# Medieval Architecture and Landscape Painting Retreat with Artist John Lovett in Italy Join artist John Lovett for an immersive art retreat in the picturesque countryside of Tuscany, Italy. Dive into the world of mixed media, exploring watercolor, inks, gouache, charcoal, and gesso as you capture the timeless beauty of medieval architecture and breathtaking landscapes. Through daily painting sessions, you'll develop your style and create evocative pieces inspired by the stunning Tuscan scenery. Visits to historic locations such as San Gimignano and the Chianti Classico region will spark your creativity, offering endless inspiration for your artwork.Between classes, savor traditional Tuscan cuisine prepared by the venue’s private chef and connect with fellow artists in a welcoming, creative environment. From capturing the play of light and shadow in ancient architecture to bringing Tuscany's landscapes to life, this retreat offers a perfect blend of art, exploration, and inspiration. ## Details - **Dates:** October 1 - 8, 2025 - **Location:** Certaldo, Florence, Italy - **Starting Price:** $4,650 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Medieval Architecture and Landscape Painting Retreat Join artist John Lovett for an immersive art retreat in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, where you'll explore mixed media techniques inspired by the region’s medieval architecture and landscapes. Work with a variety of media—watercolor, inks, gouache, charcoal, gesso—layering textures and exploring contrast to capture the character of Tuscany’s historic buildings and stunning landscapes. This retreat welcomes all skill levels, and John’s adaptive teaching style ensures everyone can develop and thrive at their own pace.Throughout the course, you will receive comprehensive instruction on landscape and architectural painting, with a particular focus on John's specific methods and approaches. Discover the art of creating balanced compositions, emphasizing focal points while skillfully incorporating areas of subtle suggestion. Learn to develop thumbnail sketches as valuable planning tools, enabling you to refine your artistic vision. John’s hands-on guidance will help you master the tools and techniques he’s known for, including the use of goat hair hake brushes, ink sprays, and expressive washes.Between sessions, enjoy delicious Tuscan meals prepared by the venue’s chef, share your journey with like-minded artists, and take in the beauty of your surroundings. From medieval architecture to the rolling hills of Tuscany, this retreat offers a perfect blend of creativity, learning, and connection.Some topics covered in your classes include:Mixing colors effectively with a limited palette Creating rich, bold darks Mastering the art of applying smooth, even washes Using a goat hair hake brush to soften edges and create subtle transitions Exploring innovative techniques with ink and ink sprays Maintaining proper drawing posture for better precision and control Blending gouache and watercolor to add depth and texture Structuring a composition around a focal point Achieving harmony and unity throughout your painting...and many more! Beyond the classroom, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the stunning Tuscan landscape, relax, and connect with other 15 like-minded artists over a glass of wine. You'll stay in a beautiful historic venue nestled in the Tuscan hills and enjoy art excursions to explore the region’s hidden treasures: a journey along the scenic Chianti Classico trail and a visit to the medieval town of San Gimignano. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Florence Airport for your 3:00 PM transfer and embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque Tuscan countryside to the retreat venue, a historic estate nestled in the rolling hills. Once settled into your room, take part in an orientation tour of the property, where you can explore the beautiful landscapes, charming gardens, and cozy common spaces that will inspire your creativity throughout the retreat.In the evening, gather for a wine-tasting session in the Holmo Garden with John Lovett and your fellow artists. This is followed by a relaxed three-course dinner, offering a chance to enjoy Italian wine and good conversation as you anticipate the inspiring days of art and exploration ahead. ### Day 2: Art classes at the venue After a hearty breakfast, you’ll gather with John and your fellow artists to review the day’s plan over coffee.The morning class begins with an introduction to the range of materials you’ll be working with—watercolor, gouache, inks, charcoal, gesso, and acrylics. John will explain his non-traditional approach, showing how each medium interacts and the unique results they can achieve when combined. Rather than focusing on precise outcomes, you'll be encouraged to try different techniques and embrace the unexpected. John’s intuitive method invites you to play with texture, layering, and composition, teaching how even mistakes or "messes" can be salvaged and transformed into dynamic parts of the artwork.Following a delicious lunch, John will lead a demonstration in short, focused segments of around 20 minutes. During these demos, he’ll guide you through capturing the textures and details of medieval architecture and landscapes, offering techniques on how to layer and blend materials effectively. Afterward, start working on your first piece, applying the techniques learned earlier. John will offer one-on-one feedback, giving you personalized guidance to refine your ideas and dive deeper into your exploration of mixed media.The day will wrap up with a relaxed, chef-prepared three-course dinner and a glass of Italian wine. ### Day 3: Trip to Chianti Classico Day three of your retreat begins with a hearty breakfast, preparing you for a day immersed in the heart of the Chianti Classico region.In the morning, you’ll head to Castellina, a town rich in medieval history and architecture. Take this time to gather photographs and create quick sketches, focusing on the unique textures of the stone walls, ancient towers, and the way light interacts with the landscape. These visual notes will later serve as the foundation for your artwork, where you’ll transform these medieval elements into mixed media compositions using watercolor, gouache, inks, charcoal, and gesso.In the afternoon, visit Radda in Chianti, a town with a medieval charm that will continue to feed your creativity as you walk through its squares and winding streets. Create your first piece based on the morning's sketches and photos. You’ll work with prints or sketches, translating them into mixed media artwork, while John offers individual feedback to help refine your approach and technique. Later, head to Panzano, a peaceful village nestled between Florence and Siena, where you can take a moment to relax and absorb the serene landscape of vineyards and hills.Upon returning to the venue, unwind in the studio, add entries to your art journal, or take a moment to relax by the pool. The day wraps up with a relaxed dinner and a glass of wine, allowing you to reflect on your progress and exchange insights with others, completing another fulfilling day of artistic exploration. ### Day 4: Art at the venue After enjoying a wholesome breakfast and coffee, start the day with a group discussion on progress, then get ready for the morning painting session.The morning focuses on capturing landscapes. John will guide you through the process of using mixed media—watercolor, inks, gouache, charcoal, gesso, and acrylic paint—to start a new piece inspired by the venue and the surrounding Chianti region. The day’s work revolves around experimenting with techniques specific to these materials, helping you find ways to incorporate medieval textures and forms into your work. You will draw inspiration from the natural world around you and incorporate these components into your artwork.After lunch, continue with another landscape session, either building on the morning’s piece or starting a new one in a different location. This is your time to refine your work or explore new ideas using your references from the morning. John will offer individual feedback as you work, helping you to develop your techniques and guide your creative direction.The day concludes with a simple dinner and a glass of wine, where you can reflect on your artistic journey with fellow artists, sharing insights from the day's painting sessions. ### Day 5: Trip to San Gimignano Day five starts with a hearty breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, setting the stage for a creative day.In the morning, set off for San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning medieval towers and rich history. Often referred to as the "Medieval Manhattan," this town is filled with architectural inspiration. As you wander through its narrow streets, take reference photos and sketch the intricate details of its stone buildings, piazzas, and fortified walls. Capture textures, arches, and towers that will serve as inspiration for your mixed-media artwork once back at the studio.After lunch, return to the venue for an afternoon of painting. John will demonstrate how to mix strong darks and apply washes to quickly build the structure of your composition. Explore using ink to add interest, spraying it onto your painting to create dynamic, unpredictable textures. Along with learning how to use a goat-hair hake brush to soften areas, learn how to blend traditional watercolor techniques with experimental elements.The day wraps up with a simple dinner and a glass of wine, offering the perfect opportunity to reflect on the day’s creative progress. ### Day 6: Art at the venue Begin your day with a satisfying breakfast and a casual coffee check-in with John and your fellow artists.In the morning, focus on your prints and sketches from the medieval architecture of San Gimignano. John will guide you through applying mixed media techniques—watercolor, gouache, inks, charcoal, and acrylics—to bring out the textures and structures of the town's stone buildings and landscapes. You'll work on incorporating these elements into your composition, building layers, and refining the architectural details you captured during your visit.After lunch, shift your focus to adding the finishing touches to your work. John will provide feedback, helping you refine areas and enhance the overall composition, guiding you on blending techniques, color mixing, and texture. This final session will allow you to polish your piece, ensuring it reflects the medieval atmosphere and architectural beauty of the region.The day concludes with a simple dinner and a glass of wine, offering a moment to relax and reflect on the progress made throughout the day. ### Day 7: Art at the venue Following a delicious breakfast, setting the tone for a creative and productive morning session.In the morning, dive into a fresh painting session, drawing inspiration from the medieval architecture and landscapes that surround the venue. With John's guidance, you’ll explore a variety of mixed media techniques, experimenting with watercolor, gouache, inks, charcoal, and acrylics to capture the unique character and textures of the historical setting. This hands-on session encourages you to bring these elements to life on canvas, letting the architecture and landscapes shape your composition as you work on location.After lunch, the focus shifts to refining your work. Spend the afternoon adding the finishing touches to any unfinished pieces from earlier in the retreat. This is your opportunity to apply the techniques and insights you’ve gained, while John provides individual feedback to help you enhance and polish your work. To wrap up the retreat, everyone will participate in an informal gallery show, presenting their completed pieces. This session offers a chance to exchange constructive feedback in a supportive environment, celebrating the artistic progress made throughout the retreat.The evening concludes with a farewell dinner and a glass of wine, providing a chance to reflect on the creative journey and the connections formed throughout the retreat. ### Day 8: Departure After a delightful breakfast with John 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 - **John Lovett** - Watercolor, oil and mixed media artist ## Accommodation ### Historical Tuscan Estate ### Shared standard ensuite room ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Shared bathroom - single room (male only) ### Single superior ensuite room ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/medieval-architecture-landscape-painting-retreat-artist-john-lovett-italy](https://uptrek.com/retreat/medieval-architecture-landscape-painting-retreat-artist-john-lovett-italy) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*