Painting with Watercolor
at the Villa Palagione, Tuscany
April 27 - May 4, 2024
With Paul George FULL - sign up for waitlist
Taught in English
Our one week painting holiday in Tuscany takes place at an elegant villa, over 400 years old, painstakingly restored by an Italian-German team of artists who have created a wonderful international culture and study center. Complete with a gorgeous swimming pool, Villa Palagione is nestled into the picturesque hills of Tuscany, only 6 kilometers from the art city of Volterra. Within a half hour drive of the villa are several gorgeous fortified hill towns for which Tuscany is famous. We will pick you up at the airport in Pisa, or if you have your own car, parking is available at the villa.
Paul George, who has won over 100 awards, including the Awards of Excellence from the National Watercolor Society and two Gold and a Bronze Medal from the New England Watercolor Society, will lead the workshop, painting "en plein air" at sites in and around Volterra. Paul writes: "I am so excited to return to Italy and am looking forward to exploring the areain Tuscany around Volterra and its charming hilltop villages for a wonderful week-long workshop. We will begin each day with a demonstration, discovering the warm light at the Villa Palagione and the surrounding area. After a quick lunch we will find another beautiful spot to paint and end the day with a relaxed but informative critique of the day's work. Join me for this wonderful week of painting and good friends." Check out Paul George's demo videos on YouTube.
Delicious farm-to-table dinners will be served at the Villa, as well as breakfast each day. Lunch will either be a picnic lunch, or a bistro lunch when we are offsite. A Welcome vino e formaggio party on Saturday night, a mid-week trattoria lunch and a Farewell gastronomic dinner at a wonderful restaurant on Friday night are also included.
Some of the time will be spent walking through Tuscan hills and Volterra's cobblestone streets. Participants should be comfortable with carrying their gear on uneven surfaces. You always have the option of course of remaining at the villa to paint on site.
Typical Schedule
Subject to change depending on weather, desires of group, or other unforseen circumstances.
Saturday
Pick up at Pisa airport and arrival at Villa Palagione near Volterra
Saturday night
Welcome Vino e Formaggio party on the villa's terrace
Sunday
9:00 - 9:45 am breakfast
10:00 am painting demo at villa
10:30 - 1:00 pm plein air painting
1:00 - 2:30 pm picnic lunch
2:30 - 5:30 pm plein air painting
5:30 - 7:30 pm Siesta
7:30 pm Dinner at villa
Monday - Friday
9:00 - 9:45 am breakfast
Painting at Villa, in Volterra and at other nearby locations. Optional museum and historical site visits.
10:00 - 1:00 pm plein air painting
1:00 - 2:30 pm picnic lunch
2:30 - 5:30 pm plein air painting
5:30 - 7:30 pm Siesta
7:30 pm Dinner at villa
Friday night gourmet Farewell Dinner
Saturday
9:00 - 9:45 am breakfast
10 - 11 am Check out of accommodation and good-byes!
Paintings by Paul George
Click to enlarge
Painting Instructor Paul George
Paul George has been painting watercolor and oils for almost 30 years and has been teaching Painting for more than twenty five years in the US and Europe.
He has won over 100 awards, including the Awards of Excellence from the National Watercolor Society and two Gold and a Bronze Medal from the New England Watercolor Society. He is also a Marine Master at the Gallery at Mystic Seaport. Paul is a signature member of the New England Watercolor Society, Rockport Art Association & Museum and the Northshore Arts Association.
Paul has had his own gallery in Gloucester for 25 years and at present owns and operates the George/ Morse Gallery located in Ipswich, Massachusetts with his artist wife, KT Morse.
Holiday Director Kate Kilbourne
Since 2000, Kate Kilbourne lived part of the year in San Francisco, California, and part of the year in her house in Trôo, France... until 2017 when her partner Robert bought a flat in Cádiz, Spain. Now Kate and Robert spend the spring and fall all over Europe, running Plein Air Holidays in France, Spain, Italy and in Croatia where they lived for nine months during the Covid pandemic. Kate is fluent in French and is learning Spanish as fast as she can!
Historic renovated lodging at
The recorded history of Villa Palagione starts 400 years ago, in 1598, at the height of the Florentine dynasty of the Medici family. A plaque names the original owner as Girolamo Minucci. He was a knight and cupbearer of various Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Over the centuries the Minucci family represented the interests of the Medici in this region. The area's vast mineral resources were the source of great wealth and power, but also the cause of numerous power struggles. Since the times of Girolamo the appearance of the estate has changed several times over the centuries, bowing to the tastes of past generations and the dictates of fashion trends. The villa has numerous large rooms and halls. The "Lords and Ladies" lived on the central floor, or "Bel-Etage", where today you can still find the most beautiful murals and frescoes.
Today Villa Palagione has evolved into an internationally renowned centre of culture and study, a place of encounters, learning, enjoyment and creativity. We offer accommodation for up to 65 guests, seminar and conference rooms, as well as beautiful gardens and a pool for recreation and relaxation. Our in-house Tuscan cuisine varies according to the seasons and includes a breakfast buffet, and a midday or evening meal (a set meal with several courses) featuring regional specialties.
Included in Holiday
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6 days of instruction
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7 nights lodging at the Villa Palagione
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Van pick up at Pisa airport
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Welcome Vino e Formaggio party
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Daily breakfast at villa
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Daily picnic or trattoria lunch
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Nightly home-cooked dinners at villa
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Local museums and historical site visits
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Farewell 3 course gourmet dinner
Not Included
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Air fare
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Travel insurance
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Medical insurance
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Train fare
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Painting Materials
Cost
The cost for the 7 night holiday, inclusive of everything listed under "Included in Holiday", varies according to whether you prefer a single room or are planning to share a double.
Accommodation is in the historic Villa Palagione.
Double Room: 2750 euros
Per person
Single Room: 3100 euros
Per person
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Sign up by Oct. 1, 2023
to receive a 200 euro discount!
20% Discount for non-painting participants