Course Introduction
Calling all artists and would-be artists! Relax amidst the beautiful rolling hills and mountains of Marche in Italy and unleash your inner artist.
Tuition and demonstrations will focus on capturing your holiday in watercolour within a sketchbook/journal but this is your holiday and you can paint as little or as much as you want, in whatever way you want.
This holiday is for everyone with a passion for art, where you can unleash your artistic talents in whichever way you chose. Whether you’re an expert oil painter or you’ve never picked up a pencil before and want to explore the beautiful medium of watercolours with our experienced tutor – this art retreat is for you!
Will there be any tuition?
Resident artist, Sue Cooper, a professional watercolourist who has been teaching and painting in Marche for 8 years will be sharing her love of watercolours and sketchbooking through daily tuition and demonstrations. You will learn how to sketch and paint a range of subjects to capture any scene. After your week away, you will have a solid foundation in sketching, watercolour and composition to continue your artistic journey. You will be returning home with memories recorded in your own sketchbook journal as a unique souvenir of your stay here in Italy.
Why sketchbooks?
Drawing and painting in sketchbooks is the perfect way of not just recording your travels, but trying out new techniques and ideas without the pressure of producing a “masterpiece”. They are a brilliant way of capturing memories, enabling you to truly immerse yourself in your environment in a way that taking photos rarely does. There’s no need to carry around bulky, heavy equipment. Watercolour is not just a beautiful and expressive medium in its own right but it’s the ultimate in portability as the kits are usually compact and can easily fit in a handbag or satchel.
Once you start sketchbooking, you will see life and beauty in things you never gave a second glance to in the past.
Where will we be painting?
You’ll be immersed in nature during your stay at Il Picchio Verde, nestled in beautiful countryside outside of the quaint hilltop town of Sant’Angelo in Pontano. Il Picchio Verde has spectacular views to inspire any budding artist. You’ll also have plenty of inspiration for your sketchbook as you’ll benefit from daily excursions to some of the most picturesque areas that Marche has to offer including medieval hill-top towns, mountains, lakes and waterfalls.
What if I just want to do my own art?
Perhaps you’ve already established your style and medium and simply want to benefit from the gorgeous Italian setting surrounded by budding artists – that’s fine too. You can take advantage of as many or as little of the lessons and excursions as you’d like!
The price for this retreat varies depending upon the accommodation you choose at Il Picchio Verde. To see the room options available, photos and prices, check out either our brochure for the upcoming Art Retreats in June 2024 below.
Maximum group size is 8. Non painters are very welcome and will find many things to do, especially if you are a nature lover. If you would like to bring a partner or share a room then please contact us for pricing.
What’s included?
- Airport pick up from Ancona. Timings tbc once the airline have confirmed flights.
- All but two meals will be provided by our personal chef, Rita who prepares delicious and healthy home-cooked fresh plant-based food for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. The other two meals we’ll have at our favourite local restaurants so you can taste some more of the Le Marche cuisine! Prices of meals usually cost between £15 – £25 each.
- 3+ hours of tuition and demonstrations per day with access to the tutor all day!
- Daily excursions to local villages and beauty spots for plein-air sketching sessions
- Cantina Tour and Wine tasting
- Truffle and Wine tasting
- Use of camp stools for plein-air sketching sessions
What do I need to bring?
To benefit from the lessons you will need:
- HB / 2b pencil
- Kneadable rubber
- Watercolour paints (e.g. Winsor and Newton Cotman Sketchers Pocket Kit or equivalent)
- Brushes: Size 10 round brush, 1/4 inch sword brush, Size 6 pointed wash (Daler Rowney) or equivalents
- Sketchbook minimum 200gsm. I recommend Seawhites Watercolour Travel Journal – A5 Landscape – 200 GSM – 60 Pages – Acid – NOT (Approx £11 on Amazon)
- As we will primarily be sketchbooking, easels will not be required unless you particularly want to bring one!
Materials can be ordered through the tutor on request.
Example Schedule (modifications might be made on the basis of weather etc.)
Day 1 – Saturday
Morning/afternoon: Arrival at accommodation at approx 3pm. You will have access to your room, the grounds and the swimming pool on arrival.
Evening: 6pm – Welcome and introduction from your host Riccardo and resident artist Sue Cooper followed by a welcome dinner at Il Picchio Verde.
Day 2 – Sunday
Morning: Instruction and demonstrations – Starting your sketchbook, different types of journals and sketchbooks and what materials you’ll need. You will learn basic sketching and watercolour techniques to get you started.
Afternoon: Painting / sketching excursion to Lago di Fiastra. Instruction and Demonstration. Bring your swimming costume!
Day 3 – Monday
Morning: Instruction and Demonstration – Urban sketching and painting techniques.
Afternoon: Painting/sketching excursion to Sant’Angelo in Pontano.
Day 4 – Tuesday
Morning: Instruction and Demonstration – Painting flowers and plants.
Afternoon: Cantina tour and sketching at the vineyard.
Day 5 – Wednesday
Morning: Instruction on painting and drawing people and animals.
Afternoon: Excursion to Abbadia di Fiastra, a beautiful monastery set amidst beautiful countryside where you can paint fields, woods, the river, horses and/or the monastery building itself.
Day 6 – Thursday
Morning: Excursion to the local town of Sarnano to visit the market and paint the waterfalls and surrounding countryside.
Afternoon: Urban sketching in the beautiful medieval town of Sarnano and truffle tasting.
Day 7 – Friday
Free day! There is plenty to paint and draw around Il Picchio Verde so spend your time painting or have an art free day relaxing by the pool with a good book. Sue will be on hand to provide any advice for painting or drawing.
Day 8 – Home!
Morning: Breakfast and then leaving approx. 10am to get to Ancona airport.
The Accommodation
Il Picchio Verde is nestled in the foothills of the Sibillini mountains, just outside of the quaint village of Sant’Angelo in Pontano. The property offers spectacular views overlooking the village of San Ginesio and surrounding countryside all the way to the coast.
Il Picchio Verde has a large swimming pool where you can relax on the hottest days or sip a cocktail at sunset. The house and apartments are surrounded by a beautiful well-maintained garden for guests to enjoy. Il Picchio Verde consists of accommodation both in the main house and in two separate apartments.
For prices and gallery, please check out our brochure for:
1st June – 8th June 2024 Art Retreat – FULLY BOOKED!!!
15th – 22nd June 2024 Art Retreat – FULLY BOOKED!!!
14th – 21st September 2024 Art Retreat – FULLY BOOKED!!!
1st – 8th June 2025 Art Retreat – Still Spaces!
14th – 21st September 2025 Art Retreat – Still Spaces!
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