Toscana Americana

with
Spencer Meagher
New Dates Coming Soon!
 Cortona, Italy

 Workshops include as many demos as participants may need, abundant one on one instruction with Spencer and daily critique sessions for those who wish to participate.  And just to make sure the student has everything he or she needs to succeed in making better paintings, you’ll have the beauty of the Tuscan landscape to inspire you!   Come and learn how to better express your artistic vision in a place that has inspired some of history’s giants, with an artist who genuinely loves to teach.

All mediums welcome though Spencer will demo only in Watercolor & Acrylic.

Read more below...

Meet Spencer Meagher...

Artist Statement

"Deep within my spirit lies a need to express myself that can only be realized through

my art. My paintings are a realistic glimpse into how I view the world around me. I

tend to avoid the details and let the color and value tell the story."

Biography

Spencer Meagher first discovered his love for art as a young child. He found he was

able to express himself through drawing and painting. He refined his skills over many

decades with practice and dedication. As an adult, he has attended many workshops to

gain a better understanding of his craft. Spencer now paints full time and travels all

over the country attending competitions and shows, as well as, teaching workshops.

Spencer is a Plein Air and studio artist who works in watercolor, oil and acrylic. When

he is not traveling he works out of his studio in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Spencer’s work has taken top awards in art competitions around the country, and has

been exhibited in many notable galleries. His paintings have been featured in

publications such as, Plein Air Magazine and Plein Air Today. He has also been

mentioned in numerous online articles.

Spencer has studied with renowned artists Alvaro Castagnet, Graham Berry, John P.

Lasater IV, Joseph Fettingis, Lon Brauer, M. Shawn Cornell and Sterling Edwards.

www.spencermeagher.com

All-inclusive* workshop includes:
--Escorted group travel Florence

to Cortona New Dates Coming Soon!****

--Cortona to Florence New Dates Coming Soon!****

--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

--Day trip to Pienza & Montepulciano

--Day trip to Siena

--Day trip to Lake Trasimeno

--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 on (New Dates Coming Soon!)
and from Cortona on (New Dates Coming Soon!); times to be announced.

  *All-inclusive plans are Hotel only.
Air travel to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.

About this workshop...

Watercolor & Acrylic Workshop

This plein air workshop is designed to help students thrive, rather than cringe in a

plein air setting. Plein air can be overwhelming to those unfamiliar with it. Spencer

will begin with discussions about the full gamut of plein air equipment and obstacles

unique to painting out-of-doors. These topics include handling intense sun, hydration,

changing light, wind, bugs and, of course, curious onlookers. This class will build each

students confidence allowing for an easier transition to painting in a public setting.

During this workshop Spencer will demonstrate in watercolor and acrylics. Students

will work on the fundamentals of painting in the medium of their choosing. Spencer

will underscore the differences between studio and plein air painting, such as, dealing

with palettes that dry much faster or slower depending on the weather.

Where appropriate students will complete practice exercises, preparing them for

painting on their own. Spencer will complete several demonstrations over the course

of the workshop, each designed to reinforce previous exercises. Students can expect to

receive one-on-one instruction, when needed. Much attention will be given to the

importance of making strong compositions from the “live” scene before them.

Students will learn to edit out the unnecessary clutter in front of them and learn to

include only that which is necessary to capture the moment. Students should

anticipate completing one quarter sheet painting per day.

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.

Watercolor Supply List

Suggested listing of supplies - feel free to bring anything you like to paint with.

Paints – bring the best you can afford.

I use a variety; American Journey, Winsor Newton, QOR, Sennelier.The same color by

different manufacturers may vary some.

Below are suggested colors. A few are brand specific. BE ADVISED MY COLOR PALETTE

IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.

Ameri. Journey Sky Blue (Cerulean is similar)

Cobalt Blue

Ultramarine Blue

Pthalo Green

Lemon Yellow

Quinacridone Gold

QOR Pyrole Transparent Orange

Alizarin Crimson

Cadmium Red

Quinacridone Magenta

Neutral Tint

Raw Sienna

Brushes - #’s 4, 8, 12 round; ¾”, 1”, 2" flat brushes. Hake brush works nice for washes;

I often use mop brushes as well and a rigger for tree branches, etc. If you have

something similar to these don't spend money buying brushes just for this workshop.

A few old bristle brushes of various sizes for scrubbing. Whatever you have and are

comfortable with is good.

Paper- Any Professional grade, i.e. Arches, Fabriano, or Kilimanjaro – 300#

recommended, 140# acceptable but may buckle a bit, watercolor blocks are good.

Stay away from student grade papers

Miscellaneous - Removable Masking Fluid, Quart container(s) for water, 12 x 16”

backboard (Masoniteor Gatorfoam works great) large enough to tape down your

paper, removable masking tape or bulldog clamps, ceramic, metal or plastic palette

with generous mixing area, small misting bottle, sea sponge (optional)

Bring anything else you like to paint with.

 

 

Arylic Supply List

Paints - Bring whatever paint colors you are comfortable working with. I recommend:

A warm and a cool in each primary color

Pthalo Green

Black

Raw Sienna

Cadmium Orange

Palette - I use a glass palette attached to my tripod. Another option is a plastic "staymoist"

palette with a lid.

Brushes - I like Grey Matters flats by Jack Richeson. 1/4" stiff bristle brush for

sketching. 1/2", 3/4" & 1" Flat and a rigger for painting. Other brushes work fine as

well. Bring what you like to use.

Bring a sufficient amount of prepared panels or what ever substrate you prefer. I

recommend 11x14 panels.

 

Plein Air Supply List

Easel - Any sturdy easel or tripod that will hold your paper/board and allow you to

paint vertical to flat should be good. A shelf attached to the legs to hold palette, water

and brushes is beneficial.

Umbrella - Important for shielding your work from sun or rain and helps keep you

shaded.

Broad brimmed hat for shade.

Chair or stool - If you can’t stand for a few hours to paint you may want something to

sit on. Lightweight and collapsible is best.

Miscellaneous - Jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen and repellant. You will be outside in ALL

KINDS of weather. Be prepared.