# Watercolor Adventure Retreat with Artist Jenna Rainey in Italy Embark on an immersive artistic journey with renowned watercolor artist Jenna Rainey in the picturesque Tuscany region, Italy. Unleash your creative flow while mastering new techniques and creating a wonderful collection of paintings. Suitable for all skill levels, Jenna's personalized guidance will make you fall in love with watercolor once again – from florals to landscapes and painting en plein air. Delve into mindful artistry, master digitizing your artwork, and improve on your techniques of color mixing, composition, and layout.Explore Italy's history and heritage during unforgettable art trips to San Gimignano and the medieval towns of Chianti Classico. At your premium retreat venue, Tenuta di Sticciano, relish Italian cuisine and be part of a group of 17 like-minded artists. Nurture your art, connect with a supportive community, and create lifelong memories. ## Details - **Dates:** October 12 - 19, 2024 - **Location:** Certaldo, Florence, Italy - **Starting Price:** $4,650 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Watercolor Retreat Join artist Jenna Rainey for a once-in-a-lifetime art retreat in romantic Tuscany, Italy, with the region's verdant hills and sprawling vineyards as your backdrop. Nurture your creative spirit, overcome mental blocks hindering your artistic flow, and embrace self-exploration. Benefit from Jenna's personalized guidance, live demonstrations, and one-to-one instruction. All levels of experience are welcome: Jenna will adapt her teaching to your needs, whether this is your first incursion into watercolor, or you're looking to level up your skills.Immerse yourself in Tuscany's picturesque landscapes as you explore multiple watercolor themes, from vivid florals to plein air scenes. Harness mindful artistry, experiment with color theory, and compose captivating pieces. Beyond your daily classes with Jenna at the venue, you'll have the chance to paint on location during two exciting art trips. You'll visit San Gimignano, a medieval town untouched by time, and multiple towns across the gorgeous Chianti Classico trail, famous for its panoramas.The topics covered by Jenna include:Crafting loose florals and landscapesApplying mindfulness to creative processesColor theory and palette selectionUsing hue, contrast, and consistency to your advantageCreating a cohesive compositionEngaging in plein air painting sessions inspired by various scenic backdropsOne-to-one tuition and support that fits your artistic needsLetting go of your inner critic and developing your artistic identityCapturing striking reference photosDigitizing your artwork and boosting your social media presence...and many more.Balance intensive painting sessions with leisure time, relish the scenic charm of your venue, the historic Tenuta di Sticciano, savor delectable Italian cuisine, and enjoy the company of 16 other supportive artists.Please note that the art trips will involve plenty of walking across uneven terrain. You will also need to walk between your room and the workshop spaces several times a day. This retreat is not suitable for participants with low or limited mobility. ### Day 1: Arrival Touch down at Florence Airport in time to catch the 3:00 PM transfer to your venue. Arrive at Tenuta di Sticciano after a one-hour drive, settle in your comfortable room, freshen up, and meet your instructor, Jenna Rainey. Embark on a delightful orientation tour of the property, discovering the rustic gardens, the elegant common spaces, and the workshop rooms, the backdrop of your creative sessions with Jenna. Later in the evening, celebrate your arrival in style with a wine-tasting experience in the Holmo Garden, followed by a special chef-made dinner. Get to know your fellow artists and get excited for the adventures ahead! ### Day 2: Art at the venue Start your day with a delicious breakfast, followed by your first painting session either indoors or outdoors in the gardens, basking in the sun. Get familiar with the retreat schedule and set some personal growth goals during the first part of the class.During this session, Jenna will demonstrate a couple of watercolor basics, to ensure everyone has the same starting point. Become more familiar with your art supplies and techniques while creating loose and vibrant floral paintings. Remember, watercolors are forgiving, so enjoy experimenting with brushstrokes.For lunch, enjoy a special traditional oven-made pizza party, and delight in the authentic flavors of the region. After you've had your fill, continue learning the basics and discovering your unique style during the afternoon class.After the second art session ends, take a leisurely stroll through the expansive garden, gathering inspiration among the plants and flowers, or unwind by the pool. As the sun sets, join Jenna and your fellow artists for a delightful three-course dinner. This culinary experience will be paired with fine Italian wine. ### Day 3: Art trip to San Gimignano Kick off your day with a delightful breakfast, then set off for an enchanting adventure to San Gimignano, one of Italy's most beautiful towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its nearly untouched medieval architecture and the iconic skyline, known as the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages," promise an awe-inspiring journey into history.Armed with your art supplies, you'll capture the essence of San Gimignano under Jenna's guidance. Imagine painting the sun-kissed terracotta roofs, charming stone houses, and streets brimming with vibrant flowers and quaint wooden shutters. Wander through winding alleys, uncover secret spots, and stumble upon stunning medieval churches, perfect for a quiet sketching session. Like many medieval Italian towns in this region, San Gimignano is a perfect place to simply get lost in.For lunch, find a cozy trattoria in the old town, indulge in authentic Italian pizza, and maybe treat yourself to exquisite gelato from the famous Sergio Dondoli Gelateria. Or, choose a street-side cafe to sketch the bustling life of the town while savoring a bite.You'll return to the venue in the evening, where a sumptuous dinner with fine Italian wine awaits, rounding off a day filled with art, exploration, and creative insights. ### Day 4: Art at the venue Start the fourth day with delicious breakfast alongside your fellow artists. Then, gather in the gardens with Jenna for an outdoor painting class focused on arranging elements in your artwork. Draw inspiration from the serene surroundings of Tenuta di Sticciano, its lush gardens, the sprawling vineyards, or the romantic countryside. Explore the graceful forms of vines, leaves, and flowers. Jenna will guide you in shaping your compositions and offer valuable insights to overcome creative challenges. Develop a fresh artistic perspective and learn to capture intricate details that elevate your paintings.After lunch, return to your workspace to delve into painting delicate, vintage-inspired floral elements.Later in the afternoon, take a relaxing break by the pool, enjoy some personal time, or engage in conversations with your fellow artists in the gardens. The chef-prepared dinner will be a delightful experience, shared with Jenna and the rest of the group. ### Day 5: Trip to Chianti Clasico Start your day with a tasty breakfast with traditional pastries, filling frittatas, and a warm cappuccino. Then, set off on the enchanting Chianti Classico trail, winding through the heart of the famed Chianti region. Your itinerary includes stops at the picturesque towns of Castellina, Radda, and Panzano. Equipped with art supplies, you'll have time to paint in each captivating town you visit, letting the beauty of the region inspire your brushstrokes.The first stop is Castellina in Chianti, a town steeped in history and charm. As you meander through its historic center, lined with quaint shops, cafes, and elegant townhouses, immerse yourself in its ancient atmosphere, ready to capture its essence in watercolor. Next, you'll ascend to Radda, nestled atop a hill and surrounded by vineyards. This town enchants with its cluster of old buildings, beautiful squares, and breathtaking panoramas. You'll pause in the main square to admire the Palazzo dei Podestà, decorated with the coats of arms of the Chianti League, providing the perfect backdrop for your next painting session.Lastly, stop at Panzano, situated along the scenic route between Florence and Siena. Here, you'll paint the stunning landscapes of rolling hills and vineyards that stretch into the horizon. You may also want to stop by one of the many bistros in town and grab a bite to eat.Ending the day's journey, return to the venue for a three-course dinner complemented by exquisite Italian wine, celebrating another day of exploration. ### Day 6: Art at the venue Get ready for the day with an energizing breakfast, and go over the day's schedule during the morning check-in. Afterward, join Jenna and the art group for the morning class, where you'll focus on working from the reference photos taken during your trip to Chianti. With Jenna's help, incorporate the unique architectural elements and design details that caught your eye into beautiful florals and landscape paintings. Jenna will be there to offer some one-to-one help if you need extra guidance.Enjoy a light lunch, then join Jenna for a stroll in the beautiful gardens at Tenuta di Sticciano to look for inspiring elements. The rolling hills, the turning leaves and the vineyards typical of this area will make for some lovely, romantic paintings. Continue working on composition and layout, following along with Jenna's plein-air demonstrations.Relax during your free time in the afternoon. As the day draws to a close, join Jenna and your group for a delicious chef-made dinner, enhanced by a glass of fragrant Italian wine. ### Day 7: Art at the venue On the last day of the retreat, begin your morning with breakfast and focus on refining your artwork in the morning class. Using all the techniques learned during the retreat, Jenna will provide individual guidance and help you overcome any creative blocks. Discover valuable tips for digitizing your art and growing your online presence. She will also share insights about inspiration, layout, and photographing your artwork.After lunch, join your art group for a lively group exhibition, guided by Jenna, where you'll showcase your achievements and take part in a closing circle. Take this opportunity to become even closer with your fellow artists, and to give and receive constructive feedback.The retreat ends with a regal farewell dinner with the group, celebrating the journey and friendships formed during the retreat. ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy breakfast with your art group, exchange any last contact details, and get ready for your transfer to Florence Airport. Check-out is at 10:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Jenna Rainey** - Illustrator, Watercolorist, Surface Designer ## Accommodation ### Tenuta di Sticciano ### Shared standard ensuite room ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Shared bathroom - single room ### Single ensuite room ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/watercolor-adventure-retreat-artist-jenna-rainey-italy](https://uptrek.com/retreat/watercolor-adventure-retreat-artist-jenna-rainey-italy) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*