Watercolor is the perfect travel companion and it is Robert Leedy’s favorite choice of painting mediums. Robert will guide you through the medium during your stay at San Fedele, a beautifully restored 12th century ex-monastery, outside of Siena. Italian language immersion? No, you won't leave the workshop fluent in Italian but you'll learn how to properly order coffee at the coffee bar.
For full details, click here to learn more about seeing, thinking, dreaming and painting in watercolor as you experience Tuscany.
- The workshop is hosted by il Chiostro, a creative workshop group with over 20 years of experience at multiple venues throughout Italy. Space is very limited so, reserve now!
One of the best ways to jump-start your creativity is to spend a week in a beautiful, new environment painting and exploring the surroundings on a daily basis. Free from the usual, day-to-day demands back home, your mind will be open and focused to learning new things and your creativity will flow forth. Tuscany is the perfect such creative environment and a week of painting & sketching in watercolor will leave you inspired and re-energized.
Robert will immerse you in watercolor painting throughout the week. There is no skill requirement as there is an emphasis on individual attention so, whether you are a beginner or an advanced painter, Robert will focus on taking your work to the next level while emphasizing your own unique style.
Your week of immersion in watercolor will be interspersed with other fun activities and visits to towns and villages to experience local markets, museums and shops. Our daily painting will be combined with other adventures such as:
- Day trip to Medieval Siena to sketch, take photos, explore and shop
- Excursions to nearby hilltowns like Radda, Castellina, Monteriggioni, etc.
- Visit to Chianti winery for a tour and tasting
- Variety of plein air locations to paint landscapes, villages, and the Tuscan light
- Discussions of Tuscan cuisine with our chef.
After excursions or painting on location, we’ll return each evening to relax in our 1,000 year old monastery to enjoy the surroundings, have a glass of wine and an informal critique of the day’s work. Then we will move to the dining room (the authentic refectory where the monks used to assemble) to enjoy our local chef’s authentic, home-made Tuscan meal, recapping the day’s adventure with good company.
About Robert Leedy | www.robertleedywatercolors.com
Robert Leedy has exhibited his work throughout the US and Puerto Rico and has past affiliations with Asociación de Acuarelistas de Puerto Rico, The Indiana Plein Air Painters Association, The Colorado Watercolor Society, The Georgia Watercolor Society and the Florida Watercolor Society. Leedy is currently a member of The National Watercolor Society.
Upon graduation from college, Robert worked in graphic design and the fine wine industry before painting full time. He has lived throughout the Caribbean, Europe and South America and traveled extensively before returning to his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida in 2010. He has exhibited his work throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. His painting, “Ocean & Ahern” was published in Splash 14.
Currently he shows his work at Southlight Gallery in Jacksonville, Florida, Aviles Gallery in St. Augustine, Florida and Casco Bay Artisans Gallery in Portland, Maine. Robert works en plein aire and out of his studio in The CoRK Arts District in Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood. Robert regularly teaches classes and workshops at his studio and at Reddi-Arts, The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach and The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
In 2017, Robert was voted one of the Best Art Teachers in Jacksonville, Florida by Expertise.com.
For over six years, Robert Leedy has been one of the top art instructors at our arts center. He is able to break down the foundations of painting in a clear, concise way while also challenging those more skilled artists to take their work to the next level. Robert’s artistic skill and knowledge coupled with his witty sense of humor makes for a fantastic and fun educational experience.
– Leigh Rodante, Director of Programs and Exhibitions at The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach