Courses
Landscape Plein-air Courses
Virtual Retreats
Florence & Venice Courses
Testimonials
“An incredibly relaxing way to paint and experience the beauty of Italy’s countryside!"
Ashley H, I stayed at the Retreat for a week in late July for one of their plein air painting holidays. The...
Amazing experience !!
Jess V. I have just returned from a fabulous week at The Retreat !! Apart from John being the perfect host and...
Florence Watercolour course
D. Oliver,I came on Easter week. There were just two of us: me from London, and Myrna from Houston. We had...
Watercolour Florence
M. Yarney, I loved my week of study with John. It was an amazing experience. I enjoyed the stay at the Convent...
Upcoming Courses

16th-21st April 2022 Florence Watercolour Course
Treat yourself to this fantastic opportunity to paint water colours in the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence. It doesn’t really…

22nd-27th April 2022 Venice Watercolour Course
2 places available 22nd-27th April 2022 Venice Watercolour Course Spend 6 fantastic days immersed painting the historic canals with its…

7th-12th May 2022 Florence Watercolour course
Treat yourself to this fantastic opportunity to paint water colours in the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence. It doesn’t really…

13th-18th May 2022 Venice Watercolour Course
This course is full! 13th-18th May 2022 Venice Watercolour Course Spend 6 fantastic days immersed painting the historic canals…

18th-24th June 2022 Painting & Drawing Workshop
18th-24th June 2022 Painting & Drawing Workshop Enjoy drawing and painting the beautiful scenery surrounding The Retreat. In the morning,…

24th-29th June 2022 Venice Watercolour Course
24th-29th June 2022 Venice Watercolour Course Spend 6 fantastic days immersed painting the historic canals with its gondolas and grand…

2nd-7th July 2022 Painting, Yoga & Cooking Retreat
2nd-7th July 2022 Painting, Yoga & Cooking Retreat Intensive Painting, Yoga and Cooking Retreat This Retreat is a combination of…

23rd-29th July 2022 Painting & Drawing Workshop
23rd-29th July 2022 Painting & Drawing Workshop Enjoy drawing and painting the beautiful scenery surrounding The Retreat. In the morning,…

20th-26th August 2022 Painting & Drawing Workshop
20th-26th August 2022 Painting & Drawing Workshop Enjoy drawing and painting the beautiful scenery surrounding The Retreat. In the morning,…

3rd-8th September 2022 Painting, Yoga & Cooking Retreat
3rd-8th September 2022 Painting, Yoga & Cooking Retreat This Retreat is a combination of painting, cooking and yoga, the holy-trinity…

10th-16th September 2022 Painting & Drawing Workshop
Enjoy drawing and painting the beautiful scenery surrounding The Retreat. In the morning, there will be drawing and painting demonstrations,…

24th – 29th September 2022 Florence Watercolour Course
Treat yourself to this fantastic opportunity to paint water colours in the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence. It doesn’t really…

30th September – 5th October 2022 Venice Watercolour Course
Spend 6 fantastic days immersed painting the historic canals with its gondolas and grand buildings of the grand Renaissance city…

8th -13th October 2022 Florence Watercolour Course
Treat yourself to this fantastic opportunity to paint water colours in the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence. It doesn’t really…

14th-19th October 2022 Venice Watercolour Course
Spend 6 fantastic days immersed painting the historic canals with its gondolas and grand buildings of the grand Renaissance city…
The Retreat
The Retreat is a small art school in the heart of Italy’s beautiful Le Marche Region specialising in exclusive painting holidays with a truly personal touch.
Small groups and a ‘home-from-home’ atmosphere let any aspiring and experienced artist relax, indulge and create to their heart’s content.
See For Yourself
The location for the The Retreat was inspired by an Italian artist friend’s recommendation to visit „Italy’s best kept secret – Le Marche“. It was love at first sight. Here, you find all regions of Italy combined into one – the rolling hill-sides of Tuscany, the mountains of the north and coastal scenes and beaches of the south all in one panoramic view. It truly is ‘tutto Italia in una regione – all of Italy in one region’ as the Italian’s call it. What better place to pitch your easel.
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