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3rd-10th July 2027 Beyond Impressionism Oil Workshop - Le March

Beyond Impressionism

Designed for beginner to intermediate painters, this immersive course invites participants to explore the evolution of Impressionism into Post-Impressionism while developing their own artistic voice. Combining plein air painting, studio practice, historical context, and individual guidance, the program offers a supportive environment for both technical growth and creative experimentation.

Participants will paint directly from the rolling hills, vineyards, and historic villages of the region, learning to observe light, atmosphere, color, and movement with greater sensitivity and confidence. Outdoor sessions are balanced with studio-based work, allowing time for reflection, experimentation, and refinement.

The course draws inspiration from key artists including Claude Monet, whose studies of light and atmosphere shaped Impressionism; Camille Pissarro, known for his thoughtful compositions and depictions of rural life; and Edgar Degas, whose approach to movement, figure studies, and composition offers valuable insight into capturing the human form.

As the week progresses, attention shifts toward Post-Impressionist ideas, encouraging students to move beyond direct observation and experiment with expressive brushwork, simplified forms, and color used to convey mood and personal interpretation. Through demonstrations, critiques, and one-on-one feedback, participants will deepen both their technical understanding and creative confidence.

Each day balances learning and exploration, with lectures, practical painting sessions, group discussions, and opportunities to engage with both historical and contemporary artistic ideas. The residential setting fosters a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging dialogue, shared inspiration, and connection among participants.

By the end of the six days, students will leave with a portfolio of completed works, a stronger understanding of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist techniques, and a renewed sense of artistic direction.

A well balanced and curated program of demonstrations, plein-air opportunities, cultural and culinary explorations of the area, make this a perfect and relaxed experience of one of Italy’s most beautiful and varied regions, Le Marche.




COST/DETAILS
 

€ 2.700 single en-suite

€ 2.600 single shared bathroom

€ 2.500 twin/double en-suite

Price per person

Deposit: €600 on booking

Full amount due 28 days prior to arrival.

Click for Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED*

  • 7 nights Accommodation / 8 Days
  • breakfast, lunch, 3-course dinners, aperitivi, coffee/tea breaks at The Retreat 
  • 1 free day drop-off/pick-up at local sea-side town or Ascoli Piceno 
  • 5 days tuition & demonstrations
  • studio and plein-air sessions
  • all day open studio
  • painting excursions to select locations in the area
  • Paint & Sip in vineyard with wine tasting.
  • cultural and sight-seeing visits to local towns (Ascoli Piceno, Offida or other nearby historic towns)
  • standard oil painting kit
  • A4 and A3 canvas panels
  • use of studio easel and field easel
  • pick up and drop off at San Benedetto del Tronto train or coach station for all main-line train and Rome and Rome airport coach connections.

NOT INCLUDED

  • *Airfare & Travel insurance not included
  • lunch on free-day (only provided for painters staying on at The Retreat to paint or relax on their own accord)

MEET YOUR TUTOR

THE ART

A fantastic opportunity to learn painting oils and taking on the stunning landscape themes in the beautiful and dramatic location of le Marche. Your tutor is a professional landscape painter. Daily demonstrations give opportunities for improving your technical understanding of the medium and for learning techniques in the process of landscapes in oil. Plenty of opportunity for site-seeing and making new friends on this painterly adventure! What sets this art escape apart, is that you are guided throughout by a tutor who cannot only paint but also teaches to an excellent professional standard. Your work will develop via integrating high quality demonstrations with opportunities to practice followed by show and tell sessions to highlight areas for development. So, 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!

 

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.

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’ meals for many years. Her daily, fresh and vibrant meals will have your taste buds working in overdrive. From delicious breakfasts, to lunches, dinners and her speciality aperitiviti boards 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.