# Sculpture and Printmaking Art Retreat with Artist Jeanne Oliver in Italy Immerse yourself in a transformative art retreat with beloved artist Jeanne Oliver, set among the golden hills and timeless villages of Tuscany. Focus on sculpture and printmaking as powerful tools for storytelling and self-expression. Through carving, shaping, layering, and pressing, you’ll explore how form and texture can bring your ideas to life in unexpected ways. Create richly layered prints that reflect your own sketches and inner narratives. Whether you're new to these mediums or returning with fresh eyes, this retreat offers space to grow, play, and reconnect with what moves you.Your home for the week is a historic vineyard estate, surrounded by lush gardens and views that invite reflection and imagination. Enjoy the relaxed rhythm of Tuscan life with chef-prepared meals each day, a private pool for afternoon swims, and the camaraderie of 15 fellow creatives. You’ll leave with a collection of artworks infused with your experience and memories of a retreat that nourished both heart and craft.In addition to your studio time, the retreat includes two day trips to Florence with Jeanne, offering a chance to sketch, gather inspiration, and immerse yourself in the city’s incredible art and architecture. You’ll also enjoy an excursion to the hilltop town of San Gimignano, where cobbled streets, medieval towers, and local artisan shops provide the perfect backdrop for exploration and creativity. ## Details - **Dates:** May 21 - 28, 2026 - **Location:** Certaldo, Florence, Italy - **Starting Price:** $4,950 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Sculpture and Printmaking Art Retreat Join artist Jeanne Oliver for an unforgettable art retreat in the stunning Tuscany region. This week long creative adventure is packed with inspiring daily classes led by Jeanne, plenty of one-on-one feedback, live demos, hands-on sessions, and space to truly let loose and rediscover your creative spark. With a strong focus on printmaking and sculpture, you’ll work with materials like paper mache, clay, wire, ink, charcoal, conte, graphite, pigment, and acrylic paint. You’ll build a beautiful stitched sketchbook filled with expressive studies and also have the chance to sculpt with air-dry clay, creating figures and forms inspired by your own sketches. Whether you're brand new to art or looking to shake up your current style, all experience levels are welcome.Enjoy three inspiring excursions: two unforgettable day trips to Florence with Jeanne, and one visit to the stunning hilltop town of San Gimignano. In Florence, you'll stroll through local vintage and artisan markets, enjoy cappuccino at a stylish local cafe and have lunch at a hidden garden (each person pays for their own lunch). In the afternoon you will learn drypoint and aquaprint on zinc plates at the IL Bisonte Art Foundation. You’ll end your day at the beloved Zecchi art supply store. On your second Florence visit, you’ll explore the Museo Marino Marini, Jeanne’s personal favorite, and sketch from his sculptures and prints. You’ll relax with lunch at a local favorite, then head to the beautiful Bardini Gardens for more sketching and a drink with panoramic views over the city and fill your sketchbook with city scenes and visual textures to carry back into your studio work.Jeanne’s encouraging and insightful teaching will help you quiet your inner critic, experiment with new techniques, and connect more deeply with the world around you. You’ll explore printmaking, sketching, creating armatures and sculptures in clay and paper mache, and creating natural inks and pastels. Best of all, you’ll make lifelong memories with 14 other artists as you laugh, learn, grow, and create together in beautiful Tuscany!The topics covered during your lessons will include:Creating handmade sketchbooksLearning to see line and form in your surroundingsHow to work out creative ideas based upon the inspiration your gatherWorking with simple tools like charcoal, graphite, and conteHow to create an armatureHow to create with clay and paper macheHow to quickly capture the human formDrypoint printmakingWood Block PrintmakingJapanese Ink MarblingCreating natural art supplies...and many more.The retreat is hosted at a beautifully restored vineyard estate tucked into the rolling hills of Tuscany. Surrounded by olive groves, flower-filled gardens, and wide open skies, the property offers a peaceful and inspiring setting for rest and creativity. You’ll enjoy chef-prepared meals each day made with local ingredients, unwind by the private pool, and gather each evening with your fellow artists to reflect, connect, and share. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Florence Airport for your 3:00 PM transfer and set off on a scenic drive through the breathtaking Tuscan countryside to your retreat venue—a historic estate surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. After settling into your room, join an orientation tour of the property, where you’ll explore its serene gardens, inviting common spaces, and stunning landscapes that will serve as inspiration throughout your artistic journey.As the evening unfolds, gather in the Holmo Garden for a wine-tasting session with Jeanne Oliver and your fellow artists. Savor fine Italian wines while engaging in conversation about art, technique, and the creative process. The night continues with a welcome three-course dinner, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind, connect, and look forward to the days ahead. ### Day 2: Trip to Florence Fuel up for the day's adventures with a nourishing breakfast and steaming cup of coffee, then venture out to your very first trip to Florence.As you make your way to the city, Jeanne will tell you a bit more about the rich cultural history of this city. After a 1-hour drive, start the trip at a local vintage market and artisan markets. These local markets are deep-rooted experiences that reflect the city's identity, history, and way of life. As the cradle of the Renaissance, the reverence for artisanal skill still permeates the city's spirit. The vintage markets especially feel like open-air museums, where each item has its own story to tell. Take a break with a delicious cappuccino at a stylish cafe, and enjoy lunch on your own at a hidden garden nearby.In the afternoon, regroup and head for the Il Bisonte Art Foundation, a historic printmaking school that also serves as a lively cultural hub. Take part in a unique workshop where you'll learn drypoint printmaking and aquatint on zinc plates, two different intaglio printmaking techniques. The day ends with a visit at the Zecchi art supply store, a renowned srouce of high-quality art materials for traditional painting techniques. The shop was beloved by Florentine painters; Zecchi's mission is reviving or reproducing all colors used by pre-Renaissance and Renaissance painters.Return to the venue as evening settles in, concluding your day with a leisurely dinner and a glass of local wine. ### Day 3: Art at the venue Start your day with a satisfying breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, gathering with Jeanne and your fellow artists for a relaxed morning check-in.Regroup in the studio for a day full of insightful art classes. You'll create two handmade art sketchbooks as guided by Jeanne; these sketchbooks will be your companions in the upcoming trips. Jeanne will introduce you to your materials (charcoal, graphite, and blending sticks) and then demonstrate how to use them in creating figure studies. Take your time getting to know each material and combine them in creative ways.Break for lunch, then return to the studio for an afternoon class. Using the morning's sketches, as well as the ones you made during your trip to Florence, you'll start creating armatures for your sculpture works. This frame will serve as the skeleton to your upcoming busts and figures, made with air-dry clay. The workshop ends with a tutorial on creating lovely pastels from local pigment.The day wraps up with a leisurely dinner and a glass of local wine, perfect for reflecting on your creative achievements and preparing for what’s next. ### Day 4: Art trip to Florence Wake up to a delicious breakfast served with your art group, then join Jeanne for a brief discussion about today's plans.You'll embark on your second trip of the retreat to majestic Florence. Arrive at your destination after a 1-hour trip and head for the Museo Marino Marini (Jeanne's favorite museum in Florence). One of the most important artists of the 20th century, Marino Marini is famous for his unique style of sculpture. Inspired by traditional Etruscan and Northern European sculptures, his main themes include equestrian statues, nudes, portraits, and circus figures.Explore Marino Marini's paintings, sculptures, and printmaking, and gather inspiration for your sketchbook. After the museum visit, regroup at a lovely restaurant for a lunch with your fellow artists (own cost). Later on, head for the Giardino Bardini, a gorgeous garden in the city of Florence. Explore the 4 acres of woodlands, Italian gardens, wisteria pergolas, and fruit orchards. Sketch the stunning panorama over Florence seen from the park while enjoying a cup of coffee.Return to the venue in time for a delicious dinner prepared by the private chef, served with a glass of local wine. ### Day 5: Art at the venue Kick off the day with a satisfying breakfast and a relaxed coffee chat with Jeanne and your fellow artists before diving into your creative practice.Join guest artist Auria Bohn for a morning that will consist of an immersive, hands-on exploration of ink and mark-making techniques. Begin by crafting natural black ink from scratch, using handmade charcoal sourced from carefully selected grapevines—an ancient, meditative process that connects you to traditional methods of pigment-making. Then, move into the delicate art of suminagashi (Japanese ink marbling), working with black ink on a variety of papers to create ethereal, flowing patterns that reveal the beauty of chance and water.After enjoying lunch, return to the studio to continue your work. Develop your sculptural expression using materials such as paper mâché, clay, and/or plaster. This session invites you to engage with texture, structure, and spatial composition as you build intuitive forms that expand your visual language. Jeanne will be available for personalized feedback and support to help refine your approach.As the afternoon fades, unwind with a stroll through the gardens, a refreshing dip in the pool, or continue working if inspiration still flows. Wrap up the day with a relaxed dinner prepared by the chef, accompanied by a glass of local wine. ### Day 6: Trip to San Gimignano Begin your day with a filling breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, preparing for another creative day in the heart of Tuscany.In the morning, head out to San Gimignano, a town seemingly untouched by time, with its medieval towers rising dramatically against the Tuscan sky. Known as the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages," this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers plenty of inspiration around every corner. Wander cobblestone streets lined with stone buildings, explore bustling piazzas filled with local artisans, or stroll out to the panoramic viewpoints overlooking the rolling countryside. Sketch as you go or gather impressions for use in upcoming studies back at the studio.You'll enjoy lunch together with your group at one of Jeanne's favorite restaurants (each person pays for their own lunch), savoring regional dishes or sampling San Gimignano’s renowned gelato. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure, sketching quiet corners of the town, or simply soaking up the relaxed Tuscan atmosphere.End the day back at the venue, unwinding with a leisurely dinner and glass of wine while sharing sketches and reflections with the group. ### Day 7: Art at the venue Ease into the final day of your retreat with a relaxed breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee.Inspired by the work made throughout the week, the day will begin with carving woodblocks and creating woodblock prints on paper. This process allows time to explore shape, texture, and composition in a focused, hands-on way. The carved blocks will be used to make bold, graphic prints that connect to themes or images developed earlier in the week.During the same class, you'll also experiment with making monoprints by using gelli plates. This technique is more playful and experimental, offering a chance to explore color, layering, and texture in a quick and spontaneous way.Enjoy lunch together before joining Jeanne in the studio one last time. Take some time to wrap up your projects and ask Jeanne any lingering questions. The day wraps up with a mini-exhibition, where Jeanne provides personalized feedback, highlighting ways to further develop your skills and vision.As evening arrives, gather for a farewell dinner paired with a glass of local wine, reminiscing about your time spent creating and connecting with others. Take pride in your collection of sketches, sculptures, and experiences captured across Tuscany! ### Day 8: Departure After a delightful breakfast with Jeanne and the art group, it’s time to say your goodbyes and exchange any last-minute contact details. Prepare for your transfer to Florence Airport, with check-out scheduled for 10:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Jeanne Oliver** - Artist, teacher, author, and art business consultant ## Accommodation ### Historical Tuscan Estate ### Shared standard ensuite room (female only) ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Shared bathroom - single room ### Single superior ensuite room ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/sculpture-printmaking-art-retreat-artist-jeanne-oliver-italy](https://uptrek.com/retreat/sculpture-printmaking-art-retreat-artist-jeanne-oliver-italy) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*