Painting Holiday Italy - The Retreat -

Rhonda A

My cousin and I were interested in a watercolor workshop/holiday. When I ran across Painting Holiday Italy, it sounded perfect. Having never been to Cinque Terre, we chose to join them at that location and it did not disappoint. Each town offered quaint streets and architecture, all within minutes by train.

The experience was everything we'd hoped for and I was thrilled over the kind, patient instruction we received, including perspective, values and the strength of washes. John has a great personality and is simply fun to be around, as were all of our classmates. The Hotel Villa Adriana is comfortable, well located and was a joy to return to after a long day of painting and exploring. John and Jana have networked with local restaurants wherever we planned to be, assuring that restrooms and refreshments were always in close proximity. We traveled each day to a different location to sketch, paint and just soak in the beauty.

What impressed me the most is the aftercare we received upon returning home. Despite what must surely be an exhausting schedule, John offers additional classes over Zoom if you want to participate, which left us feeling connected and motivated. I hope to return next year!
Date of experience: May 2024

theunraveler

I did the Florence watercolour painting with John, the place where we stay is in a 16th century monastery that was converted to a hotel type residence. Pretty cool and unusual and it is still used by the Oblate sisters so expect lots of prayers and nuns about. The course was designed to give beginners a start in water color painting. John is very knowledgeable and patient. On top of the painting, we get a tour of Florence and its history as well

Ephraim Wechsler

The Painting, Cooking and Yoga course at the Retreat was a real TREAT.

Upon my retirement, I picked up painting using oil and acrylic paints to produce large abstract paintings. Looking for a medium to be easily used while traveling led to me to consider watercolors.

The Retreat came up in a web search. I was attracted by its remote location. The unspoiled hill towns and the open vistas in the Marche seemed to offer a terrific setting for outdoors watercolor painting. The Marche and the Retreat have exceeded my expectations.

Outdoor painting is in John’s DNA. He is a terrific teacher who enjoys sharing his theory on outdoors painting and the effective use of watercolors. His painting demonstrations have provided me the foundations needed to pursue the newly chosen medium.

The Retreat is a renovated farmhouse that offers modest but authentic country environment to relax, to learn and to enjoy Jana’s backing and cooking, as well as the local wine. The atmosphere created by the family and their numerous pets made it difficult to leave

Jinnah Moorfield

This painting holiday experience was nothing like that portrayed on The Retreat web site. The accommodation in a 2 star "renovated" farmhouse was so far removed from luxury it was ridiculous.the squeaky bed came complete with hard mattress, the linen was old and washed out and the shower had no soap holder and little water spray that went cold while you were showering if someone used the water elsewhere. For this I was charged sole use rate when sharing with non painting partner... So much for non painter discount. Beware this is highly deceptive web site even to the fact that the teacher showed no evidence of a style that is close to the bright painting displayed on the site and which attracted me to spending £2,100 for 7 nights it is totally overpriced and second rate.

Arwen

is this an art gallery showcasing paintings of Italy during WW2?