have the weekends free. --Carol G., New York
Recommended Equipment and Materials
for Ten Days in Tuscany ~ 2010
We encourage students to put their “art tools kit” together as soon as possible. If you already have any of the listed items, great! If you’re not sure if your supplies or equipment will meet your needs, look at the items on-line at any of the recommended vendors in their “teachers’ carts”. Our teachers' cart at Jerry's Artarama is listed at the bottom of this page.
If you have any question at all, just drop us a note or give us a call.
DRAWING SUPPLIES
DRAWING BOARD; 15” x 18” minimum, lightweight, plastic or masonite plus binder clips or large rubber bands to hold paper in place
PENCILS, drawing , 2H, HB, 2B, 4B
PENCIL SHARPENER; handheld (one that catches the shavings is handy)
SKETCHING PAPER; 12 to 20 sheets of minimum 12” x 15”
DRAWING PAPER; good quality (90 # or heavier), 12 to 20 sheets of minimum 12” x 15”
ERASERS (2), plastic or gum eraser and kneaded eraser
WATERCOLORSUPPLIES
PAPER; ---Practice sheets; 12” x 15” minimum, cold press, 90 # (pound weight, 12 to 20 sheets (for practicing technique, experimenting and quick studies)
---Quality paper; 12” x 15” minimum, cold press, 140# (pound weight), 12 to 20 sheets (for finished paintings and studies)
PAINTS; We find pan paints, set into a holder with a palette attached, are more convenient for travel and when you’re not in the studio. Tube paint will work, of course, but pan paints will work better. Have at least the following colors in an artists (not student) grade.
Alizarin Crimson
Cadmium Red
Cerulean Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Lemon
Cadmium Yellow
Payne’s Grey
Raw Sienna
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Umber
Optional:
Quinicridone Red
Pthalo Blue
Veridean Green
Pthalo Green
White (for highlights)
PALETTE; for mixing watercolors, lightweight, a cover is handy (some watercolor sets have small palettes included. An extra, larger one is handy for large washes.)
BRUSHES; good quality natural hair or synthetic or a blend; 3 to 4 “rounds” ranging from a small detail brush (sized 2 or 3) to larger ones (sized 8 to 12) plus a ¼” and 1” “flat for washes and working large. If possible, try out the brushes with water at your local art supply store. (If the store doesn’t accommodate this, shop elsewhere) or buy from our teachers’ cart (link at bottom of list). Brushes should be “springy”, holding their shape when wet and bouncing back.
WATER CONTAINERS; 2 plastic cups will suffice in most situations while many artists will prefer more sophisticated and durable collapsible containers made for field work.
MASKING TAPE; small, ½ ” roll
ARTroads will supply on-site: VIEWFINDERS; large and small (to assist in composition) ACETATE GRIDS; to assist in enlarging your artwork TRACING PAPERS; to transfer drawings onto watercolor papers MEASURING STICKS; to assist in proportion studies VALUE SCALES; acetate COLOR BLOCKING VIEWERS; to assist in determining values MASKING FLUIDS and other media
TEXTURE CREATORS
- Welcome Reception; appettiti, wine, welcome packages and art materials kit, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Arrival Dinner; buffet dinner with regional wines at 7:15 p.m., immediately following the reception
- Continental Breakfasts, every class-day morning and your departure day, from 7:45 to 8:15 a.m.
- Art Classes; A1 ~ A3; "Drawing the daVinci Way”, taught by Pamela Rhodes – Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Creative Photography Classes D1 ~ D3; ""Making Your Digital Camera Do What You Want it to Do" and Teaching Your Camera to Speak in Italian" taught by Susanna LaMaina - Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 2 to 5 p.m.
- Art Classes;C1 ~ C5; "Loosely Impressionist Painting" and "Capturing the Light", painting in oils or acrylics; taught by Mike Rooney - Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Art Classes; B1 ~ B3; "Watercolor Basics; Lemons and Landscapes", taught by Pamela Rhodes, Tuesday through Thursday, 2 to 5 p.m.
- Ceramics Class; CM1; "Hand Painting Italian Ceramics", taught by local artisans; Monday, off-site, 2 to 5 p.m.
- Dinner; 1st Thursday, at a nearby Trattoria featuring local produce and game, 8 p.m.
- Lunch, 1st Friday, at our favorite Osteria, perhaps al fresco, next to the Castello, 12:30 p.m.
- Optional Tours, Sunday, Arezzo Antique fair by train, Sienna or Cortona by bus, other outings by arrangement
- Proseco Reception and Gallery Exhibit of Student Art; 2nd Friday evening
- Gala Arrivaderci Dinner; 2nd Friday evening at our favorite ristorante featuring authentic tuscan fare and local wines
Other Activities In Tuscany
ACTIVITES ON SITE OR NEARBY*
BICYCLING
WINERIES
HIKING
GOLF
TENNIS
SWIMMING (in season)
BOCCE BALL
MUSEUMS
SHOPPING; everything from artisan crafts to high fashion and antiques
HORSEBACK
RIDING
COOKING CLASSES
AGRITURISIMO; visit local farms, sample and purchase traditional products such as olive oils, cheeses, maize, chestnuts, wild boar, tomatoes and proscuitto
SIGHTSEEING
ARCHEOLOGY
ART
FARMERS' MARKETS
CONVENTS
BIBLIOTECA
DELLA ROBBIA TERRACOTTAS
NATIONAL PARKS
THEATERS
ROMAN BATHS & SPA
SANCUARIES, MONASTERIES,
HERMITAGES, CHURCHES
ANTIQUE FAIRS
NEARBY TOWNS OF SIENNA, CORTONA, MONTEPULCIANO, FLORENCE, AREZZO
CASTLES; two dozen castles within a 30-mile radius
*Some additional costs may be incurred for off-site activities
Travel Tips for Tuscany
Pack Light! Pack Light! Pack Light! Can we overemphasize this? No! Be able to carry your own bags through a train station, up a flight or two of stairs or onto an overhead rack. There are many places in Italy and the world where porters, elevators and assistance will not be available. Plan on "layered" dressing; light-weight layers. The autumn weather can be cool, is usually warm during the day and chilly in the evenings. Rain (piove) is possible.
Print our TRAVEL LIST to give to a friend before you leave!
Laundry and dry cleaning service is available most places in Italy but is "molto care" (very expensive). There is a small laundry facility on the estate (self-service) but, really, you don't want to miss a moment, so pack "wash and wear" and plan on a quick rinse in your sink and drip dry in the shower. Start your packing list now so you'll bring what you want. Know that almost everything that you could need or want is nearby and reasonable, so relax.
Security regulations are ever-changing. Keep anything marginal (tweezers, Swiss army knife, corkscrew, whatever essential, but "dangerous" item you require for a happy trip) in your checked luggage. Know that you will only be able to lock your checked luggage with the new "approved" locks, so leave anything precious at home (always a good idea) and carry valuables; cameras, equipment, etc. on-board with you. Identify all your luggage with bag tags and put additional info inside, including your initial destination information, in case the tags gets pulled off and your bags go astray. The contact information is on the driving instructions. Tie a great big ribbon onto that all too common luggage. If someone accidentally takes your bag they could be in Amsterdam before they realize the mistake (a true travel story). Go ahead and put one of those big belts around your bag. If you think that looks dorky, imagine what your dirty clothes and souvenirs might look like spread over the luggage carousel! Bright ribbons, striped belts or the legs of a rubber chicken sticking out will definitely differentiate your bag so no one will accidentally take it.
Set up a "travel" e-mail address with yahoo or hotmail to handle your essential "travel" e-mail. Send an e-mail message, with your itinerary and other essential information, to yourself with details, confirmation and telephone numbers in case your info gets lost. Decide whether you'll be "in touch" with your home base or not while you're not up at the villa. There is a telephone and email but the office is open intermittently so you might not get a message for a day or two. There are internet cafes within five miles if you must stay connected.
FINANCES
We have found that the most economical and convenient way to handle the required euro is to pump your checking account with enough cash prior to leaving home and use an ATM card to get the euro's once you're in Italy. Most shops accept credit cards - check to make sure your card doesn't impose a hefty "overseas transaction" fee of 1 to 2%! Wear a money belt (not a "fanny pack") and keep a minimum amount of money and your passport in there. Keep a copy of your passport and itinerary someplace other than your money belt.
FOOD
Most breakfast and several other meals are provided. Most students combine a grocer/farmer's market run and cooking meals in their own kitchens with short ventures out to the local eateries. Putting together insalata, a pasta dish and some dolce and eating al fresco on your loggia allows you to "live like an Italian". Many local shops have fantastic "porta via" to go selections. Food and wine prices are quite reasonable as you're away from the tourists.
TRANSPORTATION
We recommend students fly into Florence (Firenz) Vespucci Airport (FLR). You can arrive within a ten minute taxi ride to the estate via train or bus (leaving from downtown Florence). While not essential, many students hire or share a rental car and drive from the airport making it easy and affordable to explore the countryside.
TEN TIPS FROM A SEASONED FLIGHT ATTENDANT
1. Read the emergency card in the seat pocket and locate your nearest emergency exit. Chances are that nothing is going to happen, but you should know what to do and where to head if something does.
2. Don't check your bag if you can help it. It saves time upon landing and forces you to pack light
3. Pack smart. Always include a sweater and a bathing suit. You can't predict the weather. Include one dress-up item and comfortable clothes in basic black or khaki. Bring two pairs of comfortable shoes that match everything. Leave jewelry at home. In fact, leave all those valuables at home. If you just must take that special something, keep it on your person or hand-held luggage that you'll carry on board.
4. In a smaller bag, carry your toiletries, something to read, your tickets, and a copy of your itinerary. This bag goes under the seat in front of you; the other bag goes in the overhead.
5. Women and men ~ bring and use moisturizer. Nothing dries out your skin like airplane air.
6. Once past security, buy and, most importantly, drink bottled water. Airplane water is awful.
7. As soon as you board, grab a pillow and blanket, even if you think you don't want them. You probably won't be able to find any after takeoff.
8. Dress comfortably. I always wear a T-shirt and a long black cotton skirt or loose pants. The temperature on a plane changes frequently, so the trick is to layer. Wear short sleeves, even in winter, and comfortable shoes that you can slip on and off easily. Then pack socks and a sweater in your larger carry-on, even in summer.
9. In your suitcase, pack an empty bag that folds up nice and flat for souvenirs and other purchases you'll want to bring home.
10. The most indispensable item to have with you when you travel? Ziploc bags. They hold wet bathing suits, smelly socks, seashells and sea glass, brochures and menus and newspaper clippings, rolls of film, bars of soap - everything and anything you can imagine.
