Farindola, Abruzzo, Italy – Saturday 11th – 16th September….Hopefully!
Lagou Raxi, Lafkos, Greece – Saturday 5th/12th June 2021
Farindola – Five nights/Four days of independent sketching
A shy and secluded village clinging to a majestic mountain, Farindola lies on a hilly outcrop overlooking the high valley of the river Tavo. Farindola is 1 hour drive from Pescara (flights from Stansted) and 20 minutes from the small town of Penne. The village is famous for its cheese ‘Pecorino of Farindola’ See and listen a morning view here https://youtu.be/Y1EW3vQF58I
In 2015 I spent two weeks in Farindola as an artist in residence along with 9 others as part of the first Farindola International Arts Festival. I fell in love with the people and the place, so I invite you to come back and sketch with me each September. Click to read my blog posting http://karenstampercollage.com/blog/farindola-international-arts-festival-italy-2015/ You can view more of my sketches on my Flickr page https://www.flickr.com/photos/8813416@N07/
We love our concertina books
This sketchbook holiday is for the independent sketcher, who would like company too.
It is ideal for beginners who need motivation, as well as those with experience but looking for fresh inspiration. This is not a taught course, there will be no step by step demonstrations in one particular style; each morning we will wander to find our own viewpoints and then meet for lunch to share sketches and ideas. Afternoons are free for more sketching or exploring, you will often find us meeting in the local cafe for regular refreshments and sketchbook sharing.
The rewards are immeasurable, by being totally absorbed in a beautiful, stimulating environment, with shared experiences and ideas, you will broaden your horizons and open your eyes to new ways of sketching. My aim is to provide a break where you can sketch but in a supportive surroundings.
” I have produced more in 4-5 days than a whole year at home! It is amazing, I started the first morning a little apprehensive and by lunchtime I was totally absorbed. The time just flew by.”
Drawing on the sense of community and new friends, you will also find encouragement when you share your work and ideas with others.
“I did not know what to expect from this holiday but I must say it has gone very quickly and was really special. It has provided me with an opportunity to break from my hectic routine and tune in to my creative side.”
This a short break from Saturday evening to Thursday. The best way is to arrive on the Ryanair flight Stansted to Pescara.
All you need to bring is your sketchbook and favorite drawing materials. I will have a small collection of materials too. From the village there are stunning views across the valley: in the village there are gorgeous crooked streets, two cafes, churches and so many roof top views.
Each day will start with breakfast, then it is sketching time until lunch. The afternoons are free for you to continue sketching or explore the area. We meet in the local cafe to share sketches, ideas and techniques. Early evening is the time for aperitifs and a well earned, wonderful dinner.
Accommodation
There are very few places to stay in Farindola. One is a boutique B&B Altrocanto, the second a large house/apartments.The rooms are booked on first come first served basis. In Altrocanto there are five rooms, mainly doubles but some have a mezzanine floor and a sofa bed, so two friends can share. Altrocanto is 5 minutes up from the main square, a gradual hill.
For three of the evenings we will all eat together at Altrocanto, (four courses plus wine) leaving one evening free for you to choose. http://www.altrocanto.it
Dates for 2020
Sketchbooking in Farindola Saturday 5th – Thursday 10th September ( Sketching Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
Prices are in EUROS
Altrocanto 440 euros per person in own room. 380 euros per person – couple/two friends sharing
Apartments 420 euros per person in own room. 360 euros per person – couple/two friends sharing
Prices include transfer, accommodation, breakfast and three evening evening meals (four courses plus wine)
Not Included Flights (£60 – £150) the best way to travel is Stansted to Pescra. Departing on the 6pm evening flight and leaving Farindola Thursday lunchtime. www.ryanair.com If everyone travels on this flight we meet in the departure lounge. I have organised a transfer from this flight only. Pescara airport to Farindola
Lafkos, Greece – NEW for 2021 5-12th June
A week of taught sketchbook workshops at Lagou Raxi Country Hotel in Lafkos http://www.lagouraxi.com
Lafkos is on mainland Greece, it is about 45 km from the city of Volos. It is acar free village where the smell of freshly baked bread in a wood-fired oven draws you to the bakery shop. The village has three small ‘mini-markets’, a craftsman jeweller, home made soaps and a gift shop. In under 10 minutes you can walk from the hotel through the village lanes to the square with its imposing church and plane trees.
This course is suitable for beginners and intermediate participants. It includes four hours studio/ sketching on location per day. This is not a ‘careful drawing from observation’ course, it is much more about responding to your surroundings with paper collage, gesso, found papers, inks, pens and many more materials to develop your sketchbooks into exciting works of art in their own right. Many participants report feeling liberated and have fun in their sketchbooks for the first time!
Holiday Includes
* Six days of tuition and transport for related excursions *Coffee and tea throughout the day
* Time for rest and relaxation on the beach, by the pool or in the village square
* A full cooked breakfast, five three-course dinners and two lunches (half-board)
* Hotel library which includes the complete set of Mediterranean Garden Society journals
* Flights are NOT included, however there are direct flights to Volos Airport: from London Gatwick on Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Brussels, Amsterdam, Munich, Duesseldorf and Vienna on some other days. (see www.volosairport.gr/en) Alternatively there are regular flights to Athens, Skiathos or Thessaloniki.
*Lagou Raxi can advise on the easiest/most economical transfers from your chosen airport and will help participants to share if convenient.
Lagou Raxi Country Hotel http://www.lagouraxi.com has a breathtaking view of the Pagasitic Gulf and it’s also close to the Aegean sea. There is an easy footpath from the hotel down to Milina. Although British owned the hotel cuisine is traditional Greek, sometimes with a twist. All the dishes are home-made, and delicious! The hotel has a good-sized swimming pool and an all-weather tennis court as well as the Library, Terrace, Azure Restaurant, yoga mats and the purpose-built ‘Atelier’ or workroom.
Dates for 2020
Sketchbooking at Lagu Raxi Country Hotel Saturday 5th – Saturday 12th June
Prices are in EUROS
815 euros per person in own room
700 euros per person – couple/two friends sharing in twin room
765 euros per person in triple room. three friends sharing
Prices are per person including tuition, accommodation ( half board) materials* and excursions.
*There is a supplement 30 per person for art materials
Please email me for full information and email mail@lagouraxi.com to book a place