Matita Blu is a whole new way to travel! Constance launched Matita Blu (pronounced "ma-tee-ta bloo" - means "blue pencil" in Italian), a sketch-booking seminar in 2009. The inaugural trip was a great success. Equipped with a sketchbook, colored pencils, and a little imagination, participants chronicled their trip abroad and took home a unique memento more precious than a collection of photos. A new workshop is planned for the fall of 2010.
How does Matita Blu work? Through a series of daily exercises, special handouts, non-judgmental critique times and plenty of opportunities to explore, Constance helps participants craft a pictorial journal of their experience in Italy. The group meets in the morning after breakfast for discussion and practice and then heads out to draw. Some of the themes explored during the first workshop included: deciding on subject matter, hatching and mark-making, drawing people, buildings and landscapes, composition, looking at the world through a naturalist's eyes, and looking for surprises. Future trips will include old lessons as well as new topics. Whether you are an experienced artist or a novice, you will find plenty of inspiration in Matita Blu.
Matita Blu's home base is the Medieval town of Sansepolcro in Tuscany. Sansepolcro is the birthplace of the Renaissance genius, Piero della Francesca, and its civic museum displays two of his masterpieces, the Polyptych of the Misericordia and the Resurrection. The area offers several historic towns, many with their Medieval walls still intact, scenic landscapes of rolling hills dotted with cypress and olive trees, and many fine examples of Renaissance art. Participants can stay to sketch in Sansepolcro or take easy day trips to places such as Anghiari, Città di Castello, Perugia and Arezzo. Most places of interest are easily accessible by public transportation.
Second Annual Trip to Tuscany!
October 16 - 24, 2010
Matita Blu Creative Explorations Sketch-booking Workshop with Constance Del Nero. A pictorial journal is so much more meaningful and personal than a photo album. Matita Blu consists of exercises, special handouts, non-judgmental critique times and plenty of opportunities to explore. We will work with graphite (drawing pencils) and colored pencils. These materials are very portable, non-messy, and versatile. No matter what your skill level, Constance will work with you to help you create a memorable sketch-book. Matita Blu is for novices and experienced artists alike.
Price per person $1800
Add an additional person sharing the same room for $800
Participants will lodge at The Palazzo Magi Hotel in Sansepolcro Italy. The Palazzo Magi is a four star hotel with frescoed rooms, located in the historic center. All rooms have private baths.
You can find out more information about the hotel at:
www.relaispalazzomagi.it
Prices include:
*7 nights at the Palazzo Magi Hotel
*Continental breakfast every morning in the hotel
*Multi-course dinners with wine in a nearby elegant trattoria
*Inspirational drawing classes daily
*Transportation from the airport in Florence to the hotel (plan to arrive at the Florence airport around 1:00 p.m. on October 17th)
*Cancellation insurance that covers costs incurred by Matita Blu
Prices do NOT include: airfare, lunch (based on our experiences last year, you probably won’t want more than a snack at midday), side trips, incidentals, or cancellation insurance that covers your airfare. This insurance is available to you at an extra cost at your time of reservation. Please let me know if you are interested. Check with your health insurance company to make sure you are covered abroad.
Matita Blu needs a minimum of 3 sign-ups and can take up to 6. This is time sensitive! Constance needs your $300 non-refundable deposit to hold your place by August 30th. Full payment due by September 16.
Terms of cancellation: If cancelled before September 30, you will be entitled to a 50% refund less your $300 deposit. No refunds will be available after September 30. Please email Constance at constance@constancedelnero.com for more information and for payment address.The following are some of Constance's drawings from her 2009 sketchbook:
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Some comments from 2009 trip-goers:
"The drawing classes taught me to see in a new way. Even as a complete novice, I sketched scenes that made Italy come alive for me. My sketchbook is my favorite souvenir of the trip. By focusing on a small area of Tuscany, we really got a feel for how life is lived there. We stayed in a gem of a small hotel, with a gracious and accomodating staff. The dinners, featuring local cuisine, were superb." - Barbara S.
"Loved the art lessons-learned a lot; loved the company—enjoyed spending time with everyone. Constance did a great job organizing accommodations and food." - Jane A.
"The trip was remarkable. I have gained sooooo much from the experience that I have yet to know how the effects will impact me. But I do know that I am profoundly changed from this journey we all took together. I loved the restaurant, the people, the food, the village and all the new aquaintances I met. I was very pleased with the morning illustration classes. Having my little illustration journal is something I will always cherish." - Irene B.
Constance has a BA in Fine Arts from NYU and an M.Ed. in Art Education from Lesley University. She lived in Italy for six years, has traveled extensively in 13 of the country's 20 regions, and speaks Italian fluently.
For more sketchbook images, click here.
The following are photographs of Sansepolcro and environs: here.