Italy Painting Workshop & Art Retreat

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Italy

SEPTEMBER 19 – 26, 2025 – Reserve your spot today!

Local cuisine and wines served

Imagine waking up to an Italian breakfast, accompanied by coffee or cappuccino, where everything is taken care of so you can fully enjoy your painting experience. After working up an appetite, enjoy a leisurely lunch Al Fresco with homemade soup, salad, bread, and cheeses from the local farm, along with fresh fruit. Later, after an outing, painting, or rest, savor a full Italian dinner with primi and secondi courses. All meals are prepared and served fresh daily, using local ingredients, and special dietary needs are accommodated.

Painting is convenient at the Private Villa and Studio

You’ll paint the views from the ease and comfort of the studio or in a perfect spot on the extensive grounds. Gain mastery while expressing the exquisite light and expressive colors native to Italy. Not a landscape painter? No problem. There are many aspects of painting to explore.

Venture out and Explore the Region

The private villa is conveniently located just 1 1/2 hours from Rome’s airport at the intersection of Lazio, Umbria, and Tuscany. Make the most of your Italian holiday by exploring Renaissance Art, ancient Etruscan historic sites, and other regional attractions. Tarquinia is a short drive. The villa is situated on the outskirts of the medieval village of Farnese, which boasts numerous intriguing points of interest and excellent restaurants. Visit the wineries and olive presses, or relax at one of the many natural hot springs.

Each attendee’s experience will be optimized. Internationally recognized artist Jill Harrington Nichols will help you refine your skills.

Your internationally acclaimed instructor, Jill Harrington Nichols, MFA, leads painting workshops in her home state of Connecticut, as well as in Italy, France, and online. Accustomed to teaching students at all levels, Jill has a way of instilling confidence and encouraging students to take risks, resulting in exceptional outcomes. Jill will share tips on creating a successful painting through demos, talks, and individual attention, customized to your needs, while investigating historical and contemporary approaches to painting. Paint in the medium of your choice, including oils, acrylics, watercolors, gouache, and pastels.

She has received awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, and the 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.

You will be sure to bring home remarkable memories and paintings!

At left, print of “Phi” in the Vatican Observatory. At right, Jill with her painting, “Phi”, and the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Brother Guy. An optional tour of the Vatican Observatory, featuring Jill’s artwork and the Palace in Castel Gandolfo, is available—details will be provided.

“A once in a life-time trip.”  

Claudia H

Find out more by filling out this form.

“Italy was a fabulous experience, and I would highly recommend it.”  

Rita P

A few of the sights nearby!

You can book your flight into Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy. Round-trip transportation will be provided on Friday afternoon, September 19th, at 2 pm to the villa and back to Fiumicino on Friday, September 26th, for an additional $250 fee*. Other options include car rental, a private car for $500, or carpooling. It is a 1.5-hour drive north of the airport, and renting a car is a convenient and recommended option if you want to venture out and explore independently. The process is straightforward, requiring only your driver’s license, and driving is on the same side as in the United States. The trip to the villa is a straightforward drive. *Please coordinate your flights with Jill before your travel. This fee includes group transportation during the workshop.

“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

Note that airfare is not included.

Daily Snapshot

• Paint the sunrise (optional) -This will be a quiet time for 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.
• Various oil paints will be available.
• The demos will be in oil and watercolor/gouache paints. Assistance with any medium, such as watercolors, acrylics, casein, gouache, multi-media, and pastels.
• After registration, you will receive the details. Below is a link to various suggested materials curated by Jill.

FAQ

I’m traveling alone. Is anyone else? This retreat is an excellent opportunity to meet and make new friends, offering a friendly and welcoming environment for solo travelers. Attendees will be introduced to one another via email before travel.

What is your teaching style? Jill will work one-on-one with students, hold a few demonstrations, and review color, composition, perspective, overlapping, and often-overlooked aspects, sharing her insights into what goes into a successful painting.

Is the Studio at the Villa? The studio is 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 eight spectacular days.

Do you know if I need a European Travel Visa? The EU, which includes Italy, has delayed the need for Americans to apply for visas until later this year or 2026 due to technical difficulties. If it comes into effect, all travelers, regardless of age, will be required to have a separate and approved ETIAS to travel to the European Union. However, individuals under 18 or over 70 are exempt from paying the €7 processing fee. There is a small processing fee, so be sure you’re at the legitimate site. We will watch the situation and provide you with up-to-date info.

U.S. State Department

ETIAS Visa Information

Where is it in Italy? 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:

goo.gl/maps/321sS6t1PPN2

Jill’s Farnese, Italy Paintings

Thank you to Williamsburg Oils for supplying Quality Oil Paints

Ask Jill