The Colors of Light and Shadow "Painting Color Under the Tuscan Sun”
with Laurie Meyer & Shannon Smith April 21-28, 2012 Cortona, Italy Sat-Sat
Shannon Smith
Note: Program subject to change for 2012 Paint with Laurie & Shannon in Tuscany and Umbria!
This workshop is designed for the student who would like to take their work to a higher level of mastery – particularly in the area of the colors of light and shadow. The workshop combines a bit of color science, a bit of color history, and a lot of color painting! We will study the colors that the sun emits during different times of day and how these wash over and influence all the colors on your palette. We will understand how light also effects the colors of shadows. Additionally, we will study and apply this knowledge to the mixtures of gorgeous, glowing neutrals.
Do you know the difference between a cadmium and a quinochridone pigment? When would you select a Hansa Yellow over a Cadmium Yellow? You will leave the workshop armed with information in the science behind your pigments and why the differences are important to your work.
When and how should you underpaint? We will explore and practice several options to help your paintings glow.
You will also learn how to create depth in a painting, paint beautiful atmosphere, and design a strong composition with color.
This workshop is incredibly fun and entertaining and packed with information. I teach with humor and love so that you will feel most open and free to express yourself!
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.
A message from Patrick
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.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona April 21, 2012**** 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 Assisi Day trip to Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore Day trip to Siena 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.
Activites for Non-Participating Guests Non-Participating guests are included on the opening reception at La Saletta and on the day trips to Florence and Siena. Non-Participating guests who have chosen an “all-inclusive” plan or the Group Meal Plan (GMP)are also included in the wine tastings and meals. With advance notice and based upon availability other excursions and tours may also be arranged at additional cost. Available may be wine tours, golf, hiking, horseback or trails rides, bicycle rental, scooter rental. Day trips by train, bus or taxi are possible to Arezzo, Orvieto, Assisi, Florence, Montepulciano, Perugia, Piensa, Montalcino Siena and Lake Trasimeno. Thursday is market day in Camucia, below Cortona. Val di Chiana Outlet Village is also open daily.
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 at La Loccanda del Loggiatto
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
-7:00p Wine tasting Il Pozzo
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Tuesday - Assisi -Day trip to Assisi to paint or visit with lunch provided.
-4:09p Train to Cortona
-7:30p Wine tasting TBA
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday - Cortona -9:00a-1230p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-2:30-5:30pAfternoon Workshop
-5:45 Tuscan cooking class & dinner
Thursday - Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore
-9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch in Cortona at La Loccanda del Loggiatto
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Friday - Siena
-8:00 Day trip to Siena -1:00p Lunch
-8:00p 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.
Meet Laurie Meyer...
Laurie Meyer has lived and painted in Charleston, SC for over twenty years. Following careers in education and corporate sales, Laurie devoted her life to her first love – painting – in 1997. She is largely self-taught and has studied with esteemed artists and teachers throughout the United States. Life in Charleston has provided Laurie with countless subjects and rich inspiration for her award winning watercolor and oil paintings. Her frequent travels have also given Laurie varied and interesting ideas for many of her works. She paints with rich color and broad “brushy” strokes and palette knife to express the unique and recognizable softness in her work. Most recently, Laurie was awarded First Place in the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition.
Art has also played a role in community involvement for Laurie. She is the past president of the Mt. Pleasant Artists Guild, serving two terms. Laurie also served eight years on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association and originated the Art of Alzheimer’s exhibit, now under the auspices of the Charleston Artist Guild. Laurie is past Program Director for the Charleston Artist Guild and past Director of Artistic Growth. Laurie is also a member of the Oil Painters of America, Charleston Outdoor Painters Association, the SC Watercolor Association, the Portrait Society of America, and American Impressionist Association.
Laurie teaches private lessons in her studio as well as lively and popular workshops in wonderful locations throughout the U.S., San Miguel, and upcoming in Cortona, Italy.
Laurie Meyer is represented by the Wells Gallery in Charleston and on Kiawah Island, The City Art Gallery, NC, and I. Pinckney-Simons Gallery. She resides on Daniel Island, SC with her creative and supportive husband, her incredibly devoted labradoodle - happily empty nesting while their three daughters embrace adulthood.
Meet Shannon Smith...
Charleston native Shannon Smith has quickly ventured beyond the title of up-and-coming artist and has established a solid reputation within the fine art community. Regardless of what subject she chooses to paint, Smith has proven to possess an unusually keen eye and an unrivaled sensitivity to light. It is her attention to detail coupled with the use of strong, warm and cool colors that she uses to delicately capture the fading light of the late afternoon hours.In many of her canvases, Shannon Smith paints strong contrasts of color, with dramatic darks and subdued grey tones juxtaposed with warmer, more radiant hues. But, as always, her main focus is capturing light. Born and raised in the Lowcountry, many of her works are inspired by the beauty of coastal landscapes and downtown Charleston scenes. However, Smith has painted in Europe and studied with nationally known artists such as Kim English and Gregg Kreutz. “I’m inspired by the drama of light interacting with the subject or a mood created by a scene, telling us stories.”For Smith, art has always been a natural part of life. She was raised in a household of artists. Her mother is noted oil painter Betty Anglin Smith, and her siblings Jennifer Smith Rogers and Tripp Smith are also accomplished artists. It was this constant immersion in art that helped foster 38-year-old Smith’s talent from an early age. After completing her BFA at Clemson University in 1994, Smith has been painting professionally. She has been honored by the Oil Painters of America and she is a signature member of the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast. In addition to showing in Charleston she is also represented in Atlanta, GA. Corporate collections include pieces in the Clemson University Foundation, Piggly Wiggly Corporate Headquarters, McCrady's restaurant, and Hospice of Charleston.
My easel is 10x12 Open M Box palette/panel carrier like the one above. It is very light weight and I love it! Another choice is the Easy L. There are several options, but I would go for the light weight option. I have an Easy L also, and I love it too, but I have a larger, heavier one, so I don't travel with it on planes. They make a lighter weight version of mine. http://www.artworkessentials.com/products/
You will need a tripod to hold the box. These are available on the box sites. Also, you will find on both sites several accessory options. An extender is nice to have to give you a little shelf to hold your stuff. You also might want to order a few brass hooks to hang your mineral spirits container.
Paint - please order a professional grade oil such as Gamblin, Winsor-Newton, Holbein, etc. Please do NOT order Winton or Georgian. Titanium White Yellow Ochre Cadmium Yellow Light or Lemon Cadmium Yellow Medium or Dark Cadmium Red Light Alizarin Crimson Ultramarine Blue Sap Green
Obviously, the smaller tubes will weigh less and will be easier to handle.
Brushes - if you have a good supply of quality hog bristle, bring a variety of sizes. If not, a brand such as Robert Simmons, Silver, Princeton, or Escoda are good choices. Please get size 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. Also, please bring a medium sized soft brush made from mongoose or sable.
Canvas Panels - There are several options here. You can get canvas panels on gator board, which are really light. Please order nothing smaller than 8x10 and nothing larger than 11x14. Consider the size of your pochade box and the largest panels it will accommodate before ordering! Order 10 - 12 A few sites for you: http://www.signaturecanvas.com/claessen-gatorboard-3-16.html (order the canvas Belgian linen - 6.50 per panel) www.canvaspanels.com
Also, in order to bring home your masterpieces, take a look at this system: (there are a few options here) www.panelpak.com
Additional Items - baby wipes are incredible for clean up - please bring them or buy them in Italy. Must be for babies, not simply wet wipes. Paper towels ( can get in Italy), an apron to cover your clothes, a sturdy tote bag or back pack. Shannon and I both use back packs that hold our boxes, tripods, and everything else. There are some with wheels that are great for transportation. I use mine as my "carry on" for the flight, packed with clothes, etc, then transfer my art supplies into it once we arrive. Also:
This is a great view finder and can be found at any art supply store or on Open M Box. Also, please bring a little sketch book for thumb nail sketches and a notebook for notes!
More to come, but this will get you started. There are great online stores: www.jerrysartarama, www.dickblick, www.aswexpress.com
Oderless mineral spirits will be provided. Liquin and other solvents may be purchased in Cortona.
Please email me with questions regarding the list – LaurMey@aol.com
