We are excited to announce this Brand New Watercolour Retreat on Italy’s magnificent Amalfi Coast. Enjoy some La Dolce Vita and soak up the atmosphere whilst sketching and exploring the colourful little towns dotted along the Amalfi Coast. Capture the ‘scorcio’ (focal points) that can be found throughout the little lanes and view points across the Bay of Naples before indulging in the typical flavours of the Amalfi with the fine cuisine accompanying this painting retreat.Join us on our visits to the picturesque towns along the Amalfi coast, such as Positano and Praiano. There, we will take time to sketch, journal and gather ideas for painting projects, as well as stopping for visits to the bottegas for tasting the world-famous authentic local Limoncello, admire the traditional local maiolica (ceramics) and treat ourselves to little breaks for delicious ice-creams or aperitivi, fully indulging in the spirit of Italian Life.

Have we got your attention yet? If not, why not check out this video about the elegance Villa Crawford and the sheer beauty and elegance that awaits you on this unique watercolour retreat.

Join us on our visits to the picturesque towns along the Amalfi coast, such as Positano and Praiano. There, we will take time to sketch, journal and gather ideas for painting projects, as well as stopping for visits to the bottegas for tasting the world-famous authentic local Limoncello, admire the traditional local maiolica (ceramics) and treat ourselves to little breaks for delicious ice-creams or aperitivi, fully indulging in the spirit of Italian Life.

Around every corner, you will find views waiting to be captured, from coastal views, beaches with their colourful umbrellas, lemon groves, quaint lanes and classic Italian architecture….. You may want to stop for some sketching and journalling along our morning excursions, gather ideas for future projects with your camera, or sit and enjoy the moment surrounded by the immense beauty of the location. Afternoons, we will be dedicated to releasing your creative forces watercolour painting in the shady courtyard of our elegant location. Your tutor will demonstrate techniques, which you will be able to put to practice during guided painting time.

The evening a là carte menu is the perfect opportunity for sampling the delicious local flavours enjoying fine Italian cuisine in the company of like-minded people. After dinner, your tutor will introduce you to painting techniques and practices that will provide the focus for our artistic exploration the following day.

What can you expect to learn from this course?

Our structured approach to tuition, allows every painter, from beginner to experienced to take their work to a new level during the duration of this course, so that you will be leaving with the satisfaction of having produced some fantastic artwork and lots of future projects to work on.

The tuition is centred around:

• principles of watercolouring
• colour theory
• 5 value maping
• edge quality
• placement
• perspective
• proportion

The evening a là carte menu is the perfect opportunity for sampling the delicious cal flavours enjoying fine Italian cuisine in the company of like-minded people. After dinner, your tutor will introduce you to painting techniques and practices that will provide the focus for our artistic exploration the following day.

We are delighted to be hosting this exclusive retreat at a luxury historic villa which is the former home to Princess Elizabeth and Margaret’s childhood governess. Herself, author of works like ‘The little Princesses’, Marion Crawford found inspiration and serenity for her writings in this elegant location with it’s classical Italian garden. It is a truly tranquil heaven of unrivalled architectural and natural beauty, overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Our ‘garden rooms’ offer a touch of luxurious comfort and exclusivity to the bespoke traveller wanting to unwind and re-charge before releasing all that creative energy in-between our painting sessions.

The Amalfi Region is a coastal region famous for its towns dotted across the steep coast line. The towns and coastal walks can be explored on foot and therefore require a good level of mobility to access the piazzas, viewpoints, beach and painting locations. You need to be able to move around freely and carry a moderate amount of water-colour equipment.

• Napoli
• Rome

By train:

• from Rome
• Napoli

Transfers: Taxi services can be arranged from Sorrento Train station (5min distance) Napoli and Rome airport. Please contact with us if you wish to arrange pick up at either of these locations.

Comfortable casual clothing and sensible shoes for walking, sandals, for the summer and comfortable shoes for when we are out and about all day. It rains even in Italy, and at times heavily. A rain coat, umbrella, layered clothing, a hat and long sleeves for sun-protection are recommended. Adequate clothing for painting, clothes may get stained. Aprons will be provided.

Spring/Autumn: Days are usually mild and sunny but it can be cooler in the mornings and evenings. We recommend layers and a raincoat as well as a jumper.

For Groups: If you are wishing to book a tour with your painting group, we are happy to arrange a specific course of your choice for you. Group discounts apply. Simply contact us with your requirements.

No prior drawing or painting experience is required. The course instruction is in English, and no Italian skills are required, though a few words may make your holiday experience more authentic when exploring on your own accord.

14:00 onwards check in at Villa Crawford

17:00 group orientation and course outline and material distribution

20:00 Welcome Dinner

7:30-9:00am Breakfast

9:00-12:30

Demonstration and practical session in the gardens and on the terraces overlooking the Gulf of Naples

Theory and Demonstration session
Drawing foundation
3 value ‘road’ map demonstration of scene in pencil
Followed on by demonstrations of how to take this into painting.

15:00-17:00 Vecchio Marina, Sorrento

practical painting study on location demonstrating principles learnt in the morning

18:00 Critique with focus on agreeing and setting targets

19:30 Dinner

7:30-8:30 Breakfast 

9:00-12:30

Capturing the dappled light and the atmosphere of a typical Positano scene

12:30 Lunch and time to explore

Theory and Demonstration sessions

• Colour theory
• Colour and value map relationships
• Practical demonstrations on location

15:00-17:00 Cliff Top view point towards the Church and Bay

18:00 Return to Villa Crawford

19:30 Dinner

7:30-9:00 Breakfast 

9:00-12:00 Marina Grande

Painting Boats and Capturing reflections

12:30 Lunch in the marina

15:00-17:00 

Painting in the Grounds of Villa Crawford

demonstration and practical painting session

Critique and target setting

19:30 Dinner

7:30-8:30 Breakfast

9:00-12:00 Praiano and Conca dei Marini

Capturing the spectacular beauty of the colourful houses and winding stairways. Praiano was the stunning location favoured by the Venetian doges for their summer residences.

12:30 Lunch and free-time

15:00-17:00 

optional visit to the Emerald Grotto or continues painting practice

18:30 Review and Celebration of our artistic achievements during this retreat

19:30 Farewell Dinner

· 7:30 am – 9 am Breakfast

· 11 am - Check out