Courses

Painting People from Photographs- Watercolor workshop with Ted Nuttall

With Ted Nuttall

At Lucca, Tuscany

01 September - 10 September, 2025

“I’ve always been drawn to people and the figure and I think one of the most exciting things about a country’s culture and environment are it’s people. Having had the good fortune to teach workshops in several different countries I came away each time with great images and feelings that developed themselves into paintings. I’m excited to have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Tuscan region of Italy and work with Karolina and David at their charming “Villa Sola”. And I would like to invite you to join me”. Although painting a person in watercolor may seem daunting, it is every bit as approachable as creating a still life or landscape. Ted Nuttall will demonstrate the techniques, and instill the confidence to enjoy painting people. He will discuss the benefits of photographic reference, as well as how to interpret a photograph in order to give life and energy to the subject. In Ted’s daily demonstrations and presentations, he will share his personal approach to painting. Plus, he will introduce the work of other artists with the objective of inspiring enriched seeing and thinking skills. What’s more, significant time is allowed for one-on-one instruction. In an atmosphere that’s both creative and supportive, Ted encourages in each participant a renewed enthusiasm for his or her art – regardless of their skill level.

Course Highlights

  1. Personalised painting session with Ted
  2. Day trip to Portovenere, Lucca and Siena
  3. Gourmet Italian Food and wines
  4. Pizza party- make your own pizza with our pizza master
  5. Wine testing in nearby vineyard
  6. Cooking class with the private Chef
  7. Winter tasting in bio dynamic winery with one of the top producers in Lucca

Day by Day Workshop Schedule

  1. Day 1: 1. Day 1: Arrival day. Group will be picked up from Pisa/Florence airport or Lucca Station 3-5pm. Unpack, settle in Villa, time to rest. Around 6.00pm welcome gathering with Ted and Karolina on day-to-day schedule and workshop plan, goals, and challenges. Dinner – best of Italian cuisine made by our private Chef.
  2. Day 2: 2. Day 2: 9.00am-Breakfast. 10:00am-12:30pm- Art session. 1:00pm-Lunch under Pergola prepared by our chef. 3:00pm-5:30pm - Art session. 7:00pm- Dinner home.
  3. Day 3: 3. Day 3: 8.30am-Breakfast. 9:30am-12:30pm- Art session. 1:00pm- Lunch. Afternoon- Lucca time! Time to explore, shopping on your own with a map in your hand. 6:45pm- We met for the Puccini Concert. Afterwards, dinner in Karolina’s favorite restaurant.
  4. Day 4: 4. Day 4: 9.00am-Breakfas.t Time to explore Liguria! A day trip to Portovenere called  ‘Gulf of poets’  – one of most charming coast town with spectacular views. Time to explore, shop and relax on your own (with a map in hand). Lunch on your own. Return home at 4.30pm, time to rest. 7:00pm- Dinner home.
  5. Day 5: 5. Day 5:  8.30am-Breakfast. 9:30am-12:30pm-Art session. 1:00pm- Lunch After lunch, relax. 4.30pm- the group will enjoy cooking lesson and prepare dinner for everyone or if you're not into cooking- massage by our specialized masseuse Charlotte. 7:00pm- Dinner home.
  6. Day 6: 6. Day 6: 8.30am-Breakfast. 9:30am-12:00pm- Art session. 1:00pm- Lunch. 3:00pm-5:30pm- Art session. 7:00pm- Dinner pizza festival.
  7. Day 7: Day 7:  Free Day for sight seeing. 8:30am-Breakfast. Day trip to Siena - an eminent medieval city with a UNESCO-listed historic centre. Surrounded by a well-preserved 1,000-year-old wall, it's best known for hosting the Palio horse race, which takes place twice yearly, as well as plenty of medieval masterpieces. After arrival we will have a guided walking tour. Lunch on your own, Time to shop and explore. 5:30pm Return home. 7:00pm dinner home.
  8. Day 8: 8. Day 8: 8:30am-Breakfast. 9:30am-12:00pm- Art session.1:00pm-Lunch. 3:00pm-5:30pm- Visit a local vineyard and Wine Testing. 7:00pm Dinner home.
  9. Day 9: 9. Day 9:  8.30am-Breakfast. 10:00am-12:00pm- Art session: Finishing up work. 1:00pm - Lunch. 3:00pm-5:00pm- Art session: Clean up, display work, group and individual critique. 7:00pm- there’ll be a glamorous gala dinner offering the best Tuscan cuisine. You’ll have a meal prepared by our Chef along with our homemade limoncello.
  10. Day 10: 10. Day 10:  Departure day. 8:30am-Breakfast. After breakfast, the group will be taken to Lucca train station Pisa or Florence airport.

Course Cost: 4399 Euro

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:

Although painting a person in watercolor may seem daunting, it is every bit as approachable as creating a still life or landscape. Ted Nuttall will demonstrate the techniques, and instill the confidence to enjoy painting people. He will discuss the benefits of photographic reference, as well as how to interpret a photograph in order to give life and energy to the subject. In Ted’s daily demonstrations and presentations, he will share his personal approach to painting. Plus, he will introduce the work of other artists with the objective of inspiring enriched seeing and thinking skills. What’s more, significant time is allowed for one-on-one instruction. In an atmosphere that’s both creative and supportive, Ted encourages in each participant a renewed enthusiasm for his or her art – regardless of their skill level.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT:

For as long as I can remember, I have been a fascinated spectator of human behavior – the quintessential people watcher. I naturally seek the unique character in everyone I encounter. Often, as I observe someone in his or her everyday environment, I am rewarded with a moment when the play of light and shadow combine with a gesture or expression – and I see a painting. A shadow cast by a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, hands cradling a book or carefully tying a shoe, a contemplative smile completely unaware – the important moment that tells a whole story. My paintings are an attempt to compose and thoughtfully record the nuances that have transfixed these moments, these stories, in my mind.

SUPPLY LIST:

Following is a list of suggested supplies for Ted’s watercolor workshops and classes. Please read the supply list carefully to assure that you are prepared with the necessary materials for the workshop.

Paper - Ted works exclusively on Arches 300# hot press. While it is a little pricey, it is very functional and problem free in terms of resistance to buckling etc. For the purposes of the workshop, Ted strongly suggests you work with this paper.

Paint – Ted’s palette includes the following: Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Vermillion(Holbein), Scarlet Lake, Brilliant Orange(Holbein), Winsor Yellow Deep, Aureolin, Winsor Gold Deep, Quinacridone Burnt Orange (Daniel Smith), Burnt Umber, Hookers Green, Mineral Violet(Holbein), Indigo, French Ultramarine Blue, Peacock Blue(Holbein), Winsor Blue Red Shade, and Antwerp Blue. Ted recommends you use tubes instead of dry cakes and you avoid student grade paints. Most of his colors are Winsor Newton brand, however, Vermillion, Brilliant Orange, Mineral Violet and Peacock Blue are Holbein colors and Quinacridone Burnt Orange is Daniel Smith.

Palette – Ted uses a custom made metal palette, which he finds especially functional for the way he works. There are many brands and variations of metal as well as plastic palettes available at art supply stores and catalog outlets. Any palette that will accommodate at least 16 colors and you find comfortable will work. If you prefer a folding enameled metal palette, Holbein carries one (model no. HK1130-250, 3 1/4” x 7 7/8”) with approximately 16 divided pans for holding color, 3 mixing wells, a large mixing tray and a thumbhole. Ted has worked with this model and found it adequate.

Drawing Board – Ted uses a very lightweight wood drawing board to mount his paper on. These can be found in most art supply stores. (search Amazon for ‘Helix Air-Tite Wooden Drawing Board’ as an example). They are a durable surface to work on and are available in a variety of sizes. Many students use gator board as an option and find it quite functional. Clamps or pushpins - Spring clamps or pushpins for holding paper in place on the board. Ted uses 3/4” pushpins, which work very well on the wood board in place of clamps.

Brushes - Ideally, Ted would like you to use rounds for your brushes in the workshop. He works with a series 8404 #16 Raphael Kolinsky sable round which he feels is exceptional. Pure sables are wonderful but if you are on a budget there are good substitutes made with a combination of natural and synthetic hairs. As a less expensive alternative to the Raphael sable, Cheap Joe’s offers a #16 Legend Sable Round brush that is very nice. Ted suggests working with a larger size to aid you in staying loose and free with your painting.

Easel – Ted does all of his painting with the paper surface nearly perpendicular to the floor rather than flat or slightly angled. While many painters are not accustomed to painting this way, Ted would like everyone to try it. Therefore an easel is an essential to your supplies. Most any stable, sturdy easel (either table or floor model) that allows you to work at an angle will be adequate for our use.

Towels - A good absorbent cloth towel or roll of paper towels will work well. Ted uses flour sack dishtowels as they are durable, absorbent and (most importantly) reusable.

This workshop is being arranged through followtuscany.com.
Karolina will follow up on all questions about the workshop, accommodations, activities, coordinate arrivals and departures, food issues and all other details. Karolina will handle all booking arrangements, all enquiries, and receive the payments of deposit and balance from the students directly.

Contact: Karolina Lenart

Email:followyoursensesintuscany@gmail.com

Web: followtuscany.com

Telephone: +39 3455809974 or +48 880876413 Deposit of 1000 Euro is required to book Your spot.

FOR YOUR COMFORT , WE ORGANIZE INDIVIDUAL TRANSFER FROM/TO PISA AIRPORT OR LUCCA/PISA TRAIN STATION TO/FROM OUR VILLA.