between2seas.art
Create your own Expressionist Travel Journal in Sicily
June 2023
​About the Sicily Workshop...
Expressionist techniques are ideal for creating a personal travel journal. Using techniques and materials, we will work out in the open just as the greats of Expressionism have done. Free of traditional rules of drawing and painting, the emphasis is on the painter's personal expression of their experience of the subject in the moment. Rather than mimicking a scene in the flash of a camera lens as with a typical holiday snap, these techniques push you to work actively in short bursts of time and even while on the move, and they are as accessible to beginners as to creatives looking to losen up their creativity. Whether a landscape or a person, these techniques bring energy and confidence that pushes the painter to explore all the use of colour, marks and textures that are as unique to a person as their own handwriting. The workshop will be held in the grounds of Refugio Lanzagallo, 15 km from Modica in Southeastern Sicily en.lanzagallo.com
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Where, when, materials & methods
Set in the idyllic grounds of Refugio Lanzagallo under the aged carob tree, we will work "en plein air" just as so many of the Expressionist Greats have done. Over three mornings on 12, 13 and 14 June 2023, in a small group of ten and armed with a few pencils, pastels, pens or paints and your travel journal in hand, you will gain the confidence to just go for it and find your own voice on the paper. Over three hours each morning, following a few salient insights into the techniques and materials for that session, you will produce between 3 and 6 sketches each morning. You will then be able to use these keys whenever you are out and about with your sketchbook. Basic materials can be provided and of course you can bring a larger number of materials if you prefer. Also, please bring your own Travel Journal or sketchbook if you want to start immediately.
The grounds of Refugio Lanzagallo, Contrada Lanzagallo, 5, 97015 Modica RG, Italy, 15 km from Modica in Southeastern Sicily https://en.lanzagallo.com/
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How to find your Accommodation
Lanzagallo itself offers 5 spacious rooms, some of which are still available at the moment so please do make your bookings soon to be sure to get a room there. You can make your own booking at https://www.nice2stay.com/en/accommodations/rifugio-lanzagallo? Many platforms offer accommodation in the vicinity of Lanzagallo (Val di Noto region of Sicily).
Nearest airports: Comiso and then Catania.
Address of Lanza Gallo: Contrada Lanzagallo, 5, 97015 Modica RG, Italy. 15 km from Modica in Southeastern Sicily https://en.lanzagallo.com/
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Prices
Work in a small group of between 5 and 10 people, over three mornings of three hours each, including the materials used each day, as well as lose sheets of paper for those who do not yet have their own Travel Journal or Sketchbook. £75
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About me, and why Lanzagallo?
This workshop in Sicily comes from a good, long friendship I have with the owners of Lanzagallo, Daniella and Istvan. I have followed the story the creation of this little gem B&B in Sicily by Daniella for well over ten years now. Being an established architect, Daniella has been able to bring an amazing wealth of creativity and expertise to upgrade and traditional Sicilian farm into a stunning contemporary living space while still incorporating the authentic character and architecture elements, and I am happy to see the recognition she has received for such an ambitious project. I am thrilled to bring my lifelong love of painting and drawing to Lanzagallo this June, and look forward to enlivening few days workshop with new people and topics of conversation to make a special addition to my appreciation of Sicily.
