Get Ready for So Much Joy!

If you are anything like me, whenever you're considering a new adventure, you want to know ALL the details before making a decision! So here is a sample of the schedule of the things that we will be doing. This will include 7-8 painting sessions (3-4 and 2-3 excursions away from the venue.

We don’t want to stressfully fill our days but rather paint joyfully and have exciting adventures and rest. So because of that, we will have a certain amount of flexibility with this and many of the things on the list can be decided on by the group as we get closer to it. I'm excited! Are you getting excited?

***This is an example schedule - things may be changed around or additions and subtractions made based on availability of excursions, transportation, etc.***

Sunday
Afternoon: Arrive at the Brindisi airport and prepare for the transfer to the venue. There will be only one transfer included in the retreat costs but if you need another time, that can be arranged ahead of time with the venue on your own or you can get an airport taxi. After arriving and settling into our rooms, we will enjoy a tour of the history of the venue with some free time until dinner. We’ll get to know each other and share what we hope to learn during the week.

After a lovely dinner, take a 15 minute walk to the Mediterranean sea (and possible swim), a relaxing option if you would like to take it.

Monday
Morning: Enjoy a delicious breakfast before we dive into our painting class for the morning. Class: We will learn and play with basic watercolor techniques, such as color swatching and color mixing (avoiding muddy colors and using complimentary colors) and create a paint consistency scale and a value scale. As time allows, we will practice some basic flower shapes with a reference photos or worksheet. Free time until lunch.

Afternoon: Practice painting loose florals using the following techniques: Wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry for 1 layered flowers and also using 2-3 layers to give depth to your flowers. We may also use reference photos. Free time until lunch.

Tuesday
Morning: Enjoy a delicious breakfast before we dive into our full day of excursions.
Schedule: We will head out to Torre Guaceto, a center for the rehabilitation of sea turtles. We'll experience a guided tour of the area, as well as experience how they take care of the turtles. We'll eat our packed lunches on the beach before heading to our next destination.

Afternoon: We will drive to the city of Lecce, a historical area with lots of local shops to find the perfect gift for your loved ones. Dinner is on your own before heading back to the venue.

Wednesday
Morning: Have a scrumptious breakfast and chat with new friends before starting our morning class.
Class: Practice sketching basic shapes and objects of a landscape to get familiar with placement and composition. We'll practice watercolor textures and then add on washes of color and details to complete your painting. Free time until lunch.  

Afternoon: Walk and bike to the beach (15 min walk, 5 minute bike ride) and paint on location (bring basic kit, beach towel). Will work on the various layers of paint used to create depth and interest in the painting, as well as the the usage of texture. Let’s take a swim after! Free time until dinner.

Thursday
Morning: Have an energy-packed breakfast and share experiences with your new friends before class starts.
Class: We'll be learning how to do some basic floral sketching, using some drawing sheets. Sketch on watercolor paper so you can go in and add watercolor over the top. We'll do as many as time allows.

Afternoon: We will embark on our journey to an olive oil tasting, where we'll enjoy a variety of oil flavors as we learn about the interesting process of making the oil itself.

Friday
Morning: Enjoy a delicious and filling Italian breakfast to energize us for our day.
Class:  Learn how to take a reference photo with your phone to frame a balanced composition. We will sketch and paint on the grounds so choose an object, floral, or plant you would like to create and  bring it to life. I will guide you through your experience as you need help and have questions. Free time until dinner.

Afternoon: We will practice sketching/painting leaf shapes. Then we'll paint a full watercolor floral bouquet with a reference photo. If time allows, you will free paint your own watercolor bouquet to further practice your skills

During free time: OPTIONAL 15 minute bike ride to the Salina Monaci lake with natural flamingos to paint on location (bring basic kit if you'de like).

Saturday
Morning and afternoon: Our painting classes will be finished and for your last day in Italy, we will focus on relaxation and soaking up our environment. Saturdays are personally my Sabbath day of rest and I will be looking forward to relaxing and appreciating nature :)

What’s included in this day: If you choose to stay at the venue, all meals will be served to you that day. One of the scheduled events will be learning how to make fresh pasta at the venue. Some other options to consider doing include: Walking or biking to the lake or swimming in the sea, quality time with friends or on your own, going on an excursion of your choice which you would book on your own (not included in the cost) or staying in and painting, etc.

Sunday
We will eat brunch together, reserving the earlier morning for restful activities of your choice, an impromtu painting session, or something else. We will then pack up and head out to the airport around 12 PM to catch the 3 PM flight! There will be only one transfer included in the retreat costs but if you need another time, that can be arranged ahead of time with the venue on your own.

***Excursions and schedule may be subject to change, depending on availability as we get closer to the trip.***

Airport and Transfers

Venue Accommodations