LYN ASSELTA PASTEL WORKSHOP: SKETCHING TO STUDIO. USING NOTES AND MEMORY TO IMPROVE THE PLEIN AIR EXPERIENCE

Artist Lyn Asselta brings a poet’s sensibility to her landscapes, often pairing her artwork with verse to capture the emotions and atmospheres of place. Lyn is an award-winning pastel artist whose work is celebrated for its expressive mark-making, atmospheric depth, and ability to capture the spirit of place. A Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and the International Association of Pastel Societies, Lyn has exhibited widely across the United States and abroad. Her paintings often reflect a deep sensitivity to the natural world, drawing on both observation and memory to convey not just what a landscape looks like, but what it feels like. Inspired by poetry as well as place, her work resonates with rhythm and mood, offering viewers a glimpse into the emotional connection between artist and environment. Alongside her studio practice, Lyn is a sought-after teacher, known for her thoughtful guidance and ability to help artists develop a more personal and authentic voice in their work.

Visiting Sicily with Lyn

In this pastel-focused workshop, Lyn Asselta will guide participants through the challenge—and the joy—of creating meaningful paintings in unfamiliar landscapes. Each new environment has its own “personality,” and part of the artist’s role is to translate not only its visual qualities but also the emotions and atmosphere it evokes.

Through a combination of field sketches, written notes, and memory, participants will learn to capture and carry these impressions into both plein air and studio work. Lyn emphasizes the importance of the sketchbook as a vital companion, a place to study, interpret, and connect with the landscape before translating it into finished paintings.

This workshop will blend on-location sketching, plein air pastel sessions, and studio practice. By moving between direct observation and reflective interpretation, participants will develop a deeper, more personal way of engaging with the landscape and transforming it into expressive, resonant artwork. By embracing both observation and interpretation, artists will discover how the attentiveness of a poet’s eye can enrich their painting practice, helping them translate the evocative beauty of western Sicily into expressive works of art.

Lyn Asselta's Materials List

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16oc9VQ6iupukGSEuMUG0M_XGzgrcujsB/edit

What to Expect From Your Week with Lyn Asselta

An itinerary with dates and times and site visits will be sent to you prior to the event.

Here is what you can expects overall.

• On arrival day, there will be a late afternoon Orientation and Welcome Dinner.

• You will paint daily, both while exploring Sicily's magnificent Mediterranean landscapes and storied archeological sites and in the studio.

• A farewell and "thank you" event at a local winery on final day.

• Most meals are included --breakfast, lunch & dinner (except on Wednesdays when the hotel's restaurant is closed)

• Transporation to and from Palermo (PMO) airport See our pickup policy

• Materials needed for the workshop: See Lyn's material list above.   

• What we provide: solvent, rags, studio soap, studio easels, support boards, sandpaper, graphite pencils, pencil sharpener, kneaded eraser, chalk, , and medium jars at no additional cost.  Please see these provided items.

• Purchases: Limited pastel paper and pastel selections are available onsite to purchase.

•  Car rental is not necessary but recommended if you'd like to explore the area after class.

Included in the Workshop

Hotel Baglio Custera, a boutique hotel in the heart of Marsala's countryside, renowned for its gardens, incredible views, and luxurious atmosphere. All rooms are private with en-suite bathrooms.

Cuisine

Sicily's culinary scene is a feast for the senses! Our cooks source the freshest, locally grown produce to create mouth-watering dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Indulge in the rich flavors of the region, and savor the taste of true Sicilian cuisine.

Transportation

Shuttle service to and from the airport and to plein air painting sites and hidden-gem painting spots are included as well.

How to Register

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS EXTENDED!

The cost of this workshop is $3800. Our Earlybird pricing takes $400 off the cost. Earlybird pricing has been extended until September 7, 2025.

Make your initial deposit of $500, saving your seat and securing your Earlybird price. Second and third deposits will be sent within the first and second months of your initial deposit. Total payment will be complete within three months.

We welcome your non-painting travel partners for an additional fee of $1450. Non-painting guests share your room, are included in meals, and are welcome to site visits where space allows. Special itineraries can be arranged for them through the hotel.

Early bird discounted ticket cost $3400

• Initial Deposit: $500 [by 9/7/25]

• Second Deposit: $1450 [by 10/1/25 ]

• Third Deposit: $1450 [by 11/1/25]

• Non-Painting Partners are welcome: $1250