The varied landscapes and architecture of Sicily provide almost unbeatable inspiration for artists. The colours, textures and forms are a limitless supply of themes and subjects.
For our painting adventures this year I will be teaching different approaches in drawing and painting watercolours (you may use oils if you wish) to get the most out of your holiday.
Everything for me starts with drawing. So, beginning with some basics in observation, drawing and preparing to paint we will move swiftly into creating fluid and expressive paintings. I teach as we progress together and guide and demonstrate through the process of building up your composition in layers of transparent paint. Sometimes we will work in a more immediate sketchy way to build up material to work from later.
With our subjects in mind, I will help you see the light and shade and discover different methods for presenting them, variations in colour to create a more harmonious painting and different watercolour and drawing techniques to help you explore and interpret your ideas.
The main thing is to enjoy your creative time in Sicily and not be afraid to ask me questions during the week.
I recommend you bring a cartridge paper sketchbook for quick pencil work and information as well as plenty of watercolour paper for our daily excursions.
I am looking forward to exploring these amazing places with you and your paints.
Below is a simple list of materials you might find useful.
A4 or A3 sketchbook (I use the hardback cartridge books)
Watercolour paper or pad.
(I prefer to use Saunders Waterford 140lb Not surface as it suits the way I work. I cut sheets to size to fit my suitcase)
Work as large as you are able and avoid anything smaller than A3. You can always cut paper down but not enlarge it.
Brushes
A few assorted sizes. You don’t need a lot but a good sized wash brush ?(no. 8 or larger) and a couple of smaller rounds for finer detail .
Feel free to bring others and Travel Brushes in these sizes are useful as they have containers so the bristles don’t get squashed.
Pencils and Drawing Pens, Sharpeners and Erasers
A few in a variety of grades of pencil (H, HB, 2B, 4B) or pen sizes (E.g. 0.1, 0 .5 , 0.8 …)
Paints
I use a box of half pans in artist quality. And take a few tubes of colours I use a lot to top them up. A standard 12, 18 or 24 size box is ample.
There is not right or wrong but these colours you may find useful for sunny landscapes and architecture. Some are in the standard boxes other are my preference.
Raw Siena, Burnt Siena, Naples Yellow, Raw Umber, Neutral Tint, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Ultramarine Violet, Viridian, Sap Green, Cadmium (free) Red light Alizarin Crimson, Turquoise, Indian Yellow, Aureolin (Winsor Lemon), Opera Rose
Don’t forget a water container and palette if you don’t have one in your paint box.
Masking tape or clips
For a drawing board to avoid weight I cut two sheets of foam board to fit my suitcase.
Raffaele provides easels and stools/chairs,
