Beyond Technique: Finding Individual Expression
With Frank Eber
At Lucca, Tuscany
10 May - 20 May, 2026
This workshop is about the finding your personal style while negotiating the challenges of painting en Plein air. Personal artistic expression should be the goal for any serious painters. Technique is important of course, but it is only the first step. The most important thing to bring to your art is yourself ( OIL,WATERCOLOR,ACRYLIC,GOUACHE) Frank’s work is emotionally based, painted with a ‘limited palette’, softly expressive and suggestive. He was trained by an Italian master painter in the early 90’s. Typical in his art are color mixes and light that evoke nostalgia while remaining absolutely in the present. Frank's workshops reach beyond technique, observing the elusive balance of forces that create beauty in painting. Frank stresses a solid foundation in the basics, “…so that our focus is on creating timeless art. An emotional link is necessary in our work, as well as the connection to the vibrancy of everything we paint.” All levels are welcome as long as you come with an open heart and mind.
Course Highlights
- Daily lessons with Frank
- Autentic Tuscan meals cooked by your private Chef
- Day trip to Lucca, Viareggio , Pietrasanta and Chianti
- Cooking class by Chef Karolina and wine testing in nearby vineyard
- Puccini Concert in a Romanesque church
- Pizza Night
- Private transfer
Day by Day Workshop Schedule
- Day 1: The arrival day! Group will be picked up from Pisa/Florence airport or Lucca Train Station. Unpack, settle in the Villa, time to rest. Dinner 7:30pm– best of Italian cuisine, dinner made by our Chef.
- Day 2: Home day! Recovery Day… Breakfast at 8:30-9:30am then time to relax and enjoy our surroundings - first instructions by Frank (set up easels, studio set up). Lunch under Pergola at 1:00pm prepared by our chef. Post lunch it is time to paint- 3h session with Frank around villa. Dinner prepared by our villa Chef at 7:00pm
- Day 50: Breakfast 08:30am, afterwards a visit to Villa Reale one of the most important historical Villa in Lucca where John Singer Sargent paint the gardens. Session with the teacher. Picnic Lunch in the garden, 3-4:00pm- Back home, time to rest , aperitivo & Dinner 7:00pm.
- Day 4: Home day! Breakfast at 8:30am followed by session with Frank – capturing landscape 3min walk from home. Lunch at 1:00pm. Time to relax, finish your painting. Dinner served 7:00pm.
- Day 5: Breakfast at 7.30-8.30am, departure to Viareggio for session with Frank capturing boats and sea .Picnic lunch of Frito Misto (fried seafood) and prosecco by the sea (2-2.30pm),later the medieval town of Pietrasanta known as the “City of Artists”. Pietrasanta has deep roots in Italy’s legacy of art and sculpture. time on own for coffee& gelato or some shopping :) Back home around 6:00pm, dinner 7:00pm.
- Day 6: Home day! Breakfast at 8:30am followed by session with Frank around villa. Lunch at 1:00pm. Post lunch it is time to relax. 3:00pm we will visit Lucca! Time for exploring and shopping, 7.00pm- Classical concert followed by dinner in our favourite restaurant. Back home 10:00pm.
- Day 7: Home day! 8.30am - Breakfast home followed by session with Frank . 1:00pm lunch home , after lunch time to rest .4:00 Cooking class with chef Karolina, Dinner for everyone 7:00pm
- Day 8: Breakfast at 8:30am followed by painting instruction by Frank and capturing the countryside. Lunch at 1:00pm. Post lunch it’s time to relax. Around 3.30pm, the group will depart for wine tasting in best Bio-Dynamic winery. At 7:00pm, back home for dinner-Pizza festival.
- Day 9: Time to explore Chianti! Breakfast 08:00-9:00am- After we will take You to heart of Tuscany -Chianti region – Famous from lamazing wine , landscape and Mad Butcher - Dario Cecchini ( Chef's) Table )We will have a feast in his restaurant .Afterward session with Frank , return home at 5:30pm. Dinner at 7.00pm
- Day 10: The last day of workshop. You’ll start the day with breakfast at 8:30am. The group will finish their art works. After lunch at 1.00pm, there’ll be time to pack, relax, and rest. Later in the afternoon, we’ll create a gallery with all of your artworks! You’ll enjoy this with a spritz and casual spuntini. At 7.00pm there’ll be a glamorous dinner offering the best Tuscan cuisine. Dinner prepared by our chef along with homemade verbencello.
- Day 11: Departure day☹ Breakfast at 8:30am. After breakfast, the group will be taken to Lucca train station or Pisa airport.
Course Cost: 4699Euro
Your Tuscan Experience
Our 10-day course isheld at the beautiful farmhouse , on the idyllic hill overlooking the city of Lucca.
Tuscany is one of Italy’s best-loved regions. It’s beautiful countryside is reminiscent of the landscapes of Renaissance masterpieces. Along with rolling hills and vineyards, it also offers a rich artistic heritage including exquisite art and architecture – not forgetting premium wines and delicious cuisine.
Set between the blue-green Apennine Mountains and the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea- Tuscany is the heart and soul of Italy. Known and loved for amazing light, splendid landscapes, charming low hills, olive groves, vineyards, and beautiful old farmhouses, Tuscany is the ideal location for any artist.
As an immersive cultural experience, we also offer activities including a classical Puccini concert, cooking class with our Chef who specializes in Tuscan cuisine, wine tasting in our favourite local vineyards- These are only a few of our many close-by attractions.
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.She 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
Included in the cost of your workshop in Tuscany:
- Accommodations
- All tuition fees
- All excursions
- All activities
- Airport transfers and local transportation including day trips to Lucca, Viareggio, Pietrasanta,Chianti-Panzano
- All breakfasts lunches and dinners (excluding 2 lunches)
- The use of folding stools and strada easels (if You wish-must be notified)
Exludes:
- Flights to and from Pisa
- Painting supplies
Single bedroom occupancy supplement charge of £850
Travel:
It is suggested that you fly into Pisa/Florence airport as our transportation for the workshop will be coordinated from there . We can also pick up participants from Lucca train station.
Departure is scheduled for 10.00am Please make sure your flight back is coordinated with departure from Villa.
Register: To sign up, a non-refundable deposit of 1000 Euro is required. Reserve your place now, so you don't miss out!
Contact Karolina to register:
Karolina Lenart