All the benefits of an art holiday, lovely meals, creative company but you are free to pursue your own directions in art without a tutor. Even less confident artists have found plenty of help and encouragement from the company of the group. You have the freedom to take trips at your leisure without worrying that you are missing valuable class time that you have paid for!
You pay for your onsite package which includes half board - Breakfast each day and an evening meal on 6 nights and airport transfers. (The group goes to a local restaurant of their choice on one evening)
Booking information Prices and enquiries
We are fortunate to have a very experienced life model, Deb Pearson, from The Royal West of England Academy Drawing School, Bristol. She will be available each morning from 9:30 - 12:30 (apart from the day off mid-week). There will be short poses followed by long poses suitable for painters as well as sculptors to work from with a half hour break mid-morning.
The studios will be open for you to use throughout the day and evening. Lunch can be bought in one of the local bars just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Centre, or prepared in the Martini kitchen at the Centre with food bought from the local shops. Non-participating partners are welcome, as this is an ideal time for walking and cycling. See Activities page for suggestions of things for them to do.
There will be an optional trip to Siena or San Gimignano midweek.
Photos from Deb's previous visits to the Art Centre
PHOTOS FROM 2017
PHOTOS FROM 2018
About Deb Pearson - Life model
I walked in to my first life room in Feb 1996 in Kent and immediately knew “I’m home!” I have lost none of my passion or fascination for it and continue to model, primarily in Bristol and Bath, 20+ years later. For many years I modelled regularly at West Dean College and Edinburgh School of Art. I was the model in the Royal Academy life room featured in the BBC Omnibus programme about the controversial YBA’s “Sensation” exhibition in 1997. In 2002 I modelled for “Life Class”, a HTV production with Roger Conlon and Toyah Wilcox. I was inaugural in the first ventures of the Bristol Drawing School, originally set up at Paintworks by the sculptor Carol Peace in 2007, and still run my own untutored life classes for it's second home at the RWA. With 2 other local art enthusiasts, I set up the West Bristol Arts Trail in 2008 which is still thriving. I am a passionate and prolific art collector! More...
NIGEL KONSTAM
A wonderful chance for sculptors of all abilities as well to draw from the life model and then translate it into sculpture. Use clay, papier mache, wax or stone carving. Nigel has been sculpting for over 50 years and has a wealth of practical experience and understanding and appreciation of art and can offer tuition if wanted. More info on Nigel Konstam
Reviews
Tranquil, energizing, creative. I hope to come back. You offer a wonderful retreat. A.H (USA)
Here are some reviews from previous years Workshops at Verrocchio:
My trip to Casole was all I had hoped for and more! I can not tell you what it meant to me to find, that despite some architectural changes to the building, the warmth and ambience of the centre had not changed at all and Nigel was as enthusiastic and inspiring as I remembered him 23 years ago. It was truly a magical and emotional week in which I was inspired to paint once again and to spend time contemplating the brilliant landscape and all it had to offer.The food and company added to the experience and I can honestly say that I enjoyed every second and like many others before me I did not want to leave!! I have already decided to go back next year.
Ruth Lewis, London
It was my first time at Verrocchio, what a truly amazing experience, words cannot describe the feelings that the place and people evoked in me. I arrived like a child on her first day of school and left after 2 weeks with a sense of pride confidence and new found friends.
Susi Matthews, Radicondoli, Italy
Dates don't suit you? We also have untutored spaces for independent artists at other times of the season. See link.