Workshop Overview
Dates: 17-23 May 2027
Price: From €2290 - €3330
Includes: 22% VAT, 5 days tuition, 6 nights accommodation, all meals & drinks (including wine), evening events, transfers, life models, drawing boards & easels
Non-Participating Partner: €790
Location: Villa Fontallorso
Medium: Charcoal
Class size: 18
Painting Experience: All levels welcome
Languages: English
Se avete bisogno di una traduzione in Italiano, inviaci una e-mail
Payment plans available ♥
email info@artescapeitaly.com
Workshop Description
Join us for an all-inclusive week of portrait drawing in the Tuscan countryside with Oliver Sin. This workshop is crafted to provide a comprehensive yet accessible experience for artists of all levels, whether you are a beginner looking to explore your creative potential or an experienced artist seeking to refine your portrait drawing techniques. This workshop is designed to meet you where you are on your artistic journey, offering you a unique opportunity to learn from the artist himself. Oliver's expertise and passion for teaching will guide you through the process of creating stunning expressive portrait drawings.
This workshop will help you delve into the fundamentals of drawing portraits, focusing on essential knowledge of shapes, planes of heads, anatomy, value rendering, and more through engaging exercises and step-by-step demonstrations from life models. Students will learn the techniques of mastering expressive portrait drawings with vine charcoal and charcoal pencils on drawing papers. One of the highlights of this workshop is the chance to receive personalized feedback and guidance from Oliver. He has over 23 years of professional teaching experience at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. With his keen eye and constructive critique, you will have the opportunity to refine your portrait drawing skills and elevate your skills to new heights. Let‘s embark on a journey of creativity, self-discovery and unlock the artist within you.
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This is a chance to focus on you and your art, you'll be living and working together among many other creatives, and alongside Oliver, 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 Tuscan setting. This is a place where you have the opportunity to learn from some of the world's most inspiring contemporary artists, without judgement or competition, immersed in nature, so that your primary focus is to learn and create, whilst enjoying your time on this beautiful planet.
During this all-inclusive art workshop, meals are home-cooked by our wonderful Chefs Giovanna & Gabriele, and eaten together in our panoramic dining room, or outside with a view of the stunning landscape. After class you have free use of the Villa and grounds to explore. We host evening events; such as pizza night using our outdoor pizza oven, yoga and sound bath in the ballroom (which help to boost creativity), and a night of live music. Many of our evenings are spent around the fire, under the stars. If you need to unwind after class you 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 large Octagon studio, which is always open for you.
Our 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, with stunning views of the surrounding hills, entirely covered with woodland and vineyards.
The Octagonal studio, is a large, bright and welcoming 220 sqm structure, with views of the surrounding nature. A space where you can learn, create, and feel inspired.
The Villa has been running as a meditation centre for the past 20 years, 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 & Drawing boards - Life Models
Prices
€2290 La Condivisa | Twin-Share Bedroom a place in a spacious shared bedroom with private ensuite bathroom (shared with one other participant of the same gender)
€2590 La Singola | Single Private Bedroom with a single bed and shared bathroom
€2830 La Piccola | Cosy Private Bedroom with a double bed and private bathroom
€2990 La Classica | Classic Private Bedroom with a double bed and private ensuite bathroom
€3330 Il Grande | Spacious Private Bedroom with a double bed and a private ensuite 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 made 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 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, 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. 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
Oliver Sin
Oliver Sin graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, where he earned a BFA in Illustration. Upon completing his degree in 1996, he began his professional career as a concept artist for computer games at LucasArts. Since 2001, Oliver has returned to his alma mater as a faculty member, teaching in the School of Fine Arts and 2D Animation. Portraiture has become his primary form of artistic expression, which he continues to explore both professionally and personally.
Oliver is the author of two instructional books, "Drawing the Head for Artists" and "Facial Expressions for Artists". His step-by-step educational DVDs, "Portrait Drawing Simplified" and "Expressive Gesture Figure Drawing", were released by Streamline Publishing. Oliver’s work has been recognized on an international level. Two of his portraits were commissioned by Time Magazine and featured on the cover of their March 2020 “100 Women of the Year” issue. In 2021, his vine charcoal portrait of his father was awarded First Place in Drawing at the Portrait Society of America’s International Art Competition. In recognition of his continued excellence in fine art portraiture, he was granted Signature Status by the Portrait Society of America in 2022.
Instagram: @oliversin
