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!
Discover the effects of light in painting the beautiful countryside around Cortona en plein air. William (Bill) Rogers will demonstrate in both the oil and watercolor mediums. He will help painters of all levels develop a more acute sense of observation as well as learn techniques to simplify and translate their observations into paint.
Bill will start each onsite session with a different problem to resolve and will do a small demo to illustrate possible solutions. This will be followed by students working on their own projects while Bill circulates with a clipboard and a painting surface to show students, with mini side demos, particular strategies for their unique painting- such as colour mixing, paint handling, drawing, and composition.
Bill will have a couple of in depth critiques over the week so students can benefit from each others struggles and solutions. They will also benefit from the instructor’s many years of teaching workshops from which he has garnered proven and effective strategies for helping students to paint successfully.
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 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.
William (Bill) Rogers is an Elected Member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC) and is currently the 1st Vive President. He is also a signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA) and the Société Canadienne de l
’Aquarelle (SCA). Most of his landscapes are done “Plein-air”, which he feels is the key to accurately capturing light and its effects. He has exhibited in many international watercolor society competitions all over North America and has been the recipient of many awards, including the AJ Casson Medal at the 2009 CSPWC Open Water Exhibition in Calgary.
Bill has extensive teaching experience, including teaching Art part time at St Francis Xavier University as well as many workshops in Canada and abroad. He paints the model from life at least once a week besides his landscapes and other subjects such as horses - a passion for him.
For a more complete biography and CV, as well as a large sample of his work,
All-inclusive* plans include: Instruction on location Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona September 12, 2012**** Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona** Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Tuscan Cooking Class Day trip to Lake Trasimeno Day trip to Val di Chiana A farewell wine tasting dinner
**Included with "Hotel" plans only, see details ***Included with "Group Meal Plans" only, see details *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans only. ****Escorted Group Travel departs Florence Santa Maria Novella Station by train at approximatley 12:45pm on September 12, 2012. Early morning arrival in Florence on September 12, 2012 or at least one day earlier. Air travel is the responsibility of each participant. Florence (FLR) the suggested arrival and departure airports in Italy. Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate
Itinerary
Wednesday – Arrival in Cortona
-Arrival and Check-in in Cortona at assigned hotel
-7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta.
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Thursday - Cortona
-9:00 -1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch TBA
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting TBA
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Friday - Val di Chiana
-9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch TBA
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Saturday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop or optional market visit
-1:00p Lunch TBA
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Sunday -Poggio
-9:00a-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch TBA
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting at TBA
-8:00p Dinner at TBA
Monday - Lago Trasimeno & Isola Maggiore
-10:00a-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch TBA
-2:00-4:00p Afternoon Workshop
-7:30p Wine tasting at TBA
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Tuesday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Workshop
-1:00p Lunch in Cortona
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Workshop
-8:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona
Wednesday - Cortona
- 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.
CSPWC St Anne
Participant Supply List
For Oil painters (Watercolors see below):
Materials list for Oil Painting:
Oil Painting Easel
- French Easel, or Table top easel , or studio easel
Oil Paint
- Cad Red, Alizarin Crimson(permanent), Cad yellow medium or deep, Lemon Yellow or Cad Yellow pale, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, and Cereulean Blue, sap Green and/or Viridian Green, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White or Zinc white(I use both)
Palette:
strip off type or wooden palette or masonite. Glass or plexi is also good if you have a table to lay it out on.
Oil:
For this workshop Walnut oil or walnut alkyd medium.
Oil cup and solvent cup(may use small fruit cans), paint Rags
Bristle brushes
- at least a small, medium and large, flats, brights or filberts. I like numbers 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10- couple of each
Small round soft hair brush
like sable or other soft hair brush for details
Medium soft hair brush
: for blending edges.
Painting Surface
: Canvas panels or stretched canvas, or primed masonite panels.
Charcoal pencil or vine charcoal stick.
Sketchbook and pencil
– cheap one will do, just to work out composition
For Watercolors:
William Rogers Watercolor – Material List
(A basic list of a few essential materials) email me at billrogers@eastlink.ca or phone (902) 863-6797 with any questions. I will be most happy to help.
Paint
– professional grade WC paint e.g. Holbein, Windsor Newton, Daler Rowney, DaVinci, etc.
Tube Colors – cad. Red, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cerulean blue, lemon yellow or cad. Yellow pale, gamboge or cad. Yellow deep, viridian green or pthalo green; sap green, raw sienna, Burnt sienna.
Note: this palette is mainly a warm and a cool yellow, a warm and a cool blue, a warm and a cool red, and a secondary green, and a couple of earth colors – no black. White is sometimes useful if not overused.
Any palette (selection of colors) which works on this theory is fine.
Palette
–You may like a John Pike palette (plastic) or equivalent. A large dinner plate is great, also an enameled tray or folding palette.
Water containers
– any simple containers, even empty yogurt or ice cream containers, and also plastic beer cups will do.
Brushes
– a selection of sable or synthetic, or blend which includes
- a number 12 round watercolor brush,
a number 8 round, and no. 4 round
a 1” flat wash brush or mop
and others you can’t do without, bigger for bigger paintings. I have a lot of brushes such as 2” flat wash and nos. 14,16,24 rounds for when I work larger but you should have the first 4 brushes mentioned at least.
Paper
– 22”x30” sheets of 100% cotton paper of your preference such as Waterford, Arches, Fabriano, Windsor Newton etc. 140lb or300lb – have 3 or 4 sheets which may be subdivided. I always like to have more than I need so I’m not afraid to make a mistake.
Boards
– such as Masonite, thin plywood, foamcore (2 ply glued). I like mine cut 1” larger than paper I’m using. e.g. 12”x16” board for 11”x15” w.c. paper (quarter sheet) 16”x23” board for half sheet, or 23”x31” board for full sheet and this can also be used for in between sizes. Most students work half sheet or less.
Clips
– four 2” office clips (alternative- masking tape, or gummed tape)
Pencil
(HB or2B) and eraser (gum, vinyl or kneaded)
Easels
: Recommend that you bring an outdoor easel such as French easel or WC easel.
Some students improvise (lawn chairs, lap etc.).
Miscellaneous:
Paper towel and Kleenex, masking tape (alternative to clips), Sketchbook (inexpensive) for composition, box cutter or pencil sharpener, Frisket if you like it. Hat and/or sunscreen.
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!
