Landscape & Figure Painting in Tuscany with artist/instructor Eli Cedrone Cortona, Italy May 25 - June 1, 2011
Experience the joys of painting in Tuscany with award-winning artist, Eli Cedrone. You'll discover a land which had inspired great artists for centuries. Cortona unchanged since the time of the Renaissance with its centuries-old buildings, winding streets, olive groves, vineyards, and vibrant sunlight. Enjoy great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas and "la dolce vita".
This one-week workshop is designed to be a stress-free, instructive painting experience for beginners to advanced students. Toscana Americana has been hosting artists for years and work hard to create the optimum experience for the participants.
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.
Painting From Life - the Alla Prima Approach
"Impressionism, which is essentially the effect of light on color, demands that the artist pay careful attention to how he perceives the natural world. Creating notes of color is much like playing scales on the piano. Seeing correctly is critical to understanding and expressing how light creates color and how color conveys light."
Eli's teaching approach guides beginners as well as the experienced artist through the process of painting from life. An emphasis is placed on the need to create preliminary sketches as the foundation for stronger paintings. Each intensive program is designed to strengthen skills of perception as well as mastery of the medium and will help to make order out of chaos by stressing the basics of drawing, value, and color. You’ll learn to see in terms of mass and form rather than detail and line and develop the skills necessary to translate light into the language of paint.
The workshop will include demonstrations, individual instruction, and critiques. Register early - class size is limited to 15. To view Eli's work, visit http://www.elicedrone.com
Overcoming the fear of painting outdoors Understanding and simplifying shapes Laying down a foundation quickly and confidently Creating focal points and developing them Balancing cool and warm colors Creating atmospheric perspective Composition and balance Developing an individual's ability
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Rome to Cortona May 25, 2011**** 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 trips to Florence & Assisi A farewell wine tasting dinner **Included with "Hotel" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time only; to be announced *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans A, C, E, G and Hostel plans I & K only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Hotel Oasi Neaumann proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops
Visit Hotel Oasi Neumann online
Itinerary
Participants arrive on Wednesday May 25th, meet for the welcome reception and informational gathering at a wine and chocolate tasting, followed by dinner. Thursday - Monday are painting days. Two daily sessions each day with a 2 hour break for lunch. Tuesday is a workshop day or free day or travel day depending on the program’s planned itinerary.
Wednesday – Arrival in Cortona -7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta. -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at La Locanda nel Loggiato
Tuesday - Paint Cortona or Optional Wine tour (cost extra) -8:00p Farewell Dinner OPTIONAL Day trip: Wine Tour Avignonesi Vineyard (tour), Pienza (lunch), then Montalcino and Montepulciano to explore the Brunello, Chianti and Vino Nobile includes light lunch or paint on your own in Cortona
Wednesday – Departure
-Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona.
-Make your departure taxi reservations through the hotel front desk early.
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.
Easel: French Easel or Pochade Box - any compact easel will work.
Brushes: Royal Langnickel series #5590 and a variety of bristle brushes - flats, rounds and filberts, small to large. For detail work I recommend any small round brush. Don't forget brush cleaner. Canvas: Normally I stretch a canvas using Claessens double-primed Belgian linen, No. 13. For a plein air workshop I recommend linen or primed canvas mounted on a wood support to keep the sun from shining through. You can make them yourself using 1/4" birch or purchase Pintura (canvas) or Rafael (linen) panels from ASW. Bring a variety of sizes (smaller for color studies and larger for final paintings (8x10, 10x12, 11x14), just make sure that you purchase the correct size to fit in your wet paint carrier.
Palette: Titanium White (I use Lefranc), Cadmium Yellow light, Yellow Ochre Light, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Terra Rosa, Transparent Oxide Red, Viridian Green, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black. (Rembrandt or Windsor Newton). Mineral Spirits: Provided by workshop - also some small containers to hold medium. Paper Towels: (I use Viva) and trash bags to clean up Medium: 1: Stand Oil, 1: Triple Rectified Turp, 5: Damar Varnish or WN Liquin Sketch Material: Book or pad, Pencils (I like Faber Castell graphite 2900 - 6B) and a Sharpie marker.
Art Supply Resources: ASW Art Supply Warehouse: www.asw.com (paints and panels) New York Central Art Supply: www. (Langnickel brushes) Raymar: (wet paint carriers) There is also an art supply store in Cortona
Recommended Reading: Alla Prima, Everything I Know About Painting, Richard Schmid Gregg Kruentz, Problem Solving for Oil Painters
Testimonials: "Eli, your workshop was wonderful! It was informative, beautifully presented, and full of useful pointers. Many thanks." Tina Fournier
ELI CEDRONE FINE ART http//:www.elicedrone.com | email: artfulhand@comcast.net | Phone: 781-443-4014 63 Sunrise Terrace, Stoughton, MA 02072
The value of a spiritual stroke, correctly placed is beyond calculation - Balthus
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.
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!
