Burano Boats

This June a group of us will be painting and sketching the colorful scenery of Burano, Italy.  It is an island situated in the Venetian Lagoon. If you can, join us! Info here.

"Burano Boats"  8x8"  Acrylic on Panel,  SOLD

Using a (very) Limited Palette

"Tuscany Sunflower Field"  10x12"  Acrylic  $300  Click to Buy

The time has come... I'm packing for the Italy trip. In an effort to keep the weight to a minimum, I was experimenting with a limited palette. I used 4 colors in this painting. (Plus white, if you consider that a color.) Purple, green, ochre and alizarin.  Yup, that's all! It's amazing how few colors one can get away with and still represent a scene realistically. Not that I will be bringing only four colors, but it was an interesting exercise. One of the benefits of a limited palette - automatic color harmony. The other - way less schlepping!

Tuscany Sunset

"Pink Sunset in Tuscany"  8x10"  Acrylic  Click for Info

In contrast to what I wrote in yesterday's post, there are times when there is absolutely no reason to push or change colors one iota. This scene would be that. In order to maintain some type of color unity, I allowed myself only 3 colors (4 including white):  Quinacridone Magenta, Thalo Blue and Cad. Yellow Light. The good 'ol imited palette concept - a little more mixing but it keeps the harmony, not to mention lot less schlepping!

Fields of Gold

Fields of Gold, 8x10", acrylic Click to Buy

A painting from Tuscany, one of the most beautiful places in the world...

Cortona Village

Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns” and is often called the “City of Art.” Olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight... an artist's dream. For those taking the workshop, this will be our home for 7 days, in addition to the other scenic places we will be taking field trips to... Lake Trasimeno, Lucignano & Val di Chiana and more.

Cortona

8x8" Acrylic on Canvas

Price on Request

Consente di pittura in Italia!

Let's Paint in Italy!

It's not too soon to start planning to attend a fabulous painting trip in Italy for 2012. I will be teaching "Paint the Tuscan Landscape Fast, Loose and Bold" from September 8 - 15, 2012. The focus will be on creative interpretations of the Tuscan landscape (and villages) using color in a fauvist, no-holds-barred manner. We will push color to the max and be audaciously bold! You can work in whatever medium suits your taste - oils, acrylic, pastel, etc.

I will be bringing a suitcase full of Golden Gels, Pastes and Mediums that offer a variety of spectacular surfaces you can prep your canvas or paper with. Why begin your painting with a flat white canvas when you can start with a colorful, dramatic surface that has you inspired from the get-go? The old stucco buildings with peeling paint and exotic fasçades provide the perfect subject matter for exploring texture with these materials. I will be providing full instruction on how to incorporate the various gels and pastes into your work, if you choose to use them.

As always, there will be plenty of guidance and exercises on getting the values correct and creating a "road map" that will give you the freedom to let your colors sing and your spirits soar. Speaking of spirits, there will be an abundance of wine tasting, chocolate sampling and 5 star Italian culinary dining experiences. The itinerary is chock full of sensory feasts - read all about it here. As an incentive for early sign ups, registering before October 30, will save you $100.

It's going to be a fun-filled painting vacation - I hope you can join me! All levels are welcome.

Ciao for now...

Vernazza Colors

18x24" Acrylic on Canvas (SOLD)