Lyudmila Tomova Watercolor Workshop in Morocco

Lyudmila Tomova Watercolor Workshop in Morocco
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Discover the beauty of painting expressive, powerful and loose landscapes inwatercolor. Explore the full capacity of the medium and learn the fundamentals of creating a breathtaking masterpiece! Lyudmila will teach loosening brushwork, elements of design, light and shadow, the power of suggestion and finally painting how you see versus just copying what is in front of them.

This workshop is designed for artists who are eager to paint expressively and loosely using watercolor with confidence. Students will be exploring the possibilities and beauty of creating dynamic works of art and gain mastery in using the medium freely and spontaneously. Lyudmila will introduce the secrets of her unique expressive style and help students develop their own in their effort to show mood, movement and emotion in their work. The focus will be on different techniques, basic principles of good composition, values, color palette and focal point as the foundation of creating powerful work.

Lyudmila will be giving a quick 45 min demo daily going over the fundamentals and main topic of the day - discussing materials, composition, values, techniques and color palettes. After the demo, she will give individual instruction and guidance to every studentand encourage a group critique at the end of the day.

This workshop will teach artists to see the world around them in a new light while learning to create their own nature-inspired art.

Lyudmila Tomovais an award-winning artist, well recognizednationally and internationally for her unique impressionist style. Currently, she paints figures, portraits, murals and landscapes in oil, watercolor and acrylic. Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, Lyudmila immigrated to the US in 1990 and lived in New York City working as a full-time painter, editorial illustrator and designer, exhibiting nationally and abroad. Her strong education in Classical realism from the Sofia’s Academy of Fine Arts and later from FIT in New York where she earned a BFA degreein Illustration, as well as her diverse artistic experience has established her as one of the most versatile and prolific artists in the Triangle. Lyudmila resides in Cary and teaches watercolor, oil, acrylic and drawing workshop in various locations in North Carolina. In her art instructions, she helps students master the foundations of classical art and develop their own style.

“In my work I merge abstract and realistic elements together to create mood, movement and an impression of the world around and within us. My brush strokes are moving, pushing, emerging and overwhelming, but never still and quiet. In my recent work I paintalla prima style adding spontaneity, boldness and elegance all at once. I paint loosely telling magical stories and evoking complex emotions.”

Contact T: 917-601-7051 | www.tomovafineart.com | email: lyudmilatomova@gmail.com


Day 1

Arrival in Airport Casablanca or Marrakech at the Marrakech-Menara International Airport. after the meeting , the departure will take place towards Ouarzazate(about 200 km from Marrakech). taking the road which passes through the High Atlas mountain range. On our way we will drive through the Tizin’Tichka pass, at an altitude of more than 2200 m and which links the valley of the Tensiftwadi in the north, to the Asif Ounila valley a semi-arid region in the southeast. We will stop for the night in Aït-ben-Haddou, located in the Ounila valley and which is the traditional crossing point for caravans connecting Marrakech to the south of the Sahara.

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Day 2

"The Ksar": Here we will begin our first sketches of Aït Ben Haddou from the panoramic terrace of our luxurious guest house . In the afternoon we shall visit the historic city and sketch in the shaded alleys and along the wadi (river). At the end of the day, we will leave Ait-ben-Haddou to arrive at one of the largest palm groves in Morocco where we will spend the night.


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Day 3

Skoura "The Palm Grove": In the morning we will discover the splendor of the date palms and the sheltered fruit and olive trees that cover over than 27km square. The local population will warmly welcome you, adding to your feeling of well-being, all this under the heat from the Moroccan sun. The palm grove..... with its flora and its kasbahs, will provide many subjects for the second page of your travel journal.

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Day 4

"The Souq" weekly market : We will visit the souk where traveling merchants, artisans, blacksmiths, leather products and everyday goods of all kinds can be found.  After a painting session, immersed in the middle of this Moroccan market we will be on our way to the Gorges Dades, located at the foot of the High Atlas and side by side the anti atlas.  then we will continue on towards the Dades Gorges which carve their way through the mountains creating impressive cliffs. In Todgha, you will be facing two steep cliffs of 300 meters’ high, separated by a narrow corridor of around twenty meters: this is an unforgettable spectacle to draw, paint or photograph.

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Day 5

The drive from Tineghir to Merzouga (renown for the highest dunes in the world) passes by a succession of ksour and oasis. This region was one of the compulsory crossing points for caravans of slaves and gold traffic from Sudan and Guinea. Your caravan awaits you for a one hour trip on the back of a camel to watch the sunset from the top of a dune....

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Day 6

Departure from Merzouga to take the direction of our lodging in Skoura, via Tafilalet and Rissani the region of Jewish and Muslim Saints. The whole day would be on the road with full of surprises and adventures.

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Day 7

The Kasbahs of Skoura ": Amridil ". Continue working on your travel journal. this day would be evolving about the traditional architecture and moroccan lifestyle, which you can picture in your artwork. One of Morocco’s grandest kasbahs, this 17th-century marvel once appeared on the 50 dirhams note bank. Signposted just a few hundred metres from the main road, this living museum showcases traditional kasbah life over the centuries.

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Day 8

The eight day is a relaxing morning spent at the guest house to finalize your travel journal finishing sketches, painting, collages and the layout with the advice of the teacher. Lunch break. In the afternoon, free time and an opportunity to shop for souvenirs, or simply let the song of the birds guide your steps in the palm grove. Last night in Skoura.

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Day 9

It is hard to say goodbye. but, this is the farewell day...Transfer to Marrakech-Menara International Airport or Casablanca

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Why you will love this trip

• With the help of a local guide, you will have the impression of going back in time to the Middle Ages wandering the labyrinthine medina of Ait Ben Haddou, Skoura and Merzouga.

• Take the opportunity to travel through the spectacular red dunes of the Sahara by camel and have an unforgettable sunset experience.

• Djemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech is a city within the city. Explore one of the largest meeting places in the world, joining the night carnival atmosphere of fortune tellers, dancers and healers.

Skoura is a town in Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco. Skoura is a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves. The Kasbah Amerhidil is part of Skoura palm grove alongside more.

Our services

Lodging: Gîte, Kasbah in the heart of the valleys and palm groves Technical support and overall support during all your travels.

Lyudmila TomovaWatercolor Class

Recommended Supplies

1. Paper:Artists should bring their favorite paper and size. I’d recommend 12 x 18” Canson or Strathmore watercolor pad. Other great paper isArches orFabriano - cold press 140 or 300lb cut to half-sheet size 15 x 22”. Rough watercolor paper will add texture to your washes and hot press paper, with its very slick surface, tends to make colors appear brighter, so they will also be easier to lift off. Cold press paper is somewhat in between rough and hot press. I personally prefer cold press.

2. Plein Air Easel for watercolor: Any brand of plein air easels that can have your surface secured flat or at an angle.

3. Board: It’s also good have the same or slightly larger size board (masonite) to attach your paper with masking tape. Taping your paper will prevent buckling if the paper is lighter weight and it will add a nice border to your panting after it’s taken off.

4. Paint: Any brand you like would be OK as long as you have the basic set of colors. I prefer tubes, because you can get as much paint as you want for larger areas.

5. Masking fluid – In order to preserve our whites on the paper, sometime we use masking fluid

6. Palette: make sure you have a flat area to mix your colors

7. Brushes: You need at least 3 – all of them soft with a point - large, medium and small for details. You can add a bigger flat one if you’d like, but basically you can do everything with the three round and pointy.

8. Rag: Lastly, we need a rag – any cotton fabric should be good. Paper towel could work too, but is not as absorbent as a cloth.


Terms

Workshop Trip 9 days / 8 nights all inclusive:

This price includes:

- More than 40 hours of lessons spread over 9 days for a maximum group of 15 people

- Airport / Hotel transfers

- (air-conditioning) 17-seater vehicle with driver

- official licend tourist guides

- Full board accommodation, single room & double room for couples (all rooms have a private bathroom)

- Tourist taxes to be paid on site

- Cocktails / henna party

-Traditional hamam

Accompanying Person Trip 9 days / 8 nights all inclusive:

- Full board accommodation, single room & double room for couples (all rooms have a private bathroom)

- Airport / Hotel transfers

- (air-conditioning) 17-seater vhicle with driver

- official licend tourist guides

- Tourist taxes to be paid on site

- Cocktails / henna party

-Traditional hamam

These prices do not include:

- Roundtrip flights to Marrakech

- Painting equipment

- Entrance fees to monuments

- On-site purchases.

Cancellation:

√-In case of withdrawal by a participant within 90 days of commencement of the workshop, the amount already paid will not be refunded.

√-In case of cancellation of the trip by the organisers, a new date will be proposed. Any participant who cannot avail of the new date will be fully refunded of the sum already paid.

√-In the event the organisers cancel the trip with no alternative date proposed, all sums paid by the participant will be fully refunded.


Gallery Photos :


Do you have pre-booking questions? Please contact us.

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Good To Know

Travelers from the US only are required to have a valid US Passport – but it must NOT be due to expire within 6 months of your return flight.

Your flight destination will be Marrakech Menara International Airport (RAK) / Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. Royal Air Maroc is the only airline that has direct flights from the US to Morocco, from both JFK and Washington Dulles.

You can also book flights traveling through major European airports, as there are many connecting flights to Marrakech through economy airlines such as Ryan Air, Easyjet, Iberia, etc. We’ve found that it is easier to find good connecting flights on the way to Marrakech than on the return, but you can take the opportunity to end your trip with a day or two stop in Spain, France, Portugal, England….

Immunizations are not required or necessary but check here for CDC recommendations.

Weather is predictably unpredictable so be sure to check on the estimated conditions the week before you travel. Even though Marrakech can be quite warm by day, it is usually quite cooler at night so pack light clothes that you can layer. We recommend cotton pants, long skirts, wraps or large scarves over tank and tee shirts, and a sweater or light jacket for chilly nights.

Your most important fashion asset: comfortable shoes for traversing the Medina on sightseeing and shopping adventures!

Morocco is a Muslim country and women generally dress more modestly than in the US or Europe. Like elsewhere, dress codes are gradually becoming more lax and there is a lot of tolerance for tourists, but wearing clothing that covers your best “assets”, and that your grandmother would approve of, shows cultural respect, good taste, and common sense.

The currency here is the Moroccan Dirham, and the exchange rate usually hovers these days around 10 Dirhams/1 Dollar. You CANNOT exchange for Dirhams outside of Morocco, but there are several currency exchange booths in the airport when you exit Passport Control and also located all around the Medina. Larger stores and restaurants may take Euros, but it’s really best to have dirhams.

If you bring large bills ($100) to exchange be sure that they are newer bills with holograms. Otherwise they will slide them back to you with a shake of their head.

Another good option for padding your wallet with dirhams is to use the ATM machines which are located around the medina. The exchange rate is a little better, especially if your bank or credit card doesn’t add foreign transaction fees (some homework for you). Be sure to notify your bank of your foreign travel destination so they don’t flag you for fraud. I also recommend that you bring 2 or 3 cards-just in case you still get flagged (happens!) and find too many things you just can’t live without.

  • Free Wifi access in all rooms and common areas
  • Bedside Mineral Water
  • Hair Dryers
  • One-time complimentary laundry service for retreat weeks

Extra items you should pack:

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