This oil painting workshop is for all skill levels. It's for anyone who wants to learn how to add more realism to their work. Experience this modern approach to the techniques and concepts master artists in Tuscany have used since the Renaissance. Immerse yourself in Italy's medieval beauty, while you learn how to paint in oils using chiaroscuro, sfumato, sprezzatura, and impasto.
Are you surprised to learn that these oil painting techniques work on any subject? Whether you love to paint landscapes, portraits, still life, fantasy, or all of the above, creating in a way that makes images look three dimensional is the same. Join Debra Keirce, an experienced instructor, for a memorable week of fun, learning and camaraderie in Cortona, Italy in September 2024.
Shades of Yellow
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 creating mosaic art in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the camaraderie of a small group of enthusiastic Artists.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
Cortona Vineyards
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona September 18, 2024**** Instruction in the studio & 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 trip to Pienza & Montepulciano A farewell wine tasting dinner Escorted group travel Cortona to Florence September 25, 2024****
**Included with "Hotel" private room plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. Italian breakfsat simply includes coffees, brioche, toast, milk, juices, cheese. ****Specific departure time from Florence airport September 18, 2024 only at 12:00noon ****Specific departure time from Cortona to Florence airport September 25, 2024 only at 8:00am *All-inclusive plans are "Hotel" only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant
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
Itinerary
Sept 18 Wednesday – Arrival in Cortona
-12:00 noon Depart Florence airport escorted group travel to Cortona
-1:30p Arrival and Check-in in Cortona at Hotel
-Free Afternoon
-6:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting
-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
Sept 19 Thursday - Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Studio Session
-12:30p Lite Lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Studio Session
-6:00p aperitifs
-7:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Sept 20 Friday - Pienza & Montepulciano
-8:45a Day trip to Pienza & Montepulciano
-Morning independent session
-12:30p Lite lunch
-Afternoon independent session
-4:00p Depart and return to Cortona
-6:00p aperitifs
-7:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Sept 21 Saturday - Cortona
-9:00a Taxi to Le Celle, Bramasole and upper part of Cortona
-10:00a-12:00p Morning walk-down visit to Cortona's upper historic neighborhood
-12:30-2:00p Lite Lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Session
-6:00p aperitifs
-7:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Sept 22 Sunday - Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Studio Session
-12:30p Lite Lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Studio Session
-6:00p aperitifs
-7:00p Evening pizza dinner in Cortona
Sept 23 Monday - Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Studio Session
-12:30p Lite Lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Studio Session
-6:00p aperitifs
-7:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Sept 24 Tuesday - Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Session
-1:00p Lite Lunch
-Free afternoon
-7:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona
Sept 25 Wednesday – Departure
-Morning Check-out
-8:00a departure from Cortona with escorted return to Florence airport.
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.
Sun Spots
Meet Debra Keirce...
Originally from Detroit, Debra Keirce is an accomplished woman artist in contemporary realism. In her Northern Virginia studios, she paints in oils up to four feet tall, with a specialty in true miniature pieces as small as your palm.
Debra has earned several honors in acclaimed art circles. She is proud to be a US coast guard artist, and winner of the 2022 George Gray award. She is the recipient of a rare artist residency at sea with crew on the U.S. National Security Cutter Stone. Also, eleven of her paintings were commissioned and are hanging prominently in the newly remodeled Boston Langham 5 star hotel. Debra is an Art Renewal Center Living Master, (ARCLM) and holds signature memberships in the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society, American Women Artists, Southwest Artists, and Miniature Artists of America.
She is also a juried member of several societies, including Copley Society of Art (as well as their juried portrait registry,) Salmagundi Club, International Guild of Realism, Women Artists of the West, Miniature Painters, Sculptors, Gravers Society, and American Artists Professional League.
Recent awards include editor’s choice AND president’s award in the Women Artists of the West National Exhibition, and first place in the Miniature Painters Sculptors Gravers Society in Maryland. Debra won 2nd Place in the Bryn Du Mansion Art Show in Ohio. She was awarded a purchase prize and her art is on a wine label at Tongue River Winery in Montana.
Debra had a career as a biochemical design engineer in the 1980’s and 1990’s. She has studied with many instructors and programs over the years, but is currently working through the Ani Art Academies curriculum that was created by trompe l’oeil painter Anthony Waichulis. In 2010 she turned her passion for the visual arts into a full time career.
Traditional artworks are the foundation for Keirce’s art business. But, she embraces the vintage and surreal in paintings she calls “a little bit quirky.” Debra Keirce is quoted saying “I am a collector of fun art experiences.”
I saw some master paintings yesterday. Pure genius, of course, but I do understand what you are saying about similarity to what we are doing with layers. Thank you for helping me to see all of this. I’ll never look at art or really anything the same way again. It will take time but you’ve opened my eyes.
Nancy
Morning Debra! A little sad I didn’t have another class with you to look forward to this morning, but I had a wonderful experience for the time we had! I showed my 6 year old my painting this morning and he said “It looks so real!!!” :) Thank you for helping me level up! A lot of what you said resonated with me. I’m excited to see where I can go from here now, and I will definitely be following up with mentor sessions with you!
Thank you again,
Callie
Yes Debra definitely Rocks... I'm so thankful for her expertise and also glad I got to attend her workshop. She's an exceptional painter and an amazingly patient and wonderful painting instructor. If you want to learn the secrets of past master painters tips n tricks Debra is the one to teach you. I can't believe I did my painting in just 4 days. I cant wait to utilize the tecniques and start to work on some of my own masterpieces soon. Thank you Debra. I had an awesome time and learned so much. You are the best instructor I have met so far. I cant wait for taking your next workshop.
Alice
You are crazy talented--I say that with all the straight face I can muster--- JUST AMAZING!!!
***Gessobord by Ampersand Flat, 1/8" thick, approx size 11"x14" LINK to purchase
Medium:
Solvent Free Gel medium by Gamblin
Brushes:
A set of synthetic brushes - There are a lot of student grade brush sets available on Amazon dot com that work just fine.
If you really want to spend more money on brushes, a brand I like are the Catalyst line by Princeton, and they are available online at Dick Blick Art supplies.
Have several large to very small, very soft mop brushes. I actually often use makeup brushes. You can find very inexpensive sets on Amazon.
Cleanup:
You can just use a mild soap. Please do not bring any solvents that have an odor.
Paper towels for wiping your brushes. I like the blue shop towels. May also be purchased in Cortona.
A palette. A styrofoam plate works too.
A palette knife
Paints:
For the oil paints, I like Gamblin artists colors. Bring any of your favorite colors, but if you prefer to travel light like I do, bring just the pigments listed here. You can create pretty much any color using these:
- Phthalo blue
- Quinocradone magenta
- Hansa yellow light
- Titanium white
- Burnt umber
Optional colors to round out your palette are:
- Diox Purple
- Yellow Ochre
- Burnt Sienna
- Cadmium Orange
- Cadmium Red
- Chromium Oxide Green
- Lamp Black
I will provide a selection of photographs as photo references. You may also bring your own, or work from images you take in Italy.
Patrick Mahoney has called Cortona, Italy home since 2001! Patrick shares his very personal and intimate knowledge of Cortona's people, history, art, culture and food & wine to Toscana Americana Workshops experience. With his love of travel and after studying and working for many years in the Art & Entertainment industry Patrick's sensativity creates and shapes, along with a stable of wonderfully talented instructors, meaaningful, creative and memorale experiences in the Arts. A testament to the quality of the Toscana Americana Workshops experience is the large number of participants who return to enrich their lives while participating in creative programs...not only in Cortona, but also the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, Venice, Portofino, as well as Santorini, Greece and Austria, and the American Southwest!!
Covid-19 Protocols and Safety Measures (No restrictions as of July 19, 2023) To respect our local host communities/countries and to ensure the safety and health of our guests and participants we follow the safety measures and protocols in place by our host communities/countries at the time of any given workshop or program or tour. These measures and protocols may vary and or change from time to time as well as during the course of any given workshop or program or tour and we will adapt to and abide by official safety measures and protocols. All of our guests and participants, without exception, are expected to adapt to and abide by official safety measures and protocols during any given workshop or program or tour in which they are participating. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks are the responsibility of each guest or participant. Health documents such as proof of vaccination or inoculation or other required by a host country, such as Italy for example, are the sole responsibility of each guest or participant. We strongly suggest all such documents are carried on-person at all times during any given workshop or program or tour in which they are participating.
