Course Structure
We have the pleasure of inviting you to join us on a wonderful painting holiday in a variety of stunning and inspirational locations, including Tuscany, Venice, Lake Como (Bellagio) and Sicily.

Our workshops are 7 or 10 days (all inclusive excluding flights). The tutors are experienced in all media - oils, watercolour and mixed media and groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people to enable tutors to give individual attention. The workshops are structured around a carefully planned but flexible itinerary, catering for all levels of ability from complete beginners to competent artists. Each programme includes demonstrations and discussions with the tutor helping you to progress, develop and learn new techniques.

You will have the opportunity to explore your personal creativity and enjoy using a range of media to experiment with tone, line, colour and self-expression. Painting and drawing are marvellous ways to respond to these wonderful locations. The act of making images is a basic instinct in which most of us get little or no time to indulge. Working as part of a group allows for valuable discussion and interaction, the tutor being on hand to work with you at your own level.

If you have never lifted a pencil or brush since you were a child, all the more exciting - you may even surprise yourself at what you achieve. We offer you the chance to enjoy painting in Mediterranean light and take home with you the magic of Tuscany.

Art History Tours
From Cortona we offer both art holidays as well as a slightly different kind of art vacation. Take part in one of our Art History Tours which includes visits to several important cultural centres such as Assisi, Siena, Arezzo and Orvieto, where you will see some of the most significant works by artists of the Early Renaissance era.

The itinerary has been carefully designed to allow study and discussion (supported by slides) of the political, social and
religious climate that influenced many of the works. There will also be lots of time for sight-seeing and leisure activities. Your guides will be Graeme Willson and Carol Coller. Graeme is well known both as a professional artist and lecturer with a particular sympathy for this period of Art History. Carol moved to Italy from the USA 23 years ago and has worked as an Art historian, guide and has been involved in many archaeological explorations & restorations.

Courses
Tuscany, Sicily, Lake Como:	Prices in £'s
7 day holiday	£1,145
10 day holiday	£1,495
Venice 7 day holiday	£1,495
Single supplement 7 / 10 day	£150 / £200
Non painting companions are offered a 10% discount. We also offer a discount for early booking. Our 7 and 10 day workshops are all inclusive excluding flights.

Accommodation

• Tuscany - (Rome Fiumicino airport) Private apartments in a large private Villa, set in acres of land, 2 swimming pools, studio space
• Lake Como - (Milan Malpensa) 3*** star hotel right on the edge of the lake with stunning views in Bellagio
• Venice - (Marco Polo) 4**** star Hotel with large rooms just 2 minute walk from boat stop
• Sicily - (Palermo Punta Raisi) Stay in a private Baglio (restored walled hamlet) set in endless acres of land, large rooms and with private pool. Free to pick and eat whatever is growing in the grounds

Host & Tutors
Your host is Raffaele Nobile; he is Italian/English speaking & spent a major part of his childhood in Naples and Sicily. His father is from Agrigento, Sicily and his mother is from Naples. His bonds with Italy and his family roots have kept him close to the true personality of Italy.

We work with a small number of excellent, experienced and practicing artists / tutors. These include Graeme Wilson, P.L. Hobbs, Tom Wood, Susan Forster and Jann Pollard.

Location
We offer workshops in 4 stunning areas of Italy:

• Tuscany: An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with art, with history and with spirituality. Acquainting oneself to this timeless city becomes a real discovery of the past. Cortona can offer testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape between Lake Trasimeno and the Appenine mountains.
• Lake Como: Each time I return to Lake Como and Bellagio I experience the same feeling of inner joy, being surrounded by such immense natural beauty, the same crystal clear air and breathtaking wonder of light and colour on the lake stretched out before me. I remember the colours and forms of the mountains, soft tones and pastel buildings and fishing boats casting a deep reflection across the water's surface.
• Venice: Step out from the platform of Venezia Santa Lucia terminal and onto the walkway of the Grand Canal. There you will find yourself in another dimension, a world rich in history, architecture and colour, all mirrored in a maze of canals. The church of S. Simeon Piccolo, directly in front of you, is but one of many beautiful pieces of architecture.
• Sicily: This is a very special part of Italy, an island with a unique sense of mystery and romance. Archaeologically this is a fascinating country. The landscape is varied and dramatic, and the Sicilian people are friendly and welcoming.

Getting There
Airport transfer is included in the price for arrivals at the airports mentioned beside each location under Accommodation above and usually up until 15:00. Please ask for specific details.