Fueled by a new interest in the individual, the birth of the Renaissance in Florence in the 15th century brought a rebirth of the long dormant art of Portraiture. What better place to study the art of Portraiture than in Monte Castello di Vibio, just a stone’s throw from that extraordinary city?

This comprehensive two-week workshop offers a unique opportunity to study classical realist Portraiture in both two and three dimensions under the expert guidance of renowned sculptor Constance Ramsey Bowden and acclaimed painter Karen Warshal.

Workshop Focus

Working from live models in an intimate studio setting, students will explore the fundamental principles of portrait creation across three classical mediums: drawing, painting, and sculpture. This intensive program emphasizes the essential building blocks of representational art, making it ideal for both beginners seeking solid foundations and more seasoned artists looking to refine their skills.  The small class size ensures ample individual instruction for each student.

Class Structure

Students will draw or paint the model in the morning.  After lunch, students will sculpt the same model in water based clay.  Models will maintain the same pose for the duration of the workshop.

Curriculum Highlights

• Anatomical Foundation: Master the underlying structure of the head and facial features through detailed anatomical study.
• Sculptural Techniques: Learn to capture likeness and character in clay, from initial armature construction through finished portrait.
• Drawing Fundamentals: Learn to identify the shapes and planes specific to each individual model as you develop accuracy in line, proportion, form and value.
• Painting Principles: Understand color theory and color mixing, leading to more accurate skin tones.  Practice effective paint application, including brushwork, glazing and treatment of edges.

*         Design Elements:   Explore the principles of traditional design inherent in each portrait.

• . Observational Skills: Strengthen your ability to see and translate three-dimensional form onto two-dimensional surfaces.

Cultural Immersion Beyond the Studio

Students will journey to the artistic heart of Renaissance Italy with guided excursions to Rome and Florence. These field trips will serve to deepen students’ understanding of the skills and concepts they’re learning in the studio.  In addition, they’ll come to appreciate the history of Portraiture itself and its place in the overall history of art.

Florence:  Visit to the world class Uffizi Gallery, including a tour of the newly reopened Vasari Corridor.  A real treat for artists, the Vasari Corridor houses self-portraits by famous artists throughout the centuries.

Rome:  Visit to the Musei Capitolini complex, filled with many of the finest Roman copies of Greek sculptures in existence.

Weekends

Weekends are reserved for relaxing and recharging, with optional visits to nearby towns such as Deruta and Todi.  Open model time will also be available for those interested.

Join us for this unique experience in Monte Castello di Vibio, where life is always just a little bit magical!

Included in the price

Transfer to and from airport on designated pick-up and drop off dates*

Transportation for excursions to Florence and Rome

Entrance fees to Uffizi Gallery, Vasari Corridor, Musei Capitolini

All class instruction

All meals except for lunch and dinner on the days of our field trips to Florence and Rome

Accommodations in single room with shared bath in the Asilo.  (One “matrimoniale” room is also available.)

Private tour of the Teatro della Concordia

Clay and armatures for sculpture

Not included in price

Optional excursions on weekends

Housing upgrades to private room with bath or entire apartment (see options below)

*Pick-up  and drop-off at Fiumicino airport on days other than those designated.  For those arriving at a different time, an additional charge will be added.

Throughout the workshop, participants will be housed in the remarkably well-preserved Umbrian hill town of Monte Castello di Vibio. Your workshop package is all-inclusive, providing welcome and departure services and airport transfer from the Rome Fiumicino, Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO). Aboard our comfortable private bus, single occupancy accommodations with shared bath (a wide range of upgrades with private bath are available), 3 meals per day Monday-Thursday, Prosecco brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday (no meals are served on Friday, our excursion day. Your workshop includes one excursion per week and many additional options are available on weekends for an additional fee. Of course, 24/7 access to facilities and 24/7 bi-lingual support are provided.

About the food

Delicious meals are lovingly prepared by our expert chefs, Cristiano and Loris. Featuring traditional Umbrian cuisine and always using the freshest ingredients purchased daily, Cristiano and Loris work hard to please everyone, honoring dietary restrictions and food preferences. Breakfast (buffet) and lunch are served indoors, while dinner is held on the scenic rooftop terrace overlooking the valley surrounding Monte Castello di Vibio.  To say that this is a breathtaking venue and an extraordinary experience would be an understatement.

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM CONSTANCE AND KAREN TO YOU, OUR POTENTIAL STUDENTS:

We’ve designed this program with the goal of maximum learning because, as teachers, that’s our responsibility and it’s also who we are.  But remember that this is YOUR special experience and it needs to meet your needs.  This is an intensive program, so if you’re tired, take a rest.  If you miss an hour or even a session, the world won’t come to an end.