Plein Air Painting-Tuscany
Dates: 6/19/2010 - 6/26/2010
Location: Tuscan Renaissance Center
Instructor: Jean Cauthen
Price: $2,195 
workshop details |
If you love to paint (or would love to learn to paint) and you love the idea of experiencing Italy in a way that few tourists do, this is the adventure you have been looking for!
This is perfect for the advanced artist striving to "loosen up," as well as the beginner seeking a solid foundation in the essentials of landscape painting. By concentrating on space, color relationships and design, students move toward discovering their own unique vision. In addition to Il Chiostro`s planned excursions, you have free time to explore the region on your own or just relax in the beautiful Chianti environment. It is the ideal balance of painting and vacationing.
Jean works and teaches in oil paint, but other painting media are welcome as well. Each day begins with a "focus," particularly suited to our subjects, from vineyards to intimate villages. In the tradition of plein-air artists, instructor Jean Cauthen encourages completion of two or more paintings in a day, as well as a couple of more sustained artworks. Students benefit from 4-5 hours/daily of individual and group instruction including demonstrations and personal guidance. No matter your level of experience, Jean tailors instruction to the level and visual vocabulary of each student. For teachers, recertification documents are offered.
Evenings - after a day of painting - are enchanted! Because we are situated in Chianti, Italy`s famous wine and olive oil producing region, our chef introduces us to the wonders of simple Italian cooking. The staff selects wild herbs, shops in local markets for fresh mozarella and peccorino, picks mulberries from the tree in our garden for tarts and searches for the best of Tuscany to serve at our dinner tables. Laughter and friendships grow naturally from this setting!
In addition to the activities of the workshop, we will also see and explore this area of Tuscany with various excursions:
- visit medieval Siena
- winery tour and tasting at a local Chianti winery
- explore other small hilltowns (Radda, Volpaia, ...) to shop for local crafts or just relax at a cafe
- nature walk through the vineyards, olive groves and villages
The Food: at the Tuscan Renaissance Center helping our guests to experience the food in one of the earth`s richest, most sensual areas is our pleasure. Chianti, the part of Tuscany where we are, is Italy`s famous wine and olive oil producing region. Here we want to expose you to the wonders of simple Italian cooking. We pick wild herbs to create our own twist on a pasta dish, shop in local markets for fresh mozarella and peccorino, pick mulberries from the tree in our garden for tarts and search for the best of Tuscany to serve you at our dinner tables. Tuscan cuisine is a simple art that has been refined over the centuries to surprise our palates while the wine comforts our souls. Come explore what food can really be all about.
Price: $2,195
Supplements: $550 for single room; $150 p/p for suite, if available
Non-participant fee: $1,895
Includes:
- Shared double room in restored monastery
- Daily traditional breakfast and dinner, including wine
- Daily workshop activities and excursions
- Excursion to Siena
- ½ day excursion to nearby hilltown (Monteriggioni, Radda, Volpaia…)
- Pick up from Florence train station at 3:30pm on arrival Saturday
- Transfer to bus/train station in Siena on final day
Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Lunch (Lite lunch available for 15 euros when we are not out on excursion)
- Art supplies
- Independent meals and sight-seeing