While you are excited by your new surroundings, the culture, the food etc., you will be inspired to "record" this on paper. The architecture, hundreds of years old, set in the sun drenched countryside among vineyards, winding roads, medieval towns, is unique, certainly in comparison to the "new world". Essentially you want to capture the feel of Italy and your surroundings. Your work may vary from pen drawings with a light wash, to simple watercolors. I would suggest to work on paper no larger than 10" x 14".
The following list is only a suggestion.
If you want to add to it, please feel free. You need surprisingly few items, the less the better, to enhance your mobility, all of this should fit conveniently in a shoulderbag. You don't want to lug around a "suitcase full of stuff" which becomes a nuisance.
A ring binder sketchbook, (90 Lbs. paper weight) a block of "Arches" (10" x 14",140 Lbs, paper weight), watercolor paper, this eliminates the need for a board and tape, a small hand-held palette, some of your favorite brushes, round and flat, a 2-B, 4-B and 6-B pencils, a stomp, some drawing pens (Staedtler 0.3 and 0.5 mm.) an eraser and a small collapsible water container, a bottle of water, a small towel, and a packet of tissues, is basically all you need. If necessary, bring along a small lightweight folding stool. Bear in mind that you want to work in a relatively short time span, the light changes fast. During inclement weather we'll work inside, perhaps touching up sketches made earlier or creating new images from photos.
I will help you in any way to get on paper what is essential and has artistic value, so you can look back on a beautiful trip, treasure the memories and value the paintings you made there... right on site!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: pauletteandfrans@ns.sympatico.ca
