OVERVIEW

This intensive painting retreat is based in the historic city centre of Siena, with daily excursions to painting locations throughout the Chianti countryside and within the city itself. The program is designed for intermediate and practicing artists interested in working from direct observation in an immersive setting.

Participants will receive personalized instruction and feedback while developing technical skills and confidence working on site. Each day focuses on a different location, allowing artists to return home with a cohesive body of work in oil and gouache.

ART

This workshop is designed for artists seeking the depth and focus made possible by an extended retreat. Participants will work intensively on location, supported by experienced instructors and a small group of like-minded artists.

The program balances focused instruction with an engaging, flexible atmosphere. Artists will receive individualized feedback tailored to their experience level and goals, supporting both technical growth and the development of a personal visual language. A materials list will be provided upon registration by May 1st. Any questions are welcome. Contact by email fotinipaintings@gmail.com.

SIENA AND THE CHIANTI COUNTRYSIDE

Siena, a principal city of Tuscany, is closely associated with the Early Renaissance and is known internationally for Il Palio horse racing. Painting locations will include views of the city’s historic architecture, Piazza del Campo, and surrounding countryside.

Optional guided tours of Siena will explore local art history and architecture, including the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta. Daily excursions will also focus on one of Italy’s most beautiful landscapes—rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, and cypress trees—providing structured support for exploring color, light, and form while encouraging creative independence.

ACCOMMODATION

Participants will stay in a boutique hotel in the heart of Siena’s historic centre, within walking distance of the Piazza del Campo, Siena Cathedral, dining, shopping, and cultural sites. The hotel includes garden views and provides a convenient base for daily excursions.

Fotini Christophillis - HOST AND ARTIST INSTRUCTOR

Fotini Christophillis has over 20 years of experience teaching artists of all levels internationally and throughout the United States. Her teaching emphasizes a supportive studio environment combined with focused instruction, encouraging students to take risks and develop their artistic voice.

She has taught for multiple semesters as an adjunct professor with the University of Georgia’s studies abroad program in Cortona, Italy, teaching painting in the field, museums, and historic studio spaces. Her work integrates painting, art history, Italian culture, and travel.

(Read more about her work and background [HERE].)

MARY EDNA FRASER - ARTIST INSTRUCTOR

Mary Edna Fraser’s work explores expansive perspectives of land, sea, and space, informed by collaborations with experts in planetary science, coastal geology, and oceanography. Her practice includes batik on silk, large-scale oil painting, and aerial photography. Her Plein Air approach with oils began in 2009 with over 400 works painted. As Artist in Residence at Glacier National Park and Audubon’s Beidler Forest Sanctuary she honed her skills. Mary Edna's years of teaching experience has been pleasurable for her and her students. 

Drawing from direct observation her work communicates themes of conservation and stewardship. Her paintings combine scale, design and color to create contemplative responses to the natural world.

(Read more about her work and background [HERE].)

MARCO CARATELLI - GUEST ARTIST INSTRUCTOR

Marco Caratelli, born in Siena in 1979, is a graduate of the Istituto d’Arte in Siena and specializes in traditional Sienese painting techniques. His work focuses on egg tempera and gold leaf gilding, following methods described by Cennino Cennini in the 14th century.

He is known for recreating Biccherne panels and gilded icons, using aged wood and pure gold leaf, preserving the materials and techniques of medieval and Renaissance Siena.

(Read more about his work and background [HERE].)

Plein air painting and urban sketching

The retreat emphasizes thoughtful approaches to composition, value, light, and form while encouraging experimentation and personal interpretation. Participants will learn strategies for documenting travel experiences through sketchbooks and on-site painting.

Urban sketching sessions in Siena will focus on architecture, space, and gesture, supporting immediacy and observational accuracy. Through direct engagement with place, artists will develop work that reflects both technical skill and an individual sense of presence.

DETAILS & PRICING

8 days & 7 nights

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $4,800 for shared room occupancy* +$1,200 supplement for single room
• Deposit to hold space = $1,200
• Participant with non-painting companion = $6,800 for shared room occupancy
• Max # Guests = 12
* Guests traveling alone can choose the shared room and we match up based on guest profile or participants can choose to share a room with a friend. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.

* Final balance due by May 1st, 2026.

*Fotini is in Italy February 20 – March 31 securing accommodations, researching painting sites, and confirming all program activities and logistics.

INCLUDED

• All transfers from/to Florence airport and from Florence to Siena
• Accommodation
• Welcome dinner and celebratory closing dinner and wine tasting
• Daily breakfast
• Transportation to/from day painting excursions
• Daily art classes
• Art history activities
• Guided tours of area
• Materials for workshop with Marco Caratelli
• Tips & taxes

Not INCLUDED

• Airfare
• Most art supplies
• Most lunches and dinners
• Travel insurance

Optional ACTIVITIES - examples…

• Art history in Siena - guided walking tour, museum visits, Cathedral, etc
• Visit to winery with local wine tasting dinner
• Contemporary cultural activities in Siena, local market, and free time

Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Florence
Arrive in Florence and transfer to the hotel. Settle in and enjoy a special welcome dinner with aperitivo. Each attendee receives a travel watercolor sketchbook & gouache field set.

Day 2 – Florence & Siena
Morning walking tour of Florence’s historic center, including the Duomo, followed by visits to the Uffizi and Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. Stop at Zecchi art supply store before departing for Siena with Italian guide & driver Luca. Evening arrival and optional group dinner.

Day 3 – Siena City Centre
Breakfast at hotel. Morning art history walk through Siena’s City Centre.

Half-day workshop with Italian artist Marco Caratelli, learn the traditional techniques of the Early Renaissance of gold leaf gilding and egg tempera. Split group workshop to also include oil painting plein air in Siena.

Optional group dinner in Siena at a local favorite restaurant recommended by artist Marco Caratelli.

Day 4 – Chianti Winery
Breakfast at hotel. Full day of plein air painting in the Tuscan countryside. Morning gouache workshop, afternoon oil painting session. Lunch provided on site for purchase. Evening free.

Day 5 – Chianti Countryside
Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy another immersive day of painting in an olive grove: gouache in the morning, oils in the afternoon. Lunch provided on site for purchase. Evening free.

Day 6 – Chianti & Siena 
Breakfast at hotel. Morning oil painting session in Tuscany with lunch provided on site. Afternoon options in Siena include guided art history tour or independent exploration. Golden hour apertivo sketching in Piazza del Campo. Evening free.

Day 7 – Val d’Orcia & Farewell
Breakfast at hotel. Final oil painting session in the morning, with lunch provided on site for purchase. Afternoon gouache painting in Siena. Closing celebration includes golden hour group apertivo, followed by dinner in Siena complete with local wine tasting.

Day 8 – Departure
Farewell breakfast and transfer to Florence for departures...extended stay optional!

june 13 - 21, 2026
tuscany
8 day art retreat

$4,800 Inclusive 8-Day Price
$1,200 deposit to hold your space. Register with link below.

Join an immersive 8-day painting retreat in Tuscany focused on plein air practice, historical techniques, and artistic development. The retreat begins in Florence with visits to Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery, followed by travel to the historic medieval hilltop city of Siena with an Italian guide.

Participants will paint on location throughout the Chianti countryside, working in gouache and oil while engaging with the landscape and light that shaped Early Renaissance art. A half-day workshop introduces traditional Sienese techniques of egg tempera and gold leaf gilding. Instruction emphasizes observation, composition, value, and color relationships, supporting the development of an individual artistic voice.

Artists Fotini Christophillis and Mary Edna Fraser bring decades of teaching and studio experience, combining rigorous instruction with an open, exploratory approach. Optional activities in Florence may be offered before or after the workshop.

The price includes accommodation, transportation, daily hotel breakfasts, and a final celebratory dinner with wine tasting. Meals (other than those listed) and airfare are not included. Partners are welcome; additional days are available for an extra charge.

INFORMATION

For any questions, please contact:
Fotini Christophillis
fotinipaintings@gmail.com