​Opera, painting and aperitivi!!

My next watercolour painting holiday workshop in Lucca Italy is planned for next May (I have to say I can't wait to get back to Lucca!!).

I thought you would like to know about a typical day painting with me in Lucca on my painting holiday workshop.

The day starts with a traditional Italian colazione of coffee and pastries along with with the lovely breakfast at your luxury B&B - Yum!!

We meet at our painting spot for the day at 9am and start with some observation time getting to know the area, understanding the light and dark, shapes and colours and selecting a subject. We'll work up some quick thumbnail sketch designs and then I will demonstrate a painting from start to finish (or nearly finished!). My demonstrations include discussions of a theory and as I paint, I explain what I am doing and why I am doing it at that time. For example, wet paper versus dry, palette selection, values and the order in which I am laying them down etc. I will discuss and demonstrate everything from composition, saving white paper, building darker values, various brush techniques, design elements, negative painting, edge variety, charging color, and much more. 

I love questions while I'm demonstrating - remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question! I allow photographs of the demonstration paintings to be taken as they evolve as long as it is understand that I DO NOT allow filming of any kind, including with cell phone or tablets.

By this time you will be ready for a quick lunch and when you return you will start on your own painting, I will assist you as you need, discussing or demonstrating as required. The afternoon is yours and I am happy for you to paint from the resources you create or from my demonstration. It is totally up to you to paint something of your choice in any size or style that you wish. I find students are more productive when they are painting something that they are passionate about.

It is daunting to be painting amongst a new group in a new location, you'll make mistakes when trying something new like we all do; it really levels the playing field between the new student to watercolors and the experienced painter; learning something new often requires a lot of trial and error; making mistakes is just part of the learning process. I always like to remind everyone that you don't go to a workshop to paint a masterpiece; you go to a workshop to learn how to paint a masterpiece or learn a new style. During the afternoon painting sessions I will attend to each student in turn, I might make a suggestion or two about your painting to help you along, if i don't make suggestion its because I can see you're making some amazing discoveries by yourself and i don't want to interfere or stop your flow. I prefer not to touch your painting so, If you want to see something demonstrated, I will ask you for a piece of scrap watercolour paper on which I can show you a specific technique.
 
There is so much to show and demonstrate about watercolor that it is impossible to cover everything in a one, two or five day workshop. To make sure that I cover as much as I possibly can, with some workshops, I will usually do a small quick demonstration later in the afternoon. These little demos are usually exercise pieces that show specific ways to paint something such as shadows, window reflections, people, trees and many more. It's always optional if students want to watch the demo or continue to work on their painting. 

My workshops are designed to be very informative and fun. The only requirement that I put on those who attend is a willingness to learn and the courage to try new things.
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Depending on the time, availability and weather, we'll explore one of the amazing historical sights of Lucca, a short siesta then it's time to dress for Italian Aperitivi and on to one of my favourite ristorante in Lucca for a traditional Lucchese cena!! An evening walk around the sights of Lucca and a gelato or a trip to the Opera will finish the day!!

Book online

ciao ciao cari amici!!
ci vediamo a prossimo anno!!
Amanda xx