Beautiful Tuscany

with Suzy Pal Powell || 05 September - 15 September, 2020

At Villa Selva - Lucca

There is so much beauty that we sometimes miss. Just a ray of sun on a flower petal, or a bird sitting on the fence. We don’t’ have to paint a huge painting to convey the message. We will use a small-er format due to time and space, Using a watercolour paint or sketchbook, or small pieces of watercolour paper. We will be watching for that small beautiful picture to photo and put in our books or paper. You can also bring one to journal each day while in Italy. A wonderful way to remember the trip and memories!

1. Painting instruction by Suzy
2. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
3. Best Italian Food&Wine during entire stay
4. Day trips to San Gimignano and Portovenere
5. Classical concert in a Romanesque church

Healing Retreat

with best therapists,instructors and masseuse || 16 September - 23 September, 2020

At Villa Selva

One week 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 8-day courses its held at the beautiful Villa Selva , 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. Hatha Yoga course
4. Meditation
5. Private therapeutic session

ATELIER : Lucca

with Kat Ring || 26 September - 06 October, 2020

At Villa Selva - Lucca

This course offers the opportunity for anyone who has ever wanted to try plein air painting in oils to do so, without having to purchase their own equipment or supplies. Intermediate and advanced painters are also welcome, of course, and instruction is catered to each participant’s needs. We will be painting daily, usually twice a day, depending on other activities on offer. Prepare to be challenged and rewarded by the wide variety of subjects which we will capture on our canvases. These will be well-thought out “responses” and “impressions”. I hand out notes of the most important concepts which I have gathered over years of studies with master painters in Europe and USA. We will work hard, but be pampered when we are not painting! Expect 10 inspiring, fun, and relaxing days in a beautiful setting with others who share similar passions.

1. Outstanding Italian food during entire stay with best local wines
2. Cooking lesson with Dr.Michelle (learning about Mediterranean diet)
3. Painting day trip to Portovenere
4. Wine Tasting in local bio-dynamic winery
5. Sketching day trip to San Gimignano
6. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner

How to paint atmospheric paintings 'en plein air'

with Frank Eber || 06 October - 16 October, 2020

At Villa Selva - Lucca

Bring your painting skill to a higher level! Learn how to paint luminous paintings by manipulating tonal values, color and edge. In this class, Frank will share advanced painting techniques to create atmosphere, balance and unity in your work. Topics will include design and composition, color and lighting, positives and negatives, simplification of shape, and atmospheric effects. The techniques you will learn in Frank’s workshop transcend the watercolor medium. Separate yourself from the watercolor crowd and experience firsthand why his courses are so popular!

1. Painting instruction by Frank
2. Best Italian Food&Wine during entire stay
3. Day trip to Portovenere, Viareggio and Pietrasanta
4. Ponte Diavolo plein Air painting experience, Barga town excrusion
5. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
6. Wine Tasting
7. Classical concert in a Romanesque church
8. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner

Viva Italia! Viva Toscana!

with Nancy E.Thompson || 18 October - 28 October, 2020

At Villa Selva - Lucca

Teaching art is a way of life for Nancy. She believe that anyone who wants to learn to paint, can do it. She teach all levels...beginner classes to master class. Nancy love introducing sketching and painting to new artists because it is a pleasure to see how surprised they are by their own talent. Teaching accomplished artists is particularly exciting because it allows help to help others find ways to keep their work fresh and evolving.

1. Barga afternoon tour with Ponte del Diavolo stop
2. Wine Tasting in local bio-dynamic winery
3. Puccini concert in a Romanesque church followed by 5 course dinner in Restaurant
4. Ceramic painting day with Katinka
5. Day trip to Portovenere and to Volterra
6. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
7. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner

The Light of Tuscany

with Alex Hillkurtz || 28 October - 07 November, 2020

At Villa Selva - Lucca

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. Painting instruction by ALEX
2. Day trip to Portovenere and to Cortona
3. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
4. Viareggio and Pietrasanta day Tour
5. Classical concert in a Romanesque church
6. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner
7. Pizza Party
8. Best Italian Food&Wine during entire stay

Healing Retreat

with best therapists,instructors and masseuse || 19 April - 30 April, 2021

At Villa Selva

One week 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 8-day courses its held at the beautiful Villa Selva , 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. Hatha Yoga course
4. Meditation
5. Private therapeutic session

ATELIER : Lucca

with Kat Ring || 01 May - 10 May, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

This course offers the opportunity for anyone who has ever wanted to try plein air painting in oils to do so, without having to purchase their own equipment or supplies. Intermediate and advanced painters are also welcome, of course, and instruction is catered to each participant’s needs. We will be painting daily, usually twice a day, depending on other activities on offer. Prepare to be challenged and rewarded by the wide variety of subjects which we will capture on our canvases. These will be well-thought out “responses” and “impressions”. I hand out notes of the most important concepts which I have gathered over years of studies with master painters in Europe and USA. We will work hard, but be pampered when we are not painting! Expect 10 inspiring, fun, and relaxing days in a beautiful setting with others who share similar passions.

1. Outstanding Italian food during entire stay with best local wines
2. Cooking lesson with Dr.Michelle (learning about Mediterranean diet)
3. Painting day trip to Portovenere
4. Wine Tasting in local bio-dynamic winery
5. Sketching day trip to San Gimignano
6. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner

Viva Italia! Viva Toscana!

with Nancy E.Thompson || 11 May - 21 May, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

Teaching art is a way of life for Nancy. She believe that anyone who wants to learn to paint, can do it. She teach all levels...beginner classes to master class. Nancy love introducing sketching and painting to new artists because it is a pleasure to see how surprised they are by their own talent. Teaching accomplished artists is particularly exciting because it allows help to help others find ways to keep their work fresh and evolving.

1. Barga afternoon tour with Ponte del Diavolo stop
2. Wine Tasting in local bio-dynamic winery
3. Puccini concert in a Romanesque church followed by 5 course dinner in Restaurant
4. Ceramic painting day with Katinka
5. Day trip to Portovenere and to Volterra
6. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
7. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner

Capturing the beauty of Tuscany

with Kim Minichiello || 22 May - 01 June, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

I’m thrilled to have the incredible opportunity to paint with you in the culturally rich area of Tuscany, where you will not only capture the feeling of this gorgeous environment in paint, but also experience the food, wine and history of this region, a real gem in Italy. Each day will include an instructional session and demonstration. I will guide you through the basics to get you started on our own journey of recording your surroundings whether it be in your own backyard or on your world travels.  Learn how to analyze the scene in front of you for the most appealing compositions. When sketching or painting outdoors en plein air, many find it to be intimidating because the surroundings can seem chaotic with an overwhelming amount of detail. I will show you how to simplify a scene breaking it down into basic large shapes. You will also learn proportion, fitting the scene on the page, and basics in one point and two point perspective. I will demonstrate to you how to get just the right amount of detail information needed with a pencil sketch, to allow you to go right to paint sketching more definition in watercolor.” I will also go over, color mixing, for example, how to get a variety of greens in a “mostly” green vista, the importance of paint viscosity working in watercolor, and mixing neutrals and grays. I will be working in a sketchbook as well as a larger format with watercolor paper en plein air. There will also be studio time allotted, to cover nuances of watercolor painting, help students finish work from daily outings, and for me to answer any questions or concerns you may have as you progress through the week. What better place to capture memories via sketching and painting than Tuscany!

1. Sketching and painting instruction by Kim
2. The best Italian food & wine during your entire stay
3. Excursions to Viareggio, Pietrasanta, Lucca, Barga, Volterra & Portovenere
4. Wine Tasting
5. Cooking lesson with personal chef
6. Puccini Concert in a Romanesque church with 8 course dinner
7. Pizza Party at villa

Urban Sketching Provence

with James Richards || 06 June - 16 June, 2021

At Villa Oliviers - Provance / South of France

Experience magical Provence: lavender, vineyards, olive trees, best food, wine, medieval villages, markets and sun-filled landscapes. You will discover why the region has been an inspiration for artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet. It will be a journey you will never forget! 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 of France.

1. French Cooking class with private Chef
2. A rapid course of urban sketching with James Richards
3. wine tastings
4. Day trip to Avignon and St Remy
5. The essence of French lifestyle in a beautiful, traditional villa

A call to Tuscany

with Vitaly Makarov || 29 June - 07 July, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

Join me in exclusive 10 day Plein Air workshop where I share with you my techniques and skills. All levels are welcome! I want you to understand the principle of work in painting. That is, the method in which direction one should go, think, see, develop. Art is not a set of recipes. This is a system. I will try to make you understand how you need in the future, after the workshop, to teach yourself. I will be very happy to share my experience with you. See you! Yours Vitaly Makarov.

1. INTENSIVE PAINTING INSTRUCTION BY VITALY
2. DAY TRIP TO COASTAL VILLAGE OF LERICI and TO SAN GIMIGNANO
3. COOKING LESSON WITH PERSONAL CHEF
4. OUTSTANDING ITALIAN FOOD DURING ENTIRE STAY WITH BEST LOCAL WINES
5. PAINTING IN PALAZZO PFANNER
6. PUCCINI CONCERT IN A ROMANESQUE CHURCH
7. BIO DYNAMIC WINE TASTING

Beautiful Tuscany

with Suzy Pal Powell || 09 July - 19 July, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

There is so much beauty that we sometimes miss. Just a ray of sun on a flower petal, or a bird sitting on the fence. We don’t’ have to paint a huge painting to convey the message. We will use a small-er format due to time and space, Using a watercolour paint or sketchbook, or small pieces of watercolour paper. We will be watching for that small beautiful picture to photo and put in our books or paper. You can also bring one to journal each day while in Italy. A wonderful way to remember the trip and memories!

1. Painting instruction by Suzy
2. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
3. Best Italian Food&Wine during entire stay
4. Day trips to San Gimignano and Portovenere
5. Classical concert in a Romanesque church

Healing Retreat

with best therapists,instructors and masseuse || 07 August - 14 August, 2021

At Villa Selva

One week 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 8-day courses its held at the beautiful Villa Selva , 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. Hatha Yoga course
4. Meditation
5. Private therapeutic session

Tuscan Adventure with Beverly Boren

with Beverly Boren || 16 August - 26 August, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

In this workshop I will focus on simplification, which is the best means of planning and transforming what you see in a paining. The overall objective is to show the vast range and flexibility of watercolor and to put emotion and conviction into painting by exploring, experimenting and developing the creativity of the individual. Painting on location has benefited me in many different ways throughout my career. Although it has its challenges, it is most rewarding. It will help you to simplify shapes, understand value, and develop brushstrokes that are full of energy. We will push to try new techniques, and then develop them into techniques you can call your own. Also in this workshop, I will show you a few pieces to the puzzle that will help you see drawing as part of the painting rather than a hurdle you need to over come before you put brush to paper. As we spend our time sketching/painting, I'll push you to think of how you can create your subject with as few lines and shapes as possible. There is one rule that I have learned to be especially true: "If you want to learn to paint, learn to draw."

1. Sketching instruction by Beverly
2. Best Italian Food & Wine during entire stay
3. Portovenere, San Gimignano, , Lucca, Viareggio, Pietrasanta tours
4. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef o Wine Tasting
5. Puccini Concert in a Romanesque church with dinner in restaurant
6. Glamorous Tuscan farewell dinner

The essence of the towns, villages and countryside of Tuscany

with Dottie Oatman || 02 September - 12 September, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

Dottie Oatman is fascinated by the serendipitous results that occur, when she paints with watercolors. In this 10 day all inclusive workshop you can watch and learn as he shows how to paint wonderful watercolor landscapes, and towns of Tuscany.

1. Barga afternoon tour with Ponte del Diavolo stop
2. Day trip to Portovenere and Volterra
3. Wine Tasting in local bio-dynamic winery
4. Puccini concert in a Romanesque church followed by 5 course dinner in Restaurant
5. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
6. Pizza Party with private Pizzaiolo

Discover Tuscany with a urban sketching master

with James Richards || 05 October - 15 October, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

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. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
3. Wine Tasting
4. Best Italian Food & Wine during entire stay
5. Portovenere, San Gimignano, Barga, Lucca, Viareggio, Pietrasanta tours
6. Puccini Concert in a Romanesque church with Glamorous Tuscan dinner

Discover Tuscany with a urban sketching master

with James Richards || 17 October - 27 October, 2021

At Villa Selva - Lucca

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. Cooking Lesson with personal Chef
3. Wine Tasting
4. Best Italian Food & Wine during entire stay
5. Portovenere, San Gimignano, Barga, Lucca, Viareggio, Pietrasanta tours
6. Puccini Concert in a Romanesque church with Glamorous Tuscan dinner