Painting the Landscape in Tuscany with plein air painter & workshop instructor Judith D'Agostino Cortona, Italy May 5-12, 2012
Meet Judith d'Agostino
In the beautiful hills of Tuscany lies the lovely and ancient town of Cortona. Cortona is most recently know for the location of the movie and the book Under the Tuscan Sun, but it was put on the map by the Etruscans, who left tombs everywhere around the hills of Cortona. Cortona is also known to be one of the most delightful places to paint plein air. Cortona is only fifty miles from Florence between Arezzo and Perugia. Before the city lies a vast and beautiful plain, it is flanked on either side by distant hills and valleys while behind it are towering yet fruitful mountains. Cortona has a picturesque aspect, quite a bit longer than wide, turned toward the midday sun. The city is situated high above the valley and numerous vantage points in town offer stunning views of both the valley and Montepulciano to the west and the mountains to the east, dominated by Mt. San Egidio. 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 Florence to Cortona May 5, 2012**** Instruction in the classroom and on location Seven nights three-star accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Day trip to Assisi Day trip to Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore A farewell wine tasting dinner **Included with "Hotel" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time from Florence airport only; time to be announced, return train ticket to Florence provided (not escorted) *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
You will find the accommodations at Hotel Oasi most enjoyable and convenient. We will travel together to various locations during our week together and in the evening we will get together for a show and tell while eating a gastronomical delight!Don’t hesitate to sign up as soon as possible. Class size is limited. For more information please feel to contact Judith at: Judith@judithdagostino.com
Hotel Oasi Neaumann proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops
Visit Hotel Oasi Neumann website
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.
About this workshop...
DAY 1 - Arrival
Participants arrive in Cortona independently or from Florence with a Toscana Americana escort* (see details below*) and check in at Hotel Oasi. For the rest of the afternoon, participants may want to either rest or explore Cortona before the welcome meeting at La Saletta for a wine and chocolate tasting. Then we will be off to dinner at one of the fine restaurants in Cortona. Afterwards, we will be escorted back to our hotel by taxi.
DAY 2 Hotel Oasi
The second day we will meet together at the Hotel Oasis where we will discuss supplies, materials and equipment. I will present some ideas regarding composition, light, color and atmosphere and may do a demo. We will remain at the hotel and paint and have lunch on location there. I will work with each student individually answering questions as they come up. After our afternoon session, we will taxi to the city center for wine and dinner. Afterwards, we will be escorted back to our hotel by taxi.
DAY 3 - Poggio upper Cortona
We will meet at the Hotel Oasi and be transported to Poggio, Cortona's upper and older section where you will enjoy the 12th century neighborhood and a wonderful view over the town and the Val di Chiana. I will demonstrate a quick plein air sketch for you and talk about my choices in terms of composition and process. We can have an exchange as I paint. Students will then find their locations to paint in the area and I will come by to work with each student individually. We will break for a picnic lunch and resume our painting or a new one in the afternoon. We return to the hotel to refresh then wine and dine in Cortona's city center. Afterwards, we will be escorted back to our hotel by taxi.
DAY 4 Assisi
Today we will take a much needed break and travel to Umbria to Assisi to paint the quaint upper village. Arrangements for a light lunch will be made for us. It will be a day to remember! We return to the hotel to wine and dine.
DAY 5 Cortona City Center
We will meet again at Hotel Oasis and taxi to the city center where we will paint a street scene. This will require some decision about architecture and perspective. I will do a quick demonstration and then students will find their painting spot while I come around to help and answer questions. We will have lunch in Cortona and find another scene to paint or continue with the one we have been working on. We return to the hotel to refresh then wine and dine in Cortona's city center. Afterwards, we will be escorted back to our hotel by taxi.
DAY 6 Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore
We will meet again at Hotel Oasis and be transported by train to Passignano & Lago Trasimeno, the largest lake in Tuscany and surrounded by hills and mountains. We will then be transported by boat to Isola Maggiore. You will then find your spot to paint and I will come around to work with each and everyone of you. Upon arrival I will do a short demonstration concentrating on painting water and the harbor. There we will start our painting session, break for lunch and continue after lunch painting in the same area. We return to the hotel to wine and dine.
DAY 7 Cortona
Once again we will meet at Hotel Oasis and be taken to Cortona. There are many beautiful vistas throughout this area and I assure you we will pick a wonderful spot to paint. Since this will be our last day to paint, we will work diligently on our paintings until noon where we will have lunch in the city. Then we will be off to another spot for our afternoon session. We return to the hotel to refresh then back to Cortona's city center for a wine tasting dinner. Afterwards, we will be escorted back to our hotel by taxi.
DAY 8 Departure
For those who are able we will gather together for our morning breakfast at the hotel and say our goodbyes. For those who have time, you can visit Cortona for some last minute souvenir shopping.
This program is subject to change depending on the weather or other conditions but we will try to follow the itinerary as best as we can. If weather does not permit us to paint outdoors we will have a studio where you can work from photographs. All will not be lost as I will be happy to work with you on translating photographs into a good painting. So, be sure you bring your digital cameras and I will bring the printer!
Scheduled transportation to and from Cortona city center is provided, though you may walk if desired.
*Escorted Group Travel
Escorted group travel from Florence to Cortona is included as part of your selected workshop. Escorted group travel is offered one-way from Rome to Cortona only on Saturday May 5, 2012 at a to be determined time.
Patrick's cell number in Italy is 329-0777-215. (Dial 0039 first when calling from outside Italy).
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 Dinner in Cortona
Sunday - Cortona
-9:00 -1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Monday - Cortona
-9:00 -1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Tuesday- Assisi
-Day trip to Assisi with lunch provided.
-TBA Train to Cortona
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Thursday - Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore
-Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Friday- Cortona
-9:00a-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Workshop
-8:00p Final wine tasting dinner in Cortona
Saturday- Departure
- Morning Check-out
- Departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay!
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate. Note: Transfers are provided only for programmed meals and activities away from the hotel. Note: All guests are responsible for handling their own luggage/baggage....we suggest to pack light. Note: No refunds are given for any unused aspects of the itinerary or for any activities outside the above itinerary.
Judith d'Agostino
Judith d'Agostino
Judith d'Agostino
Participant Supply List
Painting outdoors requires special equipment. Below is some basic information about plein air equipment and some suggestions about what to purchase. However, you can spend a lot of money or very little. I have seen students make a prochade box (portable paint box) out of a cigar box that the student sits on his/her lap! Tools for painting En Plein AirHere is a basic list of some standard plein air equipment: collapsible easel or lightweight paint box (prochade box) and tripod - if purchasing a French Easel, be sure to purchase a half easel small clamp-on umbrella (optional) paints, brushes, palette knife (see colors below)
solvent and painting medium *note* you can purchase solvents when you arrive in Italy. I suggest Gamblin Gel Medium. It is easy to carry and store. wet-pannel carrier if you don't already have wet paint carriers, you can purchase inexpensive cardboard ones. paper towel or rags small plastic trash bags bungee cords The Pochade BoxA pochade box can either be balanced on the lap to paint seated or attached to a tripod to paint upright.Paintbox - a paintbox is essential. There are many different types but if you are just starting out, you may want to use something you already have. If not, you can get ready made prochade boxes for outdoor painting. These can be an all-in-one configuration such as a small French easel or a prochade box that attaches to a tripod. If you don't already have a French easel, I would suggest a prochade box and tripod arrangement because it sets up very quickly. A small, portable pochade box is a viable alternative, especially for traveling artists who must store their equipment in overhead compartments, in checked luggage, or inside backpacks. There are numerous commercial pochade boxes on the market with prices ranging from about $150 for a basic wooden box, to more than $300 for a beautifully finished walnut box. Virtually all of the 19th-century American landscape painters rested paint boxes on their laps while working, but today most artists prefer to either stand or sit, and therefore they need either a folding chair and/or a tripod to mount a palette and panel support upon. The TripodIf you buy or make a pochade box with a tripod mount, you'll need a sturdy tripod, which will cost anywhere from $60 to $75. There are cheaper versions available, but the plastic heads break easily, so I recommend buying a good-quality metal tripod with a metal head. A quick-release shoe is important because you will mount the shoe on your pochade box and use the quick-release feature to easily mount and remove the box.
Wet-Panel CarrierAlthough it is possible to close your French easel or pochade box with one or two wet paintings stored safely, it's better to place the panels in a carrier specifically designed to protect a wet surface. The same companies that make pochade boxes also make wooden or cardboard carrying cases. Painting SupportsThe painting support of choice for most plein air painters is a panel with a primed-canvas face. Many companies make plein air-painting panels, but not all of them are created equal. For the purposes of our class, I would suggest inexpensive panels that can be bought at local paint stores. Please use panels no smaller than 8x10 but no larger than 11x 14. You should have 8-10 panels for this class. Paint Titanium WhiteCadmium Red MediumAlizarin CrimsonCobalt BlueUltramarine Blue DeepCadmium Yellow MediumLemon YellowBurnt UmberGreen EarthMort Violet (Rembrandt)Note: The last three colors are for convenience. These colors can be mixed from the ones above to close proximity. If you are budgeting, just buy the first 7. Also, the less expensive the paint the less color strength they have so consider at least a medium priced paint. If you are a seasoned painter and already have your own palette, please feel free to bring that. Solvents: Odorless Mineral Spirits (purchase in Italy) Medium: Gamblin Gel Paper Towels - shop paper towels (blue type) are very good. Purchase in Italy. Palette knife (painting knife - medium size) Brushes: Silver Grand Prix #6 Bristle Flats #2 Extra Long Bristle Filbert (for thin lines strokes) One medium size fan or 1" soft brush to soften edgesOne inexpensive 2" brush from hardware store Small cans for mediums and mineral spirits (Gamblin Gel does not require a container)One small sketch book, #2 pencil and eraserSmall plastic viewfinder to help with compositions (you can make your own out of cardboard).Sunscreen and hatBelow are some retail stores on line that can help with your needs.http://www.artworkessentials.comhttp://www.windriverarts.com/pochade_boxes.htmhttp://www.judsonspleinair.comwww.openboxm.comA
Mineral Spirits (MS) may be purchased on location. DO NOT PACK AND BRING. IT IS ILLEGAL TO BRING OMS ON FLIGHTS. Participants purchase their own mineral spririts or equivalent.
Paper towels and plastic grocery bags (for trash) can be purchased on location.
FINAL NOTE: Finding the proper equipment can be daunting. If you are having problems with this, please feel free to email me at: judith@judithdagostino.com
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!
