Workshop Overview
Dates: 26 May-1 June 2027
Price: From €2290 - €3330
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 on Canvas
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 Sean Layh for a five-day painting workshop focused on developing stronger, more compelling compositions. Through demonstrations, practical exercises, critiques, and individual guidance, students will explore how to build paintings that feel intentional, engaging, and visually cohesive. Throughout the week, Sean will share his approach to staging scenes, selecting and combining source material, and making compositional decisions that strengthen narrative, mood, and design.
Students will learn how to move beyond simply copying reference photos, instead using source material as a starting point for creating original and personal works. The workshop will include painting demonstrations, compositional studies, master studies, and exercises designed to deepen your understanding of structure, value, shape design, and visual storytelling. Sean will discuss how the lessons found in historical and contemporary painting can be applied to your own work, helping you develop a more confident and thoughtful approach to image-making. Suitable for painters of all levels, this workshop is designed for artists who want to strengthen their creative decision-making, refine their process, and gain practical tools for building stronger paintings.
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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 Sean, 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 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 a sound bath in the ballroom (which helps 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 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 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 & Solvents
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
Sean Layh
Sean Layh is a figurative painter whose large-scale, multi-figure compositions are influenced by classical literature and theatrical traditions. This year, Layh is a finalist in the ARCHIBALD PRIZE, going on to receive the coveted Packing Room prize. Also in 2026 Layh's paintings won both the prestigious Best in Show and first place in the Figurative category in the 18th Art Renewal Centre's SALON COMPETITION in New York. Layh is also collaborating with the Australian national theatre company, BELL SHAKESPEARE, to create a multi-figure painting based on Peter Evans’ 2026 production of “Julius Caesar”. From 2023 to 2025, Layh has won multiple awards at the Portrait Society of America, as well as first place in the Figurative category in both the Bold Brush the Almenara international painting competitions. In both 2023 and 2025 Layh’s paintings were exhibited at the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM) in Barcelona. This July, Layh's painting “Antigone” will be on display at Sotheby's in New York
Website: www.seanlayh.com
Instagram: @sean_layh_artist
