We firmly believe that anyone can learn to draw or paint given the right tuition and encouragement and a positive environment. If you are a newcomer to art then this is the ideal way to learn, very quickly, but enjoyably, how to become an artist. Learn the basic techniques well and then you will have the confidence to be more creative with the skills you learn.

We are flexible here, and will tailor our holidays to suit the individual. Some of our holidays are themed, such as Portraiture, Life Drawing and Beginners courses. Other than that we can tailor your holiday so that you choose exactly what to learn. Most people want to come and paint the garden and landscape with individual tuition to improve their work. For others, Pheona can make up a 'painting plan' for the week. The more experienced artist might choose one of the courses below called 'Adventures for Artists' designed to improve your artistic ability and set you some challenges. Of course you can just come along and take each day as it comes!!

It is also important to say here that we very much encourage individuals to develop their own styles.

We offer different week long courses exclusively for the beginner. These will be geared to those who know nothing or little, or wish to revisit basic skills. It is good to learn with others who are at the same stage as yourself.

LEARN TO DRAW AND PAINT

Drawing is the foundation of all art work whether it be painting, pastels, sculpture or anything else. Learning how to 'see' and transfering what you see accurately on to paper can be taught. Very few people can never learn to draw! In the way that you are not born with the ability to drive a car without lessons, the same can be applied to art. You will learn the basic building blocks of drawing. Then once you have mastered the basics (day 1?) you can then move on to drawing, using different techniques and using different mediums, such as charcoal, conte, pen and so on.

LEARN WATER-COLOURS

Water-colour is a unique, beautiful painting medium which some say is difficult to learn. Really, it is just knowing how to build up the skills and this is not so difficult with expert tuition.

You will be shown by demonstration and individual guidance how to paint in watercolours. You will learn how to stretch paper, apply washes, masking processes, the difference between wet-in-wet and wet-on-dry, basic compositional skills and tips and techniques on how to make a successful painting. We will cover a variety of subject matter so that when you leave you will be able to tackle flowers, landscapes, buildings, and still life on your own with confidence. Watercolour painting is relaxing and fun!

The studio is open all day so you can spend as much time as you wish 'brushing up' your skills!

LEARN ACRYLICS OR OILS (OR BOTH!)

The approach to acrylic and oil painting can be seen as similar, given that both are opaque painting mediums which are built up in layers with a thick rich paint consistency. You will learn how to paint in the medium of your choice (or both if you prefer!).

The basic difference for the beginner is that acrylics dry much more quickly than oils (within 5 minutes) which means you can build up layer upon layer (or correct mistakes) without waiting for a long drying time. Acrylics are water based too which means washing your brushes with soap and water rather than turps. There are various mediums available to use with acrylics should you wish to alter their properties as you go. Full advice will be given.

Oils take from 2 - 10 days to dry although in warm weather it is considerably less. To clean up, traditional oil paints should also be washed with turps. There are new water-soluble oils on the market which we thoroughly recommend. They are just like traditional oils but have no solvents and can be cleaned up with soap and water. Because oils have a longer drying time you have more time to blend and make subtle alterations to your work.

You will be shown how to set out your palette, you will be taught about your materials and colours, and how to plan a painting, how to apply paint, mix colours, basic composition, and a lot more...... We will also cover different subject matter so you can learn as much as possible in your week.

PORTRAITURE

We run a week long course which covers how to draw the human face, including specific features, and how to create a likeness. We start with pencil or charcoal and introduce a different medium each day. We also will have a variety of models. If students wish we can also make a portrait in water-colours, acrylics or oils. Full explanations on technique and demonstrations are given. Beginners are welcome.

The studio session with the model will be in the morning, and in the afternoon you can choose to go on an excursion, or else there will be a further lesson on portraiture in the afternoon. This time covering anatomy, specific features, looking at the work of other artists, and other aspects of the skill of portraiture.

LIFE DRAWING/PAINTING

Life drawing has always been a challenge for the artist. We continue to practice life drawing all our lives to hone our drawing skills and improve technique. You may not notice if a bush or flower you have drawn is not accurate, but any inaccuracy with the human figure is immediately seen. In this respect it is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding of artistic skills.

Our elegant model Carol will pose each morning and we will cover a variety of poses throughout the week. You will be taught (if needed) how to draw the figure on the paper, how to get the proportions correct, how to draw an individual and create life and movement. We will also use a variety of drawing media, all of which you will be shown how to use correctly. Anatomy is basic to the understanding of the human form and this will be covered simply to show you how best to use a little knowledge effectively. Again, instruction will be on an individual basis.

In the afternoons you can choose to go on an excursion, or else can choose to work on another studio session when Pheona will cover, in more detail, anatomy, foreshortening and other 'tricky bits', like hands and feet.

ADVENTURES FOR ARTISTS

Most artists would probably admit that they never stop learning and for those who wish to move out of their comfort zone and try some advanced techniques these courses will offer you stimulating new techniques to improve your work.

Also, because our holidays are tailor made to the individual it may be that Pheona can suggest a particular area for you to explore and learn for the week. Sometimes you don't really know what it is you need to learn!

You can choose any one of these courses and it can be tailored to suit you. As we have a small number of students (maximum 10) you will have plenty of time for personal tuition, and plenty of time to fully explore a different way of painting. The other good thing is that you will learn from other students and whatever they are doing.

These courses are not in the calendar. If you wish to do one of these course just tell us and a suitable date. It is often the case that students can follow a course like the ones above in one of the 'Creative Weeks'.

EXPLORING DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES IN ACRYLICS OR OILS

For those of you who are not quite beginners but would like to improve and experiment with some different techniques. For example using the palette knife, or applying types of abstraction to your work, trying different methods of painting; For example a monochromatic under painting, or other sort of underpainting or ground. Perhaps you need to improve your compositions, your drawing, sense of perspective?

IMPROVE YOUR WATERCOLOURS

HOW TO USE THE COLOUR WHEEL TO IMPROVE YOUR PAINTING

Whether you work in oils, acrylics or watercolours, learning how to use the colour wheel can really help you understand colour, mix colours more easily and use different colour strategies for your paintings. If you look at one of those little colour wheels you can be flumoxed by all the technical words and how to use the wheel itself. You will learn by using a different colour wheel combination each day so that you know exactly how it works.

EXPLORING THE STYLES AND TECHNIQUES OF DIFFERENT ARTISTS

Sometimes it is good to take time to explore the techniques of other artists. This is a good way to refresh your own ideas and boost your knowledge of ways in which to take a painting forward. You may like to try out a variety of styles from Impressionism, pointillism, surrealism, abstract (in it's various guises) or a number of other styles.

EXPLORING ABSTRACT ART

The term 'Abstract Art' often confuses the student who is not quite sure of what it actually means. This course is designed to encourage the student to study and make their own very different styles of abstract art according to their own taste. This is a popular course in which students are usually delighted with their work and also in their new understanding of abstract painting.

LANDSCAPE PAINTING

Sometimes the student artist is frustrated at not being able to do justice to the beauty of the landscape in front of them.You can be shown how to make the best possible composition, how to change and adapt reality so that your painting reflects and exagerates the beauty of the scene in front of you. You will also be advised on colours, colour mixing and paint application. Also how to make sketches and photos for working on later. We are surrounded here by beautiful scenery and you need go no further than your balcony to find a scene to paint! You will be taken to local areas of scenic beauty to sketch and take photos or indeed paint 'en plein air'.

UNDERSTANDING PERSPECTIVE

A sound knowledge of perspective is essential if you wish to draw or paint buildings, streets, furniture or other geometric objects. Most people will shy away from learning as they think it is not creative. Pheona will teach you the basic rules of perspective in an easy to understand way, and reinforcing the teaching with demonstrations and illustrations. You will learn how to draw, first a simple building, and then a small group. By the end of the week you should have a sound knowledge of perspective and how to use it to improve your paintings. Never again will you avoid these objects! In fact it is very likely that you will really enjoy the challenge once you have mastered the basics.

USING THE DIGITAL CAMERA, COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND SKETCHBOOK

Everyone should be aware of the shortcuts that can be made using modern technology. Learn how to use your camera to capture images and details to paint later. Also learn how to upload images on the computer and use simple software techniques to improve your photographs. Also important is how to use a sketch book to gather information. Both the camera and the sketchbook will gather different information from which to make a better finished painting.

We are aware that what often happens is that students attend a course and are full of enthusiasm and good intentions about keeping up their drawing or painting once they return home. Often though, life interferes and this doesn't happen. Usually because there is no set goal. We offer students follow up

HOME STUDY/PORTFOLIO BUILDING COURSES

With all the best intentions in the world you will leave our week long holidays enthused, enriched, enabled and full of confidence and new knowledge about how to continue with your chosen art form. But once home and the routine of work or chores, responsibilities and other things, you may soon find that all those good intentions have come to nothing. Don't worry. This is entirely normal!

What most students need is a little encouragement to set up a routine whereby they follow a prescribed distance learning course which is geared to consolidate and expand on what they have learned here in Italy.

Pheona has made up several 'Home study' courses. You can work your way through each of the 20 projects in your own time. The projects are set out so that you tackle a different or more challenging painting each time, thus continuing to improve and learn at home. There is also a lot of information about how to start, how to continue, hints and tips on creating the best effect. Also pages about particular techniques and materials. These courses are also ideal for the student who wishes to build up a portfolio.

There will be three'Skype' sessions whereby you can have a tutorial with Pheona over the internet (If you have not used Skype it is really easy to install). All you need is a broadband connection. If you don't use the internet then you will have three postal tutorials.

These are designed so that you can continue to work on the skills learned here in Italy, at home, with full instructions on different projects to work on.

GROUPS and ART TUTORS

If you are a group, or a tutor who would like to bring a group of your own students please contact us with suggestions of what you would like and we will reply as soon as possible with something to suit you..