James Swanson

James Swanson artist and tutor at Tuscany in the Frame

Immerse yourself in the serene landscapes of Tuscany during our Holiday Painting Workshop, set amidst the picturesque countryside. Throughout our stay, each day will bring a new and distinct aspect of Tuscany to our canvases. Guided by acclaimed artist James Swanson, this 8-day oil painting workshop offers a blend of artistic instruction and hands-on experience.

Discover the art of plein air painting as we capture the essence of the surroundings, and learn the techniques to bring your creations to their full potential. Join us for a journey of creativity, where each day’s canvas holds a unique piece of Tuscany’s charm. In addition to our artistic endeavors, there will be ample opportunities for leisurely sightseeing, making it a truly enriching experience.

Tuscany is located in central Italy and stretches from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Its landscape, artistic heritage and stand-out cities – first among them Florence – make Tuscany an unquestioned protagonist of international tourism. In this region, nature has many different facets, starting from the coast that alternates long and sandy beaches, like the Versilia beach, with rocky cliffs and steep headlands. The islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, a crystal-clear sea and rich seabeds, are peerless.

You can admire sceneries of uncontaminated nature in the Apuan Alps and in several protected areas, such as the Orbetello Lagoon, home to many species of migrant birds, including pink egrets.
However, the most typical sceneries of the region are those that merge the beauty of nature with the millenary work of man. The amazing Gulf of Baratti and the sites of Vetulonia, Vulci and Pitigliano guard necropoli and vestiges of the Etruscan civilization, while Roselle and Cosa evoke memories from the Roman Age.

Medieval villages, historical towns, castles and defense systems, country churches (the so-called pievi) and beautiful abbeys, like the one of Sant’Antimo, are scattered all over the territory and their profiles stand out in the landscapes of the Crete Senesi, Orcia Valley, Garfagnana, Chianti and the Maremma.
Finally, Tuscany is full of spas: Montecatini, Saturnia, Montepulciano, Monsummano and Bagno Vignoni, which offer relaxing holidays thanks to their thermal waters and well-equipped facilities for all types of treatments.