By Jenny Adam in Ischia, Italy
The IV° Naples Urban Sketching Workshop took place on Ischia Island, in and around Castello Aragonese. The tourist season was mostly over by mid October and the setting was superb- picturesque, peaceful but not too smooth. The family owned castle was a treasure, with its own garden, labyrinthic paths and beautiful views. Simo organized the event, did a lovely workshop,as did Caroline Peyron and Kelly Medford.


The castle still houses the studio of Gabriele Mattera, the castle owner/painter. It has been left in its original condition since Mattera´s death ten years ago. Caroline Peyron encouraged us to do collage in her workshop and we tried to recreate the shapes and colours in the oil paintings standing in his atelier.
I was fascinated by the huge pile of brushes that was left behind. Nowadays his children continue to manage the Castle, which is a tourist attraction and houses cafés, a restaurant and a hotel.
The IV° Naples Urban Sketching Workshop took place on Ischia Island, in and around Castello Aragonese. The tourist season was mostly over by mid October and the setting was superb- picturesque, peaceful but not too smooth. The family owned castle was a treasure, with its own garden, labyrinthic paths and beautiful views. Simo organized the event, did a lovely workshop,as did Caroline Peyron and Kelly Medford.


The castle still houses the studio of Gabriele Mattera, the castle owner/painter. It has been left in its original condition since Mattera´s death ten years ago. Caroline Peyron encouraged us to do collage in her workshop and we tried to recreate the shapes and colours in the oil paintings standing in his atelier.
I was fascinated by the huge pile of brushes that was left behind. Nowadays his children continue to manage the Castle, which is a tourist attraction and houses cafés, a restaurant and a hotel.