Tuscany,Italy

Land at Florence Airport in time to catch the 3:00 PM transfer to your venue. After a one-hour scenic drive, arrive at Tenuta di Sticciano. Settle in your comfortable room, freshen up, and get introduced to your instructors, Mati Rose McDonough and Faith Evans-Sills. Get acquainted with your home for the week during a lovely orientation tour, discovering the rustic gardens, the elegant common spaces, and the workshop rooms. Celebrate your arrival with a wine-tasting experience in the Holmo Garden, followed by a special chef-made dinner. Get to know your fellow artists and get excited for the adventures ahead!

Your day starts with a refreshing breakfast.
Then join your art group in the gardens for the first painting session, basking in the sun. Together with Mati and Faith, spend the first half of the morning gathering inspiration from the lush greenery at Tenuta di Sticciano, collecting eye-catching patterns and color references. Let go of your inner critic as you go through the warm-ups, and set your creativity loose.
For lunch, enjoy a special traditional oven-made pizza party and delight in the authentic flavors of the region. Refueled and refreshed, return to the gardens for another art session with Faith and Mati. Let the romantic Tuscan countryside inspire you.

After the second class, take a leisurely stroll through the garden or unwind by the pool. As the day comes to a close, join your fellow artists for a delightful three-course dinner, paired with fine Italian wine.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast, then set off for an exciting trip to San Gimignano, one of Italy's most beautiful towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its perfectly preserved medieval architecture and the iconic skyline, known as the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages," promise some stunning views.
Wander the cobbled streets of the town as you explore during the morning. Get inspired by the sun-kissed terracotta roofs, charming stone houses, and alleys dotted with vibrant flowers. Explore at your own pace, uncover secret spots, and stumble upon awe-inspiring medieval churches, perfect for a quiet sketching session. Faith and Mati will encourage you to find doors or arches that catch your eye, taking reference photos for a later class.

For lunch, find a cozy trattoria in the old town, and maybe treat yourself to exquisite gelato from the famous Sergio Dondoli Gelateria.

Ending the day's journey, return to the venue for a three-course dinner complemented by exquisite unlimited Italian wine.

Start the next day with a savory breakfast, shared with your fellow artists. Gather in the gardens with Mati and Faith for an outdoor class. Armed with fresh enthusiasm, you'll continue your exploration of portals and doorways as themes, letting your creativity bloom.

Take a break with some tasty lunch, then return to your classes in the afternoon. Faith and Mati will demonstrate how to build layers for a landscape painting. You'll integrate these new techniques into your doorway art pieces. Learn how to create different moods using colors in your layers, then hone your skills during some hands-on practice. Your instructors will be ready to lend you a hand if you need extra advice.

Later in the afternoon, take a relaxing break by the pool, enjoy some personal time, or chat with your fellow artists in the gardens. The day ends with another mouthwatering dinner, prepared by the private chef and paired with a glass of wine.

Start your day with a tasty breakfast featuring traditional pastries, filling frittatas, and a warm cappuccino. Then, prepare your materials for another inspiring art trip.
You'll discover the Chianti Classico trail, winding through the heart of the famed Chianti region. Your itinerary includes stops at the picturesque towns of Castellina, Radda, and Panzano. You'll have time to paint in each captivating town you visit, letting the beauty of the area inspire your landscape paintings.
The first stop is Castellina in Chianti, a town steeped in history. As you meander through the old center, lined with quaint shops, cafes, and elegant townhouses, immerse yourself in its ancient atmosphere. Next, you'll reach Radda, nestled atop a hill and surrounded by vineyards. This town will charm you with its cluster of old buildings, beautiful squares, and breathtaking panoramas. Lastly, stop at Panzano, situated along the scenic route between Florence and Siena.

Ending the day's journey, return to the venue for a three-course dinner complemented by exquisite unlimited Italian wine, celebrating another day of creative adventuring.

Refuel with an energizing breakfast, then gear up for the next class, which will focus on painting botanicals. Continue developing your unconventional watercolor process under Faith and Mati's guidance. You'll gather inspiration from the many plants in the lush gardens of Tenuta di Sticciano or use the fresh bouquets at the venue as a reference. Let your hand glide freely across the page as you immortalize beautiful botanicals.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch, then return to the workshop space for more hands-on practice. Keep playing with patterns and colors as you paint, and don't be afraid to experiment. Watercolor is a free-flowing medium, inviting you to be loose and abstract in your work. Your instructors will be there to offer one-to-one guidance and give you some tailored advice.

Relax during your free time in the afternoon. As the day draws to a close, join Faith, Mati, and your group for a delicious chef-made dinner, enhanced by a glass of fragrant Italian wine.

On the last day of the retreat, begin your morning with breakfast, then prepare for the final classes of the retreat.

The morning class will be all about bringing your techniques and ideas together. Following a demonstration by Mati and Faith, you'll create a small series of paintings incorporating everything you've learned so far. Let this collection be a snapshot of your adventures and amazing experiences in Italy. You'll work on your series throughout the class.

After lunch, spend some time refining your artwork and adding those essential finishing touches. Lastly, gather with your art group for a special event: a mini-exhibition. This optional gallery showing is an excellent chance for you to celebrate your work!

The retreat ends with a sumptuous farewell dinner with the group, celebrating the journey and lifelong friendships you've made.

Enjoy breakfast with your art group, exchange any last hugs and get ready for your transfer to Florence Airport. Check-out is at 10:00 AM.