07th - 13th June Floral Painting with Emma Perring
The Retreat, Le Marche Italy
Plein Air & Alla Prima Painting Retreat with Emma Perring
Step into a world of light, atmosphere, and spontaneous brushwork on this immersive art retreat led by acclaimed oil painter Emma Perring.
Rooted in the tradition of plein air and alla prima painting, this retreat is designed for artists who long to paint with immediacy and authenticity. Emma’s vibrant floral scenes, are the perfect theme for this early summer art retreat, when local wild-flowers, our rose arches and the lavenders in the garden are in full bloom, with a splendour of colour and delicate floral scents that fill the warm air Emma brings her classical training and years of on-location experience to offer a unique blend of technical insight and creative freedom.
Time is divided between working in the studio, the surrounding gardens, and there will be opportunities for painting excursions also. This retreat is a perfect opportunity to deepen your painting practice in a supportive, inspiring environment. Enjoy painting alongside a vibrant, classically trained young artist and explore your artistic capabilities, whilst falling in love with the process.
Emma has exhibited with the Society of Botanical Artists, Society of Women Artists, and Chelsea Art Society, and brings a wealth of experience from both the field and the studio. Her work has won multiple plein air awards and is available through galleries and her website.
What to expect:
On-location plein air sessions, where you’ll learn to quickly capture the mood, light, and structure of a scene before it shifts
Studio-based floral and still life painting, using the same direct alla prima approach, allowing for richer observation and slower pace
Demonstrations and technique breakdowns, drawing on Emma’s adapted classical methods for modern plein air practice
Individual feedback and group discussion, tailored to help you develop your personal voice and refine your technique
With expert guidance, you’ll explore essential oil techniques such as capturing light and shadow, composition, and expressive brushwork.
Whether you’re an experienced painter or a curious beginner, this retreat offers personal instruction in a small group setting—ensuring that each participant receives support tailored to their level and style.
A well balanced and curated program of demonstrations, studio and plein-air painting, cultural and culinary explorations of the area, make this a perfectly relaxing and creative adventure in one of Italy’s most beautiful and varied regions, Le Marche
COST/DETAILS
€ 2.500 p.p. single en-suite
€ 2.250 p.p. twin/double en-suite
Deposit: €500 on booking
Full amount due 21 days prior to arrival.
Non-painting partners sharing room with participant at discount
See our Terms & Conditions.
INCLUDED*
- 6 Nights Accommodation/7 Days
- Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, aperitivi, coffee/tea breaks at The Retreat
- tuition & demonstrations
- studio and plein-air sessions on 5 mornings 9:00-12:30 am and 3 afternoons 15:00-17:30
- all day open studio
- painting excursions to select locations in the area
- Paint & Sip in vineyard with wine tasting.
- afternoon sight-seeing visit to the Renaissance city of Ascoli Piceno and afternoon sea-side visit
- cultural and sight-seeing visits to local towns
- use of studio easel and field easel, A4 & A3 canvas boards and a selection of stretched canvases
- pick up and drop off at San Benedetto del Tronto train or coach station for all main-line and Rome and Rome airport connections
- solvents and art supplies not suitable for travelling
* The tutor will provide a list of materials to bring.
**Airfare and travel insurance not included
MEET YOUR TUTOR
THE ART
On this art escape, we’ll be painting & drawing the stunning landscape, floral and marittime themes of the beautiful and dramatic le Marche region. Daily practical demonstrations and tuition by classical trained painter Emma Perring, will enable you to take your work to a new level. Emma will guide you in your work throughout, whether you are a complete beginner or already have some experience. You will be able to improve your technical understanding of the media and learn techniques and processes. More experienced practitioners will also benefit from the constructive discourse that helps overcome any hurdles they may meet in their work. What sets this art escape apart, is that you are guided throughout by a tutor who cannot only paint but teach to an excellent professional standard! Your work will develop through high quality demonstrations followed by practical sessions and personal target setting. Whether you are a complete beginner, or have experience but are looking to add more depth, texture and dimension to your work – you’re in the right place on this retreat.
The LOCATION
This art escape takes place at The Retreat and Studio. The Retreat is a beautifully restored country house with large art studio, dedicated to hosting art retreats. Set in the heart of the beautiful Italian countryside of the Le Marche Region, it has been home to Painting Holiday Italy and The Retreat Art Workshops and Creative Holidays for over 15 years.
Beautifully appointed en-suite bedrooms, provide comfort and relaxation. A large guest lounge, gym, furnished terraces and refreshment area with tea/coffee and snacks available all day, a large garden with panoramic views and pool area and yoga/exercise area are available for guest use.
A fully equipped, large studio provides ample space for demonstrations and easel work. But what could be better than to open the doors out to the most breath-taking panorama, and be inspired by the beauty that surrounds you, even before stepping outside?
The FOOD
Culinary delights and deliciously fresh and healthy mediterranean meals are prepared by our very own nutritional chef, Jana who not only runs her own Cooking School, but she also has been a nutritional chef for a UK healthy ageing platform for numerous years. She has written over 2000 recipes for healthy living and has taken care of The Retreat guests’s meals for 15 years. Her daily fresh and vibrant meals are a feast for the senses and will have your taste buds working in overdrive. From delicious breakfasts, to lunches, dinners and her speciality aperitiviti for our critique sessions -each meal is different and inspiring. All dietary requirements are catered for. Make sure though, to leave space in your notebook for new recipes! For our art retreats, she focuses on providing inspiring and tasty mediterranean dishes for improving creative and physical energy, so that you can simply relax, and enjoy every mealtime, knowing it will help let your creativity flow naturally.
Location
Nearest Airports
- Ancona
- Pescara
- Rome
- Florence
- Bologna
- Bari
- Perugia
Train Connections – all main lines
IS THIS RETREAT FOR ME?
The Retreat has welcomed painters from all over the world for many years looking for tranquillity, a relaxed and supportive creative atmosphere allowing guests to fully focus on their art work, find new inspiration, and re-charge their batteries.
If you love amazing landscape, rural tranquility and enjoy spending creative time in the company of like-minded people, then this retreat is for you. Coupled with deliciously healthy, mediterranean meals, cultural and artistic explorations and a big portion of relaxation, this retreat will not only energise your creative vibes, inspire your art work, and built beautiful memories.
and Nothing spells ‘Bella Italia’ more, than the uninterrupted panoramic views towards the mystic mountains of the Sibylline, the sandy beaches of the Adriatic coast, and the quintessential vineyards and olive groves that adorn the gently rolling hills. A dream for any experienced and beginner plein-air painter alike.