i	with Laura Martinez-Bianco June 28th - July 5th, 2009 currently being held Part One of the 2009 Program,
Now: Follow the Journey in the Val d'Orcia by following our blog:  www.ArtJournalsdOrcia.blogspot.com.

Laura Martinez-Bianco is a plein air painter who works in the Hudson Valley. Working plein air enables Laura to create her paintings on site, quickly capturing the light and color of a specific moment.

five-day class in Radicofani will focus on plein air pastel painting in one of the most beautiful and historic areas of Italy. Previous experience in pastel is not required, just a willingness to explore and enjoy the outdoors and this lush medium. The classes will be held at La Palazzina and at other local sites. Each class will be three hours, consisting of general lessons and individual instruction. There will be time each day to paint along side the instructor and work on skills and concepts introduced during the week. Classes will cover composition, value, color relationships, and illusion of depth in a landscape, incorporating drawing techniques, and the use of pastels as a painting medium. All classes will conclude with a critique and discussion of the day’s work. To read about Laura, click here.

Tentative Schedule:
Day 1 - Familiarize yourself with medium and the advantages of working plein air, outside on-site. Discussion of plein air artists and composition. Create value studies and sketches for paintings.
Day 2 - Discuss use of colors and other color studies. Demonstration of mixing pastels and creating a tonal values. Complete pastel. Individual critiques during the class.
Day 3 - Day trip to Pienza to experience the beautiful hill town and the vistas it provides. Sketch and photograph for painting.
Day 4 - Travel to local site to capture the landscape in pastels. Information on framing and preserving pastels.
Day 5 - Travel to town to paint. Create value and color studies for painting. Individual discussion and critique of work in progress. Emphasis on including architecture in the landscape. Frame and display work from the week for all to share.