JOIN ELIZABETH IN ITALY!

Tuscany Landscape Collage focuses on techniques and processes for growing and developing skill as a landscape collage painter. Elizabeth will be teaching in-depth, individual techniques, including creating landscape-specific collage papers using the gel plate.

Be inspired by the Italian landscape, and learn to work from photos you’ve taken yourself on a scouting mission in the Tuscan countryside, with the guidance of a professional photographer.

LEARN How To…

• create a compelling composition
• transfer a photo to substrate with graphite transfer paper
• transfer a photo to substrate freehand
• create an underpainting with vibrant color and successful shading
• use the gel plate to paint your own collage papers
• paint a variety of collage papers using ten techniques – specifically designed to enhance your landscape collage
• rip and glue–applying your collage paper in a painterly manner
• tear your collage papers with and without white edges
• keep your collage pieces perfectly flat without cockling
• include transitional colors – and when to use them in your landscape collage
• vary your paper brush marks in size and shape
• utilize a variety of techniques for …
  • hills
  • clouds and skies
  • various greenery
  • water reflections
  • vineyards
  • Italian cypress lanes
• sign, varnish, frame, wire, and hang your finished piece

CAPTURE the Tuscan Landscape

Tuscany Landscape Collage with Elizabeth St. Hilaire is a unique opportunity to learn landscape collage techniques, surrounded by the beauty and inspiration of the Tuscan countryside – a land that has inspired artists for thousands of years. Plus you’ll be based in a charming medieval village where you’ll enjoy daily, in-depth lessons with Elizabeth, designed to improve your collage skills in unique and exciting ways, no matter your current level. Not only that! Get ready for evening aperitivo hours with your fellow students, delightful excursions and experiences, and delectable, chef-prepared meals.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1 – September 16: Arrival

• Arrival, workshp orientation, welcome dinner
• 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 – September 17: Vistas and Vino   

• Highlights: Photography tips, Fattoria Palazzo Vecchio, reference photos, wine tasting
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, you’ll want to grab your phone as we’re off for a lesson on photographing landscapes. Learn some general (and easy!) tips on good photo composition, plus how to use your phone’s camera to capture the right lighting, in addition to selecting an ideal scene for a reference photo. Then it’s off to enjoy lunch together at a nearby cafe.

In the afternoon our drivers will be transporting you through heart of Tuscany’s picturesque wine country to  beautiful Cantina Palazzo Vecchio. Here you’ll enjoy a tour of the estate’s 14th century wine cantina, followed by onsite instruction with Elizabeth on how to capture a scene that you’ll be using as your reference photo throughout the workshop. Afterwards, it’s time for a sunset aperitivo, followed by dinner – and wine tasting – in farm’s rustic dining hall.

DAY 3 – September 18: Painting Papers and Perugino 

• Highlights: Studio with Elizabeth, Perugino masterpieces
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll be off for an early start in the studio as you begin ripping and gluing your papers to create your own unique Tuscan landscape Paper Painting. Elizabeth will teach you how to tear and glue your gel printed papers (with and without white edges) in a painterly manner, and how to adhere them perfectly flat to your acrylic landscape underpainting. Elizabeth will guide you through creating skies, clouds, rolling hills, vineyard vines, and more!

In the afternoon it’s back to the studio for a continued session, plus demos with Elizabeth, on painting a variety of papers – so fun! In late afternoon, we’ll gather together for a walking tour, where you’ll view masterpieces by Renaissance painter, Perugino – known for his ground-breaking use of landscapes in his paintings. Afterwards, we head to our friends’ cozy trattoria for a delicious bruschetta-making lesson followed by dinner cooked alle brace (over coals).

DAY 4 – September 19: Techniques and Truffles

• Highlights: Studio, truffle lunch, pizza night
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll be off for an early start in the studio as you begin ripping and gluing papers to create your own unique Tuscan landscape in collage. Elizabeth will teach a variety of her exclusive techniques, including how to apply collage papers in a painterly manner, how to tear with and without white edges, and a variety of ways to render and enhance hills, clouds, vineyards and more.

Lunch today will feature local truffles, served up at our friends’ cozy trattoria, followed by a brief break. This afternoon, it’s back to the studio to continue  working on your Tuscan landscape, with one-on-one instruction and assistance with Elizabeth. This evening you’ll enjoy aperitivo in a private garden, followed by pizza at our favorite, wood-fired pizzeria.

DAY 6 – September 20: Finale and Farewell 

• Highlights: Gallery show, farewell dinner
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll join Elizabeth in the studio for a full morning session for bringing your landscape collage project to completion. Today you’ll learn special techniques for adding important details that bring your collage to life – including adding depth and shading to greens. Lunch today will be served up at our friend, Cristian’s, inviting bistro. 

In the afternoon, you’ll join Elizabeth for a final session in the studio, to complete your project. This evening brings a celebratory aperitivo, followed by a special, farewell dinner prepared by Chef Vito. 

DAY 6 – September 21: 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

• 5 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci
• Group transportation by private 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
• 3 lunches (including a special truffle lunch)
• All dinners with local wines 
• Elizabeth St. Hilaire’s in-depth lessons, demonstrations, presentations and one-to-one instruction
• Vineyard aperitivo and dinner
• Landscape photography tips
• iPhone photography techniques
• Canvas panels
• Paint
• Printing of reference photo
• Free time for shopping and exploring
• Any/all entrance fees
• Evening aperitivo hour for chatting, sharing and relaxing

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 23-28, 2024
• Trip Price (choose your room type upon booking):
  • $3,495 USD – $3,995 USD per person
• A $700 deposit is required to book your space
• Arrival and departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
• View our Terms and Cancellation Policy

OPENING SOON