In the last years I realized that to really learn something, actually anything, you need to surround yourself with people who know how to do it, be with them, be inspired, and why not, copythem.
For this reason, in late May I decided to enroll in a sketchbooking workshop held by a famous Italian urban sketcher in Volterra, a wonderful small town in Tuscany.
I have to say that I am an amateur sketcher and my husband, who's had this experience with me, is even more a beginner, but sketching is a passion that has lasted for some time now and we want to bring it to a slightly higher level.
The idea of spending four days drawing in public, with people that draw much better than us frightened us and we got scared even more by reading the presentation letters of the various participants: graphic designers, art teachers, art academy graduates and so on. But it was exactly what we were looking for according to our principle: "You can get as smart as the smartest guy in the room."
From the moment of our arrival we realized it would be a unique experience: the accommodation was a Tuscan '800 villa "Villa le Guadalupe", whose owners, Wofgang and Klaudia, wonderful hosts, have contributed to make our stay unforgettable. The villa is a delight, with breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside.
For this reason, in late May I decided to enroll in a sketchbooking workshop held by a famous Italian urban sketcher in Volterra, a wonderful small town in Tuscany.
I have to say that I am an amateur sketcher and my husband, who's had this experience with me, is even more a beginner, but sketching is a passion that has lasted for some time now and we want to bring it to a slightly higher level.
The idea of spending four days drawing in public, with people that draw much better than us frightened us and we got scared even more by reading the presentation letters of the various participants: graphic designers, art teachers, art academy graduates and so on. But it was exactly what we were looking for according to our principle: "You can get as smart as the smartest guy in the room."
From the moment of our arrival we realized it would be a unique experience: the accommodation was a Tuscan '800 villa "Villa le Guadalupe", whose owners, Wofgang and Klaudia, wonderful hosts, have contributed to make our stay unforgettable. The villa is a delight, with breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside.
In the villa almost everything has been maintained in its original state: the frescoes, the floors, the furniture, the carpets. Everything has a story here and you can feel it from every small detail. You smeel art, and music and theater, all the passions of its owners.
Klaudia and Wolfgang cook all the meals for us and make us feel at home, in this mix between a Fellini movie and "A room with a view".
The house is full of books by Wolfgang, German dramaturge, scholar and expert in art and theater. The couple came to live at the Villa in the 80s, and, without internet, and no major libraries in the surroundings, they had to build their personal library to pursue their studies.
The house is full of books by Wolfgang, German dramaturge, scholar and expert in art and theater. The couple came to live at the Villa in the 80s, and, without internet, and no major libraries in the surroundings, they had to build their personal library to pursue their studies.
The atmosphere became even more magical during the dinners in the garden. In those unusually fresh Tuscan summer nights, candles were the only lights.
From the windows of the first floor, Wolfgang delighted us with his record collection that ranges from classical to tango, to old Neapolitan songs that I would never listen to anywhere else but were so magical here.
And the company was so good. we immediately felt a connection and talking to complete strangers for four days and three nights in a row was very easy and natural.
From the windows of the first floor, Wolfgang delighted us with his record collection that ranges from classical to tango, to old Neapolitan songs that I would never listen to anywhere else but were so magical here.
And the company was so good. we immediately felt a connection and talking to complete strangers for four days and three nights in a row was very easy and natural.
The workshop was equally extraordinary. The idea was to divide the four days in three themes: Villa Guadalupe and its history, the Tuscan countryside and the city of Volterra, and the sketch of live figures, in particular, theater actors on stage, since the workshop held in conjunction with the famous theater festival in Volterra.
The sketch products were so many and also we improved our techniques so much, thanks to the expert help of Simonetta, our teacher. We have seen different styles, learned techniques, copied, edited, and we brought home countless suggestions to continue practicing.
The sketch products were so many and also we improved our techniques so much, thanks to the expert help of Simonetta, our teacher. We have seen different styles, learned techniques, copied, edited, and we brought home countless suggestions to continue practicing.
One of the most interesting and challenging experiences for us was surely the live sketch of a theater performance, the tableau vivent representing paintings of Pontormo and Rosso Fiorentino by Teatri 35.
The actors remained in place for about 30 seconds then they ran away for a change of clothes for the next framework.
The actors remained in place for about 30 seconds then they ran away for a change of clothes for the next framework.
The results were impressive, we sketched in a few seconds and it was so dark you could barely see the sketchbook.
Below, one of the sketches by the talented Joe Bean who has been a continuous source of inspiration for us.
Below, one of the sketches by the talented Joe Bean who has been a continuous source of inspiration for us.
I will never forget those four days, full of interesting people, great advances in our sketching, atmosphere, scenery and beauty.
An experience that I really hope to do again and I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn how to sketch and to discover more about our Italian beauties.
An experience that I really hope to do again and I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn how to sketch and to discover more about our Italian beauties.