Late Afternoon Sketching Workshop
This is an afternoon sketching workshop with Liz Graham-Yooll, painter, writer, and illustrator of children's books. She has lived in Tuscany for many years (after studying fine arts in Florence) and has continuously painted the landscape and gardens and the local produce in her still-lives. She has experience in teaching painting and drawing, from art students to adult education. This afternoon workshop will help you continue your vacation with the added pleasure of enjoying and confidently using your sketchbook.
Liz says:
I find that using my sketchbook every day is a fundamental part of my life as a painter, for developing thoughts and ideas, and recording anything that might help me finish a painting. In years past, when travelling, I used to struggle with all of my painting equipment, but I found I would be so overwhelmed by all the exciting new things before me that I was unable to paint anything decent. So now, I take my watercolours, good hand-made watercolour paper, my sketchbook, and a small digital camera when I want to travel light. Back in my studio, I find I have all the essential information to work on a full-sized painting and I can enjoy the peace of a calm and controlled situation. The afternoon session gives us a chance to discuss composition, tackle clouds and sky, views and evening light, medieval buildings, trees and foliage, including olive trees, those fascinating, but tricky trees that change their colours with the light and the wind.
If you enjoy playing, you could bring charcoal, soft pastels, or oil pastels, as here is your chance to experiment. In 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.
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.
COST
€ 60/person, up to 4 painters, minimum charge € 100 with special rates for children; 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.
TO RESERVE
Click here or contact Liz directly: email, web, tel/fax: +39-0577-845 211
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.
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.
COST
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 email Liz directly.
TO RESERVE
Click here or contact Liz directly: email, web, tel/fax: +39-0577-845 211
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