NANCIE KING MERTZ: PLEIN AIR PASTEL PAINTING WORKSHOP

Internationally recognized pastel artist Nancie King Mertz returns to Western Sicily, a place she has painted before and grown to love, to guide participants through an immersive plein air experience. Known for her ability to capture the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere with both sensitivity and confidence, Nancie brings decades of professional practice and teaching to her workshops. In Marsala and the surrounding coastal landscapes, she will share her expertise in building strong compositions, harnessing color relationships, and creating dynamic strokes that capture atmosphere, movement, and the essence of place.

With her approachable teaching style and deep knowledge of pastel as a medium, Nancie creates an environment that is both academically rigorous and warmly supportive, ensuring that each participant gains new technical skills while cultivating their own artistic voice against the backdrop of Sicily’s rich history and natural beauty. Nancie, a Chicago-based artist, works in both oil and pastel and is widely recognized as one of the leading pastel artists in the United States. With signature status in multiple prestigious organizations—including PSA-MP, CPP-MP, IAPS-MC, and serving as a PSA Master Pastelist—Nancie brings unparalleled expertise to her teaching.

Your Sicily Painting Adventure With Nancie

Painting en plein air is one of the most rewarding ways to experience a landscape—especially under the guidance of a true master. In this workshop, Nancie will lead you on a transformative journey through the timeless beauty of Sicily. Her deep passion for this Mediterranean landscape—with its ancient Greek temples, coral-colored salt flats, and radiant sunsets—continues to draw her back. Through daily demonstrations, critiques, and personal guidance, you’ll learn how to simplify complex scenes, respond to shifting light and conditions, and refine your ability to capture the essence of a place in the moment. Alongside technical strategies, Nancie will help you explore the fundamental principles of landscape painting—composition, light, color, space, and atmosphere—equipping you with tools that will elevate your work long after the workshop ends.

What to Expect From Your Week with Nancie King Mertz

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 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

• 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.

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.