Pienza, Italy
Join LightScapes Studio on our travels to Pienza, Italy, for a Plein-Air painting retreat from June 2-9, 2025. The focus of this trip will be to enrich your artistic, and creative abilities on an individual basis in a culturally enriched environment. Our exciting, artistic journey will take place in the peaceful, breathtaking surroundings of the Relais il Chiostro, tucked away on the hilltop town of Pienza in southern Tuscany.
The Relais Chiostro di Pienza is a former Franciscan Convent dating back to the 13th century, located in an enviable position, in the center of the magnificent hamlet of Pienza-the heart of the Val d’Orcia. The Relais, in addition is the charm of antiquity all the history which has literally “passed” through its rooms, hides a wonderful surprise: the panoramic terrace with a garden set in the romantic Sienese hills of southern Tuscany.
All accommodations will be provided, including lodging in a private wing of the monastery with an ensuite in every room and every room will have a view of the famous Val d’Orcia. All breakfasts along with two dinners are included. As you arrive driven to our quaint Village via your orivate chauffer I will have you all settle in your gorgoues rooms freshen up and then out on the town for a passigiato to familiarize your barriers and take the grande tour with me as your guide. I have also organized a four course meal you will never forgetWe will have a day excursion to Montepulciano an authentic artigliano village you will remember for a lifetime. All local artists will be selling one of a kind treasures in their studio’s so if you want to bring home unique gifts you will not find anywhere in Italy. Today is your opportunity to enjoy a savory meal at any of the local restaurants all serving wines made right here in Val d’Orcia. We will tour the Cantina De Ricci and tour the wine cellar dating back to 1337 we will enjoy our wine tasting and tour of their Medieval tradition. Next on our agenda is our mini workshop on our retreat to Podere Il Casale where we will spend the entire day sketching painting and photographing. This is an exclusive organic farm established over 30 years ago, true farm to table experience and we will be taking a magnificent pasta cooking class all together. We will not only learn how to make three unique pastas tipical of the region in tuscana but we will together prepare and cook all the special sauces to finish off our yummy pranzo. This experience is priceless and so educational we prepare everything for the after our delicious meal, share homemade wine and paint the romantic landscape of their breathtaking tuscan farm among the cypress trees of Val Orcia.
You will be able to loan our exclusive light weight New Wave Plein-Air Pochade box an exclusive asset to painting in Europe. You will receive a detailed supply list of all necessary art supplies for you to bring will be shared with you to enhance your successful PleinAir experience in Pienza Italy. Feel free to click the house icon below it will take you directly to the bed and breakfast we will be staying in.
Remember I teach all artistic levels and as always welcome everyone. There are so many activities for non-artist to participate in at one of the most breathtaking Hilltop Villages in Tuscan. Your Itinerary will highlight all our daily activities some are as follows learning the proper perspective of rendering their quaint romantic doorways and then using media of choose follow my lesson to use color theory to create depth. Wake up pre-dawn to study the beauty of our morning light and capture this experence together before the town even wakes up. Painting the entire vista of Val d’Orcia at sunset with chalk pastels some mixed media urban sketching with fine pens and microns. These are just some of the lovely experiences we will share with eachother forever.
There will be a $500 refundable deposit when you book now in order to secure your spot. I will contact you to discuss additional payments after the deposit is received. There are only two rooms left so get booking!
