JOIN ELIZABETH ST. HILAIRE IN ITALY

… for Favolosi Florals! Tuscany – her ever popular collage experience that is the ideal combination of personalized art instruction, spectacular inspiration and stunning florals!

Open to students of all artistic levels, each day of Favolosi Florals! Tuscany brings a new collage or paper-painting lesson with Elizabeth, all based on the gorgeous flowers of Tuscany. Although some painting experience is helpful, it is definitely not necessary.

LEARN HOW TO…

• use Elizabeth’s paper paintings technique to add interest to your project
• choose flowers based on pre-determined palette
• arrange flowers in a free-flow still-life (ideal for collaging!)
• easily see basic shapes in flowers
• create a stunning, floral underpainting
• hand paint, stain, stamp and pattern your own papers (sooo fun!)
• paint papers based on your desired palette
• use hand-painted and found papers that infuse your floral project with your own personal style
• develop imagery and form so that your collage has depth and interest
• incorporate essential light and shadow into your paper painting
• master directional ripping (Elizabeth’s signature technique) so that your project has a painterly look
• use Elizabeth’s paper paintings technique to add interest to your project
• varnish and display your paper painting
• post your artwork on social media

MORE THAN A WORKSHOP!

Favolosi Florals! Tuscany is more than a collage workshop. It’s a week of fellowship, camaraderie and fun beyond your wildest dreams – situated at a medieval village, nestled in the gorgeous Italian countryside. In addition to carefully crafted, daily lessons with Elizabeth St. Hilaire, you’ll enjoy excursions, hands-on experiences and private visits with locals that are nothing less than extraordinary.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Sunday, September 17: Arrival

• Arrival, village walking tour, introduction with Elizabeth
• Dinner

Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, our private drivers will transport you to the Italian countryside, and your boutique hotel accommodations in the unspoiled village of Città della Pieve. After check in, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of the village with trip facilitator, Pamela Haack, followed by a workshop overview with Elizabeth. Afterwards it’s time to enjoy a welcome aperitivo, followed by a delectable, Tuscan-style dinner.

DAY 2 – Monday, September 18: Puscina Flower Farm 

• Visit to organic flower farm, flower arranging class, instruction with Elizabeth
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning after a delicious breakfast at the villa, you’ll head off with Elizabeth to a romantic, organic flower farm in the heart of Tuscany’s wine country. Sisters Laura and Teresa will give you a personal tour of their incredible farm (where they grow more than 500 varieties of flowers!), followed by a hands-on, free-form flower arranging class. Afterwards you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch under the old olive tree as you soak in the atmosphere of this authentic, family-run farm.

In the afternoon, it’s back to the villa with Elizabeth – and your flower arrangement – where you’ll being the beautiful process of creating a collage from a living subject. This evening’s aperitivo is followed by a delicious, Tuscan-style dinner. 

DAY 3 – Tuesday, September 19: Studio Day

• Instruction with Elizabeth, paper painting techniques
• Breakfast, lunch

This morning, after breakfast, get ready for a fun-filled, inspiring day with Elizabeth! First, you’ll be heading to the onsite studio to learn a plethora of methods for painting paper. From stamps to rollers to stencils – and so much more – you’ll be learning Elizabeth’s signature techniques and tips for creating a multitude of designs and textures on your painted papers, plus she’ll reveal her best tips for developing imagery and form.

After lunch, at our friend, Cristian’s tucked-away bistrot, you’ll continue painting a variety of papers, as you develop your special, Italy-inspired paper painting project. In late afternoon it’s time for a break – and perhaps a dip in the pool – before gathering together for aperitivo. Dinner this evening is on your own. 

DAY 4 – Wednesday, September 20: Marbled Paper Class

• Instruction with Elizabeth, marbled paper lesson
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning after breakfast, it’s off to the ancient town of Orvieto, perched on a dramatic, stone outcropping that overlooks the picturesque Val di Chiana. After taking in the facade of the town’s magnificent duomo, you’ll meet up with our friend, Lamberto, for a fun and fascinating lesson on making marbled paper. After designing your own sheet of marbled paper, with Lamberto expert guidance, it’s off to explore, shop and eat lunch on your own in Orvieto. 

In afternoon, it’s back to the villa for an afternoon of inspiring instruction with Elizabeth, as you continue to bring your project to life. This evening we’ll meet up for pizza at our favorite family-owned pizzeria. 

DAY 5 – Thursday, September 21: Ripping and Gluing

• Instruction with Elizabeth, saffron tasting and painting
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning after breakfast, Elizabeth will be sharing more of her sought-after techniques and best-kept secrets for creating a floral collage that looks like a painting. In late morning, we head to our friend, Alessandro’s, saffron shop for a saffron tasting, saffron and light lunch (so fun!) followed by free time. 

In the afternoon it’s back to the studio with Elizabeth for more ripping and glueing as you bring your project to life, while Elizabeth offers demonstrations and one-to-one instruction. After an inspiring, full day working in the studio, this evening you’re free for dinner on your own. 

DAY 6 – Friday, September 22: Grande Finale

• Instruction with Elizabeth, gallery finale with Elizabeth
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll be heading to the onsite studio for instruction and one-on-one assistance from Elizabeth. At this stage it’s so exciting to see your piece coming together! For lunch today, we head once again to Cristian’s. 

In late afternoon the time has come to hand over your completed project 😄  before gathering together with Elizabeth in a “secret” location for a gallery celebration and very special farewell dinner – the perfect culmination to an extraordinary week!

Saturday, September 23: Departure

Early morning departure to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

VENUE Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve. 

VIEW the Photo Gallery

INCLUDED

• 7 days/6 nights at Boutique Hotel Vannucci
• Group transportation by private transportation service to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure dates. 
• Private transportation service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• Several lunches  
• 4 dinners with local wines 
• Evening aperitivo
• Elizabeth St. Hilaire’s in-depth lessons, demonstrations, presentations and one-to-one instruction
• Fluid acrylic paints in a variety of colors and acrylic collage adhesive
• Canvas panels
• Saffron “water color” painting and saffron tasting
• Visit to organic flower farm 
• Hands-on flower arrangement class
• Marbled paper lesson
• Pizza night!
• Time on your own for shopping and exploring

NOT INCLUDED

Princeton Catalyst #8 Short Handle Filbert Brush for collage glue application

Paint brush types and sizes are very personal, so Elizabeth asks that you bring your own preferred brushes to paint your acrylic underpainting. The brushes she suggests are Princeton Velvetouch, if you are looking for guidance. Or you might bring a handful of your own favorite brushes.

Elizabeth also suggests bringing a 9×12 pad of Yasotomo Sketch Rice Paper PLUS any other papers that you might want to incorporate into your work, such as, old book pages, letters, sheet music, postage stamps and personal ephemera.

All other supplies are provided.

Also not included: airfare, meals or transportation outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for hotel staff and drivers

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

ABOUT ELIZABETH ST. HILAIRE

Elizabeth St. Hilaire is an award winning full-time artist, art workshop instructor, and published author. She is an Artist Educator for Golden Paints, a former Ambassador for Princeton Brush, and Creative Team Artist for Gel Press. Her work is also featured on Fredrix Canvas packaging.

Her unique mixed-media artwork is created from torn tidbits of hand-painted paper which she glues down over an acrylic under-painting. St Hilaire’s collages are collected and have been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Images of her work are reproduced and available nationwide on wall canvas, household items, stationery, clothing, jewelry, and more.

Elizabeth is a Signature Member of National Collage Society, holds a BFA from Syracuse University, and has been working in her medium for over 15 years. She has published seven books on her process. She also enjoys painting en Plein Air and has participated in the Wekiva Paint Out (FL), New Smyrna Beach Paint Out (FL), and the Sedona Plein Air Festival (AZ).

Visit Elizabeth’s website at PaperPaintings.com

DATES AND DETAILS:

• Dates:
  • September 17-22, 2023 – SOLD OUT
• Trip Price:
  • $3,670 – $4,150 USD (choose room type upon booking)
• A $700 deposit is required to book your space
• Arrival and departure airport Rome Fiumicino
• View our Terms and Cancellation Policy

SOLD OUT