21-28 May – 2 places left!
28 May-4 June – Fully booked

If you have always wanted to draw or paint, you can do so under the tutelage of Loreto Reilly, a fully qualified art and design teacher, with over 20 years of professional experience, including 15 years running this course. Loreto is an adept and accomplished teacher as well as a successful Irish artist who exhibits regularly at home and abroad.

Loreto will host this year’s painting courses in the beautiful city of Taormina, Sicily. The location is set between the historic centre of Taormina and its beautiful beaches among the lush Mediterranean vegetation which surrounds the residence.

This spacious hillside residence is the perfect place to paint and relax. The extensive gardens are filled with sunshine but also with many areas shaded by the olive trees and Mediterranean plants where you can sit and sketch, read or have a cool glass of wine. The pool is set in a picturesque spot overlooking the sea and Isola Bella.

Classes

The course is all about painting your own original landscape. Beginning with selecting a subject, learning how to make a preparatory sketch, and then working that to a finished painting. Each step is demonstrated to the group and then developed through one-to-one tuition. Students are encouraged to work at their own level of art experience.

During the course of the week, you will sketch a number of subjects, often completing several paintings by the end. Following this course, whenever you encounter a striking subject, at home or while travelling, you will have the skills to sketch and paint it.

The group is kept to a maximum of ten, in order to ensure that every student receives the maximum assistance and encouragement from the tutor at all times. The synergy of working together with like-minded people brings its own rewards, and many of our students have become close friends. Many people also return from year to year.

Among the painting and drawing media used during this course are graphite pencils, acrylics, and watercolours if requested.

Most materials for painting and drawing are included.  For a list of things to bring click here…

Accommodation

All care is taken that your stay is an enjoyable experience while attending the course and this includes the accommodation.

The house, gardens, pool, and many terraces of the house are open to all students and wifi is available throughout the building. Most rooms and apartments have a terrace with chairs and tables from which there are sea or garden views.

Afternoon Time to Yourself

• Walk into the village and visit one of its cafe terraces or browse through some of the many shops with their variety of local crafts, from leather to ceramics, or in the evening enjoy the leisurely passeggiata when all locals stroll and chat.

• Take the stepped pathway down to the beach and enjoy a swim or a cool glass of prosecco
• Try one of the many picturesque walking routes in the local area or exploring scenery further afield, if car rental is chosen.
• Indulge in wine tasting in one of the local wineries.
• Take some time for personal painting development.
• Or simply relax in these beautiful surroundings and take a siesta by the pool

Car rental, shared or otherwise, is the ideal way to explore this fascinating area and is highly recommended. Information on alternative private transport can be provided.

Cost:

• Double Bedroom en suite, with kitchen corner, single-use €900.
• Studio Apartment shared €750, single-use €950. (Sea view + €50)
• Two-bedroom apartment shared €950. (Sea view +€50)
• Non-painting partners €300 reduction on above prices.

What is Included

• Seven nights accommodation in one of the following :
• Double bedroom en suite
• One bedroom studio apartment, en suite with kitchen and seating area.
• Two-bedroom studio, en suite with kitchen and seating area.
• Three and a half hours painting tuition six mornings.
• Painting and drawing materials.

Not Included in the Price

• Flights
• Travel insurance, which is obligatory
• Cost of transport for optional afternoon trips
• Meals. Breakfast is optional and can be reserved. Cost €10 per day, €8 group rate.

Lunch/dinner can be arranged with residence, ordered from local restaurants, enjoyed in one of the many restaurants by the sea or town centre. Or you may wish to use the facilities to cook at your own apartment

To book today or for more information please contact Loreto

Cancellation Policy

• Please read the Cancellation Policy here before booking.

Dates:

21-28 May
28 May-4 June

Getting There

The nearest airport is Catania (66 km away). Aer Lingus have withdrawn direct flights from Dublin at the moment. There are many other options:

Aer Lingus Dublin – Rome, then Ryanair Rome -Catania and vice versa

KLM have flights Dublin-Catania with one stop over. Luggage is checked in at Dublin and then collected in Catania. The stopover is short and they take responsibility for this. They are expensive but luggage is included in the price, and also refreshments.

The UK has many direct flights.

Residence Terra Rossa will provide a transfer from Catania airport.  Expect to pay €45 for the round trip. If you arrive at a different time you may make a private arrangement with the residence.

There is also a train service from Catania to Taormina.

Map

Gloss Magazine January 2020

Read the article here.

Gloss Magazine July 2017

Read the article here.