Travel Sketching with Renee Walden

During this course you will have five days to immerse ourselves in creative and cultural experiences, including excursions to paint in the countryside, studio sessions in a charming glasshouse (limonaia), and activities like wine tasting and pasta or pizza making. You'll visit scenic towns and, since it’s late October, may even catch the olive harvest: a unique and memorable experience.

Hortulanus is set on 20 peaceful hectares and has been beautifully restored in harmony with nature. The property features stunning landscapes, gardens, an infinity pool, a hot tub, cozy accommodations, a wine-tasting room, and an artist studio housed in the converted limonaia. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore. Meals will showcase local cuisine, enjoyed together around a large communal table, fostering connection and storytelling.

Group sizes are intimate, with a maximum of 10 participants, ensuring personalized attention for everyone. Six guests will stay at Hortulanus, while four will be accommodated at nearby B&Bs, you can choose your preference when booking. Local transportation is provided, and all meals will be shared as a group, no matter where you stay.

What you can expect from the course:

-Learn how to become more confident when painting on location 


-Learn how to create sketches with minimal materials


-Be guided by me step-by-step by following demos


-Have plenty of time to ask questions and receive one-on-one feedback


-Learn about the different kinds of perspective (and to not be afraid of perspective)


-Learn to work with a limited palette of colors to ensure harmony and cohesiveness in your work

-Go on excursions to beautiful places to sketch

-Explore charming towns full of history and character


-Enjoy local cuisine lovingly prepared at Hortulanus


-Experience true Italian culture and connect with other artists who share your passion for creativity

Cost:

1. Private single bedroom at Hortulanus - €4,300 pp

2. Double occupancy at Hortulanus - €3950 pp

3. Private single room at nearby B&B - €3950 pp

Just about everything is included in this price: airport pick ups and drop offs, transportation for the excursions, etc., breakfast lunch and dinner, accommodation, and tuition by Renee Walden! Not included are your flights to Rome or travel insurance.

All cancellations are to be done within forty-eight hours from the time the deposit is made to get a full reimbursement.

Please note that when you book, you pay only the deposit (50% of the overall price). Once the course is fully confirmed, the other 50% will have to be paid in order to guarantee your spot!

Group sizes are small: 

A maximum of 10, allowing me to have ample to time to help each student every day. 6 people will stay at Hortulanus itself, 4 people at nearby B&Bs. You can choose your preferred option when you book. Local transport will be provided and we’ll eat all our meals together, no matter where you choose to stay.

About Renee Walden:

“18 years ago, I packed a sketchbook along with my climbing gear on a trip to Spain and France and I filled it. Since then the sketching part of a trip has overtaken my climbing passion and I never go anywhere without a sketchbook.

I’ve been visiting Europe for about 6 months a year, almost every year, since 2007 and I have a massive stack of sketchbooks that are filled with priceless memories. There are watercolour sketches of villages, landscapes, flowers, food, and people in every sketchbook, along with little notes that bring me straight back to a place whenever I open a sketchbook. Sketching outside has immersed me in places, creating very vivid memories and has allowed me to meet so many local folks I would not have encountered otherwise.

I've been teaching people to paint in watercolours since 2017. I've run classes outside giving people the tools to learn to sketch plein air; studio based classes on painting birds, flowers, and landscapes; and classes on Zoom. Since June 2022 I've been guiding painting holidays annually in France and I can honestly say these trips are some of my favourite days of my year! I'm excited to guide one in Italy this year.” - Renee Walden