The Artist’s Book, Vessel for Word and Image Book Art & Calligraphy in Tuscany with artist/instructor Annie Cicale Cortona, Italy 2012 dates coming sooon!
See Cortona videos
Spread from a multi-signature book, made from 'recycled' still life drawings.
Cover of multi-signature book, watercolor
Spread from a multi-signature book, made from 'recycled' still life drawings.
About this workshop...
The artist’s book combines words and images in a structure that reinforces the ideas it contains. Inspired by our experiences in Italy, we will make books that can be a repository for our week together in Cortona. We will begin by talking about travel journals, documenting your experiences on this trip. Some simple binding structures and page design considerations will lead us to work on an artist’s book. Your images may include drawing, painting or collage techniques. We will then integrate our imagery with handwritten text, and design a book structure that further develops the ideas. Whether traditional or contemporary, your book will be an expression of your own ideas, leaving ample room for experimentation and individual expression. Field trips to Cortona's two museums and to Florence and Siena will supplement our wanderings, giving us ample inspiration for our books.
Objectives:
Italy was the birthplace of Roman typefaces, both upper and lower case, as well as many calligraphic scripts. It tempts us with its museums, churches and libraries, reminding us of the major contributions made by Italians to the book arts over the centuries. Spend a week in Cortona, bringing your inspirations to the page by making a manuscript book, written and illuminated by you. Whether your outlook is traditional or contemporary, whether you are an experienced scribe or a novice, this workshop will launch into new ways of thinking about your work.
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 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 learning, creating, and gaining skills and confidence with the expert instruction of professional artist Annie Cicale 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.
Annie Cicale
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence to Cortona July 23, 2011**** Instruction in the classroom and on location Seven nights three-star accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Day trips to Florence & Siena A farewell wine tasting dinner Tuscan cooking class & 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 A, C, E, G and Hostel plans I & K only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Hotel Oasi Neaumann proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops since 2003
Visit Hotel Oasi Neumann online
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.
About this workshop...
Day One: Introduction of concepts and discuss projects we will make. Begin by discussing the content of your book, deciding on what you want to include, and what needs to be done to write and illustrate your ideas. For the text, you will analyze a script of your choice (Italic, Roman Caps, Humanist Bookhands, Rotunda or a refinement of your handwriting) and develop a working model for the week. Decide on group project.
Day Two: Drawings in and around Cortona for illuminations and illustrations, developing images for books. Introduction to page design, both traditional and contemporary. Also visits to museums in Cortona.
Day Three: Field trip to Florence, visiting the Laurentian Library, the San Marco Museum and Zecchi's art supply. If time, the antique farmacia near the train station is a big draw as well.
Day Four: Work on manuscript book in studio, lettering and illustrating text. Work on group project.
Day Five: Field trip to Siena to see manuscripts in the Piccolomini Library in the cathedral and to see the rest of lovely Siena.
Day Six: Finish illustrating manuscript book, binding. Finish group project and exchange.
Note: Program may be altered to include or change projects.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Itinerary
Saturday – Arrival in Cortona
-Arrival and Check-in in Cortona at assigned three-star hotel or hostel.
-7:30p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta.
-Evening dinner in Cortona at La Locanda nel Loggiato
Sunday - Cortona
-9:00a-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch at Hotel Oasi
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner at Hotel Oasi
Monday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch at Hotel Oasi
-3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner at Hotel Oasi
Tuesday - Florence
-Day trip to Florence with lunch provided and site visits TBA
-8:00p Dinner at Hotel Oasi
-Evening studio session
Wednesday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
1:00p Lunch Hotel Oasi
-3:00-6:00p Afternoon Session
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Tuscan cooking class & dinner
Thursday - Siena
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner at Hotel Oasi
-Evening studio session
Friday - Cortona
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch at Hotel Oasi
3:00-7:00p Afternoon Session
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Saturday – Cortona
-Morning breakfast session
-Morning Check-out and 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.
Siena's Piazza IL Campo
Manuscripts in Siena's Piccolomini Library
Click to enlarge
Participant Supply List
Materials List:
(some of this can be arranged in advance with a lab fee)
Your travel journal, in progress, if you have one
Basic writing tools for handwriting or calligraphy: nibs, pen holders, inks, Small ruler, pencils, erasers, ink rags
Mat knife or snap-off knife
Glue stick, such as ‘UHU stic’ (the yellow one)
Bone folder, cutting mat
Colored media: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, pastel, or watercolor, or other, along with palettes, brushes, etc. Bring only one or two media, limited to what is transportable.
Layout bond, tracing paper for designing
Texts to work with either from home or things you find (or write) in Italy. Bring two or three ideas and we’ll adapt one of them to the time and space limitations of a workshop situation.
Workshop materials (to be shared)
Plastic cutting mat
Paper for projects: We can buy paper at Zecchi’s on a Florence field trip but we’ll also need a bunch of drawing paper to make journals with at the beginning of the week.
Access to a computer printer if folks want to print some of their snapshots to use in their books; a local print shop would probably work fine!
Sewing materials
Other materials will be added as I plan the details of the class
Materials fee:
$10.-15. for paper, some colored media, bookbinding materials and tools.
