Art Treks: Tuscany – last day

“Morning Textures, Tuscany” • 10” x 8″ oil by Niki Gulley

Last Day – ART TREKS: TUSCANY
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After a busy full day in Florence, we decided to take it easy on the last day of the workshop and paint in the nearby town of Pienza. Choosing this quiet alleyway and working on a vignette rather than the sprawling landscape, we each picked a doorway and concentrated on its individual character. The age of the stonework, dating from the era of Pope Pious II, and each home’s unique heavy wood doors made for a fun study in texture, and some of the best paintings from the trip!
Two of our students painting in a quiet picturesque courtyard in Pienza.

 

Our last meal in Tuscany, filled with truffles, pecorino, pasta, vino, fun and great memories!

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If you would like to join us on future ART TREKS to Paris, France in May or Tuscany, Italy in September,visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420, which goes into detail about our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops. 

Or, if you’d be interested in learning how to paint “plein air” or improve your location painting a little closer to home, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13, which tells you about my upcoming Painting Workshop at the Dallas Arboretum and White Rock Lake, Oct. 29th and 30th. Space if filling up quickly, so e-mail Niki if you are interested.
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E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Plein Air Painting & Photo Workshop in Santorini / Athens, Greece

“Santorini Sunset” ©2010 Niki Gulley
12″ x 24″ pastel • Santorini, Greece
Get inspired from the ancient beauty of Greece as you join us for this amazing opportunity to sharpen your skills while enjoying one of the most picturesque landscapes in the world. Learning has never been as much fun as it is with this unique workshop that takes both painters and photographers on a tour through the cradle of civilization. The best part is that you get to choose which aspects of the workshop interest you – whether it is learning how to paint quickly to achieve the mood and changing light of the scene or deriving the most out of your camera as you capture one of the most beautiful places in the world, Greece. We hope you can join us this May!
Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop
Athens & Santorini, Greece
May 11 – 19, 2011
Taught by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams
Early Signup Deadline 12/15/10 for a $400 savings!!!
For more information, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 or
e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Tuscan Hill Town pastel by Niki Gulley

“Sienna Passageway” © 2010 Niki Gulley
Pastel 12” x 9”

Yesterday we visited the medieval walled city of Sienna in Italy. I love the cobbled streets and stone architecture of the buildings, and watching the world go by in the town square with a gelato just like the locals. Pastels are the perfect medium for capturing a quick sketch of the cobbled alleyway filled with dramatic light and unique shadows.

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop
Tuscany, Italy – September 2010 & 2011
Athens & Santorini, Greece – May 2011
Led by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams
Our trip to Tuscany for this year is full, but please join us next September in Tuscany or May 2011 in Greece.
Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details.

Color Explosion Workshop with Niki Gulley

“Backyard Aromas” ©2010 by Niki Gulley
12″ x 24″ pastel

In this pastel I wanted to capture this beautiful lavender field, but so many artists paint lavender that I wanted to put a twist on the subject matter. Rather than recreate the realistic colors as I saw them, I thought it would be fun to see how far I could push my colors. I love the way complimentary colors vibrate when next to each so I chose oranges and yellows for the sky and sand in between the rows since they are opposite of the blues and purples of the lavender on the color wheel. I love the energy and color contrasts of the finished painting!

On Jan. 30th, I’ll be teaching an all day workshop at my studio, “Color Explosion,” where we’ll cover color theory and meaning so that you can use color with confidence. Registration deadline is this Friday, Jan. 22nd, and I have just a few spots left. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to participate in the workshop. For more information, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com or visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13.