Subsequent yr in October 2025, I’ll be educating in Italy! I invite you to come back be a part of me.
For just a few years now, Tom and I’ve tossed across the thought of a vacation spot workshop—someplace unique—however the logistics of organizing my very own class in nation had been formidable.
Due to Pamela Haack and Strada Toscana, all these types of plans and group have been masterfully taken care of. I’ve been invited to show my material collage at their stunning venue in central Italy—and benefit from the week to come back with as much as 15 pretty college students. I made a decision that my solar and moon portraits can be simply the workshop to show amid the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside.
Serendipitious Material Collage in Italy with Susan Carlson: Bel Sole (Lovely Solar)
At Strada Toscana—October 19 – 24, 2025
To Register and For Extra Data
USE THIS LINK
The classroom aim of the week is to “let go and play” with material whereas studying the fundamentals of portraiture. All facets of the material collage course of will likely be mentioned, with class time centered on the material collage piecing method. The general aim of our week collectively on this stunning medieval location is to completely benefit from the collage course of whereas within the firm of different travel-loving material fans.
That is will likely be my first time educating in Europe and my first go to to Italy. This journey to the foothills of Tuscany will take us to the little village of Città della Pieve and the Resort Vannucci—a former villa with its personal historical past relationship again tons of of years. Pamela will likely be guiding us on native excursions to expertise the historical past, museums and artwork, tradition and eating of the realm. The anticipation is already constructing.
Along with classes in creating facial options, we’ll give attention to growing the rounded type of our topics—understanding tips on how to create the phantasm of kind and depth in material collage.
For our material collage topics we’ll use my Solar or Moon Portrait patterns. A solar design might simply be interpreted as an exquisite full moon—Bella Luna—as properly. These designs are additionally initiatives (photographs above and beneath) from my e book Serendipity Quilts. I’ve lengthy discovered celestial portraits to be an important introduction to the fundamentals of cloth collage portraiture with out the added concern of making the likeness of a selected individual.
For implausible celestial portrait examples of the work of my inventive college students, please try this assortment—Material Collage End Line: Solstice Version.
Our Tuscany locale’s sun-kissed status will likely be inspiration as we work on our photo voltaic collages. In actual fact, early within the week, we’ve got the possibility to expertise a bonus workshop—dying material with domestically grown saffron. Having the ability to then use these materials in our collages will likely be a particular addition to this class.
Saffron crocus fields and saffron harvesting are an October sight of this area of Italy—one in all our aspect journeys will likely be to be taught concerning the historical past of this stunning plant and tips on how to dye material into an exquisite vary of yellow coloration. On that day, we’ll dine on saffron risotto for dinner. Discuss an immersive expertise!
Serendipitious Material Collage in Italy with Susan Carlson: Bel Sole (Lovely Solar)
To Register and for Extra Data
USE THIS LINK
Every scholar will likely be working with a diversified material palette, so every solar or moon will develop their very own persona because the week progresses. Very like a portray emerges from a canvas, our pictures will seemingly emerge from our basis designs as we layer dabs of cloth.
I’ll be offering pre-enlarged solar and moon patterns to be used at school so every scholar can select the scale they really feel significantly impressed to work with.
A month or so earlier than the October 2025 class dates, I’ll schedule Zoom conferences to assist college students put together for and reply questions relating to the category. In these pre-class Zoom classes, I’ll talk about and reveal material choice centered on coloration, values, and printed designs, in addition to tips on how to put together a material palette.
Membership within the Material Collage Grasp Class is a pre-requisite for this workshop. This on-line studying useful resource will present step-by-step reminders and reference of the whole course of earlier than, throughout, and after class. Buy (if scholar doesn’t already personal the Grasp Class) might be made any time after class registration.
Quilting will likely be accomplished at residence (no machines required for sophistication).
To Register for Serendipitious Material Collage in Italy with Susan Carlson
and for Extra Data
Towards the tip of the week, we’ll talk about tips on how to transfer ahead on our fanciful photo voltaic portraits—contemplating the place and tips on how to add extra particulars utilizing sheer materials, discovered lace or different supplies, or no matter speaks to us. These additions put the ending touches on the initiatives and recollections of our week of Serendipitous Material Collage in Italy.