Message from Julian

"I've enjoyed teaching in person and online for over 30 years and have had an incredible journey meeting thousands of students in schools and colleges, on in-person retreats and online. I look forward to meeting you and continuing to grow our vibrant and creative community."

About Julian Hyzler

Senior Instructor

Julian has been teaching students of all ages and abilities for over 30 years. He initially trained at art schools in the UK before specialising in Illustration in London, working for many prestigious clients as a freelancer. Since then he has led hundreds of week-long trips to Italy and around the world, developing over the years an understanding of the Cities and the History of Art in Florence, Rome, Siena, Naples and Venice with his company EASELANDLENS.COM.

The atmosphere generated in the studio is always relaxed and friendly, whilst also being productive and lively, and you can expect positive encouragement to try new ideas as and when you feel confident to do so. Teaching art requires energy, patience and an ability to get as much out of each student as possible, and Julian always strives to do this, whether teaching painting and drawing, photography, design, or illustration.

Easel & Lens

In-Person Art Retreats

EASEL & LENS was founded in 2008 as Artist in Italy on the borders of Tuscany and Umbria in the green heart of Italy where Julian held in-person art retreats in a sprawling farmhouse which he restored after moving to Italy from the UK in 2005. 

Here he's hosted hundreds of retreats for thousands of guests from around the world on 7 and 10-day retreats which offer plenty of on-site studio time as well as daytrips to the beautiful surrounding areas. The itineraries are filled with plenty of inspiring locations, fun and enriching history and tidbits from Julian about the towns and villages from the time of the Etruscans, Romans, Italian Renaissance and beyond.

Then In 2014, he expanded to offer retreats in other locations in Italy (such as city stays in Florence and Venice) and around the globe in locales like Marrakesh, Provence, Iceland, and India to name a few. 

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT HIS CURRENT RETREAT CALENDAR AT EASELANDLENS.COM. HE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU IN PERSON!

Julian's Personal Artwork

julianhyzler.com

Julian's personal artwork is shown on his site JULIANHYZLER.COM. He mostly works in larger-scale canvas works in oil and acrylic and has current series in the themes of Italy, New Perspectives, NYC, Objects on Display, and Scaled Down.

THE PROCESS
The paintings begin from photos that are gathered on various travels. The right light, that perfect angle, the small details that catch the eye. The photo is honed and prepped and then ready to be the muse for the next few months of the meticulous work of rendering each brick, every piece of iron, and window reflection. 

The canvas is prepared, and the layers begin. Sometimes in layers as are created by the actual scene  -starting with the bricks, next to the windows, next to the fire escapes, then to the shadows they produce on top. Other times the layers are done section by section across the canvas, one window at a time from start to finish, next the intricate wood panels of a doorway, then to the clouds in the sky past the satellite dishes. 

Mostly painted by small brush strokes, each painting takes hours, leading to days, weeks and usually months to finish. Culminating in a beautiful realistic-by-far, yet painterly-by-near experience for the viewer.