EMBRACE THE PRACTICE® WORKSHOPS

 

NEW!!! SICILY ITALY 2027 May 26 - June 2

DAILY PAINTING AND SKETCHBOOK JOURNALING IN SICILY, ITALY

MAY 26- JUNE 2, 2027, Register here

Join me for a week of creative exploration focused on building daily art habits, featuring two core practices: plein air painting and sketchbook journaling in the breathtaking setting of Sicily.

Each workshop session begins by embracing the painting process and emphasizing the importance of daily practice as a pathway to enhanced creativity and stronger image-making skills. Through a mix of demonstrations, guided assignments, and individualized instruction, participants will learn techniques for making fresh, intentional marks.

Working with both translucent and opaque watercolors on small supports, you’ll discover ways to simplify your painting process and stay inspired and motivated. All levels are welcome.

Once your daily painting is complete, you’ll shift into the practice of sketchbook journaling. Together, the group will draw from direct observation and explore a variety of sketchbook layouts to visually capture the day’s experience. You’ll learn how to use your sketchbook as a personal journal—recording impressions of daily life, travels, and meaningful moments. We’ll explore visual storytelling, page design, and effective strategies for making quick, confident drawings.

We hope you’ll join in! link coming soon

Hotel Details
We will be staying at Palazzo Brunaccini, a charming boutique hotel located in the heart of Palermo’s historic center. Set inside a beautifully restored 18th-century noble palace, the hotel blends original architectural features with modern design and comfort, creating a unique and elegant atmosphere for our stay.

We will experience spacious, individually designed rooms and suites that combine contemporary style with traditional Sicilian touches. Many rooms offer bright natural light and distinctive details such as elegant furnishings, artwork from local artists, and luxurious bathroom features that make the stay especially comfortable.

During our time there, we will be able to enjoy the hotel’s welcoming courtyard and relax in a peaceful setting just steps away from the lively streets of Palermo. We will also have the opportunity to taste authentic Sicilian cuisine at the on-site restaurant, where local flavors and fresh ingredients are at the center of the experience.

One of the highlights of staying at Palazzo Brunaccini is its excellent location. We will be just behind the famous Ballarò market and within easy walking distance of many of Palermo’s most important historic sites and UNESCO-listed landmarks. This makes it an ideal base for exploring the city on foot and fully immersing ourselves in its culture, history, and everyday life.

Overall, we will be staying in a place that offers both comfort and character, where history and modern hospitality come together to create a memorable experience in the heart of Sicily.

EMBRACE THE PRACTICE®

EMBRACE THE PRACTICE®
BIGGER PICTURE LOOSENING UP WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Let’s paint the bigger picture. This workshop combines demos, in-class assignments and individual instruction to teach students the techniques to create fresh, deliberate marks on a big canvas.  Using observational painting as our launching point (we’ll start with observational but deviate from it), we’ll embark each day with energetic painting exercises designed to tap into each participant’s personal voice. 

The practice of working direct from life results in a heightened awareness and a lasting impression of the moment. Incorporating other elements, from photos, etc., we’ll  creates an interconnectivity with our immediate surroundings and our personal voice. We’ll paint freer and bolder and let our personalities inspire what we see.. Through painting and exercises we’ll analyze what influences our choices and how to incorporate our personal voice in our work.  All demos are in acrylic (oil painters welcome too!).

EMBRACE THE PRACTICE®
DAILY PAINTING/In-person
DESCRIPTION

This workshop combines demos, in-class assignments and individual instruction to teach students the techniques Lisa Daria Kennedy uses to create fresh, deliberate marks. Using acrylic paint (or oils) students will discover approaches to simplify the process of painting and ways to stay inspired and motivated. Continuous painting is by far the most effective way to improve creativity and image making skills. She will share examples of how the discipline of daily painting produces personal growth. The class will delve into the principles of design, composition, value, and color. We will examine color mixing, mark making, and personal voice. Lastly, we will discuss practical strategies for painting every day (or almost every day).