
Workshop Overview
Dates: 5-11 November 2026
Price: From €2140 - €2990
Includes: 22% VAT, 5 days tuition, 6 nights accommodation, all meals & drinks (including wine), evening events, transfers, solvents & easels
Non-Participating Partner: €790
Location: Villa Fontallorso
Medium: Oil Painting
Class size: 18
Painting Experience: All Levels Welcome
Languages: English (Lo also speaks Mandarin)
Se avete bisogno di una traduzione in Italiano, inviaci una e-mail
Payment plans available ♥
email info@artescapeitaly.com
Workshop Description
Layered Moments in Tuscany: A Dialogue of Art and Life with Lo Chan Peng
At Villa Fontallorso, this experience goes beyond the pursuit of a perfect portrait.
We invite you to a week-long retreat: a rare chance to step away from the noise of daily life and enter the creative world of Lo Chan Peng. As the Grand Prize Winner of the 2023 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, Lo will share his "Pixel Glazing" system. This is a technique that blends the wisdom of old masters with contemporary vision; it is a system of flow, focus, and deep observation.
In an age of constant distraction, painting becomes a way to reclaim your focus. Throughout the week, you will see how "Pixel Glazing" deconstructs reality. Working from photographic references, we will paint a portrait using multiple layers of transparent color throughout the week, creating luminous skin texture and a life-like portrait with depth and expression. We will capture more than just the texture of skin; we capture the passage of time and the weight of life.
Lo Chan Peng’s perspective on oil painting is built on both technical mastery and a deep integration of Eastern and Western philosophies. These insights, shaped by his own life journey, will flow naturally through stories during the sessions, turning the act of painting into a way of experiencing the world.
By day, we work at the canvas.
By evening, we gather to share wine and conversation, discussing decisions, creativity, and life experiences from our respective professional worlds.
For some, this is a journey to refine a craft.
For others, it is a process of resetting the rhythm of life and shifting one's mental framework.
Beyond the demonstrations and one-on-one guidance, one of the most valuable part of this gathering is the dialogue. On top of a hillin Tuscany, in the middle of the woods, over fine wine and local cuisine, we talk about art, but also about architecture, investment, philosophy, and living well. This is a space for minds to meet. You may find that an artist's way of seeing offers unexpected clarity for your own professional path.
Workshop Highlights
• Complete Immersion: Stay at Villa Fontallorso with all-inclusive dining and local wine.
• Meaningful Connection: Share life insights with Lo and other accomplished participants during our time together.
• Personalized Guidance: Limited to 18 participants to ensure deep, focused interaction.
• Timeless Technique: Learn to bring the soul of the old masters into a modern context.
Whether you are looking to master a craft or find new aesthetic inspiration, there are no rigid rules here: only the exploration and practice of beauty.
Retreat Details
During this all-inclusive art workshop, meals will be home-cooked by our wonderful Chef Giovanna, and eaten together in our large dining room, or outside with a panoramic view of the stunning landscape. After class you'll have free use of the Villa and grounds to explore. During the week we will host some evening events; such as pizza night using our outdoor pizza oven, yoga and sound bath in the ball room, and a night of live music. Many of our evenings will be spent around the fire, under the stars. If you need to unwind after class you can use our sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. Or if you prefer to explore you can wander through the woodland, walk, cycle or take the bus into town. And of course you are always welcome to continue practicing your art, sketching outside, or continue painting in our studio, which is always open.
This is a chance to focus on you and your art, you'll be living and working together among many other creatives, and alongside Lo, with the opportunity to dive deep into each other's knowledge and experience - building relationships, whilst making the most of the surrounding nature in this beautiful Tuscan setting. This is a place where you can learn from some of the world's most inspiring contemporary artists, without judgement or competition, surrounded by nature, so that your primary focus can be to learn and create, whilst enjoying your time on this planet.


_edited_edited.jpg)
Our Venue
We are excited to welcome you to our new dedicated Art Retreat Villa ✨
This 19th Century Italian Villa used to belong to an ancient noble family, the Dukes of Caffarelli. It is located near the Casentinesi forest park, in the Chianti region of Tuscany, just 40 minutes from the centre of Florence. Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding hills, entirely covered with woodland and vineyards.
The Octagonal studio, originally built for meditation, is a large, bright and welcoming 220 sqm geometric structure, with views of the surrounding nature. This is a space where you can learn, create, and feel inspired.
The Villa has been running as a meditation centre for the past 20 years, and you can feel it in the energy - there is something magical about this place.
See more photos here

See photos from our recent art workshops here: Gallery
What's included?
22% VAT - 5 days tuition - 6 nights accommodation - Arrival & departure transfers - Breakfasts, lunches, dinners & snacks - Tea, coffee & soft drinks - Wine - Evening Events - Jacuzzi/Sauna/Steam Room - Wifi - Easels & Solvents for painting
Prices
€2140 Condivisa | Twin-Share Bedroom a place in a spacious shared bedroom with private bathroom (shared with one other participant of the same gender)
€2390 Singola | Single Private Bedroom with a single bed and shared bathroom
€2590 Piccola | Cosy Private Bedroom with a double bed and private bathroom
€2790 Classica | Classic Private Bedroom with a double bed and private bathroom
€2990 Grande | Spacious Private Bedroom with a double bed and a private bathroom
€790 Amici | Non-Participating Partner bring along a partner or friend to share your bedroom with, if you book the Piccola, Classica or Grande option. You can not bring a non-participating partner if you book the Condivisa or Singola options.
The Food
All meals are up of delicious, home-cooked Tuscan cuisine and prepared by our incredible Chefs Giovanna & Gabriele! Meals will take place in our panoramic dining room or outside on the terrace overlooking the hills and sunset, whenever the weather is nice. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available, please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements (dietary needs rather than preferences).
Materials list, itinerary & more information
At least 3 months before the retreat we will send you an information pack with the full materials list and more details about the retreat. See airport and transfer information on our FAQ's page here
Bring a partner or friend - €790 all-inclusive rate
If you book either a Piccola, Classica or Grande private bedroom then you are very welcome to bring along a partner or friend with you who will not be participating in the workshop. Partners will be welcome to join all of our meals and activities, and become a part of our group. Whilst participants are in the class, partners have this beautiful Tuscan venue all to themselves.
We are happy to assist in planning activities during the days for your partner, such as bike tours, trips to local towns, or hikes around the surrounding countryside. Equally, your partner is very welcome to stay at the villa and relax using our sauna/jacuzzi/steam room. We recommend bringing a car so that you can travel around freely, however, we can also drive you to the local train station if you would like to explore the nearby cities of Florence or Arezzo.
The price for non-participating partners includes: 22% VAT - 6 nights accommodation - Arrival & Departure Transfers - Breakfasts, lunches, dinners & snacks - Tea, coffee & soft drinks - Tuscan Wine - Jacuzzi/Sauna/Steam Room - Wifi.
Participating Partner
If you would like to bring a participating partner with you (a friend or partner who will be participating in the workshop with you) then you can book 2 places in a twin-share bedroom. We can then arrange your bedroom into a bedroom with a double bed or 2 single beds, whichever you prefer.
Booking information
To book a place on this retreat click Book Now below and you'll be taken to a separate page where you can choose your bedroom option, and fill out your registration details. If you would like to discuss payment plans, feel free to email us.
Review our terms & conditions of booking here
Questions? See our FAQ's page here

.webp)
.jpg)

Lo Chan Peng
Born in 1983 in Taiwan. Lo Chan Peng works primarily with oil paint, ink, and mixed media. He has received several major art awards both domestically and internationally, such as the 2023 Beautiful Bizarre Global Grand Prize across all media, and the Portrait Honors Award from the Art Renewal Center USA (2020). His works are collected by the ESMoA in Los Angeles, the Hoki Museum in Japan, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and many private collectors both domestically and internationally. Lo Chan Peng's artworks primarily focus on portraits, in his work he often explores themes of time, history, and the boundary between life and death. A prominent feature of his art is the indescribable expressions of the figures, both profound and mysterious. You can see more of Lo Chan Peng's work here:
Website: www.lochanpeng.com | Instagram: @lochanpeng
