FAQ: TRAVEL INFO & MEDIA
Easy Arrival and the Medium of Your Choice
Your Art Workshop in Europe
and South America
Rounding up for our art courses in Italy, France or South America is very easy. We meet you at a central location. We provide all the details in our pre-departure newsletter.
FAQs
Are your art workshops in Italy and France suitable for all levels including beginners?
Can beginners attend the art workshops in Europe offered by Walk the Arts?
Can beginners attend the art workshops in Europe offered by Walk the Arts?Our art workshops in Europe and South America are open to artists of all levels, from the very beginners to the advanced. We have been teaching drawing, painting, color theory, and perspective for more than 30 years in Canada and Europe. Therefore, we know our stuff! Also, since our groups comprise eight participants only, we can offer personalized instruction and an intimate environment that fosters creativity and fun. While we have had participants of all levels, as the pyramid on the left shows, the majority of our participants are beginners and intermediate. And, by experience, the learning curve of the beginners is outstanding!
As for our university graduates (BFA and MFA), they say, “Eh, we never learned that at the university.” During our art holidays in Italy and France, we have even had worldwide renowned artists (such as Vicky) and other artists locally known (Kim), who see our workshops as art retreats, a time to reflect on a new series while conversing with us.
So, therefore we write “all levels”, “all media” and “art retreat”. And let us not forget that Mount Fuji was painted thousands of times, but what makes “your” Mount Fuji unique and authentic, is simply “you”.
What are the best art classes in Italy ?
What is the best art workshop in Italy?
Since 1997, at Walk the Arts, we have been offering top art workshops, painting retreats, and cultural tours in Italy, France, Spain, and South America. Our courses are open to artists of all levels, from beginners to advanced, and working in all mediums (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). They are also great for accompanying partners, independent travelers, and anyone seeking new meaningful activities and enriching cultural experiences. We offer artistic growth, gastronomy, beautiful locations, and a stimulating learning environment.
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If I travel to Florence to join your art workshop in Italy?
Traveling to Florence for my art retreat in Italy> Amerigo Vespucci Airport > Code FLO.
- When you fly to Florence, you arrive at the Amerigo Vespucci Airport, a small airport as its runaway is very short.
- From there you take a shuttle bus or a taxi to Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station.
- Then you take a train that will stop at Arezzo, a city halfway between Florence and Rome. “Binario” means “platform” in Italian.
- The train ride from Florence to Arezzo is around one hour.
- We will be waiting for you at the entrance of the stazione (train station)
If I travel to Rome to join your art retreat in Italy?
Traveling to Rome for my art class in Italy > Leonardo da Vinci Airport > Code FCO (because of Fiumicino, the city next to the airport)
You fly to Rome; nice size airport but nothing compared to huge American airports.
- From there you take the Leonardo Express train to Termini train station.
- Then you take a train that will stop at Arezzo a city halfway between Rome and Florence. “Binari” means “platforms” in Italian.
- The train ride from Rome to Arezzo varies on the type of train you will take (milk run or speed train).
- You will see us at the entrance of the Stazione (train station)
What is the best art workshop in France?
Walk the Arts offers a unique 11-night art workshop in France for all levels, from beginners to advanced, and all media (oils, acrylics, watercolors,etc.). It combines 7 days of plein air painting in Provence, South of France, followed by a 4-day art tour in Barcelona, Spain. It is a great opportunity to paint in the land of Cézanne, visit the artist’s studio in Aix en Provenceand the best of Barcelona’s art museums and architecture, taste Provencal and Catalan great cuisine and wines. In addition, Atelier Provence always takes place during late June and early July, when the lavender fields are in their glory. Great for accompanying partners too, Atelier Provence and Barcelona Art Tour is indeed the perfect art holiday in Europe!
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If I travel to Marseille to join your art workshop in France?
Traveling to Marseille for my art workshop in Provence, South of France > Marseille Provence Airport in Marignane > Code MRS
Traveling to Marseille for my art workshop in Provence, South of France > Marseille Provence Airport in Marignane > Code MRS- You fly to Marseilles > medium-small-size airport > https://ontheworldmap.com/france/city/marseille/marseille-airport-map.html
- From there (“Gare routière” on the map), you simply take a bus to the very small Manosque train station (“la gare de Manosque”).
- You will see us smiling outside.
Where do I fly to join your art workshop in South America (Caribbean Coast of Colombia)?
Traveling to Barranquilla for my drawing workshop in Colombia > Ernesto Cortissoz Airport > Code BAQ
Traveling to Barranquilla for my drawing workshop in Colombia > Ernesto Cortissoz Airport > Code BAQ- To join our art holidays in the Caribbean Coast of Colombia, South America, you fly to Barranquilla (most probably via Panama, Miami or Bogotá).
- You will see us or a chauffeur waiting for you. He or she will hold a small sign with your name.
- The chauffeur will drive you directly to Hotel Pradomar in Puerto Colombia (55-minute drive)
- We will receive you with a big smile and a welcome drink.
…and traveling on the last day of my art holidays in Italy, France, and Colombia?
VERY EASY!
… last day in Italy?
On the last day, we take everyone back to the Arezzo train station. From there you can take a train back to Florence or Rome or the destination of their choice.
… last day in Provence?
Do not forget that your last day in Provence is in fact in Barcelona. We will say goodbye at our hotel after breakfast. You can head to the airport for your return flight, stay a few more days in Barcelona, or take a train to Madrid or the destination of your choice.
… last day in Colombia?
You will be then in Cartagena. You will have the choice to stay longer in the city or fly back home or carry on with your traveling plans from Rafael Núñez Airport (code CTG) to another city in South America.
Oils, acrylics or watercolors? Which medium can I use during your art retreat in Italy and France?
What artistic medium can I use during the painting workshop in Europe offered by Walk the Arts?
We have experience teaching in all media, so you can use the medium of your choice (oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, etc.). However, if you ask, oils are easier to manipulate for beginners. If you are an acrylic artist, acrylic is the answer. As for watercolors, since they are more challenging than other mediums, we recommend them mostly to those who already have experience using them. For more details, see below.
OILS
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that use linseed oil or other drying oil as a binder. The drying oil has a chemical reaction with oxygen causing the paint to slowly solidify. This process is called oxidization. Since oils take longer to dry than other mediums, after several hours colors are still blendable and you can easily make changes to your work during the course. For this reason, we recommend oils to beginners. Also, in addition to their malleability, oils remain the favorite medium of many participants because of its richness and sumptuousness. Despite its slower drying rate, oil painting works very well during our workshops. Why? The sun in Tuscany and Provence is very hot. Also, a couple of drops of cobalt siccative help to speed the drying process.
ACRYLICS
Acrylic paint is water-based paint in which the pigment is bound in a plastic resin. Acrylic paint dries fast as its water content evaporates into the atmosphere. Because of their drying speed, mixing acrylics is more difficult than mixing oils. Also, you need to work faster and have less flexibility to make changes to your work. Acrylics may also darken slightly as they dry, while oil paints do not. However, if you are an acrylic painter or simply want to try this medium, no problem! Acrylics work also very well during our painting workshops in Italy and France. Why? We recommend using a gel retarder to slow the drying time and make easier the blending and layering.
WATER-SOLUBLE OILS
Water-soluble oils are oil paints that can be diluted and cleaned with water, rather than solvents. They are water mixable, not water based. They contain dry pigments, an oil binder and an additive that acts as an emulsifier. Like conventional oil paints, water-soluble oils dry by oxidation. They dry a little faster than traditional oils but much more slowly than acrylics. Water-soluble oils can be mixed an applied as tradional oils. But they can be thinned with either drying oils, water or water-soluble mediums. Because of their versatility they are a good alternative to both conventional oils and acrylics.
WATERCOLORS
Watercolor paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-soluble binder. They can be more challenging than other painting mediums. Why? You need to plan your work in order to preserve the white space on your paper. Also, since watercolors are translucent you cannot cover up your mistakes. In addition, you need to learn how to balance the amount of water so colors remain vibrant. Nevertheless, during our art courses in Provence and Tuscany, we often have participants of all levels, from beginners to advanced, working in this medium. We recommend bringing very good brushes, quality pigments and enough Arches paper.
DRAWING and PASTELS
During our art retreats with us in Italy and France you can draw and “paint” with any type of oil pastels. As for soft pastels, they are made with a combination of white chalk, pigment and gum arabic, which gives it a drier matte finish. Because of their chalky and dusty consistency, they can be smudged and blended to a greater extent than other pastels. Also, they don’t stick to the surface, and the excess can be easily brushed off. Oil pastels on the other hand, consist of pigment mixed with a non-drying oil and wax binder. They have a creamy consistency and once applied they firmly get fixed to the surface. They are more stable and intense in color, though less blendable than soft pastels Since drawing and pastels go hand in hand, we recommend the use of proper paper, shapers and smudgers.
CONCEPTUAL and CONTEMPORARY ART
We do not teach these disciplines, knowing that our rare participants in these fields already know what they have in mind. However, we can engage in theoretical conversation, hence pushing ideas and stimulating others.
A few pics of our art holidays in Europe
Since 1997 Walk the Arts (icscis inc.) has been offering top quality painting workshops, art classes, and art history tours in Italy, France, Colombia, Spain, and the United States.
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(800) 611-4789 (North America | e.s.t.)
(+1) 819 457-1892 (World)