Painting in Sicily

Painting Holidays in Sicily

Sicily is an island of contrasts -from fertile volcanic land, ancient and arid ruins to baroque style architecture, it offers beautiful compositions for painters. Its stunning location in the middle of the Mediterranean means it is blessed with good weather, ideal for painting!

This painting holiday is a complete artistic journey from start to finish. You will stay at authentic yet modern villas in the south-east of the island, surrounded by almond, olive and pomegranate trees. Your painting supplies, sketchbook, pencils, boards and easels are provided in a spacious beautiful studio. You will enjoy daily painting classes and excursions to: the coastal town of Siracusa; Ortigia; the Baroque town of Noto; the fishing village of Marzamemi; and the cities of Modica and Ragusa where you will see real Sicilian life and paint in the renowned Giardino Ibleo gardens.

Our Week at a Glance

Day 1 Sunday, Oct. 10th

Benvenuti! Welcome to Sicily! You will be greeted at Catania Airport by our driver and taken you to the villa for rest and welcome reception. Dinner this evening is at the villa, prepared by your chef.

Day 2 Monday, Oct. 11th

After breakfast, you will have your first lesson with opportunity to explore the villa and its grounds, use your art material to study the Sicilian palette. Subjects may include the pomegranate and olive trees, the ancient walls of the villa or the views from the roof terrace. After lunch, you will explore how to develop your initial studies into more finished pieces, with a focus on composition and drawing. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy at the villa and the pool area before dinner.

Day 3 Tuesday, Oct. 12th

Day trip to Siracusa and Noto. Today, you will visit the coastal town of Siracusa where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the historic old town and look for the perfect vista. After a morning sketching and painting, head to our favourite local trattoria in the old part of the city, Ortigia, for lunch. In the afternoon, travel to Noto to take in the stunning valley views and walk the elegant Corso Vittorio Emanuele lined with stunning baroque palazzi and churches. Dinner tonight is prepared by your chef back at the villa.

Day 4 Wednesday, Oct. 13th

A day trip to Marzamemi. After breakfast we will be taken to this beautiful local fishing village famous for catching tuna, for a day of painting by the seaside. Lunch will be at our favourite local trattoria, with time after lunch to continue painting or walk the area lined with artisan shops and surrounded by the sea. Return to the villa late afternoon for aperitivi and dinner, prepared by your chef.

Day 5 Thursday, Oct. 14th

After breakfast, you will have some time to work on your technique with continued lessons on brush stroke technique and composition, which include a demonstration showing steps to landscape painting. You will spend the rest of the day at the villa with time to continue their work, or relax by the pool and in the villa grounds. Lunch and dinner will be at the villa, prepared by your chef.

Day 6 Friday Oct. 15th

A morning of painting followed by a day trip to Modica and Ragusa. After breakfast, enjoy another painting lesson. In the afternoon, we will visit the impressive town of Modica where we have option to sketch its beautiful scenes and Sicilian life. This may include a visit to our favourite gelateria, especially since Modica is known for its chocolate! From here, we’ll head to the city of Ragusa. The beautifully manicured Giardino Ibleo gardens will be our ideal painting location for painting flowers and foliage. Dinner is at our favourite restaurant in Ragusa.

Day 7 Saturday Oct. 16th

Following breakfast, we will learn some new and alternative mixed-media techniques followed by a review and opportunity to finish up our week's work. You will be coached while finishing up work and planning for future work based on references and studies. In the evening, you will enjoy a special farewell dinner at the villa, with exhibit of our paintings, and final authentic meal prepared by our chef.

Day 8 Sunday Oct. 17th

After breakfast our transfer will take you back to Catania Airport for your onward journey. Arrivederci!

Fee: priced in British pounds sterling 1750 GBP  per person (no extra charge for single room!)

Please note a non-refundable deposit of 250GBP per person is required to secure your place. (We are limited to a group size of 9 guests on this tour.)

Bookings will be taken on a first come,first served basis.

Included:

• Return airport group transfer based on

collection/return to Catania airport

• Private villa accommodation with en-suite rooms

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

including prosecco & local wine with

lunch and dinners

• Visit as per itinerary above including

lunch in Marzememi and dinner in Ragusa

• Private minibus transfers throughout

• Services of our bi-lingual host to look after

the group throughout

• Private Italian cook to prepare all meals

for group throughout

*Also included: Professional "Artist Quality" paints and mediums and tuition for daily workshops of a minimum of 3-hours of lessons per day.

Not included:

Flights to Italy / Personal travel insurance

Brushes and painting panels or canvases (Please bring your favourite brushes and recommended 7 painting panels) You will be emailed a suggested material and packing list upon registration.

How to book:

Please click the 'I'm interested' button below or email us at iafrate.art@gmail.com and a representative from will contact you for secure registration.

This painting holiday is Hosted by Flavours Holidays, U.K.,