The workshops will include a variety of breathtaking locations chosen to inspire your creative work. Subjects will include streetscapes and landscape.  We will focus on clouds, water, trees, foliage, and mountains, working with the clarity of light that is so much a part of Tuscany's natural beauty.  We will provide the bulk of your equipment, ie panels, chairs, parasols and easels (unless you have a poschade box or easel you want to bring), but you will need to bring some materials e.g. sketchbooks, pencils and brushes.  You can pack your paints in your suitcase but you may not be able to bring them in your carry-ons.   A selection of materials and stretched canvases are available at cost price, and at the end of your holiday we can arrange framing and shipping of your finished paintings should you wish.

On a typical day we begin at 9:00 am and paint till 12:00 pm.  We then break for lunch and begin again at 1:00 pm till 4:00 pm.   At various times during the workshops there will be demonstrations by Michael.  There will also be a free day during the week to do as you please - transport into Cortona will be on offer for those who would like to explore or shop.  Here are some shots of our studio:

All your meals are provided, either making use of the best local produce and specialties at the villa, or out and about at good quality restaurants. Each morning we will offer a healthy breakfast including fresh croissants, cereals, yogurts and a selection of seasonal fruits. Lunch will be a relaxed affair – perhaps a picnic lunch at the villa or on location, or at a local trattoria. Evening meals will be a mix of barbecues or dinners at the villa, and there will be some evening meals at quality restaurants in Cortona.

Non Painting Partners Welcome:  Non painting partners are welcome and receive a 10% discount. But of course they will be more than welcome to enjoy the wonderful setting, excellent meals, wines and excursions, which include thermal baths, beauty spots and wine tasting, along with their partner. Alternatively, by pre-arrangement, we can organise a number of alternative activities for them, such as Italian cooking, horse riding, guided tours and walks, they can even book a private massage at the villa – or they can simply relax and enjoy our lovely surroundings and the pool.

There will be a variety of free excursions on offer in our minibus to museums, art galleries and medieval hill top towns . Excursions will include a visit to the nearby thermal springs, which have been reputed since Roman times to have healing properties. We will often be travelling through the fabulous countryside of the Val d'Orcia, with its classic Tuscan views, so always have your sketchbook and camera handy as there will be lots of opportunity to collect information and material to work on back at the studio. Our trips will include two beautiful hill towns - Pienza, with its famed local Pecorino cheeses; and also Montepulciano, known for its wonderful wines. Here we will have the opportunity to visit La Cantina Redi, one of the oldest wineries in Tuscany, where you may sample the famous Vino Nobile.

We provide a minibus to transport you from Rome to our location.  Flight from your location to Rome is not provided.

Registration will begin soon...Click here if you would like to be notified.