Painting the Landscape en Plein Air in Cortona with Artist/instructor Timothy David Mayhew Cortona, Italy May 1-8, 2010
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Come and paint en plein air in the warmth of the Tuscan sun in Cortona, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Tuscany!
This intensive workshop is designed to teach the fundamental skills necessary for successful landscape oil painting in the open air [en plein air].Workshop participants will focus on the basic techniques of plein air painting, and learn skills to simplify and organize their compositions from the wealth of material that nature provides.
The workshop will begin indoors in the studio with an introduction to the necessary equipment and supplies needed for working on location, followed by a discussion of the fundamentals of sound painting en plein air.
Subsequent mornings and afternoons will be spent painting on location, and special emphasis will be placed on how to select a motif, and how to organize and simplify the nearly overwhelming amount of information that nature provides.
The instructor will teach the importance of good drawing, composition, value, design, color, and teach workshop participants how to see in terms of mass and form rather than detail and line. Emphasis will be put on composition and design in order to understand, simplify and organize value patterns and shapes. Workshop participants will learn how to create atmospheric perspective, and the balance of cool and warm colors outdoors. There will be demonstrations, individual help, and critiques. Although the course is designed to develop the individual's ability, workshop participants are encouraged to develop their own expression and insight into their work.
Through this workshop the student will come to appreciate the importance of outdoor painting, which is the soul of studio work.
Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced Medium: Oil, but other media are acceptable.
Day 1 – Arrival in Cortona Workshop participants will arrive in Cortona independently, or from Rome with a Toscana Americana escort, and check in at Casa Betania. For the rest of the afternoon, participants either rest or explore Cortona before our welcome meeting at La Saletta where we will enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting. Later it is off to enjoy a fine dinner at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto.
Day 2 - Cortona - Casa Betania The morning workshop session will be held at the Casa Betania where there will be an orientation to the necessary equipment and supplies needed for working on location, followed by a discussion of the fundamentals of sound painting en plein air. Here we will lay out a solid approach foundation so participants will be able organize and simplify the nearly overwhelming amount of information that nature provides. We will have lunch at the Casa Betania and then paint on location nearby for the afternoon session. At all workshop painting sessions we will work on developing solid drawing skills, composition, design, color, value, and learn how to see in terms of mass and form rather than detail and line. There will be instructor demonstrations, individual help, and critiques. After our afternoon session we will enjoy a wine tasting at IL Pozzo and then dine at Trattoria Toscana. Day 3 - Cortona/Poggio We will meet at the Casa Betania and take a taxi to Cortona/Poggio. We will paint on location for the morning workshop session, where we will work on developing solid drawing skills, composition, design, color, value, and learn how to see in terms of mass and form rather than detail and line. We have lunch at Trattoria Etrusca. We will resume painting on location for the afternoon workshop session. Later we return to the hotel to refresh then travel to Piazza Garibaldi for a wine tasting and then have great dinner at Fufluns. Day 4 – Travel Day to Florence for the Uffizi Gallery Today we will take a bit of a break from painting and take the train from Camucia Station to travel to Florence. This city is noted for the magnificent Uffizi Museum which we will visit. Bring your sketch book to record impressionable works of art. Arrangements for a light lunch will be made for us. After exploring Florence and taking in all the beauty, we will return to Cortona for dinner at Cortona at Tempero.
Day 5 - Cortona Group workshop painting sessions in both the morning and afternoon. We will work on exercises designed to develop solid drawing skills, composition, design, color, value, and learn how to see in terms of mass and form rather than detail and line. There will be an instructor demonstration, individual help, and critiques. Lunch will be at La Grotta. And dinner will be a unique event which will include a Tuscan cooking class so you will know how to recreate those fantastic meals form this week when you return home.
Day 6 - Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore We will depart Cortona by train from the Camucia station to travel to Passiganano to take a boat to Isola Maggiore. We will paint some of the beautiful vistas in this area during the morning and afternoon workshop sessions. We will work on color, value, and learn how to see in terms of mass and form rather than detail and line. There will be instructor demonstration, individual help, and critiques. We will take a break for lunch at Il Vecchio Orologio. We return to the hotel to refresh then take a taxi to Cortona’s city center for a wine tasting and then dinner at Cortona at Tempero. Day 7 - Cortona We will work in and about Cortona for the morning and afternoon painting sessions with a break for lunch at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto. We will return to the hotel to freshen up and then return to the city center for a farewell wine tasting dinner, and glow in the light of many wonderful memories and some solid paintings to cherish for a lifetime. Day 8 – Cortona - Departure For those who are able we will gather together for our morning breakfast at the hotel and say our goodbyes. If you have time, you can visit Cortona's outdoor market for some last minute souvenir shopping. This program is subject to change depending on the weather or other conditions but we will try to follow the itinerary as best as we can. If weather does not permit us to paint outdoors we will have a studio where we can work. Scheduled transportation to and from Cortona city center is provided, though you may walk if desired.
"At First Light"
"On Cumbres Pass"
"Wintertide"
Itinerary
Saturday – Arrival in Cortona -Arrival and Check-in in Cortona at Casa Betania. -7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta. -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto Sunday - Cortona -9:00a-1:00p Morning Session at Casa Betania -1:00p Lunch Casa Betania -3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session at at Casa Betania -7:30p Wine tasting at IL Pozzo -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at Trattoria Toscana Monday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch at Trattoria Etrusca -3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session -7:30p Wine tasting TBA -8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at Fufluns Tuesday - Florence -8:00a Taxi to Camucia Station (train at 8:29) -Day trip to Florence with lunch provided -Uffizi gallery visit. -4:09p Depart Florence -7:30p Wine at TBA -8:00p Dinner in Cortona at Tempero Wednesday - Cortona -9:00-12:00p Morning Session -12:00p Lunch La Grotta -2:00-5:00p Afternoon Session -5:45p Taxi to Tuscan cooking class & dinner -9:30p Taxi to Casa Betania Thursday - Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore -7:40a - Depart Cortona and travel to Passignano followed by boat to Isola Maggiore -8:05a – Depart Camucia by train for Passignano & Isola Maggiore -1:00p Lunch -6:30 return to Cortona/Camucia -7:30p Wine tasting -8:00p Dinner in Cortona at Tempero Friday - Cortona -9:00-1:00p Morning Session -1:00p Lunch at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto -3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session -8:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona Saturday – Cortona -Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay! -Each guest must make taxi/travel requests through the Casa Betania front desk. Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate
All-inclusive enrollment options include: Instruction on location Escorted group travel Rome to Cortona May 1-8, 2010**** Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona**
Local museums and events
All meals***(Italian breakfast, lunch & dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities
Day trip to Florence Tuscan Cooking class & dinner A farewell wine tasting dinner
**Included with "Casa Betania" plans only, see details
***Included with "Group Meal Plans" only, see details
****Specific departure time only; to be announced *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans A, C, E, G and Hostel plans I & K only. Air travel is the responsibility of each participant. Florence (FLR) and Rome (FCO) the suggested arrival and departure airports in Italy.
Casa Betania proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops since 2003
Visit Casa Betania online!
Participant Supply List
Required supplies for this workshop: Portable easel – Pochade box, French easel or half-easel, or something appropriate for outdoor painting use. [I use and recommend the Open Box M Pochade box – for more information call Open Box M at 800-473-8098] Oil Paint Palette (Get professional quality, not student grade): White (Titanium or Titanium/Zinc combination, large 125 ml tube); Yellow Ochre; Cadmium Yellow Lemon; Cadmium Yellow Light; Cadmium Orange; Burnt Sienna; Venetian Red, or Terra Rosa or Light Red or English Red [only one of these colors]; Alizarin Crimson [Get the permanent, light-fast type]; Ultramarine Blue Deep; Cobalt Blue Pale; Viridian; Mauve Blue Shade [Windsor/Newton]; Blue Black [Windsor/Newton];
Portable palette (appropriate for outdoor use)
Brushes: Bristle flats and filberts (#s 4, 6, and 8 at least two of each); Sable or soft synthetic filbert #2 or #4 Rigger brush
Small Painting Knife
Painting Panels: Please use linen or canvas covered panels rather than stretched canvas. Sourcetek, Frederix, RayMar and others are quality manufacturers for these panels.Bring smaller sizes from 6x8, 8x10 to 9x12; A total of 8 -10 panels will be needed for the week.
A panel box for storing/shipping wet paintings (see Open Box M phone number above). Odorless mineral spirits, e.g., Gamsol, and a leakproof carrying container/brush cleaner, such as the Holbein airtight brush cleaner.
Mineral Spirits (MS) may be purchased on location. DO NOT PACK AND BRING. IT IS ILLEGAL TO BRING OMS ON FLIGHTS. Participants purchase their own mineral spririts or equivalent.
Paper towels and plastic grocery bags (for trash) can be purchased on location.
6B or 9B pencil and a drawing pad [smooth paper surface; about 6x8 up to 9x12 inches in size].
Notebook for taking notes [Unless you have a permanent, photographic memory….its your class get your money’s worth]
A good day-bag or backpack for carrying the gear.
Wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, water bottle, rain gear and appropriate warm, dry comfortable shoes and clothing for working outdoors.
Angela Lucani was born and raised in Cortona and never tires of living within the walls of this vibrant Tuscan hilltown! She trained as an elementary school teacher and taught in various locals within Cortona from its mountain villages to the growing post-war part of Cortona known as Camucia. Angela has always been passionate about Tuscan cooking, which she began to learn at an early age aiding her mother in the kitchen. She maintains respect for local cooking traditions and recipes and shares that with Italians and foreign visitors through cooking classes conducted both in Italy and in America. She has extensive knowledge of Cortona's various areas, from the mountains to the fertile Val di Chiana, and continues to learn about its long and colorful history. She is also passionate about travel and enjoys learning about and experiencing customs, traditions and characteristics of other countries, cultures & people. Her travels destinations have included the United States, England, Egypt, South America, France, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Greece. She enjoys serving as a bridge between visitors to Tuscany and the local culture.
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!
