Italy Painting Workshop & Art Retreat
Live the Dream – Paint in the Heart of Italy
SEPTEMBER 19 – 26, 2025 – Reserve your spot today!
Capture the 360-degree views of Italy’s sea, fields, and hills. All from the ease and comfort of a grand villa, atelier, and extensive grounds. Conveniently located just 1 1/2 hours from the Rome airport at the border of Tuscany and Umbria. Gain mastery while expressing the exquisite light and expressive colors native to Italy.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Italy in your private villa.
Find the perfect spot in the art studio or among the olive groves to paint. Not a landscape painter? No problem. We can find other fun painting lessons – such as color, composition, or customized to your needs.
Everything is convenient at the villa.
Rest in the comfort of the well-appointed rooms. Savor the sumptuous local cuisine prepared fresh for you daily. Discuss painting and art with new friends under the stars. Unwind in one of the several comfortable living spaces in the spacious villa. The art retreat is designed to allow you to fully relax and expand while experiencing exhilarating outings and valuable lessons in painting.
Venture out and explore the Maremma Region.
It’s not all about painting. You can make the most of your painting vacation and go exploring. Take in Renaissance Art, ancient Etruscan historic sites, and other regional interests. The villa is on the outskirts of the medieval village of Farnese which has many intriguing points of interest and restaurants. Visit the wineries, olive presses, or for a little pampering head to one of the many natural hot springs.
“Italy was a fabulous experience, and I would highly recommend it.”
Rita P 2023
The private villa is located at the intersection of the fertile ground of Lazio, Umbria, and Tuscany, abundant with olive groves. You will be sure to bring home amazing memories and paintings!
Each attendee’s experience will be optimized. Internationally recognized artist, Jill Nichols will assist you in honing your skills.
Your internationally acclaimed instructor Jill Harrington Nichols, MFA, leads painting workshops in her home state of Connecticut, USA, Italy, and online. Accustomed to teaching students at all levels, Jill has a way of instilling confidence and encouraging students to take risks with exceptional outcomes. Jill’s demos and talks will reveal the secrets of creating a successful painting.
She has received awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, and Connecticut Office of the Arts. Her commissioned painting of Washington D.C. was a backdrop for former FBI Director James Comey’s interview on “Face the Nation”, while another appeared on a mini-series, “The Comey Rule”. Her artworks Phi, and Juno, which embrace the divine feminine are installed in the Vatican Observatory Museum.
Jill will work with each painter individually to enhance their painting practice to achieve individual goals. We will investigate historical and contemporary approaches to painting techniques.
Live the Dream – Register Today!
Paint, relax, and discover Italy – All-inclusive
September 19 – 26, 2025
All-inclusive 8 Days – 7 nights accommodations
5 days of instruction, all levels, beginner to advanced
6 days of fresh local cuisine & regional wine
Painter $3450.
Non Painting Companion, $1975.
Deposit of $500. holds your spot-refundable until March 31, 2025
Full payment is due by July 19, 2025.
Figs picked from the villa property.
“The week in Farnese as part of the workshop filled our senses and left an edible mark that won’t be soon forgotten. From the early morning meditation walks, the tantalizing and delectable freshly cooked local cuisine, the wonderful company of newfound friendships, to the wealth of knowledge and craft shared by an outstanding mentor and teacher – it was pure Italian and artistic perfection!”
Cindy M
A few of the sights nearby!
Please note that transportation for arrival on September 19th Friday afternoon and departure on September 26th between the villa and Fiumicino Airport, Rome is provided*. Pick-up time is 2 pm at FCO airport on September 19th and departure time is noon on Friday, September 26th. Other times can be arranged at $500. per person. It is a 1.5-hour drive north of the airport and renting a car is an easy option. *A fee of $250. per party, roundtrip applies, including group transportation during the workshop. Register by Feb 3, 2025, to waive this fee. A tour of the Vatican Observatory to view Jill’s artwork, the Papal Gardens, and the Palace in Castel Gandolfo is available to Jill’s Workshop participants at an additional fee—details to be provided.
Note that airfare is not included. A rental car is recommended.
At left, print “Phi” in the Vatican Observatory. At right, Jill Nichols with her painting, “Phi”, and the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Brother Guy.
Find out more!
Find out more about the Italy Workshop and Retreat by filling out this simple form.
Daily Snapshot
- Paint the sunrise (optional) -this will be a quiet time of painting without instruction
- Breakfast, in the Italian style of sweet and savory
- A moment of quiet reflection and walking meditation to ease the mind and focus
- Morning immersed in painting
- Lunch served
- Rest, relaxation, and revitalization
- Capture the Italian landscape bathed in the late afternoon light, go on an outing, or take a siesta
- Savor a sumptuous dinner, abundant with the region’s fresh flavors
A complete updated list of suggested materials will be provided upon registration
- Canvas and solvent will be provided.
- A variety of paints will be at your disposal for experimenting with subtle temperature/value shifts.
- The demos will be in oil and watercolor/gouache paints. All other mediums are fine, such as watercolors, acrylics, caseins, gouache, multi-media, and pastels.
- A list of suggested colors and other materials and travel tips will be provided after registration. Below is a link to various suggested materials curated by Jill.
FAQ
How do I get there?
Book your flight into Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy – round trip transportation will be provided on Friday afternoon September, 19th to the villa and return to Fiumicino on Friday, September 26th for an additional $250. fee. Other options include car rental, a private car for $500., or carpooling. Please coordinate this with Jill before your travel. We recommend renting a car, which is very simple to do with your driver’s license. The trip to the villa is a straightforward drive. Driving is on the same side as in America.
Note that air transportation costs are not included.
I’m traveling alone, is anyone else?
This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to meet and make new friends and it offers a friendly and welcoming environment for the solo traveler. We will introduce the workshop attendees to each other via email previous to travel.
What is your teaching style? Jill will work one-on-one with students and will hold a few demos and talks that will review color, composition, perspective, overlapping, and often overlooked aspects, and her own insights into what goes into a successful painting.
Is the Studio at the Villa? The studio is only a short walk across the courtyard from the main house. The grounds and views are extensive and surrounded by olive groves. Some photos above will give you an idea of where you will spend 8 spectacular days.
Where is Italy is it? An hour and a half north of the Rome airport (FCO), on the outskirts of the medieval village of Farnese, VT. Here is the link to Google Maps so you can see exactly where it is:
Jill’s Farnese, Italy Paintings and Demos
Ask Jill
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