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 Two of my girlfriends and myself embarked with 16 others on a 20 day: 3 island painting tour of Greece in August 2011, organised by Diana a vivacious Australian woman who married her Greek sweetheart Babas and set up annual painting tours to GREECE! The tutor we had for the trip was Nina Matthewson, artist & owner of The Art of Colour in Avalon, NSW.
The Itinerary
Leros
Passing along the peaceful bay of Agia Marina with its pretty villages set amongst almond trees, we reach Hotel Alinda with its panoramic vista of the distant fortress. We meet and greet the other artists and I find I am spoiled with a spectacular balcony room waking up to an amazing port view each day & night. See photo above.
Our hotel terrace and garden with its ceramic urns is a relaxing spot to commence our first days`painting.
The six days in Leros included visits to the sheltered fishing village of Pandeli surrounded by windmills and colourful fishing boats.
Agia Marina - the white washed village with its little harbour adorned with quaint cafes is a popular meeting place for the locals.
Xirokambos - our painting location, situated under a vine by the edge of the sea, overlooks a serene inlet and the distant craggy mountains of Kalymnos.
Alinda - the view of the island's main village clustered around the medieval fortress is superb.
Lipsi
Our studios overlook a small cove and rural landscape. We take a ferry ride to this very small, quaint old fishing town that had the most divine town square and church and we felt like locals eating calamari and drinking the odd ouzo!
A day trip to Patmos where a hill top monastery and tour of the location where St John the Divine wrote the book of Revelations was a highlight, oh and it was by far the best shopping location…
While in Lipsi we visit Plati Yialos an emerald-green inlet with its single taverna surrounded by olive trees and wandering geese.
Marathi - this tiny island with its 10 inhabitants was a great place to totally unwind and be inspired by its incredible unspoilt beauty.
Katsadia - small farms and orchards grace the countryside dotted with blue-domed churches leading to the protected cove of Katsadia, sheltered by bamboo reeds.
Kalymnos
Our studios in the fishing village of Myrties are backdropped by dramatic mountains - its’ jetty lined with colourful wooden fishing boats is an idyllic spot to paint.
The biggest of all the islands visited. We were nestled in a coastal area and enjoyed painting trips to an original fishing village, hidden bay, beautiful monastery and great eating places lining the streets.
Indeed there were painting subjects for everyone! Colourful fishing boats, dramatic mountains, domed monasteries, white- washed bougainvillea - covered lanes, dense olive groves filled with wildflowers, medieval fortresses, hidden turquoise coves, lively portraits of locals - a painter's delight!!
Eight days in Kalymnos gave us time to see Arginontas - driving along the spectacular coastal road we pass wild thyme and oregano covered mountains leading to the deep inlet of Arginontas. We set up in the olive grove to paint these ancient trees with their sinewy trunks and silver-flecked leaves. The taverna situated under a vine overlooking the beautiful inlet is the perfect lunch spot.
Telendos - departing from the small jetty of Myrties, we cross the narrow strait to the picture-postcard isle of Telendos, steeped in time with a mere 50 inhabitants. We spend the day painting a choice of crimson bougainvillea-filled alleys, fishermens dwellings and boldly coloured fishing nets.
Vathy - crossing the island, descending into this fertile valley with its great groves of mandarins is an unforgettable sight as it also has one of the deepest and most beautiful natural harbours in the Aegean. The day is spent under the grapevine painting this beautiful turquoise bay.
Emborios - a boat trip to a secluded cove where we sketch the fisherman Theofillis with his magestic moustache. Harrys taverna, set in the islands most beautiful garden with its potted geraniums is a beautiful setting for our afternoon painting.
The Artwork
 Not being a water colourist but rather an oil painter I was a bit daunted by the fact that our main medium was to be watercolours so at the last moment threw in a sketch book, pencils, waterproof sketch pens (preferring the burnt umber over black) and some chalks. Good thing as it was then fun to mix the mediums and purchase some local magazines and newspapers to throw in a bit of collaging as well.
Nina started each day (yes, you paint every day unless travelling or taking the odd day trip) with a showing of a composition, technique or potential approach. Using her iPad we saw examples and ideas which were really helpful. Oftentimes she would also undertake an optional drawing session to loosen us up or for those that wanted more tuition.
 Some of the artists on the trip (the two Chris's) were incredible water colour painters and others, like me just took in the sights and began to play with other mediums.
One of the great exercises Nina had us do was to create a montage of our Island as we neared the end of the stay – underdrawing in pen, putting down strategic colour swatches (on roofs or water edge) adhering collage (I used labels from each islands water bottles…) and then running a brush through the composition in a complimentary colour scheme. Some of my outcomes are pictured below.
A wonderful trip full of fun and fantastic art results by all.
Cindy Goode Milman 19/12/11
For more information on the next Greece Painting Tour contact:
Diana:
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or phone Sandra on 0412 599 328 |
