Paris & Giverny Plein Air Workshop

A tour off the beaten path
My Paris workshop will start on the Ile St Louis -- in the very heart of Paris on river Seine, at the isle corner looking at the Louvre.

Here we'll have a couple of preparatory sessions -- where I'll introduce to the procese of quickly set up and depict a plein air view. Dry and water media are preferred -- but oil is welcome if you have a basic experience with a light easel and/or pochade box.

Dates: 4 thru 9 July, 2011

Further on we'll change locations, thru a tour off the beaten path, that will include Canal Saint Martin, a city overview from the hill of Bellville and other surprising sites, I've selected exclusively for you. Did I tell you I lived in Paris and started my career there?

And as a cherry on the cake -- we'll also make a day visit to Giverny, at the house and pond of Claude Monet. The best way to get into the artist mood and get inspired by the spirit of the Impressionists.

Treat yourself with this different way to experience Paris and to develop your talent!

Confirrm your space now!

http://www.francescofontana.com/

Meet me in America - An inspirational tour

I’ll be travelling in the US for eight full days next April. My purpose is to paint out the ‘American beauty’, meet family and friends, and explore business opportunities.

If you wish to meet me over a coffee, please write me to
info@francescofontana.com

I’ll be around the East Coast from 10 to 19 April. I will drive from NYC to Virginia on Friday 15. Everyone is welcome..

Artists who wish to share a free paint out
Painters who want info on my summer and fall workshops in Italy and France
Venues willing to host my workshop in 2012
Collectors wishing to view my wet paintings and portfolio
Galleries and media

Get in touch! Francesco http://www.francescofontana.com/ | info@francescofontana.com
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Provence beyond the color of lavender

From red poppies to the green waters

Book May 2011

For us painters, always hunting for colors, Provence is not only the indigo - purple of lavender but a rich palette of hues and tints. Two years ago, a huge field of red poppies suddenly revealed itself as we were driving on the road to Gordes. We dropped off the van and sat up our easels. What a wonderful session!

Orange is also a major character: the yellow - red ochre rocks in Roussillon, are a rare sight indeed. The emerald waters of the source of River Sorgue, are the unmistakable mark of Fontaine de Vaucluse.

Next dates in Provence (15 - 22 May)

In May, Provence is a hive of poppies and sunflowers. With a little luck - depending on the season - this year well be dipped in red and yellow, and in the thousands of hearth 'nuances'.

Book your space here!

Colors are not the only qualities that make Provence a special place. The sense of savoir vivre, the good living that keeps track of time, is a perfect blend of ingredients: space, light, food and wine. The eye of a painter will make painting in Provence an unforgettable experience!

Places are limited and allowed in order of reservation

Choose your accommodation now

Live in painting! Francesco Fontana

http://www.francescofontana.com/

Ps. Those who participated spread the word Read their comments

Painting in Sicily, Italy Workshop

Under the sun of Mondello beach

This workshop is a re-discovery of my native city Palermo, both on the seaside and in its historical center. We'll be based in the sea village of Mondello, right on the cross road of its 2-mile-long beach. We will also do sightseeing and painting downtown Palermo, in the bewitching centro storico.

Palermo and its old centre

Our hotel In Mondello is established within the grace of an early '900 century Art Nouveau vacation town, and in the sunlight of this former fishers' village. On the other side of the Mount Pellegrino (what a breathless view from its top!) -- Palermo is an amazing combination of different cultural heritages.

Sicily dates: May 1st to 8, 2011

Hotel Villa Esperia | Learn more about Sicily | Book this Workshop

Media and Level

All media are welcome (oil, acrylic and watercolor). Topics include composition, value structure, color theory and color mixing, brushwork and expressive concepts. The program includes lectures and exercises and is adapted individually. Please check single workshops for media and level specifics.

Happy painting! - Francesco

http://www.francescofontana.com/ | All workshops

Early birds alight on lavender flowers

July 2011 Booking

I wish to thank all those who responded to the my survey about Your Ideal Painting Workshop. The survey provided a number of insights which enable me to better match your needs in the 2011 plein air workshop season.Among the many suggestions I received (I will comment some in the next News & Views Letter) there is the month of July as one of the best dates to attend a workshop. Provence stands out as the very top destination in your wish-list. So I decided to stretch my usual season in Provence to July for a lavender-blooming session, reserved to early birds. Spaces are limited to 8 people and due to high season demand, this session must be booked very, very soon. The B&B we I’ve made our artists home in the past three years -- is so successful that rooms for July are expected to run out right after Christmas.

Be an early bird and sign up now!

Dates: 9 to 16 July 2010 (7 nights)
Click here to get a quote and reserve your space (limited to 8 people)

Happy painting! - Francesco

PS. View our wonderful guesthouse here: http://www.letempsdunechanson.com/
And view the surroundings here: http://www.letempsdunechanson.com/slideShow/index.html

Painting start up and a shiny day of great rewards

Shiny day today! This morning we started up with painting. I made an oil demo in the quite yard of the hotel. We painted the roof top line and the light lavender facade of the hotel -- wich is a 700's villa, now elegantly restored. The combination of ochre stone walls and the the facade, was pretty inspiring. I however focused the session on tonal underpainting structure.
Jerry -- who's an almost absolute begenner -- made a good job as well as his wife Janet, who's an advanced painter. Patricia, sculptor and oil painter, tried several watercolor sketches. Claudio rested in his room with his laptop and books.
The afternoon tour to the old town of Modica, included the visit the cathedrals of San Giorgio and San Pietro, both built in the Sicilian baroque style. At the end of the walk, how couldn't we stop and shop at the Cioccolatteria Bonajuto? They are the oldest chocolat makers in Sicily, founded in 1880.
To reward ourselves for this sacrifice, I drove the group to Pozzallo on the ocean, for a dinner based on spaghetti with fresh sea food and grilled fish. Excellent prize!

Sicily Painting Workshop countdown

Getting ready to fly to Catania, for my first workshop in Sicily -- Monday 4th to Sunday 10th, May 2009. I am excited to meet this group of Americans willing to visit and paint outdoor in the Noto valley. I've travelled in this area a few years ago and felt in love with the wildness of the territory and nonetheless the stunning richness of its Baroque heritage. So I guess I am a bit afraid I would have to find my way to the several locations I planned to show to these new friends. As an expat Sicilian (but from the western coast) -- I am confident that my people and home land won't let me down. So I hope the Gps navigator!