Spaces limited, enroll early to ensure your participation!
William Rogers Tuscany Plein Air Workshop
The workshop consists of 8 sessions during the workshop period working onsite (or in the studio in case of inclemnet weather) in various locations in and around Cortona. These sessions may consist of artist demos and one on one help with students as they work, as well as a day’s end critique of work with suggestions for improvement. The group size is limited for maximum teacher/student interaction. Demos will focus on the handling of the medium of watercolor in outdoor conditions, selecting a subject, design/composition of the subject, a plan for painting using composition, value and color studies. Also the color of the Tuscan landscape will be discussed and how best to capture that will be demonstrated. Individual approaches to composition/design and even paint application are always encouraged. The object is to make you a better painter, not a clone of the instructor.
There will be one non-painting day-trip to visit Pienza and Montepulciano! And a second day-trip to the fishing Village of San Feliciano on Lake Trasimeno in Umbria will be a painting day! Lots of fun and learning every day!
Santa Maria Nuova
Cortona, Italy
Medievel Cortona
perched high
above the
Val di Chiana
in Tuscany!
Cortona historic center
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 painting en plein air in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the camaraderie of a small group of enthusiastic painters.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
Lake Trasimeno, Umbria
Tobacco Bay
Early Morning at Shinbone Alley
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Florence airport to Cortona July 8, 2026**** 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 Fishing village of
San Feliciano/Lake Trasimeno A farewell wine tasting dinner Escorted group travel Cortona to Florence airport July 15, 2026****
**Included with "Hotel" private room plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. Italian breakfsat includes coffees, brioche, toast, milk, juices, cheese. ****Specific departure time from Florence airport July 8, 2026 only at 12:00noon ****Specific departure time from Cortona to Florence airport July 15, 2026 only at 8:00am *All-inclusive plans are "Hotel" only. Air travel and independent ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Hotel San Luca
Cortona, Italy
Hotel Special... $4,250.00 All-inclusive w/ shared room/bath &Group Meal Plan... per person double occupancy
$4,390.00 w/ private room/bath &Group Meal Plan... per person
William (Bill) Rogers is a multimedia artist and a past president of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, of which he is an elected member and life member. He is also a signature member of the American Watercolor Society (AWS), the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA), OIl Painters of America, the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS), and the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA).
Bill is a winner of the AJ Casson Medal for Best in Show at Open Water 2009 for CSPWC, as well as many other awards from the CSPWC. He also has been the recipient of awards from AWS, TWSA, OPA, NOAPS and from many plein air events all over the world.
Bill teaches many workshops and does online demos for various artist groups in Canada and the USA. He is part of the Fine Art Faculty of StFX University in Antigonish where he occasionally teaches part time.
He was selected by King Charles (then Prince Charles) to be his Royal Tour Artist to Canada in 2014, from which many works are in his personal collection. Bill also is part of the 100 Year Royal Collection to the Crown from the CSPWC.
Recently Bill has been part of “The Art of Royal Travel, Journeys with the King”, an Exhibition at Buckingham Palace running to September 28, 2025. This is accompanied by a book of the same title, honouring the work of the 42 Royal Tour Artists that accompanied King Charles on his tours from 1985-2025.
-12:00p noon Depart Florence airport (FLR) escorted group travel to Cortona
-1:30p Arrival and Check-in Cortona and fre afternoon to explore
-6:30p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate
-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
July 9 Thursday - Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Session
-12:30p Lite Lunch
-2:00-5:30p Afternoon Session
-6:45p aperitifs
-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
July 10 Friday - Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Session
-12:30p Lite Lunch
-2:00-5:30p Afternoon Session
-6:45p aperitifs
-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
July 11 Saturday - Fishing village of San Feliciano/Lake Trasimeno
-8:45a Day trip to San Feliciano
-12:30p Lite lunch
-4:00p Depart and return to Cortona
-6:45p aperitifs
-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
July 12 Sunday - Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Session
-12:30p Lite Lunch
-2:00-5:30p Afternoon Session
-6:45p aperitifs
-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
July 13 Monday - Pienza & Montepulciano Day Trip (Non-painting)
-9:00a Depart Cortona
-1:00p Lite Lunch
-5:00p Return to Cortona
-6:45p aperitifs
-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona
July 14 Tuesday - Cortona
-9:00a-12:30p Morning Session
-1:00p Lite Lunch
-FREE AFTERNOON
-7:30p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona Osteria del Teatro
July 15 Wednesday – Departureand Taxi to Florence airport (FLR)
-Morning Check-out
-8:00a departure from Cortona with escorted return to Florence airport.
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate. Note: Transfers are provided only for programmed meals and activities away from the hotel. Note: All guests are responsible for handling their own luggage/baggage....we suggest to pack light. Note: No refunds are given for any unused aspects of the itinerary or for any activities outside the above itinerary.
Note: Airfares not included
Note: Guests are responsible for all personal hotel service charges
Covid-19 Protocols and Safety Measures To respect our local host communities/countries and to ensure the safety and health of our guests and participants we follow the safety measures and protocols in place by our host communities/countries at the time of any given workshop or program or tour. These measures and protocols may vary and or change from time to time as well as during the course of any given workshop or program or tour and we will adapt to and abide by official safety measures and protocols. All of our guests and participants, without exception, are expected to adapt to and abide by official safety measures and protocols during any given workshop or program or tour in which they are participating. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks are the responsibility of each guest or participant. Health documents such as proof of vaccination or inoculation or other required by a host country, such as Italy for example, are the sole responsibility of each guest or participant. We strongly suggest all such documents are carried on-person at all times during any given workshop or program or tour in which they are participating. Persons who may be in an at-risk category or state of health are suggested to not participate.
William Rogers Workshops Materials List
for Plein air Watercolour Landscapes
Watercolor or (Gouache- for those who like this medium)
Colours – palette of warm and cool primaries
Alizarin Crimson or similar
Cadium Red or similar
Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt blue
Cerulean or Thalo Blue
Cad Yellow Medium or similar (Hansa yellow)
Cad Yellow light or lemon yellow or similar hue
Green- Sap Green, Viridian Green or similar (Green Optional)
Raw Sienna or Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Permanent or Titanium White- Chinese white or gouache white
Watercolour paper (140 lb is sufficient): 10 quarter sheets or 10 half sheets for those liking to work larger (11x15 or larger) Cold Press or rough
Board or Support for watercolor I like a board made of multi layer (3 layers) foamcore glued together, but Masonite, plywood etc is fine. For small works a 12x16 inch board is good, for larger sizes you can have a 16x23 board or 18x23 board – your choice depending on how large you like to work.
Palette- Pike palette or folding palette or similar for watercolor
Easel and Tray – various but vertical standing type is what I use. Lightweight with a tray.
Watercolor Brushes- I use rounds # 6, 8, 12 and 14, a One inch flat, a large mop brush. – as many as you can afford- hair can be sable or squirrel/synthetic mix or synthetic if you can’t get the other types.
Office Clips for watercolor board – 1 ½ inch or 2 inch (4 clips)
Water Containers – I use plastic beer cups
Paper Towels
Sketch Book and HB pencil and eraser – for planning composition and studies
Excellent Red and White Cortona wines abound!
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.
Meet your host in Tuscany...
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!
