Making a Painting Work with Artist/instructor Ned Mueller Cortona, Italy May 8-15, 2013
Break Time
Patzcauro Morning
Join Ned in Cortona, Italy for this special week of painting in plein air!
In addition to painting in the Medieval hilltown of Cortona, day trips include Lucignano & the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore.
Also included are two evenings open to those who want to work in the studio and Ned will be present to talk and help people out. Painters can work on their plein air paintings or work from there own photos or some that Ned will bring.
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.
Meet Ned Mueller...
Ned is a very accomplished and highly respected artist, having been drawing and painting for over 60 years. He is a graduate of the prestigious Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles. He has participated in many of the major invitaitonal show in the country, including the "Artist's of America Show","Great American Artist's Show", "Prix de West Show", "Oil Painters of America", "Pastel Society of America", "The Northwest Rendezvous Show" and the annual "Plein Air Painters of America Exhibition. He shows in some of the Finest Galleries in the country, has won numerous awards and is included in many private fine art collections. He is a Signature member of the Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Painters of America, California Art Club, Northwest Pastel Society, Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters, Northwest Renezvous Group, and the American Society of Marine Artists. Ned has been designated as "Master Artist" status with the Oil Painters of America and has been invited to show in the 2013 Autry Masters Show, considered the top Traditional/Impressionist show in the country. Ned continues to challenge himself to grow artiscally and is asked to jury Regional and National Art Shows. He loves to teach and share his many years of knowlege and experience and is in demand to teach classes and workshops Nationally and Internationally.
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona May 8, 2013**** 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 painting trips
A farewell wine tasting dinner
**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 train ticket to Florence provided (not escorted) *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Itinerary
Wednesday: Arrival in Cortona -11:30a Meeet at Florence airport and Escorted Group Travel to Cortona
-1:30p approx-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 Loggetta
Thursday: Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Wine tasting
-7:30p Dinner in Cortona
Friday: Lake Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore
-Day trip with lunch provided
-9:00a-12:00p Morning Workshop
-12:00p Lunch
-1:00-4:00p Afternoon Workshop
-6:00p Wine & Dinner
-7:30p Studio session (optional)
Saturday: Cortona
-9:00a-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-2:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Wine tasting
-7:30p Dinner in Cortona
Sunday: Cortona-Poggio neighborhood
-9:00a-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch
-2:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:00p Wine tasting
-7:30p Dinner in Cortona
Monday: Lucignano & Val di Chiana
-Day trip & lunch included.
-9:00a-12:00p Morning Workshop
-12:00p Lunch
-1:00-4:00p Afternoon Workshop
-6:00p Wine & Dinner
-7:30p Studio session (optional)
Tuesday: Cortona
-9:00a-12:00p Morning Workshop
-12:00p Lunch
-Free Afternoon
-7:30p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday: Departure
- Morning Check-out
- Departure from Cortona
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. Note: Toscana Americana Workshops provides each participant with a return train ticket (from Cortona/Camucia to Florence Santa Maria Novella station) on departure day May 15, 2013. This travel is not escorted.
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.
Oil Paints: Titanium white,cadmium yellow lite, cadmium orange,cadmium red lite, alizarim crimson,transparent brown oxide, chromium green oxide, viridian, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue,ivory black.
Brushes: I mostly use bristle brushes, mainly filberts and brights #2,#4,#6,#8,#10. I usually have at least two or three of each. I will use some round sables for detail or to sign my name.
Panels: I mostly use ready made oil primed linen panels to paint on, anywhere from 4"x6" to 12"x16" to paint outside. Bring a variety of sizes including 8"x10",9"x12",11"x14" to paint on. Some places to get panels are: www.CanvasPanels.com, www.newtraditionsartpanels.com, www.windriverarts.com. Linen panels are a bit expensive and a good canvas panel will do.
Easel: If you paint outside have a good easel such as the French easel, backpack easel or one of the many good pochade paint boxes on the market. Some of them are: www.artworkessentials.com, and www.openboxm.com.
Other: Have a good size container to clean your brushes with and a small cup for your medium. I use odorless Turp to clean brushes and for my medium. I usually use a glass or plexiglass palette,wood palettes are fine as are the fold out palette pals. Please, no paper palettes. I have a palette knife and/or a scraper to clean my palette and a roll of paper towels to clean my palette and brushes with. Oderless mineral spirits will be provided. The art supply shop in Cortona may also be a resouce for items.
Have some comfortable shoes and practical clothes for whatever weather one may encounter if you decide to paint outside. Do not wear any bright shirts or such that might reflect color into your painting surface. A hat or visor to keep the sun out of your eyes and a plein air umbrella is optional, but does come in handy. A wet painitng box does come in handy and can be bought at most art supply or plein air painting outfits. Equipment and paints do get expensive, and do the best you can, but cheap paints,brushes and panels can really keep a person from doing their best work. The first day or so we will probably just be doing smaller studies in the 6"x8" to 9"x12" range to get people warmed up. If you work in the studio and work from photos..bring some of your own...I will have a good wide selection of subject matter that students can use. Prints may also be made in Cortona from your camera memory card. Bring a good sense of humor and we will work hard and have a good time doing it!!
Testimonials...
NED MUELLER IS ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS AND ENCOURAGING INSTRUCTORS AN ART STUDENT COULD EVER ENCOUNTER. HE IS GENEROUS WITH HIS ART KNOWLEDGE AND WITHOUT HUBRIS OR EXPANDED EGO.
IF YOU ARE A STUDENT WITH ART KNOWLEDGE, HE IS THE TEACHER TO ASSIST YOU IN YOUR ARTISTIC JOURNEY. HIS EXTENSIVE TRAINING AS A GRADUATE FROM ART CENTER, A CAREER AS AN ILLUSTRATOR AND THEN A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FINE ART ARTIST IS THE PERFECT COMBINATION TO GUIDE A STUDENT AND FURTHER THEIR SKILLS.
THE BEGINNING ART STUDENT WILL APPRECIATE HIS GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, ENTHUSIASM AND ENCOURAGEMENT. NED IS ALWAYS PATIENT WITH HIS STUDENTS. WHATEVER ARTISTIC FAILURE A STUDENT MAY EXPERIENCE, HE IS THERE TO EXPLAIN, INSTRUCT AND GIVE CONTINUED ENCOURAGEMENT.
NED'S ART BACKGROUND IS EXTENSIVE. BUT AS MUCH ARTISTIC KNOWLEDGE AS HE HAS, HE IS ALWAYS PUTTING HIMSELF IN A POSITION TO LEARN MORE, TO STRETCH HIS SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DIFFERING TECHNIQUES. HIS STUDENTS COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT PAINTING AND ART IS A LIFETIME ENDEAVOR.
Judythe Sherwood-Artist
Dear Ned:
I am writing to thank you for being the absolute best art teacher I have ever had! It was my lucky day when I went to a demo of yours and I got to watch you paint a portrait of an audience member. You did it in record time and it looked exactly like her! I knew immediately that I had to learn from you!
Since then, I have been in several ongoing classes of yours and several workshops. You have taken me from mediocre to advanced and you made it fun. You are always ready to help students one-on-one with patience and an incredible wealth of knowledge. I always come away with a feeling of satisfaction in knowing that I am just a little bit better artist each time. You are a rare find: A great artist, a great personality, and a generous teacher willing to share his knowledge.
Here’s to many more classes and many many more paintings!
With respect and affection,
Pepper Peterson
I studied oil painting with Ned for several years. Ned is the best plein air painter active today. He is a master at landscape, either plein air or studio. He paints any subject with real authority, and is particularly good at teaching portrait painting. Ned is well known as a kind and supportive instructor. An opportunity to study with him is not to be missed
