LYN DIEFENBACH: PLEIN AIR PASTEL PAINTING AND TRAVEL JOURNALING

Lyn Diefenbach is an internationally acclaimed artist from Australia, celebrated for her luminous floral, portrait, and landscape paintings in both pastel and oil. With a career spanning over three decades, Lyn has earned recognition worldwide for her ability to capture the essence of her subjects with striking realism, sensitivity, and emotional depth. A sought-after instructor, she brings a wealth of knowledge, warmth, and encouragement to her teaching—guiding students to expand their skills, sharpen their vision, and express their own creative voice.

In this 9-day Sicily workshop, Lyn will lead participants through breathtaking landscapes, offering invaluable insights into color, composition, and technique. Whether painting en plein air or refining work in the studio, her guidance ensures a transformative artistic journey in one of the most inspiring settings in the world. Draw on the knowledge and experience Lyn has built up reaching the status of an IAPS Eminent Pastellist.

Explore Sicily with Lyn

Imagine gathering with a community of like-minded creatives, sharing inspiration, and filling each day with color and expression. Your time together will flow between a spacious, professionally equipped, and fully air-conditioned studio and the outdoors, with a rich balance of Lyn’s insightful demonstrations and plenty of personal time to dive into your own work. Every subject is open to exploration—landscapes, portraits, still life, or anything your creative spirit is drawn to. Daily excursions on this 9-day retreat include visits to some of the world's most breathtaking UNESCO sites, ancient Greek temples and amphitheaters, iconic Mediterranean seascapes, a visit to surrounding islands, and medieval castles and cobblestone streets in picturesque mountain perches. You will be inspired by the colors of Sicily, from folkloric costumes to brightly painted Sicilian carts and local crafts. A day spent in Marsala's charming Baroque town center offers many opportunities to paint in one of the most beautiful locations in Europe.

Create a Journal of Your Adventure

As part of Lyn Diefenbach’s Sicily workshop, you will be guided by Lyn in creating an illustrated and written journal, weaving words and sketches into a personal record of your Sicily adventure. Your journal will combine sketches of the dramatic coastlines, historic architecture, and sunlit countryside with personal reflections, color notes, and creative insights. This practice deepens observation, strengthens memory, and provides a lasting record of the journey—a treasured keepsake of the Sicilian experience. So bring your pastels, your sketchbook, and most importantly—your joy and curiosity. Sicily is waiting to inspire you!

What to Expect From Your Week with Lyn Diefenbach

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. The week will include painting and instruction, plus a free day, dedicated to exploring the sunlit delights of Sicily, where its sketching, relaxing by the pool, shopping or exploring on your own.

• This is a 9-day workshop to accomodate an expanded itinerary including visits to surrounding islands.

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

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

• 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 below.   

• 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 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. Owned and operated by the DeMarco family, Baglio Custera is one of Marsala’s newest gems, nestled within an olive grove that has already inspired many paintings.

Cuisine

In Sicily, food is art. Our chefs transform the island’s sun-ripened produce into vibrant dishes that awaken the senses and embody the soul of Sicilian life. Utilizing the freshest locally-grown ingredients, our chefs create dishes that celebrate the island’s rich flavors and traditions. Every meal is an invitation to slow down, savor, and experience the true taste of Sicily.

Transportation

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

Pastels and  Journalling Materials List

• 2 pieces of foam core (same size) one thicker to be used as your backing board, the other will be used as a cover. Approx 16 x 20” or ½ sheet of pastel paper size. Just make sure that it fits in your suitcase. If you wanted to you could also have a 10 x 14” in the same set up for smaller work – your choice. ·

• Glassine paper to put between your completed works

• ¼ and ½ sheets PastelMat/ UART 400 or 600/ Lux Archival or your preferred paper - allow enough paper for at least 2 paintings per painting day or more if you work quickly. Bring a variety of colours and something for a portrait (greys always work). 

  
  

• Pastels – Make sure that you have an assortment of darks, brights and lights and a cross section of colours. Bring a few pastel pencils too

• A little soft angle brush (1/4 or 1/2 inch) 

• Masking tape

• Paper towel

• Wet wipes

• Sketch book/Journal - this can be either coloured or white. Ranger has a particularly good one with stitching every second page so that it folds out flat. Strathmore also has one that comes in tan. 

• Watercolour crayons and a brush 

• Waterproof drawing pen 

• 2B pencil

• White eraser & Kneadable Eraser

• Pencil sharpener 

• Small portable watercolour set with one or two brushes or watercolour pencils if you prefer. 

• Container for water 

• Any kind of other drawing supplies – eg: Posca Pens, coloured pencils, Bible Highlighters, Distress Crayons, Chalk Pens, White Stabilo pens. Whatever you can find to embellish and colour your drawings in the journal. You can always just use pen and watercolour.

• Portable easel for Plein Air

• Wet wipes to clean your hands 

• Clips to hold everything together

Registration

The cost of this expanded, 9-day workshop, is $4200.