Liz Graham-Yooll is a painter and children's book writer and illustrator. She has lived for many years in Tuscany, which has a landscape that she finds stimulating and which has provided her with many subjects and motifs. This is an opportunity to work alongside her, and to learn what she finds so interesting in this countryside. She says:
I find that using my sketchbook every day is a fundamental part of my life as a painter and I use it for developing thoughts and ideas, and for recording anything that might help me finish a painting.
In years past, when traveling, I would struggle along with all of my oil painting equipment; easel, paint box, turpentine, rags, brushes and canvas. It was exhausting! But I also found that I would be so overwhelmed by all the exciting new things before me that I was unable to paint anything decent on the spot.
Now when I travel, I travel light. I take my watercolours, a block of good watercolour paper, my sketchbook, my favourite selection of pencils and brushes, as well as a small digital camera. When I return to the peace and quiet of my studio, I usually find I can get several paintings out of this collected information, so long as I still have good visual memory of the subject.
Liz offers three very different painting experiences:
1. An Easy Day Out with a Sketchbook
Liz says:
This day combines two of my favourite activities: sketching and walking. The itinerary is a beautiful walk through woodland and cypress trees, past vineyards, olive groves and a medieval village, along a high ridge with gorgeous views, finishing with a bit of a work-out up to the small hilltop town of Chiusure. The walk is gentle and easy following well-marked trails, but the last hill is definitely a bit of a heart-stopper, which gives you the perfect excuse to go straight to the bar for a cold beer! The walk itself can be done in about 90 minutes, leaving plenty of time to stop and sketch during the morning.
Timetable
9.00 Meeting
Liz will briefly talk you through the pleasures of the sketchbook and what might inspire you on the walk, whether it be flowers, landscape, architecture or skies. There is teaching for those who wish it, but this walking and sketching workshop is principally about an exchange of ideas and encouragement. You can be a complete beginner or a painter who has not found the time to get out into the countryside to enjoy working en plein air.
9.15 Transfer
By car to the start of the walk (15 minutes) and first sketch.
13.00 Lunch
Arrival at Chiusure, a charming village that overlooks the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. There are excellent views from this high vantage point. We have time to relax and enjoy a simple Tuscan lunch in the local trattoria. For those wishing to keep out of the midday sun, there are shady alleyways and corners for quick sketches of light and shade.
15.00 Return walk
As the light is different in the afternoon, it is interesting to note the changes in the landscape that we were sketching on our outward trip.
17.30 Transfer
Return to Montisi by 18.00.
Costs
The cost is € 120 per person for up to four people, with a minimum charge of € 200 (for one person only). Group rates (five or more people) may be negotiated. The charge includes transport to the starting point and return, a full day of guiding and teaching, and any extra materials that might be needed on the day. The cost of lunch is not included.
You should bring your own artists materials, but stools are available on the day as well as that missing paintbrush or colour that you find you've forgotten!
2. Sketching and Watercolour Workshop—"Evening Light"
Liz says:
I find the evening light in Tuscany is always fascinating and beautiful. As the sun begins to go down ( if there is cloud) the light throws a wondrous golden colour over buildings and landscape and if it's a perfect limpid evening you will find that it changes the landscape into something magical. The landscape to the west gives you the chance to explore what the French call contre jour, which is looking towards the sun.
If you enjoy playing, you can add charcoal, soft pastels, or oil pastels to your materials, as well as using oil paints, watercolours or acrylic paints. Here is your chance to experiment!
n hot weather I recommend wearing a hat that shades your eyes and the back of your neck, and do bear in mind that it can be very easy to get burnt shoulders while you are fixed in a place painting. In addition, on a hot evening, mosquitoes can be a pain, so it is worth having something to keep them away. In contrast, some evenings here are chilly and I usually bring a fleece or warm waistcoat with me to wear in case of chill.
Timetable
Depending on the time of year, meet at approximately 15.30, and then proceed to our chosen location, where we have a moment to discuss what we would like to do and achieve during the session, before we get going with our sketchbooks. At around 18.30, we stop for a glass of wine, have time to see what we have achieved, and discuss how to continue with the sketchbooks and future painting.
Costs
€ 60 per person, up to 4 painters, minimum charge € 100 with special rates for children. This includes individual tuition and the use of basic equipment, if needed, like pencils, watercolours, and paper. You should confirm your intention to do this session on your arrival in Tuscany.
3. Three-Day Painting Course
Liz says:
Sometimes it can be a bit daunting to arrive with your paints in a new place and get into the rhythm of painting and find your subject. With this in mind, we have designed these three days around the objective of finding your feet in a foreign land, so that you may continue your holiday with the pure pleasure of painting your Tuscan surroundings. Montisi has much to offer the painter—wonderful views, medieval buildings, olive groves, lemon trees in classic Tuscan gardens, cypress trees, and everything that you ever dreamed of finding in a small Italian hilltop town, including wells, courtyards, castles, wine cellars, window boxes full of flowers, bright sunlight, and deep shadows.
Timetable
Day 1 We meet in the afternoon after lunch to sketch, paint, and draw around Montisi. Then, over a glass of wine as the sun goes down, we discuss and choose your subject for the next morning. The evening meal is at our home, which is just outside Montisi. If you like drawing animals, there is a variety of models, from pigs to cats and hens! We will take you back up to the village after dinner and introduce you at the local bar for a digestivo or coffee.
Day 2 Your morning is spent painting your chosen subject. At mid-day, we meet up for lunch in the village of Montisi, where we can discuss any challenges or issues that arose from your painting and how to continue with your chosen theme. In the afternoon, Liz accompanies you for a painting session called "Clouds and Sky." Issues are discussed over a glass of wine at the end of the afternoon, and the next day's painting task is agreed. The evening is free, which gives you a chance to try one of Montisi's wonderful small restaurants.
Day 3 Your morning is devoted to painting your chosen subject. At mid-day, meet up with Liz for lunch in Montisi and discuss the morning's work. In the afternoon, Liz accompanies you for a painting session called "Trees and Foliage". Painting in the olive groves will give you a chance to tackle these fascinating, but tricky, trees that change colour with the light and the wind. We start the evening off with an aperitivo at one of the village bars, and look over and discuss the previous two days' painting. Dinner is taken communally with us, either at home, or at one of the local restaurants. With luck, we may find that there is a meal to enjoy together in one of Montisi's contrade.
Accommodations
In the village of Montisi and in the surrounding countryside, you have a choice of facilities, ranging from simple bed & breakfast accommodations and self-catering apartments to fully serviced hotel rooms with air conditioning and satellite TV. Click here for a detailed list of Montisi accommodations.
Costs
The course tuition, including meals taken together, is € 350/person. You may propose the dates that suit you best, subject to Liz's availability. On acceptance, you should select your accommodations and book directly with the proprietors. Most of the accommodations offered have a web site and booking facilities in English. If you would like advice or help, please use the booking form on this web site or .
CONTACT AND BOOKING
Liz Graham-Yooll
Tel/fax: 0039 0577 845211
Email:
Website: www.liz.graham-yooll.com
If you would like advice or help, please use the booking form on this web site here or .
Comments from a satisfied customer.
It was so clear on so many occasions that the people of the village and the surrounding area have a warm feeling towards you and feel very comfortable around you. We also appreciate the combined teaching power of you and Liz Cochrane. It made the learning part of our experience deeper. While I will keep my day job, I have a new pursuit to seek to master thanks to you. – K. Sullivan