Summary

You will easily get into your creative flow, step out of your everyday hamster wheel, and simply enjoy and create. On this drawing and painting trip, you will learn to immerse yourself and focus on your drawings and paintings. You will also learn to work large, small, and in new ways, based on nature and also completely freely. Marina Buening, an experienced art lecturer at various universities, will be at your side with advice and assistance, tasks, inspiration, and valuable knowledge. This art trip focuses on drawing and painting: learning to draw, learning drawing techniques, and working with color in drawings. We will also paint with watercolors and acrylics.

We will deal with specific drawing techniques such as sketching from nature, but we will also draw and paint freely and integrate both. The small group size means that you will be accompanied in your very personal process, so that you can find your artistic expression and leave your comfort zone, but also discover your personal style and preferences.
The former monastery of Sant'Andrea in Collevecchio is a very special place to hold the course, with the old cells serving as single or twin rooms with a shared dining room, a charming, shady courtyard, an outdoor terrace, and a large chapel that now serves as a course room or studio! It is nestled in a hilly landscape with wonderful views of the Tiber Valley, olive groves, and the village.

The retreat at a glance

The most important facts in a nutshell:

Categories: Monastery Retreats, Watercolor painting, Drawing, Painting, Creative Retreats, Detox Retreats
Date: May | Jun
Language(s): English, German
Level: Advanced, Beginner
Group Size: 11
Place: Collevecchio, Italy
Accommodation: not included
Catering: Full board
Types of food: Organic, Vegetarian
Services: Free use of the village swimming pool 500m away

Large park-like garden with mature trees, reserved especially for us

Wonderful old chapel as a studio space

Fun and inspiring activities for when you're at home

Small group size (12 people max.)

Drawing and painting course, including materials, 6 days, 6 hours per day

Short trips to the surrounding area

Transfer from Collevecchio train station

Highly personalized support from the course instructor

Delicious Mediterranean vegetarian food

Best view in beautiful countryside

Opportunity to try out many different painting and drawing materials

Accommodation in small single rooms while supplies last

Old monastery complex with a special charm, kept simple

Accommodation

A former monastery, Sant'Andrea in Collevecchio, serves as the course venue, with the old cells converted into single or twin rooms with a shared dining room, a charming, shaded courtyard, an outdoor terrace, and a large chapel that now serves as a course room or studio.

If we get too hot during the creative process, we go to the nearby village pool. Participants stay in the monastery in the former monastery cells. For this reason, there are a few single rooms without private bathrooms and therefore without a surcharge. A surcharge is required for single occupancy of double rooms, as well as for single rooms with bathrooms.

All rooms are lovingly but very simply furnished. Important: May course: As this course is one day shorter, meals cost only €600. July course: Accommodation and meals are to be paid directly to the monastery and cost €695.

Catering

We will be catered for and pampered on site. Always with fresh produce from local producers, where possible. Meals are always freshly prepared for us by a professional chef, vegetarian and mostly organic. The cuisine is light and delicious, based on the principles of Mediterranean cooking. No wishes will be left unfulfilled. Meals are included in the price of accommodation! Meals are included in the price for the monastery (€695), but not in the course price!

sequence

The art course lasts 6 hours per day under the professional guidance of artist and art lecturer Marina Buening: Six days (the dates always refer to the arrival and departure days). We work for 3 hours in the morning and then for another 3 hours after a longer lunch break. In the morning, we plan the day and describe and explain the tasks for the day. In the afternoon, you continue to work intensively on your own projects with the support of the course instructor.

During the course, we also go on short excursions and walks. Here you can draw and get to know the surroundings. We will start with drawing to warm up and gain confidence, and then move on to larger projects. Then we will slowly introduce color and also use painting techniques. We will paint with both watercolors and acrylics. However, there will also be completely free exercises where you will paint or draw more abstractly, even using unusual tools. This mixture of working from nature and free work helps you to discover completely new dimensions and step outside your comfort zone. Each individual will receive very personalized support, which is why it is also possible for advanced students to participate. Please note that arrival and departure are on Sunday.

Arrival

The best way to travel from Germany is by plane. From Fiumicino, the airport, there is a train that goes directly to Collevecchio. From Ciampino it is a little more complicated, but there is also the possibility to catch this train. Of course, it is also possible to travel by car or train. More information will be provided after registration. We will pick you up from Collevecchio station. Collevecchio is about 70 km north of Rome. You could also combine your stay with a trip to Rome. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Via dei Cappuccini 18, 02042 Collevecchio, Latium, Italy

Cancellation policy

If you cancel up to 60 days before arrival, you will receive a 80% refund of the booking price.
After this, the booking is non-refundable.

The early bird price of €680.00 is valid until March 31, after which the course costs €780.00. Accommodation and meals cost €695.
The July course: The price is the early bird price. You save €100 if you register by May 15, 2025! That means €680 for the course instead of €780 if you register after that date! Accommodation and meals cost €695.00 and are to be paid directly to the monastery.