APR 22-28, 20187 DAY PAINTING & DRAWING

APR 22-28, 20187 DAY PAINTING & DRAWING

£0.00

PRIVATE COURSE

This is one of our special courses for 2018 to celebrate our 10th Anniversary with the people who helped us make it this far! 

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ACCOMMODATION

This art retreat takes place in the picturesque Italian countryside, at our lovely farmhouse along the border of Tuscany and Umbria. The house stands 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, perfect countryside for a classic Tuscan painting.

The estate 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 is also a swimming pool (open seasonally) to help you relax after a hard day at the easel. 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 our 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 accommodation is the restored ground floor cantinas and stables which 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. Two large apartments are divided into different rooms of various size accommodations, each complete with private bathroom and linens.

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 always changing, and you can be guaranteed to enjoy 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 any meals taken on trip days). Some lunches may be served outside on one of the terraces or taken on location.

SURROUNDING AREA

Guests will not only enjoy the house 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 get to enjoy, 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, intermediate artists who would like to improve their skills/techniques, and practicing artists looking for a new challenge. Julian, the host and instructor, has over 25 years experience teaching students of all ages and abilities, and always strives to create a friendly and relaxed studio. 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.

7-DAY PAINTING AND DRAWING COURSES

These are our most popular courses, and are intended for anyone who is a beginner or an intermediate painter looking to improve or just have a go for the first time. Every course is different 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 in the studio. However, feel free to bring any of your own materials if you wish. 

DETAILS / PRICING

7 days / 6 nights
Inclusive Retreat Price = £750 (shared occupancy), +£200 supplement for single room (only one on-site), +£450 supplement for single occupancy in double room
Deposit to hold space = £250*
Max # Guests = 8
* Final balance due 45 days before retreat start date.
Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED *:

Accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)
Daily breakfast
All meals onsite
Water and wine during onsite meals
Transfers from Chiusi train station to house
Transportation to/from day trips
Daily art classes
Hiking trails across the estate, swimming pool (seasonal) etc.
Guided tours of area
Various day trips to regional towns
Use of art supplies
Tips & taxes

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

DAY TRIPS & ACTIVITIES:

Chiusi - guided walking tour, Etruscan museum visit, local market, Cathedral, etc
Day-trip to larger regional, historic towns such as Orvieto, Arezzo - both with amazing fresco cycles
or longer trips to larger cities such as  Florence or Siena - all with walking tours of historical sites
Half-day trips to smaller villages around nearby Lake Trasimeno.

 

LOCATION:

Countryside on border of Tuscany and Umbria
Nearest town: Chiusi, Tuscany
Nearest major airports: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO - Rome), Galileo Galilei Airpot (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 (seasonal pool, possible thermal spa day-trip)
Plug adaptors / converters (standard EU plug)
PROVIDED AT HOUSE: hair dryers, linens, toiletries (shampoo/soap), paid laundry service, wifi

 

7-DAY COURSE SAMPLE SCHEDULE*

DAY 1

    2:00 - 6:00 - Check-in

    7:00 - Aperitivo + Orientation

    7:30 - Dinner

 

DAY 2

    8:30 - Breakfast

    9:30 - STUDIO (including Coffee break)

    1:00 - Break 

    1:30 - Lunch

    3:00 - STUDIO (including Tea break)

    6:00 - Evening break

    7:00 - Aperitivo

    7:30 - Dinner

 

DAY 3

    8:30 - Breakfast

    9:30 - CHIUSI - guided tour + drawing

    1:30 - Lunch in Town

    3:00 - STUDIO (including Tea break)

    6:00 - Evening break

    7:00 - Aperitivo

    7:30 - Dinner

 

DAY 4

    8:30 - Breakfast

    9:30 - STUDIO (including Coffee break)

    1:00 - Break

    1:30 - Lunch

    3:00 - Art History city tour in Tuscany or Umbria

    7:30 - Dinner in Town

 

DAY 5

    8:30 - Breakfast

    9:30 - STUDIO

    11:00 - Plein air painting

    1:30 - Lunch

    3:00 - STUDIO (including Tea break)

    6:00 - Evening break

    7:00 - Aperitivo

    7:30 - Dinner

 

DAY 6

    8:30 - Breakfast

    9:30 - STUDIO (including Coffee break)

    1:00 - Break 

    1:30 - Lunch

    3:00 - STUDIO (including Tea break)

    6:00 - Aperitivo on Lake Trasimeno

    7:30 - Dinner

 

DAY 7

    8:30 - Breakfast

    9:00 - 11:00 - Check out

*all activities and day-trips are weather permitting

 

FOR ALL OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE REFER TO OUR FAQ PAGE