2023/2024 Courses

Rehabilitation Retreat

with Karolina Lenart || 02 October - 10 October, 2023

At Lucca , Tuscany - Villa Vistosa

Full 8 days where you can allow yourself to switch off from all concerns , fears , personal problems with nobody and nothing to disturb you. A week where you receive guidance and support to develop and nurture inner peace, relaxation, and wholeness in your life. A week where you hit the reset button to return to physical and mental health. Your Tuscan Experience Our course its held at the beautiful Villa Foresta , on the idyllic hill overlooking the city of Lucca. Tuscany is one of Italy’s best-loved regions. Its beautiful countryside is reminiscent of calming landscapes As well as rolling hills and vineyards, it also offers a rich relaxation possibilities– not forgetting premium wines and Mediterranean food.

1. Rehabilitation sessions
2. Healing massages
3. Meditation
4. Private therapeutic session

Discover TUSCANY

with James Richards || 13 October - 23 October, 2023

At Lucca, Italy - Villa Vistosa

Discover the authentic essence of the towns, villages and countryside of Tuscany, one of the world’s great cultural destinations, through the joy of on location sketching. Few regions in the world offer such a rich travel experience, and capturing your journey in sketchbooks through pencil, ink and watercolor takes that experience to new heights. Through sketching, we will go beyond simply capturing a likeness of a place, to capturing your personal interpretation of its life, energy and authenticity. Through sketching, we see more clearly and connect more deeply; you will make the lessons of Tuscany’s history, culture, architecture and landscape your own. You will also experience the best of Tuscany’s food, wine, and cultural riches. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the world’s great places. Join artist, world traveler and urban design professor James Richards for a fun and enlightening 10 days that will enhance both your on location sketching skills and your appreciation for this remarkable region that holds such a very special place in the hearts of the world.

1. Sketching instruction by James
2. Lucca, San Gimignano, Lerici, Viareggio, Pietrasanta tours
3. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
4. Puccini Concert in a Romanesque church
5. Glamorous Tuscan 5 course dinner

Tuscan Crochet Retreat with Emma – Oh So Pretty And Clever & Marina – Bloodimaryart Crochet

with Emma & Marina || 23 October - 28 October, 2023

At Lucca , Tuscany - Villa Vistosa

Join our crochet experts on this all-inclusive 5-night Tuscan crochet retreat. Indulge in your favourite hobby whilst taking in the best of what Tuscany has to offer. We aim to inspire you through the natural beauty of Italy, envelop your senses with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, awaken your taste buds with delicious home-cooked organic cuisine, and excite you with local culture and extraordinary experiences centred around your love of crochet. Re-ignite your creative spark and nurture your body, mind, and spirit with an abundance of nature, and magnificent views of the Tuscan valley and Italian countryside. All yarns, patterns & daily workshops are included for a truly immersive experience doing the craft that you love with like-minded people.

1. Daily crochet workshops with Emma & Marina
2. Beautiful all-inclusive accommodation in a traditional Tuscan Villa on the hills of Lucca
3. Coordinated private transportation
4. A range of tailored crochet projects with instruction and guidance
5. A wonderful gift bag including all materials, patterns and extras from our sponsors
6. Day trip to Florence and a visit to a charming family run yarn shop
7. Personal chef offering freshly prepared gourmet Italian cuisine & wine throughout the entire stay
8. Tour of Lucca and the local area
9. Wine tasting at a local bio-dynamic winery
10. Traditional pizza feast with a private Pizzaiolo
11. Puccini concert set in a 13th century Romanesque church followed by delicious dinner at a local restaurant
12. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner & showcase of projects

Experience Morocco with Ian Fennelly

with IAN FENNELLY || 26 October - 02 November, 2023

At Morocco, Marrakesh - Riad Dar Justo

if you're yet to experience the beating heart of Morocco, it's time to treat yourself to a trip to this magical country. Join us for an week of intense urban sketching holiday (5 hours of sketching per day!) with wonderful instructor and artist Ian Fennelly. You will learnall the techniques from Ian, have a chance to paint , sketch an improve your skills and share your work with fellow artists. You will stay in a beautiful riad in Marrakech- a traditional Moroccan house with a small courtyard complete with water features that provide an oasis of peace in the middle of the hectic city. During your stay, you will also visit the enchanting Majorelle Garden, the Musée Berbère and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Experience the magic of Marrakech with its chaotic bustle, romantic roof terraces, historical palaces, gardens and museums - all with a touch of luxury! What are you waiting for? Pack your supplies and join us to this unforgettable experience! the lively squares , streets and markets of Marrakech with beautiful seaside art town of Essaouira!

1. Learn masterful techniques with Ian Fennelly
2. Discover Moroccan culture and traditions
3. Taste all the local specialities
4. Experience an explosion of colors everywhere you go
5. Visit Majorelle Garden, the Musée Berbère and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
6. Enjoy a day trip to seaside art town of Essaouira

Rehabilitation Retreat

with Karolina Lenart || 02 November - 09 November, 2023

At Lucca , Tuscany- Villa Vistosa

Full 8 days where you can allow yourself to switch off from all concerns , fears , personal problems with nobody and nothing to disturb you. A week where you receive guidance and support to develop and nurture inner peace, relaxation, and wholeness in your life. A week where you hit the reset button to return to physical and mental health. Your Tuscan Experience Our course its held at the beautiful Villa Foresta , on the idyllic hill overlooking the city of Lucca. Tuscany is one of Italy’s best-loved regions. Its beautiful countryside is reminiscent of calming landscapes As well as rolling hills and vineyards, it also offers a rich relaxation possibilities– not forgetting premium wines and Mediterranean food.

1. Rehabilitation sessions
2. Healing massages
3. Meditation
4. Private therapeutic session

,,MEET ME IN MOROCCO,, WITH SANDRA DURAN WILSON

with Sandra Duran Wilson || 10 March - 20 March, 2024

At Morocco , Marrakesh -Riad Dar Sara

WE HAVE ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT! Morocco has been appearing in my dreams since I was a child. I grew up with pictures of Spanish Moorish architecture and my dad gave me a beautiful hand made leather tote from Morocco. The markets, the spices, music, dances and landscapes have called me ever since. Now we are going! The Italian team of Karolina and David have put together an itinerary for us to explore, create and eat our way across the dunes. I have worked with them for years and they always pamper us. We have a busy schedule of experiences and creating a travel journal is the best way to really see the land the people and culture. We will learn calligraphy, make a ceramic souvenir, create your own perfume, have a cooking class, ride a camel, wrap a turban, have a spa day and eat! I love to use watercolor pencils, acrylic inks, paint markers and collage to create the book. A timeless treasure you will return to again and again. You may incorporate text, fabrics, recipes and stories into your book. We can decorate the cover using local fabrics or other finds from the markets. Let the colors of Morocco wash over you as you open your heart to the wonder of this magical place. Any or no art experience is needed. Your book will be a gift to yourself for awakening your creativity along with the awe of travel.

1. • Learn masterful art techniques from Sandra
2. Discover the culture and traditions of Morocco
3. • Experience Marrakesh town, Agafay desert, historic ighrem of ksar Ait Benhaddou, Atlas mountains and Stunning costal town of Essaouira.
4. Taste all the best Moroccan cuisine
5. Experience specially selected activities as: -Cooking class -Caligraphy session -Cermic workshop -Perfume making -Ride on the camel -Visit Majorelle Gardens and much more...
6. Accomodation in beautiful and intimate riad in the heart of Medina

Discovering Tuscany with Ian Fennelly

with IAN FENNELLY || 15 April - 22 April, 2024

At Lucca , Tuscany - Villa Vistosa

Join exceptional UK artist for unforgetable one week sketching experience in heart of Tuscany. Come with me on a journey of looking as together we sketch and discover the beautiful landscapes and cities in Tuscany. Each day I will deliver an Urban Sketching Workshop in pen and watercolour, which will enable you to tell your story, what you notice and experience, and to express your feelings about being in such a visually rich environment. My workshops are divided into clearly structured steps; from outlining the big shapes, to introducing colour and emotion, and finally going deeper into the subject to record detail, texture and pattern. They are suitable for artist of all abilities. Sometimes we pass through this world without allowing our senses a chance to really take notice of the things that surround, and what really matters. This magical adventure of creativity will fix you in the moment, and help you to appreciate through drawing and painting, how beautiful out world is.

1. Itensive classes and instructions by Ian
2. Most beautiful Tuscan towns exploration
3. Beautiful Villa Setting
4. Special selected activities
5. Private Chef offering best Tuscan & Italian cuisine
6. Private transportation

Discover TUSCANY

with James Richards || 01 May - 10 May, 2024

At Lucca , Italy - Villa Vistosa

Join me for an unforgettable 10 days in one of the worlds most inspirational places! I’ve been sketching and painting in Tuscany for years, and I can’t wait to share my favorite artistic and cultural immersion experience with you. Our workshops are a celebration of the transformational experience of travel, and the added richness, exuberance and creative rush that on-location sketching brings to it. You'll learn to use sketching as a tool for exploration and a doorway to discovery in some of Tuscany’s most beloved hill towns, landscapes, and coastal villages. Along the way, we’ll enjoy gourmet regional cuisine by our personal chef, the region’s finest wines, winery visits and tastings, a cooking class—even a Puccini opera performance! The goal of this workshop is not for you to draw like anyone else. My goal is to equip you with eye-opening lessons, techniques, shortcuts and inspiration from my own decades of experience and travel that can help you develop your own style, provide sketching breakthroughs and shave years off your learning curve. Our workshop guests often say we've "given them permission" to be themselves and to enjoy every day of the process. You’ll depart with a newfound sense of freedom and confidence that's the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyment and continued growth.

1. Sketching instruction by James
2. Lucca, San Gimignano, Lerici &San Terenzo, Viareggio, Pietrasanta tours
3. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
4. Puccini Concert in a Romanesque church
5. Glamorous Tuscan food & wine
6. Pizza feast

Tuscany with Monique Carr

with Monique Carr || 11 May - 20 May, 2024

At Lucca ,Tuscany - Villa Vistosa

Join Monique in this spectacular—**10-day -all inclusive—**painting holiday in Tuscany. You will get a joy-filled workshop that will help you embrace freedom in both art and life! From your private villa accommodations, prepare to be immersed in a once-in-a-lifetime art adventure while enjoying gourmet meals (made with love by your private Chef), splendid wine, exquisite landscapes and spectacular seascape. You will get to experience the magic of Tuscany:Cypress, vineyards, olive trees, medieval villages, markets. It will be a journey you will never forget.

1. Instructions by Monique
2. beautiful Tuscan villa accomodation
3. Lucca,Volterra,Lerici day trips
4. Gourmet food & Wine
5. Wine tasting introducing Lucca bio-dynamic concept.
6. Pizza festival with private ,,Pizzaiolo,,
7. Puccini classical concert in 13th Century church

Rehabilitation Retreat

with Karolina Lenart || 21 May - 29 May, 2024

At Lucca , Tuscany - Villa Vistosa

Full 8 days where you can allow yourself to switch off from all concerns , fears , personal problems with nobody and nothing to disturb you. A week where you receive guidance and support to develop and nurture inner peace, relaxation, and wholeness in your life. A week where you hit the reset button to return to physical and mental health. Your Tuscan Experience Our course its held at the beautiful Villa Foresta , on the idyllic hill overlooking the city of Lucca. Tuscany is one of Italy’s best-loved regions. Its beautiful countryside is reminiscent of calming landscapes As well as rolling hills and vineyards, it also offers a rich relaxation possibilities– not forgetting premium wines and Mediterranean food.

1. Rehabilitation sessions
2. Healing massages
3. Meditation
4. Private therapeutic session

Immerse Your Senses in Tuscany

with Sandra Duran Wilson || 15 June - 25 June, 2024

At Lucca , Tuscany - Villa Vistosa

Painting in Italy is a dream come true for plein air landscape painters, but why should they have all the fun! We are the exception. You will explore interpreting your surroundings with color, context, shapes and emotions; no need to portray your story realistically. You will explore: Dynamic Color mixing and palettes to create successful compositions. Limited time painting studies to loosen your style and paint more impressionistically. Learn the value of your initial marks, follow your intuition, and tell your own unique story. Develop compositions that will visually tell your story and express your emotions. Italy is filled with beauty in the landscape, the history, food, the people, the songs, architecture, and the art. We will have access to all of this, be pampered with your own chef, your own driver, guides, and art instruction. This is my third to Tuscany and it fills my soul and nourishes my body. I know you will find such beauty here and you will have memories for a lifetime. And we get to paint. Your Tuscan experience dances between time to create time to nurture yourself, to eat, to drink, to travel and discover the treasures of Tuscany.

1. Painting tution by Sandra
2. Beautiful accomodation
3. Best Italian cuisine & wine during all stay
4. Day tours to : Lucca , Florence , Viareggio & Pietrasanta , Portovenere
5. Specialy selected cultural activities as : Puccini classical concert, bio-dynamic wine tour ,Cooking class with private Chef , Pizza making class , visit in marble sculpture art school
6. Your private & luxury transportation

Discover Scotland with Nancy E. Thompson

with Nancy E.Thompson || 25 June - 05 July, 2024

At Scotland, UK

Welcome to Scotland. The land of virgin landscapes, wild nature, beautiful islands, castles, best seafood in the world and… whisky! Stand with your feet among the glens and lochs that inspired artists such as Alexander Naysmith. Embarking on your own all inclusive trip to Scotland armed with a sketchbook and a camera. It is a lifetime opportunity to get to know Scotland closer with all the most beautiful corners of this magical country and unpredictable weather.

1. Watercolor painting and sketching lessons by Nancy
2. Discover castles, monuments and historcal signs
3. Experience the unpredictable weather
4. Visit places we know only from stories and movies- Edinburgh, Stirling, Luss, Glen Coe, Glasgow
5. Taste the famous Scotch from the smallest and best distilleries
6. Learn about Scottish food and customs from a Masterchef finalist

Shades of Scotland

with Alex Hillkurtz || 05 July - 15 July, 2024

At Scotland, UK

Wonderful opportunity to sharpen your urban sketching skills with Alex in magical Scotland. Learn how to quickly capture the world around you in ink and watercolour. Alex will guide you around some of the most beautiful sketching spots, picking out details in architecture and nature that will help describe the techniques he has picked up over a decade of sketching around the world. Scotland is waiting for you!

1. Visit small towns, castles and wonderful scenery known from the movies.
2. Learn how to quickly capture the world around you in ink and watercolour.
3. cooking classes with Masterchef finalist
4. visit Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Stirling, Glen Coe
5. Distillery visit and Whisky testing
6. Local beer and cheese tasting
7. Wellbeing workshops - yoga , cyanotype masterclass by Dominika from Sorores Aromatherapy
8. Best British food and drinks during your stay

Scotland in watercolor painting

with Dori Beth || 17 July - 27 July, 2024

At Scotland, UK

A different way to discover Scotland – book a summer art course in Scotland. You will have many opportunities to exchange your experience with like-minded creative people and learn how to paint and improve your skills with wonderful Dori. Develop your art skills in Scotland’s dramatic landscapes, in the company of like-hearted creative travelers. Learn about Scotland rich history, explore the Highlands and the sea coast Let them all inspire your art!

1. Watercolor instruction by Dori
2. Stunning accomodation in 17th century Scottish Estate
3. Experience the unpredictable weather
4. Visit Edinburgh, Stirling, Luss, Glen Coe, Glasgow.. Discover castles, monuments and historcal signs
5. Taste the famous Scotch from the smallest and best distilleries
6. Learn about Scottish food and customs from a Masterchef finalist

DISCOVER THE ESSENCE OF CRACOW

with IAN FENNELLY || 12 August - 17 August, 2024

At CRACOW-POLAND

Explore the beauty of Cracow with a pen and watercolour. Professional urban sketcher Ian Fennelly will show you techniques and methods that help you to create your own lively and atmospheric sketches. Learn to find your individual style and fill your sketchbook step by step. Intensive course of 5-6 h a day.Inspired by the charm of the unique Cracow scenery you will be able to capture your favourite travel memories with brush and pen.

1. Intestive learning course by Ian
2. beautiful accomodation in heart of Cracow
3. The best Polish food during stay
4. Airport and local transportation
5. Guided tours of Old town , Wawel castle and Jewish Quarter

The Light of Tuscany

with Alex Hillkurtz || 31 August - 10 September, 2024

At Lucca , Tuscany - Villa Vistosa

In this workshop I will teach you techniques to enhance the story you want to tell with your painting: composition, perspective, lighting, detail (or lack of detail). We will work in watercolour sketchbooks, and larger sheets, and the media will be pencil, pen and ink, and watercolour. I will show how I choose a composition designed to draw your eye into a piece. Using a quick pencil sketch to jot down spontaneous ideas, then moving to ink for rough details, and finally watercolour, I will show you how I “see” the subject on the page, and how to avoid common mistakes. I will share insights about the importance of light and shadow to define shapes, perspective to add depth, and colour to tell a story. Most of all we will have fun! You’ll come away with a sketchbook you can be proud of, full of your unique paintings and colorful memories of this beautiful part of the world.

1. Instructions and lesson by Alex
2. Day trips to : Lucca , Carrara , Pietrasanta , Lerici & San Terenzo , Volterra
3. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
4. Classical concert in a Romanesque church
5. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner, Pizza Party and best Italian Food and Wine during entire stay

Express your urban sketching technique with Pat Southern-Pearce

with Pat Southern-Pearce || 12 September - 21 September, 2024

At Lucca, Tuscany

For so long I’ve yearned to drink in the feel, the heart, the essence of Tuscany and at last its finally happening! I cant wait to be here, with like- minded others, capturing it all, teaching every day in sun and dappled shade, wandering the villa’s gorgeous gardens and sketching, exploring Lucca town (oh my!), a day in Florence, a Puccini Concert..a town filled with inspirational towers. ..and it goes on. There is such a warm, welcoming history here and an energy, a relaxation that glows and calms. I will teach skills every morning, with demos and a new focus. And each afternoon we’ll pick up on these skills and deveop them, sketching, with help and more demos, wherever we go: around the villa or further afield. On day 1, exciting!..we’ll prepare a collection of different textural backgrounds that we can slip in our sketchbooks and carry with us, to choose from at will. Some will be coloured inks and water plus maybe a little gouache and acrylic. Some will be collaged.Some will be mixed media. We’ll have fun! Each day will bring new learning, new looking, new experiences. And each new day will build on the one before. We definitely wont be drawing a whole picture in ink or pencil, then colouring it in. Nor will we just be making marks on paper. The most important thing to me when Im sketching, is the sense of place: the feeling a place gives me, the light, the softness, the blueness of shadows, the unexpected patterns and textures, the shapes against the sky, the sky itself: ever changing. Places speak to me and bring me joy as I sketch and I lose myself and the dance begins. I trained as a painter. I love sensitivity of line and the punctuation of darks, freedom and energy balanced by precision. And all of this I want to share with you.I want you to know this joy too, wherever we go, lost in the zone but with me by your side. What a gift this long luscious course here, will be, to me and to you: with time to linger long, learn and grow, one day at a time..with your hearts and mine singing. Do join us. Pat

1. SKETCHING LESSONS WITH PAT
2. PRIVATE CHEEF, BEST FOOD AND DRINKS THROUGHOUT YOUR STAY
3. DAY TRIP TO LUCCA, FLORENCE, PORTOVENERE, SAN GIMIGNANO
4. PIZZA PARTY WITH PRIVATE PIZZA CHEF
5. COOKING LESSON, WINE TESTING AND LIMONCELLO MAKING CLASS
6. ALL INCLUSIVE VILLA WITH SWIMMING POOL
7. PUCCINI CONCERT IN A ROMANESQUE CHRISCH
8. PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION

Finding Individual Expression with Frank Eber

with Frank Eber || 22 September - 02 October, 2024

At Lucca, Italy - Villa Vistosa

This workshop is about the finding your personal style while negotiating the challenges of painting en Plein air. Personal artistic expression should be the goal for any serious painters. Technique is important of course, but it is only the first step. The most important thing to bring to your art is yourself. Frank’s work is emotionally based, painted with a ‘limited palette’, softly expressive and suggestive. He was trained by an Italian master painter in the early 90’s. Typical in his art are color mixes and light that evoke nostalgia while remaining absolutely in the present. Frank's workshops reach beyond technique, observing the elusive balance of forces that create beauty in painting. 

Frank stresses a solid foundation in the basics, “…so that our focus is on creating timeless art. An emotional link is necessary in our work, as well as the connection to the vibrancy of everything we paint.” All levels are welcome as long as you come with an open heart and mind. oil/ gouache/ acrylic

1. Intensive instruction by Frank
2. Best Italian food and wine during entire stay
3. Day trip to Lucca , Lerici, Viareggio, Pietrasanta,Carrara
4. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
5. Classical concert in a Romanesque church
6. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner

Discover TUSCANY

with James Richards || 04 October - 14 October, 2024

At Lucca , Italy - Villa Vistosa

Join me for an unforgettable 10 days in one of the worlds most inspirational places! I’ve been sketching and painting in Tuscany for years, and I can’t wait to share my favorite artistic and cultural immersion experience with you. Our workshops are a celebration of the transformational experience of travel, and the added richness, exuberance and creative rush that on-location sketching brings to it. You'll learn to use sketching as a tool for exploration and a doorway to discovery in some of Tuscany’s most beloved hill towns, landscapes, and coastal villages. Along the way, we’ll enjoy gourmet regional cuisine by our personal chef, the region’s finest wines, winery visits and tastings, a cooking class—even a Puccini opera performance! The goal of this workshop is not for you to draw like anyone else. My goal is to equip you with eye-opening lessons, techniques, shortcuts and inspiration from my own decades of experience and travel that can help you develop your own style, provide sketching breakthroughs and shave years off your learning curve. Our workshop guests often say we've "given them permission" to be themselves and to enjoy every day of the process. You’ll depart with a newfound sense of freedom and confidence that's the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyment and continued growth.

1. Sketching instruction by James
2. Lucca, San Gimignano, Lerici &San Terenzo, Viareggio, Pietrasanta tours
3. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
4. Puccini Concert in a Romanesque church
5. Glamorous Tuscan food & wine
6. Pizza feast

Tuscany with Nancy Ellen Thompson

with Nancy E.Thompson || 15 October - 25 October, 2024

At Lucca , Tuscany -Villa Vistosa

Teaching art is a way of life for Nancy also a best therapy in this imprevedibile times. She believe that anyone who wants to learn can do it. She teach all levels...beginner classes to master class. Teaching accomplished artists is particularly exciting because it allows help to help others find ways to keep their work fresh and evolving.

1. Wine Tasting in local bio-dynamic winery
2. Puccini concert in a Romanesque church followed by 5 course dinner in Restaurant
3. Day trip to Lucca , Volterra , Lerici , Pietrasanta ,Florence.
4. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
5. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinners with local wine selection
6. Healing massages
7. The ancient technique of applying gold leaf to artwork is brought to life at Vino & Vinci with this short, inter-active workshop. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of prosecco and pastries as we introduce the history of the gold leaf process.
8. Pizza festival-learn how to do Italian pizza.

The Fearless Sketchbook- How to Sketch with No Consequences

with Iain Stewart || 27 October - 06 November, 2024

At Lucca ,Tuscany - Villa Vistosa

Simply sitting down with my sketchbook and recording the world around me is perhaps the most enjoyable and rewarding thing I can think of when traveling. My cares drift away and I am in the moment observing. There is no pressure to perform or to allow my sketches to become precious. Sketches are simply a record of my day and where it has taken me. We all have something unique to say and my goal is to show you how to listen for that inner voice that only you own. I have designed a simple process to help you let go of the desire of accuracy in favor of interpretation and your impression of place. There is an honesty in a sketch that is hard to replicate emotionally or visually. Join me as we explore the riches of one of the worlds most beautiful and historically rich destinations. As an architectural illustrator and Professor of design drawing and presentation I will show you how to move past representation and embrace gesture and the suggested.

1. Instructions by Iain
2. Day excursion to Lucca , San Gimignano , Portovenere , Pietrasanta .
3. Beautiful accomodation
4. Delicous Italian food & wine during the course
5. Cultural activities :Cooking class , Puccini classical concert, Wine tasting, Pizza making class.