Watercolour Making Course with Karen Bergman
Thursday, 22nd October to Monday, 26th October 2026
About the Course
This course offers a hands-on introduction to both painting and traditional paint-making at Castello di Potentino in Tuscany. Participants will learn how to create their own high-quality handmade watercolours while working directly with materials sourced from the castle and its surroundings.
The course is led by Karen Bergman, Assistant Director of Interpretation and Access at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York, NY). Karen brings extensive experience in designing effective and engaging educational programs. She has been connected to Potentino for over 15 years as a former volunteer and close friend, and she is the artist behind the castle’s vaulted cosmological mural in the great dining hall. Her mix of professional expertise and long-standing relationship with the castle makes her a thoughtful and brilliant guide.
During the course, participants will:
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Create a complete set of handmade watercolour paints using selected pigments.
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Discover how to use Potentino honey as a natural binder and follow step-by-step methods for making historical paints from local ingredients, including egg tempera, milk paint, and whey/casein paint.
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Produce vine-charcoal black pigment from the castle’s own grapevines.
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Take part in guided painting sessions, indoors or outdoors depending on preference and weather.
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Have time for personal exploration, practice, or rest.
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Enjoy a wine-tasting with castle winemaker Charlotte Horton.
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Learn to make artisanal pecorino, ricotta, and other local cheeses with castle cheesemaker Luisa Gozzi.
- Hands-on local pasta making class in the castle kitchen
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Dine together in the great hall with family-style meals prepared from seasonal ingredients.
The course welcomes all levels—from beginners to experienced artists. Held in October, it offers a chance to work in a unique setting as the surrounding ancient olive groves move into the harvest season.
KAREN BERGMAN
Karen is the Assistant Director of Interpretation and Access at the Solomon R. GuggenheimMuseum (New York, NY), where her work centers on facilitating dynamic educational museumprograms and aligning internal teams on the interpretation of all visitor-facing content.
She hasworked in education and visitor experience roles in the U.S. and Italy including at the WhitneyMuseum of American Art (New York, NY); the Gori Collection, Fattoria di Celle (Pistoia, Italy); thePhilip Johnson Glass House (New Canaan, CT); and the Biennale di Venezia (Venice, Italy).
Herlove for site-specific education grew during the years she worked for a study abroad studio artprogram in Orvieto, Italy. A trained painter, she’s passionate about the intersections of place,communication, and the senses. Her work in accessibility through description of art and architecturehas been featured in the NYT and NPR. In 2023, she was recognized with the Audio DescriptionAchievement Award and an Anthem Award.
Day 1
- Afternoon Arrival
- Evening Wine tasting and introduction to the castle with Charlotte Horton, followed by dinner
Day 2
- Morning Guided experimental drawing, drawing techniques
- Afternoon Free time
- Evening Foraging and botanical tour of the valley, make charcoal from Potentino vines
Day 3
- Morning Local pigment history, begin making watercolour set, basic painting techniques
- Afternoon Free time
- Evening Cheese making and tasting with local cheesemaker Luisa Gozzi
Day 4
- Morning Continue making watercolour set, make other historical paints with local ingredients (egg tempera, milk paint, whey paint/casein)
- Afternoon Free time
- Evening Dinner
Day 5
- Morning Guided painting in the vineyard
- Afternoon Pasta making, incorporating the ricotta we made on Friday
- Evening Homemade pasta dinner
Day 6
- Morning Breakfast
- Departure
Please note: While the course is broadly outlined here, the program may change in order or detail during the week.
What’s included
- 4 full days and 5 nights
- Board and lodging at Castello di Potentino
- Meals
- All sessions and activities
What’s not included
- Flights
- Transfers to and from Potentino
Prices
Prices vary by room choice and number of guests sharing the room.
A single person is from €1,855
Two people sharing a room is from €1,530 per person.
Three people sharing a room is from €1,420 per person.
Please note (deposits and booking queries)
If you would like to pay a deposit
The payment system asks for payment in full. If you would rather pay a non-refundable 25% deposit at the time of booking, please enter the code DEPOSIT25 at checkout. The final payment will be due one month before the start of the course.
If you have any issues booking
Sometimes, it takes a few attempts to clear the cart if you need to make any changes to your room selection etc.
If you have any issues at all, please contact Heather Percival heather.percival@potentino.com
