OVERVIEW

This is our classic extended Tuscan painting and drawing course, with accommodation on the border of Tuscany and Umbria, and our studio in the historic centre of a stunning Tuscan hilltop town.

ART

These courses are intended for anyone; a beginner wanting to have a go for the very first time, an intermediate painter looking to improve, and of course practicing artists looking for a new challenge. Every course is different and our specific activities depend on the nature of the group and, of course, the weather. We vary the content to keep it lively and fun, whilst ensuring that you go home with work you’re proud of. As with all our courses, all the basic materials you might need are provided in the studio. However, feel free to bring any of your own materials if you wish. We will draw, paint, photograph, explore media and our small course numbers ensure that you’ll get plenty of personal attention. 

ACCOMMODATION

This magnificent art and food retreat is set in the picturesque Italian countryside, along the border of Tuscany and Umbria. The house, called Siliano Alto, stands solid and square on its own small hill ringed with trees; olives, walnuts, and stately pines. Behind it a verdant wood, and all around golden, rolling fields and distant mountains.

The estate, "Le Coste" (meaning the border) is a hillside paradise for nature and peace. This wonderful setting gives you a rare opportunity to explore a stunning wooded and pastoral landscape, home to a wide variety of birds and animals including deer, porcupine and, more than the occasional, wild boar. White roads and tracks criss-cross this ancient estate giving you the chance to walk or cycle and breath the air of a natural reserve, surrounded by beautiful hundred-year-old pines, cypress trees and extraordinary views across the valleys of Tuscany and Umbria.

If that isn’t tempting enough there are also a swimming pool (open seasonally) to help you relax after a hard day at the easels. Wander through a hillside olive grove, walk between the shadows cast by majestic umbrella pines and cypress trees or simply be inspired by the landscape. Enjoy a glass of cold Prosecco or the sublime Brunello di Montalcino on one of the terraces whilst watching the sun set over the beautiful Tuscan town of Chiusi and the distant Montepulciano. In this environment you will paint and draw under the same mellow light that inspired the great Renaissance artists.

The guest house is now the restored former cantinas and stables on the ground /floor and have been transformed into apartments that are your Italian home for the week. One can immediately see the careful attention that went into restoring, decorating, and preparing these rooms.

CUISINE

The food is simple, delicious and Italian, using fresh ingredients from the local market in Chiusi, much of which is organically grown; pumpkin risotto, pasta al forno, slow roasted fennel with red onions, salads with wild rocket, prosciutto and fresh figs… Selection is seasonal, and you can guarantee to love and appreciate each bite.

We enjoy good local wine, from the vineyards between Chiusi and the famous wine region of Montepulciano. This type of wine is called 'vino sfuso' or 'loose wine', and is natural and free of chemicals. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are enjoyed together as a group in the studio. The course fee includes all food and wine with your meals (excluding lunches/dinner on trip days). Some lunches may be served outside on one of the terraces or taken on location, and we also enjoy dinner together at a great local Tuscan trattoria during the week.

SURROUNDING AREA

Guests will not only enjoy the villa and encompassing estate, but also the richness of the Italian cities in nearby regions. Day trips will allow students to add arts, culture, adventure, and natural beauty to their retreat experience. Trips may include visits to small villages, larger towns, and outdoor activities. See smaller villages that few tourists go, and get a true education and taste of Italy with stops at some amazing cafes and "trattorias".

ART

Our courses are carefully designed for complete beginners with no previous experience as well as intermediate artists who would like to improve their skills/techniques, and, of course, practicing artists looking for a new challenge.

JULIAN HYZLER - HOST

Julian, your host and instructor, has more than 30 years of experience teaching students of all ages and abilities, and always strives to create a friendly and relaxed studio atmosphere. Read more about his story on the ABOUT page. We offer a variety of custom-made art courses in order to build confidence and inspire you across a range of themes and disciplines. These unique courses also reflect the culture and history of the area and are interwoven with art-history excursions, providing inspiration, variety and interest throughout the week. Above all, this is a real opportunity for developing artists to work in small groups alongside an experienced teacher.

10-DAY ART WORKSHOPS

Some people enjoy painting in a traditional way, and others feel the need to experiment and try new techniques as part of the creative process. These 'Art Workshops' follow the same pattern as the painting and drawing courses but are different in the respect that students either come with a pre-existing idea of a personal project or want help to take their work wherever it may lead them. 

As a result it’s a little difficult to be too prescriptive and to say what types of images we will produce, but that is part of the excitement of this type of course, and we work on a combination of drawing, painting, printmaking and collage. Every course is different and is based around the individual student - we love to see people working on different things throughout their time here - and our specific activities are dependent on the nature of the group and, of course, the weather. We vary the content to keep it lively and fun, whilst ensuring that you go home with work you’re proud of. As with all our courses, all the basic materials you might need are provided. However, feel free to bring any of your own materials.

DETAILS / PRICING

10 days / 9 nights

• Inclusive Retreat Prices:
  • £2595/pp (Deluxe Double Room based on double occupancy , 2 people sharing in same party. Larger groundfloor bedroom with private ensuite bathroom, 1 king bed or 2 single beds)
  • +£540 (Standard Single Room. Two styles are available: smaller groundfloor room with private ensuite or larger 1st floor room with a view with shared bathroom with one other guest)
  • +£900 (Deluxe Double Room reserved for single occupancy. Larger groundfloor bedroom with private ensuite bathroom, 1 king bed)

• Deposit to hold space = £750

• Max # Guests = 8

  * Guests traveling alone can choose the shared room and we match up based on guest profile. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.
  ** 50% of final balance due 120 days before retreat start date, and remaining 50% due 60 days before retreat start date. Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED *:

• Accommodation

• Daily breakfast

• All meals onsite

• Wine during on-site meals

• Transfers from Chiusi train station to house

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Daily art classes

• Hiking trails, swimming pool (seasonal)

• Guided tours of area

• Various day trips to regional towns

• Winery tours & tastings

• Use of art supplies

• Tips & taxes

* airfare not included, selected meals during day-trips not included

DAY TRIPS & ACTIVITIES - examples…

• Chiusi - guided walking tour, Etruscan museum visit, local market, Cathedral, etc

• Visit to Castiglione del Lago for a local wine tasting lunch

• Evening in the picturesque Umbrian hilltop town of Panicale for an olive oil tasting and dinner

• Day in Orvieto, a stunning town with a cathedral visit, lunch, and time for shopping

LOCATION:

Countryside on border of Tuscany and Umbria
Nearest town: Chiusi, Tuscany
Nearest major airports: Fiumicino Airport (FCO - Rome), Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA - Pisa)
Nearest local airports: Sant'Egidio Airport (PEG - Perugia), Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR - Florence)
Nearest train station: Chiusi-Chianciano Terme
Transfers between the retreat and train station can be arranged at no charge on first and last day of retreat. Single and group airport transfers are possible and pricing discussed upon request. Train transfer from all airports is quite easy, and we will help guide you on the directions.

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.


ART SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED but feel free to bring any personal supplies you prefer. 

Comfortable shoes (for walking tours)

Bathing suit
.
Plug adaptors / converters (standard EU plug)

PROVIDED AT HOTEL: hair dryers, linens, toiletries (shampoo/soap), paid laundry service, wifi