Plein Air in Tuscany with artist instructor Jill Schultz McGannon April 6-13, 2013
Cortona, Italy
Cortona "Island in the Sky"
Jill McGannon
View Cortona videos
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of plein air landscape painting through direct observation of the landscape. The class will meet (weather permitting) at an outdoor location in the scenic Cortona area- truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth! If it rains, we will work in the studio. There we will work on finishing plein air pieces or start a new painting from photos. The instructor will begin each class with a short demo including a discussion of composition, block in, background, and painting from darks to lights. For more images of Jill’s work, see
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 sculpting in clay 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.
Meet Jill Schultz McGannon...
Jill Schultz McGannon received her MFA in Painting from the University of Georgia in 1988, and has supported herself as an artist since then. She lives North of Atlanta with her artist husband Patrick and their nine year old daughter Annabel. She shows at galleries in Atlanta, GA, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe, NM, and Chicago, IL, and teaches Plein air Landscape Painting locally. In 2012 she won “Best of Show” for the Madison Plein air event, the “Purchase Award” and “Second Place” for the Buford Plein air, and “People’s Choice Award” at the Suwanee Paint out. She first got hooked on plein air in 1995 while painting in Cortona, Italy with the UGA Studies Abroad group as Artist in Residence. Cortona remains her favorite place to paint! Painting plein air on a trip to Tuscany in the Summer of 2012 only made her want to go back to paint in Cortona! She’s looking forward to working on her painting and her Italian! Her straight forward approach to painting will be demonstrated each day. She will begin with a quick, three value, one color block in, followed by the painting of the sky. Next she will paint the landscape starting with the center of interest and moving around the canvas from there, working on color harmonies and areas of triangulated color. “To me, painting is a search for truth and beauty. I look for a little bit of magic in the landscape and magnify it.”
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona April 6, 2013**** 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 Tuscan Cooking class & dinner Day trip to Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore Day trip to Val di Chiana Farewell wine tasting dinner
**Included with "Hotel Italia" 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 Italia plans only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
-11:00a Escorted Group Travel departure from Florence airport to Cortona
-Arrival and Check-in in Cortona
-7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta.
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona at La Loccanda del Loggiatto
Sunday - Cortona
-9:00 -1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Wine tasting -7:30p Dinner in Cortona
Monday - Cortona- Poggio
-9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-6:30p Wine tasting Il Pozzo
-7:30p Dinner in Cortona
Tuesday - Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore -Day trip to Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore to paint or visit with lunch provided.
-7:00p Wine tasting -7:30p Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday - Cortona
-9:00-12:00p Morning Workshop
-12:00p Lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Workshop
-5:45 Tuscan cooking class & dinner
Thursday - Val di Chiana
-9:00-12:00p Morning Workshop
-12:30p Lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Wine tasting -7:30p Dinner in Cortona
Friday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch in Cortona at La Loccanda del Loggiatto
-Free afternoon
-7:30p Farewell 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.
Jill McGannon
Participant Supply List
Lightweight easel: A plein air easel, such as an Anderson (this is one I use a lot, but they are no longer available on Jerry’s), Open Box M, or Soltek. Keep in mind the weight limit of your luggage for your flight over. www.jerrysartarama.com or www.openboxm.com are 2 sites you can look at, or google “plein air easel”. Some plein air easels such as Guerrilla Painter www.guerrillapainter.com include slots for wet paintings, so you won’t need as many wet painting carriers.
Paints: Either oils or water mixable oils. Titanium white, Cadmium Yellow Light, Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Deep, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna, Phthalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue and Ivory Black are suggested colors. Leave out Naples Yellow and Burnt Sienna if you’re short on space. I like either Winsor and Newton or Gamblin oils, and either Duo or Artisan water mixable oils.
Solvents: Mineral spirits will be provided or Turpenoid can be bought at the local arts supply store. Bring a metal tank with a good clasp to store it in. If you’re using water mixable oils, you will only need a clip on water cup.
Mediums: not required. I don’t use mediums myself.
Brushes: A range of brushes, mostly hog bristle, sizes 2,4,6,8,10,and 12, some filberts, some flats, plus a few smaller softer synthetic brushes in good condition.
Palette knife, palette, palette cover (I use a disposable palette for out of town painting, plexiglass when at home)Guerilla Painter makes a covered paint tray in 9”x12” for about $30 www.jerrysartarama.com.
Paper towels, plastic bags and baby wipes may aslo be bought in Cortona.
View Catcher, plus Value Viewer or other smart phone app if desire, and digital camera if possible
Water, a snack, hat with brim, sunscreen, bug spray, plastic gloves if wanted, Apron or smock if desired, and backpack or shoulder bag to carry supplies in. Paper towels, plastic bags and baby wipes. Bring a few and buy more later.
10 – 12 Canvas panels, and wet paint carriers in corresponding sizes (Ray Mar, or Utrecht, etc.)Suggested sizes: 8”x10”, 9”x12”, or 11”x14” Best to start small until you see what size you can finish in the allotted time period. It’s easier to use one size, such as 11”x14” on a trip so that you can use the carrier daily for that day’s paintings, and then use it again for the wettest paintings for the trip home. You’ll need at least one carrier, but bring two if you can fit it in your suitcase! Also bring a roll of wax paper to put between the “dry” paintings for the trip home.
Umbrella- at home I use the “Shade Buddy”, but it’s way too big for overseas flights. A small, collapsible umbrella like the Multi Mount collapsible umbrella at www.jerrys.com ($50) would be good for travel, but I wouldn’t use it if it’s windy. A small collapsible car shade just to shade your palette is helpful, but won’t shade you.
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!
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!
