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Tour Intro

Painting in Umbria – a House Party

A tour designed for discerning travellers who wishes to expand their painting skills and explore the beautiful countryside of Umbria in the heart of Italy. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of an exclusive house party at a private villa, situated halfway between Florence and Rome. Immerse yourself in painting under the expert tuition of JACQUELINE WATT. Sample gourmet food accompanied by fine wines of the area, served in beautiful, panoramic surroundings.

The programme centres around instruction by Jacqueline Watt, the highly acclaimed lecturer and respected contemporary Scottish painter.

PAINTING COURSE

Relaxation and enjoyment are of course at the heart of the week. The primary aim of the course, however, is for each student to leave with a better practical understanding of making art, having learned the particular and selective way an artist looks when confronted with new surroundings and subject matter. By the end of the week, everyone should have created a strong portfolio of working drawings, studies and paintings which should motivate and inspire them beyond the course. Jacqueline's teaching offers enthusiasm, inspiration and support for creating art, no matter how experienced you happen to be. This mix of professional teaching, fine food and inspirational settings offers an excellent opportunity to advance your enthusiasm for art.

This trip offers painters at all levels an opportunity to explore Umbria's rich, colourful landscape through the medium of drawing and painting.

The natural landscape, exquisite hilltop villages & historical architecture are just a few of the visual delights students will encounter.

The course structure will give students greater confidence with regards to researching and developing their ideas towards a finished painting.

Keeping a sketchbook will be central to this process. Students will be shown how to develop sketchbook drawings and ideas, and to tap into their sense of self expression to convey their own personal visual language.

Most days will begin with a short lecture which will highlight the theme and structure for the day, as well as looking at different artists, in particular those who have worked directly from the landscape (en plein air). Most days will end with a quick critique of the day's work.

A list of suggested materials (eg: watercolour, acrylic, oil paints; pastels; charcoal; pen and ink; paper; sketch book; etc) will be supplied on confirmation of participation.

Besides the painting classes, there will be an opportunity to get to know this lovely part of Italy, rich in history and culture. During trips to Assisi and Orvieto our guests will get acquainted with the best in late medieval and Renaissance art. Non-painting companions will have the opportunity to explore more of the verdant Umbrian countryside, go to nearby Lake Trasimeno, the fourth largest lake in Italy, and visit such treasure troves of art and architecture as Sienna and Panicale.

It is not just “food for the soul”, however, there will be long, leisurely meals and good wines taken on Casa Fontana’s panoramic terazzo, accompanied by lively conversation. In addition to excellent cuisine, guests can enjoy all the amenities of Casa Fontana: a good size pool, a large olive grove offering long walks with breathtaking views

Accommodation:

Your accommodation is a private apartment in an Umbrian villa. Casa Fontana (www.casafontana.net ) is a recently converted farmhouse, set in five acres of terraced hillside with a secluded pool offering panoramic views over valleys and mountains.

Each comfortable apartment is subtly individual in style. They all have lounge / kitchen, double bedroom, shower room with WC, outside patio and dining area. Your apartment is equipped with cooker, fridge and dishwasher.

Meals

Your apartment contains breakfast provisions The main meal is in the evenings, taken on the spacious loggia with wonderful views - sunsets are magnificent!. Sourced from fresh local ingredients, meals consist of several courses, such as:

Bruschete con Pepperoni
(Chargrilled Roast Pepper toasts, dressed with a hint of garlic and Casa Fontana’s own cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil)
Prosciutto di Parma, dolce e staggionato (A platter of two kinds of Parma ham:
The tender fresh as well as the mature, well seasoned varieties)
Insalata di Fagioli e Sedano
(A salad of rich borlotti beans with crisp celery and aromatic, mild red onions)
Fettucine con Finocchi
(Home made fresh pasta with fennel in a creamy saffron sauce)
Faraone con rosamarino e pancetta
(Locally farmed guinea fowl baked with rosemary and smoked bacon on a bed of
fluffy potato puree and leeks)
Panna Cotta alla Frutta di Bosco con Limoncello Frappe
(A cream mould with vanilla seeds, served with berries and leaves of mint, accompanied by Limoncello liqueur on crushed ice)
Wines:
Sparkling: Prosecco del Veneto
White: Grechetto della Cantina Goretti
Red: Nero d’Avola

TOUR DETAILS:

.Saturday 20h June:

Arrival and first briefing by Jacqueline
- Arrival at Rome airport
- Transfer to Casa Fontana
- Orientation and programme outline
- Welcome gala dinner

Sunday 21st June

- Work begins in earnest!
- Non- painting companions will be offered a tour of the surrounding countryside, including a guided walk to Mongiovino Vecchio, a nearby medieval fortification and manor house. On the other hand they might elect just to relax pool side!
- A leisurely dinner to round off the day

Link 8
View of Panicale
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Monday 22nd June

- The second full day of painting
- Companions are offered a trip to Panicale and lunch*
- A swim and then relax over a long dinner

Tuesday 23rd June

Orvieto, a Jewel in a Renaissance Landscape

- An early start for the painters as afterwards we are off on an excursion to Orvieto, a town on a high plateau, dominating a landscape of vineyards and olive groves dotted by cypresses.
- Visit to one of the wonders of Renaissance Italy, Orvieto Cathedral.
- View Signorelli’s great fresco cycle depicting the Last Judgement, said to be Michelangelo’s inspiration for the Sistine Chapel. Many take the view that the master was at least an equal to the pupil!
- Lunch* at one of Orvieto’s many leafy garden restaurants. Taste the famous Orvieto Classico, the delicious white wine of the area. Shop for quality gifts.
- Back to the Casa for a leisurely dinner

Wednesday 24th June

- Back to the grindstone to the painters
- For the companions a visit to Perugia, a sprawling maze of Roman remains, medieval alleys and Renaissance squares, honeycombed by Etruscan catacombs.
- Al fresco dinner

Thursday 25th June

Assisi, a Feast of Magnificent Art

- Another early start for the painters to put in a few hours’ work before leaving for the afternoon trip
- Departure for Assisi to view the Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis, still open. This late medieval masterwork houses the famous Giotto frescoes depicting the life of the saint.
- Dinner* at Torgiano, home to the famous Lungarotti wine making family. Siro’s is justly famous for its excellent cuisine and wonderful ambiance.
-

Friday 26th June

Umbria’s Riviera and Gala Dinner

- A full day’s painting tuition
- Non-painting companions are offered a relaxing day at Lago Trasimeno, the fourth largest lake in Italy. The lake was the scene of Hannibal defeating the Romans in April 217 BC. A leisurely boat trip over placid waters takes us to one of its three islands, Isola Maggiore,
- Lunch* at one of the island’s many excellent waterside restaurants .
- Gala Dinner, to say farewell after an action-packed and entertaining week.

Saturday 27th June

Transfer to Rome Airport

NB: We shall be happy to advise guests who wish to extend their stay in Italy and travel onto other destination and to help with arrangements.

*not included in tour price

Cost per person £975
Includes:

• All transport in Italy, including airport transfers
• Accommodation in a comfortably furnished apartment. Towels, linen, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, coffee, tea making equipment, crockery, glasses, dish washer, fridge and ice box are provided.
• Use of pool
• Meals:
  Half - board comprising continental breakfast (every day except arrival day), an evening meal with wine every day except on Thursday when guests will be eating out at a restaurant*..
  Meals at the Casa consist of several courses according to Italian custom.
  Appropriate wines
• Your fridge will contain the ingredients for a continental breakfast. In addition you will receive freshly baked rolls every morning, together with that evening’s menu.
• Packed picnic lunch when appropriate
• Other refreshments are available on request, at retail prices.

• Flight to and from Italy.
• All refreshments taken outside Casa Fontana, such as meals at restaurants, coffee stops etc.
• Travellers should have their own personal insurance, which is their individual responsibility.

Sunset at Casa Fontana Umbria

Dates

1. Painting in Umbria - A House Party £975
• Saturday 20 to Saturday 27 November

To check availability on your Tutored House Party Tour and make a booking on the
"Painting In Umbria '08"
tours based at CasaFontana please email: enquiries@casafontana.net

To talk to us please phone UK 07710 317 337 or Italy +39 075 832 093