Painting on panels at Castello di Spannocchia

Participants start with quick, loose sketching to slow down and immerse themselves in the place. Artists work from direct observation, from the flat, and from memory, visualization and imagination. Using exercises from An Artist’s Handbook: Materials and Techniques, artists explore ancient, medieval and early Renaissance approaches to painting and their contemporary application.

They work on poplar wood panels in encaustic used in the Fayum region of ancient Egypt, casein tempera, egg tempera used in early Renaissance Siena, distemper and the Venetian oil technique. They keep a sketchbook for quick sketches and detailed studies in preparation for painting and to record their experience. Throughout the workshop, they study color theory as related to the painting practice. There are two or three excursions to view primary resources related to the course, for art historical lectures and discussions, and for sketching.

Artists examine the cultural/historic context of methods and concepts presented in the course. A goal is to develop the ability to paint using basic methods from history and to acquire the tools to promote the process of pictorial development. Readings, discussion and reflection promote critical knowledge to help clarify the artist intellectually in their aesthetic concepts.

Some of the art concepts explored are local color, hue bias, construction of a pictorial space using the golden section and the rule of thirds, line, form, composition, tenebrism, sfumato, chiaroscuro, atmospheric perspective and the sublime. Artists engage in a hands-on exploration of the evolution of Western painting. They learn to abstract and distill from their experiences and to make paintings infused with their lived experience.

Prior art instruction is required. For an application please contact Margaret Krug at margaret.krug@gmail.com or 646.232.6808.

Textbook: An Artist’s Handbook: Materials and Techniques, Margaret Krug

Artist/Instructor Biography:

Margaret Krug, artist, author, MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has had solo exhibitions at The National Arts Club, A.I.R. Gallery, The Window Gallery, The Smithy, The Naturalist’s Notebook, the University of Nebraska Weber Fine Arts, the School of the Art Institute and has been in museum exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Sioux City Art Center, The Willa Cather Foundation and has exhibited extensively at institutions throughout the United States and internationally. Her work is in numerous private collections. Krug is an associate professor in the School of Art and Design History and Theory at Parsons School of Design and a former Senior Lecturer at the Whitney Museum of American Art. She is the director of a painting, drawing and art history program at Friends of Spannocchia in Italy. Krug was a 2019 Artist/Scholar resident at the American Academy in Rome. She is a contributing writer for Artist’s Magazine. Krug is a Visiting Critic at the Cooper Union and an artist mentor, MFA Program, Lesley University College of Art and Design. She taught painting, BFA Program, at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Krug was awarded the School of the Art Institute Traveling Fellowship Award for Painting: George D. and Isabella A. Brown Fellowship. She was awarded the Art and Art History Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska. She is the author of An Artist’s Handbook: Materials and Techniques, published by Harry N. Abrams, New York, Laurence King, London, distributed worldwide by Thames and Hudson in addition to Spanish, Chinese, German and Russian editions. In 2010 An Artist’s Handbook: Materials and Techniques received the Jinguang, golden light, award in China. Krug is at work on a forthcoming book on the spiritual in art and abstraction. She lives in New York City.

More Program Details:

Participants reside in a private room with bath in the Villa of Spannocchia and the Fattoria about twelve miles southwest of Siena, Italy. The Villa is built into a massive castle that dates back to the Middle Ages. The Villa is fully equipped with all the necessary facilities, including a library, studios, laboratory, museum.

Painting classes at Castello di Spannocchia will meet at the Museo studio and the Villa library for three hours in the morning and four hours in the afternoon Monday through Friday with the exception of one all day excursions. Sunday is open for studio time with instruction or free time. On Saturday, we will meet in the studio for three hours in the morning, and there may be an afternoon/evening excursion. All meals are included with the exception of a possible afternoon/evening excursion and lunch on the day of an excursion. Land transportation for excursions is included. Transport to and from Spannocchia on the first and last day is not included. The tuition includes private room and private bath, shared studio, art exhibition and reception, most art materials, and instruction.

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Date

Sep 08 - 20 2025

Time

All Day

Cost

$3,500.00

For More Information

Program Website

Location

Spannocchia
Spannocchia
Tenuta di Spannocchia, Chiusdino, Siena, Italy

Program Coordinator

Margaret Krug
Margaret Krug
Email
margaret.krug@gmail.com
Program Website