JUN 27-JUL 4, 2019-8 DAY PAINTING & DRAWING
JUN 27-JUL 4, 2019-8 DAY PAINTING & DRAWING
£1250 Inclusive 8-days for 7 special price
£400 Hold deposit due at sign up
This course is aimed at people who enjoy painting or photography and would also like to experiment with some basic printmaking techniques. The week will be divided between working in the studio and painting and drawing in the surrounding area. You can draw inspiration from anything that captures your imagination and spend the rest of the week working to develop your ideas. Our small group sizes will ensure that you will get plenty of individual tuition.This week is about having fun, 'having a go' and discovering new possibilities.
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) and 2 tennis courts 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 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 house is now the restored former cantinas and stables on the groundfloor 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. 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 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 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, intermediate artists who would like to improve their skills and techniques, and practicing artists looking for a new challenge. Julian, the host and instructor, has over 20 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.
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 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 Price = £1750 (shared room*), +£200 (single room supplement, only 1 available), +£450 (double room used for single occupancy)
Deposit to hold space = £400
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.
* 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
Wine during onsite 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
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
Full day-trip to Florence with walking guided tour of The Italian Renaissance
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 our local 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 (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
8-DAY ‘special’ 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
9:30 - 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 8
8:30 - Breakfast
9:30 - Studio time
12.00 - Check out
*All activities and daytrips are weather permitting
FOR ALL OTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE REFER TO OUR FAQ PAGE