Watercolor Sketching in Cortona Painting en Plein Air with artist/instructor Jim Chapman Cortona, Italy May 7-14, 2011
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Experience the thrill and beauty of a wonderful part of Italy, and even more so, taking these memories you've created home with you! This workshop is for beginners to advanced artists and will be conducted on outdoors location, weather permitting.
Study with Jim and capture the adventures of plein air painting colorful landscapes in beautiful picturesque Cortona, Italy. Discover how painting from life helps us to see and observe the affects of light and atmosphere. Learn how to simplify your subject while painting more quickly and accurately, with special attention placed on learning to see masses, as opposed to line, and form, rather than detail. The entire painting process will be covered along with daily demonstrations. Jim will work individually with each student at their easel and guide them at their own level. This workshop is for anyone interested in learning to develop creative, painterly paintings with clean, rich color, mood, and dynamic compositions. Read more about this workshop below...
Picture Yourself...
among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany: olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.
Feel Yourself...
in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels.
Experience...
the joy of painting en plein air in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a nationally know artist and instructor and the camaraderie of a small group of learners.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Rome to Cortona May 7, 2011**** Instruction in the classroom and on location Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Day shopping and sightseeing trip to Florence A farewell wine tasting dinner Just added!! Tuscan Cooking Class & dinner
**Included with "Casa Santa Margherita" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time only; to be announced *All-inclusive plans are "Casa Santa Margherita" plans only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Casa Santa Margherita proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops since 2003
Over-looking the Val di Chiana
Newly-reopened after a two-and-a half-year renovation and restoration! Wonderful location, ambience and all-new ammenities including Wi-Fi!
About Cortona...
Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns.” Cortona, which is often called the “City of Art,” has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman times with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed. An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with music & art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine mountains.
Santa Maria Nuova, Cortona
About this workshop... Day 1: Arrival at Cortona. Opening reception, where we meet and greet and excitedly talk about the week of discovery coming up. Day 2, two sessions: First, there must be coffee! - And a quick show of hands about the possible locations for the day. Does the class prefer working in a sunny vineyard or in the shadows of medieval walls? Jim explains his approach to working on location, his materials and some of the challenges he’s faced in painting in outdoors. Teacher demos. Students paint. Day 2 emphasis is on basic design and composition. Day 3, two sessions: Teacher demos. Students paint. Day 3 emphasis is on value (and color value) range. Day 4, two sessions: Teacher demos. Students paint. Day 4 emphasis is on positive/neg. shapes.Day 5, two sessions: Teacher demos. Students paint.
Day 5 emphasis is on value range.Day 6, one session: Teacher demos. Students paint.
Day 6 emphasis is on color. If you have questions, please let me know: Jim@vardeman.com or call 770-530-9671
Jim Chapman
"Tourist" Jim Chapman
Itinerary
Saturday – Arrival in Cortona -Arrival and Check-in in Cortona -7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta. -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Sunday - Cortona -9:00a-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch Hotel Oasi -3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session -6:45p Taxi to Piazza Garibaldi -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Tuesday - Florence -8:00a Taxi to Camucia Station (train at 8:29) -Day trip to Florence with lunch provided-Uffizi gallery visit. -4:09p Depart Florence -7:30p Wine at TBA -8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday - Cortona -9:00-12:00p Morning Session -12:00p Lunch -2:00-5:00p Afternoon Session -5:45p Taxi to Tuscan cooking class & dinner
Thursday - Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore -7:40a - Depart Cortona and travel to Passignano followed by boat to Isola Maggiore -8:05a – Depart Camucia by train for Passignano & Isola Maggiore -1:00p Lunch -6:30 return to Cortona/Camucia -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Friday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch -3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session -8:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona Saturday – Cortona -Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay!-Each guest must make taxi/travel requests through the Hotel Oasi front desk.Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate
Jim Chapman in Cortona
Jim Chapman-Cortona
Jim Chapman-Cortona
Supply List
Bring the materials that you are most comfortable with. It’s not about the materials, but about the experience. Generally, I work sitting on available park benches, on the ground or on a stool. Although umbrellas and French easels are handy, I don’t use them, as I prefer ‘blending’ in to better focus on the paintings. But if you use them, by all means bring them.
Paper: Use whatever brand and type you prefer. If you’re a beginner, I’d recommend a watercolor pad or sketchbook (or both). I’ll be using a 14” x 17” Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketch book that comes with 60 sheets. I’ll also use some Fabriano paper, most likely 140-pound rough or cold pressed half sheets. Some good papers are Arches, Fabriano, Lana, etc.
Brushes: I use a number 10 sable most often, as well a 2-inch brush and a rigger brush.
Palette: Use the type you are most comfortable with. I use a small folding palette in the field.
Paints: I use a mix of brands, usually DaVinci, Windsor Newton and others that look interesting. Please feel free to substitute any of the colors below.
Here is my basis palette:
Windsor Yellow
New Gamboge
Raw Sienna
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Ivory Black
Alizarin Crimson
Permanent Rose
Cadmium Red Light
Quinacridone Violet
Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue
Cobalt Violet
Thalo Blue
Thalo Green
Hooker’s Green
Sketching: I use a Prismascolor.5 sepia fine line marker for preliminary sketches before applying watercolor. You may use pencil, or erase the marks after you complete your paintings. If you use pencil, I’d recommend a no. 2 and don’t forget some sort of sharpener.
Hat: Pretty much a mandatory, as abundant light will almost overwhelm an artist here.
Angela Lucani was born and raised in Cortona and never tires of living within the walls of this vibrant Tuscan hilltown! She trained as an elementary school teacher and taught in various locals within Cortona from its mountain villages to the growing post-war part of Cortona known as Camucia. Angela has always been passionate about Tuscan cooking, which she began to learn at an early age aiding her mother in the kitchen. She maintains respect for local cooking traditions and recipes and shares that with Italians and foreign visitors through cooking classes conducted both in Italy and in America. She has extensive knowledge of Cortona's various areas, from the mountains to the fertile Val di Chiana, and continues to learn about its long and colorful history. She is also passionate about travel and enjoys learning about and experiencing customs, traditions and characteristics of other countries, cultures & people. Her travels destinations have included the United States, England, Egypt, South America, France, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Greece. She enjoys serving as a bridge between visitors to Tuscany and the local culture.
Patrick Mahoney (Miami University BA'80, MA'82) lives in Cortona where he continues a thirty-year career in the field of Arts & Entertainment producing events, workshops and tours and providing opportunities to share the Italy experience with travelers, artists and people who share his interests for foods, wine, art, culture. Patrick's passion is to conceive and realize various ways in which the human spirit can express and demonstrate its capacity to create. His ability to fearlessly think, conceive, and work "out of the box" has earned him the attention of artists & musicians, colleges & universities, public & private organizations, and business and industry. Patrick brings integrity and a unique vision to Toscana Americana and he is committed to realizing the opportunity for participants to create in an atmosphere of peace, joy, respect and mutual support. As a "slow traveler" and a supporter of "slow food" Mr. Mahoney rides trains, walks, lingers over lunch, dinner or a cup of espresso, stops to smell the roses and savors the sensory feast wherever he is!
Travel with fellow artists, family & friends! In addition to Non-participating guest options, did you know that other workshops are offered this same week! Enjoy the experience together while immersed in different topics! View calendar for details!
