The Retreat

19th-26th May: Introduction to Painting (7day)

bedge — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 11:00:38 +0000

This really is a must for anyone wishing to take up painting for the first time. It will also benefit painters who have lapsed from their easels over the years.

John will demonstrate the principal techniques in the most popular painting media today. This course covers oil painting, acrylics, water colour, gouache.

For Groups: If you are wishing to come to The Retreat with your painting group, we are happy to arrange a specific course of your choice for you. Group discounts apply. Simply contact us with your requirements.

Non-painting partners are welcome at a reduced rate and can join us on all our trips and excursions.

10% discount for returning visitors

Why not check out more of our guest reviews on Tripadvisor

9th-16th June: Improve your Painting Techniques (7day)

bedge — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:00:55 +0000

This is a course dedicated to art practitioners who wish to focus on their specific media of interest. Informal discussions and support will be provided by John with demonstrations in various media. Enjoy sharing your painting experience in the company of like-minded people in truly magnificent locations in the Marchesian hills and surrounding ancient Read the Rest…

30th June – 9th July Painting The Italian Landscape (10 day)

bedge — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 09:00:35 +0000

Enjoy the beauty of Le Marche’s unrivaled views and tranquil sceneries with it’s many vineyards and olive groves dotted across the wide open landscape. Here, you can paint the romantic images Italy is so famous for. From The Retreat you have stunning views across the region providing plenty of inspiration.

Your experienced tutor will help you develop your confidence and skills. We will also visit ancient hill-top towns, the sea-side and historic cities where we sit and paint and simply soak up the atmosphere.

This course is suitable for beginners to advanced. You can work in various media. On this longer course, there will be more opportunities for excursions and painting trips around the area.

Non-painting partners are welcome at a reduced rate and can join us on all our trips and excursions.

10% discount for returning visitors

Why not check out more of our guest reviews on Tripadvisor

Only one room left now available as single or twin.

14th – 21st July The Grand Tour of Tuscany

jana — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:00:53 +0000

Be truly inspired by the cultural and artistic treasures of this breathtaking region. Discover the secrets of plein-air painting whilst following in the foot steps of Renassaince masters such as Michelangelo and Da Vinci. Enjoy the insightful tutorship of experienced English speaking, landscape artist John Skelcher; who lives and works in Italy. Be surrounded by unsurpassable views at our country resort set in the Tuscan hills.

Full course description

Itinerary

21st -28th July Improve your Painting Techniques Newly added course!

jana — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 07:30:54 +0000

We’ve added this course due to popular demand for more summer courses at The Retreat.

This course really is a must for anyone wishing to take up painting for the first time and those who who have lapsed from their easels over the years.

Enjoy a truly spectacular week of painting stunning Italian sceneries and hill-top towns. We will paint here at The Retreat as well as other magnificent locations and enjoy excursions around this spectacular area.

John will demonstrate the principal techniques in the most popular painting media today. This course covers oil painting, acrylics, water colour, gouache.

Non-painting partners are welcome at a reduced rate and can join us on all our trips and excursions.

10% discount for returning visitors

Why not check out more of our guest reviews on Tripadvisor

28th July – 6th August Landscape painting with Open air Opera Night (10 day)

bedge — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 07:00:07 +0000

Enjoy a truly spectacular week of painting stunning Italian sceneries and hill-top towns during the day and indulging in the delight of Italian Summer Opera at night.

We will paint here at The Retreat as well as other magnificent locations and enjoy excursions around the area as well as a one-night visit to Le Marche’s fabulous Lo Sferisterio Open Air Opera in Macerata.

This course is ideal for anyone who loves art and music, or simply wants to have that somewhat different painting holiday experience! Suitable for beginners to advanced.

150 Euros p.p. surcharge applies to cover the cost for opera ticket, 1 overnight B&B stay and pre-opera dinnerw ith wine.

Non-painting partners are welcome at a reduced rate and can join us on all our trips and excursions.

10% discount for returning visitors

Why not check out more of our guest reviews on Tripadvisor

25th August – 1st September Vineyards and Olive Groves (7 day)

bedge — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:01 +0000

Enjoy unrivaled views and tranquil sceneries with many vineyards and olive groves dotted across the wide open landscape. Here, you can paint the romantic images Italy is so famous for.

From The Retreat you have stunning views across the region providing plenty of inspiration. Your experienced tutor will help you develop your confidence and skills. We will also visit ancient hill-top towns, the seaside and historic cities where we sit and paint and simply soak up the atmosphere.

Suitable for beginners to advanced. You can work in various media.

Non-painting partners are welcome at a reduced rate and can join us on all our trips and excursions.

10% discount for returning visitors

Why not check out more of our guest reviews on Tripadvisor

15th –24th September Autumn Colours (10 day)

bedge — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:54 +0000

Enjoy the beauty and splendor of the Italian landscape at this colourful time of year. On this painting course, you will be able to paint the vast expanse of fields, beautiful hill-top towns and juicy grapes in the nearby vineyards.

This is a truly lovely time of year when the olives start to ripen and farmers bring in the rest of the year’s harvest. With the trees, the woodlands and fields changing colours it will encourage accomplished and budding painters alike to add a few more colours to the palette.

Non-painting partners are welcome at a reduced rate and can join us on all our trips and excursions.

10% discount for returning visitors

Why not check out more of our guest reviews on Tripadvisor

29th September – 6th October The Grand Tour of Tuscany

jana — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:00:34 +0000

Full course description

Itinerary

20th-27th October Portrait painting (7 day)

bedge — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:00:07 +0000

With so many of our previous guests expressing their interest in attending a Portrait course, we have now put it in the program, We have designed this course to provide figurative artists the opportunity to learn the secrets of creating likeness in your portrait work. Learn first hand from the artist how to convey mood and retain genuine likeness. Typical media covered include oils and acrylic.

Non-painting partners are welcome at a reduced rate and can join us on all our trips and excursions.

10% discount for returning visitors

Why not check out more of our guest reviews on Tripadvisor