Hotel de Russie in Rome teaches the art of watercolour painting

24 May 2010

Away from the buzz via del Babuino, Rome’s chicest shopping street, The Rocco Forte Collection’s Hotel de Russie offers the opportunity to hone one’s painting skills, with a two-hour lesson in watercolour painting conducted in the hotel’s unexpected, magical, secret courtyard garden.

The two-hour lesson is taught by specialists from the Accademia del Superfluo in Rome, and starts with a brief introduction to watercolour painting, first practised during the Renaissance, followed by a lesson in technique which allows guest artists to paint aspects of the garden. Artists with any amount of experience are warmly welcomed.

The Secret Garden, designed by architect Giuseppe Valadier in 1814, has architectural pieces, meandering walkways, green areas and a small waterfall cascading between three nymphaeums (monuments dedicated to water nymphs). Artists can sit among towering pines, orange trees and white and cream clusters of old roses, in an environment that is completely charming, unexpectedly peaceful and decidedly conducive to practising alfresco watercolour painting.

The art classes are available exclusively to guests of the Hotel de Russie, and as well as taking home the results of their work, participating artists will also receive prints of two paintings by the well known Italian artist Roberto Lucifero, who is founder and art director of Studio Lucifero.

Lessons can be booked any day from Monday to Saturday during May, June, July, September and October. A lesson costs €400 for up to four people, with additional guests €50 each, up to a maximum of eight.

Accommodation at the luxurious and elegant Hotel de Russie starts at €510 + 10% VAT a night for a Classic Double (room only).

ends

For more information and/or images, please contact:
Anna Martin/Ilse Van Steen
Rocco Forte Hotels
Tel: 020 7766 3137
Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors
Rocco Forte Hotels

Rocco Forte Hotels was established in 1996 to create a group of luxury hotels in Europe.  The hotels have individual styles, with each hotel reflecting its nationality and location. The properties are linked together under Rocco Forte Hotels brand, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.

Rocco Forte Hotels comprises 13 hotels and resorts: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown’s Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; The Augustine, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily.

Future openings: Abu Dhabi – 2010; Jeddah – 2012; Marrakech – 2012; Cairo - 2012

For further information and online reservations, please visit Rocco Forte Hotels website: www.roccofortehotels.com.