The Retreat

7th-14th April Life Drawing: The Human Figure (7 Day intensive course)

bedge — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:12:35 +0000

Traditionally, Life drawing is the corner stone for all applied art practice. This course is aimed at developing the looking and drawing skills as well as passing on the scale and gauging techniques used by the Renaissance artists. You will also learn more modern “size by sight” techniques used by artists since the Renaissance period. This workshop is studio based with a life model. Suitable for anyone wishing to improve their drawing and observation techniques. We will also be doing some work in other media.

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

Current special Offer: 10% discount p.p. on last single or shared place.

28th April – 5th May Printmaking (7 day)

bedge — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:11:15 +0000

This course is a fun process based learning experience. Whether or not you have formal printmaking experience, you will be able to enjoy the opportunity to see your ideas transformed using traditional printing techniques.

John, himself tutored by a former Glasgow School of Art lecturer, will introduce you to many of the schools best kept secrets.Using his own considerable knowledge John will demonstrate how dramatic and eye-catching compositions can be produced using relatively simple printmaking techniques.

Areas covered include: drawing, dry-point, lino print, intaglio and press print. This course is guaranteed to generate a passion for this powerful art discipline.

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

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

bedge — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:10:38 +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.

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 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:08:55 +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 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:06:35 +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

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

bedge — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:05:07 +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 during the day and visit 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 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:04:01 +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 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:03:54 +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

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

bedge — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:02:07 +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

27th –3rd November: Life Drawing: The Human Figure (7day)

bedge — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:01:42 +0000

You will also learn more modern “size by sight” techniques used by artists since the Renaissance period. This workshop is studio based with a life model.

Suitable for anyone wishing to improve their drawing and observation techniques. We will also be doing some work in other 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