Watercolor Art Retreat at Rignana Estate, Tuscany, Italy

Join me for an unforgettable art retreat in Italy.

• 2 - 9 October 2027
• 8 days from €3,195 per person
• Small group (12-14 students)

Fill a sketchbook with the colours of a Tuscan autumn — golden vines tumbling across hillsides, ancient stone glowing in the October light, olive groves heavy with harvest, and the kind of beauty that stops you mid-sentence. Leave with loose, vibrant sketches that capture not just what you saw, but how it felt to be there.

I feel so much more comfortable sketching on location which is adding so much joy to my life. I can’t recommend Renee's classes and retreats highly enough.

Rignana Estate sits at the end of a winding white road in the heart of Chianti — 150 acres of vineyards, olive groves, and working farmland where alpacas graze in the fields, bees tend their hives, and farm-fresh meals appear on the table as if by magic. There's no need to rush anywhere. The subjects come to you: a shaft of light across the chapel wall, a chicken wandering through the garden, the long blue shadows of late afternoon stretching across the stone.

This is a place to slow down, look closely, and paint.

What we'll sketch: the estate and beyond

The beauty of Rignana is that there's no need to go far.

• Much of our painting will happen right on the estate — in the gardens, the olive groves, the vineyard rows, the sun-warmed courtyards, and quiet corners of the estate that reveal something new each time you look. The chapel, the animals, the play of autumn light across ancient stone — there is more here than a week can hold.
• For those who'd like to stretch their legs, the surrounding Chianti landscape is within easy reach — rolling hills, cypress-lined tracks, and the timeless Tuscan countryside that has been inspiring artists for centuries.
• We'll make a special excursion to Badia di Passignano Monastery, home to a remarkable Last Supper fresco by Ghirlandaio. Inspired by the masters, we will sketch quietly in the cloisters.
• And for those who'd like a day in Florence — just twenty minutes away — we'll make a trip into one of the world's great art cities to sketch in its piazzas, markets, and hidden corners.
• The Florence day is optional. You’re welcome to stay at home, slow down, work on a project you've been developing, or simply find a corner of the estate with good light and spend the day lost in it.

We paint OUTSIDE – that's where the magic happens

This is about capturing life as it unfolds in real time. Our focus is plein air sketching in pen and watercolour — setting up in the garden as the morning light hits the stone, finding a spot among the olive trees, or simply stopping wherever something catches your eye and putting it down in your sketchbook before the moment passes.

In an encouraging atmosphere, with plenty of laughter, perhaps a glass of Rignana's own wine in hand, and all the practical details taken care of, I promise you'll leave Tuscany with a sketchbook bursting with memories and the confidence to paint anywhere, anytime.

Our studio is the estate's renaissance chapel — one of the most extraordinary spaces you could ever hope to paint in. Between outdoor sessions, we gather here for demonstrations, skills practice, and one-on-one guidance on your individual work. It's a place that makes you want to linger.

And the estate itself never stops offering. A new angle of light, a different corner of the garden, the alpacas in the afternoon field — Rignana has a way of making sure you're never short of something worth sketching.

What makes this retreat special: personal instruction in an extraordinary setting

Small group sizes mean I have ample time to help each person every day. You'll receive:

• Daily one-on-one feedback tailored to your level and goals
• Step-by-step demonstrations showing my process and decisions
• Personal guidance on color, composition, and perspective
• Encouragement to be brave and try things outside your comfort zone

By the end of our time together, you'll be the artist who never travels without a sketchbook.

Renee is a phenomenal teacher and artist! She explains techniques and fundamentals for sketching and painting in such an understandable and applicable way. When painting, she also gives wonderful encouragement and tips to help you not only feel confident in your work, but also push you to be brave. Working with her is absolutely the best. Renee is friendly, knowledgeable, kind, and so incredibly talented.

Everything taken care of

Alessandra and Martino welcome you to Rignana Estate, their home, which they have opened to a small circle of guests to share their enduring love of art, cuisine, history, nature and Italy.

Cost includes - pretty much everything!

What's included...

• Teaching instruction every day: group and one-to-one tuition outside or in the studio in the form of demonstrations and individual feedback.
• Luxury accommodation
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner (minus one dinner as we recommend you go to Cantinetta di Rignana, a famous country restaurant a 10 minute walk away).
  Authentic Tuscan meals are prepared by Alessandra using organic ingredients from Rignana Estate’s garden and trusted local producers. Guests enjoy seasonal, farm-to-table dishes alongside organic wine, olive oil, fresh eggs, and honey produced on-site, all in the spirit of the Slow Food movement, where quality, tradition, and natural flavours come together.
• Transfers to and from Florence airport
• Daily aperitivo & a pizza making experience
• Infinity pool & tennis court
• Wifi, laundry facilities and use of a kitchen

What is not included...

• Airfare and travel insurance
• Art materials. You won't need much and a materials list will be sent out a few months before the retreat.
• Wine Tours
• City tax (€2.50 per person per day to be paid in cash on arrival)

What you'll learn: watercolour skills that travel with you

This retreat welcomes watercolour enthusiasts of all levels – whether you're a complete beginner or have experience but want to grow your confidence painting on location.

Core skills you'll develop:

• How to become confident painting en plein air with minimal materials
• How to choose what scene to paint (when everything is so beautiful!)
• Working with a limited watercolour palette for harmony and cohesiveness
• Understanding perspective in the context of medieval architecture
• Capturing the warm Italian light, shadow, and atmosphere quickly
• Creating loose, expressive sketches that capture the feeling of a place
• How to develop your sketches into full studio paintings
• Building a visual travel journal that reflects your personality and that you'll treasure forever

Beyond technique:

Art retreats are about more than improving your painting skills. There's a magic that happens – a combination of shared meals, laughter, painting excursions with like-minded people, and unforgettable moments both in your sketchbook and around the table. The supportive creative community, and the beauty surrounding you create a sense of connection that makes friendships feel like they'll last a lifetime.

Want to see my teaching style in action? Here's a full painting demo from a previous art retreat...

I'm passionate about travel sketching

For 18 years, I've never traveled anywhere without a sketchbook. What started as a side hobby on a climbing trip to Spain and France completely transformed how I experience the world. Now I have a massive stack of sketchbooks filled with priceless memories – villages, landscapes, flowers, food, people, and little notes that transport me straight back to those moments.

Since 2007, I've spent about 6 months a year in Europe and now I live in Spain, and sketching outside has immersed me in places in ways I never could have imagined. It's created vivid memories and allowed me to meet so many locals I wouldn't have encountered otherwise.

I've been teaching watercolor since 2017. My approach is simple: I want to make you braver. Whether you're nervous about painting in public, unsure about color mixing, or intimidated by perspective, I'll guide you through it with patience, encouragement, and practical demonstrations. By the end of our time together, you'll be the artist who never travels without a sketchbook.

Frequently asked questions

What level of experience do I need?
All levels welcome! Whether you're a complete beginner or experienced painter, you'll receive personalized guidance suited to your skill level.

What's the weather like in Tuscany early October?
Temperatures typically range from 15-22°C (59-72°F). The combination of pleasant temperatures, beautiful autumn light, fewer tourists, and the golden harvest season landscape makes early October an lovely time for plein air painting in Tuscany. We'll have our beautiful studio to paint in if we have any showery days.

Where is Rignana Estate & how do I get there?
An 150-acre olive and wine estate in Chianti, Tuscany. Just 40 minutes from Florence, 50 minutes from Florence airport and 15 minutes from the charming towns of Greve and Panzano.

• By Air to Florence: Florence Airport (Peretola) is the closest airport to Rignana Estate. We arrange transfers to and from the estate to Florence Airport.
• By Air to Pisa: Alternatively, you can fly into Pisa International Airport. From Pisa, you can connect to Florence by bus, train, or taxi.
• By Car: Renting a car is the most convenient way to reach Rignana Estate. From Florence, the drive takes approximately 40 minutes. Alternatively, we can help arrange a taxi or minibus service for you.

Can I bring a partner?
Yes, We encourage you to bring partners and family members. There are many activities for them during the workshop sessions. They can relax by the pool, play tennis, hike through the surrounding countryside, explore nearby towns, or enjoy wine tastings at neighbouring vineyards. One of the local highlights is the Badia a Passignano Monastery, located just 3 km away. It houses Ghirlandaio’s renowned Last Supper, and visits include a guided tour led by a resident monk.

What watercolor supplies do I need to bring?
A detailed supply list will be provided upon booking. We focus on painting with minimal, portable materials – perfect for travel sketching.

What animals live on the estate?
An animal sanctuary, horses, 2 alpacas, a dog, turkeys, chickens and bunnies.

What if I've never painted en plein air before?
Great! This is the perfect place to start :-) I'll teach you everything you need to know to feel confident painting on location.