Kath's workshop, "Pocket Sketching" combines a water soluble pen with watercolor and is based on Chinese technique. (She was a student of Bong Wai Chen in Portland.) In two days people learn the technique, landscape, still life and people plus perspective and to work in 25 minutes or less. All is planned to prepare for plein air and journaling anywhere in the world in 25 minutes or less. Total portability, no clean-up, inside your personal space, and meditative. This is the perfect medium for travel and relaxation. Much of my philosophy and some technique are from John Singer Sargent.
After years of carrying everything for watercolor and oil, Kath can't tell you what a delight it is to be able to capture anything you think you see, anywhere, in just minutes, never putting anything down, never being bothered by other people, not wasting time with clean-up, and walk on!
This quick-draw technique allows anyone to “journal” wherever they are using only a 4 x 6 art pad, a water soluble pen, a small paint set, a brush and a film canister of water. Perfect for hiking, sitting in a café or standing in line — take it anywhere, whip it out in a minute, and preserve a memory in 25 minutes or less. It’s more about capturing the “feel” of a place rather than taking a camera image. This workshop is ideal for beginners who want to fearlessly paint in public, for experienced artists who want minimal equipment, speed and no clean-up.
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 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.
Courthouse
Jim's Gate
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona September 23, 2014**** Instruction 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 Siena Day trip to Lago Trasimeno Day trip to Lucignano & Val di Chiana A farewell wine tasting dinner Return travel to Florence September 30, 2014**** **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 travel to Florence Airport only, departure at 9:00am *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans only. Air travel Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Hotel Special... All-inclusive w/ private room/bath & Group Meal Plan...$3190.00 per person! $3090.00 per person double occupancy w/Group Meal Plan! Special Non-participant rates!
-12:30p Escorted group travel from Florence airport to Cortona -Arrival and Check-in in Cortona
-6:30p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta.
-7:30p Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday - Cortona
-9:00-12:00p lecture or demo session -12:00p lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Aperitif/Wine tasting
-7:300p Dinner in Cortona
Thursday - Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore
-10:00 -1:00p Morning Workshop
-12:00p lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Aperitif/Wine tasting
-7:300p Dinner in Cortona
Friday- Cortona
-9:00-12:00p Morning Workshop
-12:00p lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Aperitif/Wine tasting -7:300p Dinner in Cortona
Saturday - Siena (or Assisi, TBA)
-Day trip .
-7:00p Aperitif/Wine tasting
-7:300p Dinner in Cortona
Sunday - Lucignano & Val di Chiana
-9:00-12:00p Morning Workshop in Lucignano
-12:00p lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Aperitif/Wine tasting
-7:300p Dinner in Cortona
Monday- Cortona
-9:00a-12:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-Free Afternoon
-7:30p Final wine tasting dinner in Cortona
Tuesday- Departure
- Morning Check-out
- 9:00am Departure from Cortona 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.
Window Shopping
Meet Kath Macaulay
As an artist, I enjoy capturing the moment that caught my eye.
As an instructor I delight in teaching my easy-to-learn, totally portable, no-clean-up technique to beginners and professionals alike. There's nothing like the excitement of helping people learn a new art skill they love. I get paid to be around upbeat, excited people having fun!!!! What could be better!!? Motto: Learn enough to play for a lifetime!
Experience
Current: full time painting and teaching very successful Pocket Sketching ™ workshops nationally, teaching in Sedona, Tucson, Canyon Ranch, AZ, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, ID, Lac du Flambeau, WI, Carmel, Mendocino, San Clemente, CA, and more. Produced three hour-and-a-half professionally videographed DVDs covering three-day workshop. Trademarked Pocket Sketching as a seminar/workshop.
1994 to 2009 Various sales and training sales staff positions while family support. During same time taught Pocket Sketching workshops when possible.
1990 to 1994 Artists’ agent for 11 artists, establishing gallery relationships from San Diego, CA to Taos, NM while studying art marketing at NMSU.
1986 to 1994 Competed successfully in national shows and taught workshops. Had several noted one-person shows. Showed in Mexico via the U.S. State Department.
Education
New Mexico State University, four years marketing aimed at marketing art
University of Arizona, scientific illustration (while teaching watercolor and drawing)
Oregon State University, B.S. biology
Private instruction, master artists: Nick Brigante, Los Angeles, Robert Carl Cogar, Las Cruces, NM, Bong Wai Chen, Portland, OR, Bob Blair, Buffalo, NY.
Note
Visual art is like music, with all the vitality, color and emotion that you see and feel: a sketch should bring back the memories of the moment to enjoy again and again. A sketch is complete in itself, but may be used in the studio to create several paintings: as you look at the sketch, you remember everything that was there (even what you edited out, smells and sounds).
My favorite evaluation so far came from a woman at Canyon Ranch in Tucson after an hour and a half overview of the workshop. She had previously registered in 6 watercolor workshops nationally, flying to each with hotel reservations, only to stay a few days in each and leave in total frustration: "You just changed my life! I can do this!!!!!”
Participant Supply List...
INSTRUCTOR BRINGS SUPPLIES AND EXTRAS SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO FIND THESE! The cost is $40.00 for paint set, paper, pen and water container.
Paint Set: Winsor & Newton 14 half pan, Cotman grade watercolor set. (Comes with an acceptable brush) If you have access to Michael’s, you may pick up with a 40% off coupon. Phone them first to be sure they have it in stock
Paper: Strathmore 4 x 6 inch Drawing paper. (Not the watercolor paper sold in the same size)
Pen: Pilot Razor Point. This is the old grey pen with a yellow circle on one end.
Water container (I bring 35 mm film canisters for everyone)
Extras: If you have a #6 round watercolor brush, bring it. For outdoors on last day you may want a hat, sunblock, folding seat, water bottle (to drink and supply extra water for painting)
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
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Testimonials/Referrals
One of the most positive experiences I have ever had. You are too fabulous! Thank you.
Nancy O’Connor
A remarkably comprehensive workshop. I loved every day and learned more watercolor techniques and tips than I’ll ever use. Amazing!
Bo Makison
I loved the class. I’ve been wanting to take a class like that for years, so that I can keep a tiny pad always on me. Thank you.
Tina Stanley
I tried a watercolor class before and I left thinking watercolor wasn’t for me. Kath’s workshop changed my mind. Really well organized, fun. We learned a ton.
