Italy Painting Workshop & Art Retreat
Live the Dream
Paint in the Heart of Italy
SEPTEMBER 19 – 26, 2025 – Reserve your spot today!
Spark your creativity in this painting workshop with internationally recognized artist, Jill Nichols. Capture the sweeping views amongst the olive groves. Relax, savor the fresh cuisine, and explore the surrounding Renaissance and Etruscan Art.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Italy in your private villa.
Rest in the comfort of the well-appointed rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Savor the sumptuous local cuisine prepared fresh for you daily. Discuss painting and art with new friends under the stars. Unwind in one of the several comfortable living spaces in the spacious villa. The art retreat is designed to allow you to fully relax and expand while experiencing exhilarating outings and valuable lessons in painting. Paint in the medium of your choice. Jill will assist you with oils, acrylics, watercolors, gouache, or pastels, as well as preliminary sketches.
Painting is convenient at the villa.
Imagine waking up to an Italian breakfast and coffee, followed by a walking meditation, and then heading to the studio to paint. Everything is taken care of so you can enjoy your painting experience. Paint the views from the ease and comfort of the studio or outdoors on the extensive grounds. Gain mastery while expressing the exquisite light and expressive colors native to Italy. Not a landscape painter? No problem. There are plenty of options to explore – such as color, composition, or customized to your needs. We will investigate historical and contemporary approaches to painting techniques.
Local cuisine and wines are served.
After working up an appetite we will dine al fresco with homemade soup, salad, bread, and cheeses from the local farm. Followed by something dolce. Make sure to leave room for dinner. All meals are prepared and served fresh daily with local ingredients. Any special dietary needs will be accommodated.
Discover the Maremma Region.
You can make the most of your Italian holiday and go exploring. Take in Renaissance Art, ancient Etruscan historic sites, and other regional interests. The villa is on the outskirts of the medieval village of Farnese which has many intriguing points of interest and restaurants. Visit the wineries and olive presses, or relax at one of the many natural hot springs.
The private villa is conveniently located just 1 1/2 hours from the Rome airport at the intersection of Lazio, Umbria, and Tuscany. You will be sure to bring home amazing memories and paintings!
“A once in a life-time trip.”
Claudia H
Each attendee’s experience will be optimized. Internationally recognized artist, Jill Nichols will assist you in honing your skills.
Your internationally acclaimed instructor Jill Harrington Nichols, MFA, leads painting workshops in her home state of Connecticut, USA, Italy, France, and online. Accustomed to teaching students at all levels, Jill has a way of instilling confidence and encouraging students to take risks with exceptional outcomes. Jill’s demos and talks will reveal the secrets of creating a successful painting.
She has received awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, and Connecticut Office of the Arts. Her commissioned painting of Washington D.C. was a backdrop for former FBI Director James Comey’s interview on “Face the Nation”, while another appeared on a mini-series, “The Comey Rule”. Her artworks Phi, and Juno, which embrace the divine feminine are installed in the Vatican Observatory Museum.
Jill will work with each painter individually to enhance their painting practice to achieve individual goals.
Live the Dream – Register Today!
Paint, relax, and discover Italy – All-inclusive
September 19 – 26, 2025
All-inclusive 8 Days – 7 nights accommodations
5 days of instruction, all levels, beginner to advanced
6 days of fresh local cuisine & regional wine
Painter $3450.
Non Painting Companion, $1975.
Deposit of $500. holds your spot-refundable until March 31, 2025
Full payment is due by July 19, 2025.
European Travel Visa – The EU, which includes Italy, has delayed the need for Americans to apply for visas until later this year or 2026 due to technical difficulties. When it does go into effect all travelers, regardless of their age, will require a separate and approved ETIAS in order to travel to the European Union. However, individuals under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, are exempt from paying the €7 processing fee. Note that it is a small processing fee, be careful that you are applying at a legitimate site. We will be keeping an eye on the situation and provide you with up-to-date info.
“Italy was a fabulous experience, and I would highly recommend it.”
Rita P
Figs picked from the villa property.
“The week in Farnese as part of the workshop filled our senses and left an edible mark that won’t be soon forgotten. From the early morning meditation walks, the tantalizing and delectable freshly cooked local cuisine, the wonderful company of newfound friendships, to the wealth of knowledge and craft shared by an outstanding mentor and teacher – it was pure Italian and artistic perfection!”
Cindy M
A few of the sights nearby!
Please note that transportation for arrival on September 19th Friday afternoon and departure on September 26th between the villa and Fiumicino Airport, Rome is provided for a fee of $250. per person*. Pick-up time is 2 pm at FCO airport on September 19th and departure time is noon on Friday, September 26th. It is a 1.5-hour drive north of the airport and renting a car is an easy option. *This fee includes group transportation during the workshop. Other pick up and drop off times can be arranged at $500. per person. A rental car is recommended if you want to venture out and explore by yourself.
Note that airfare is not included.
At left, print “Phi” in the Vatican Observatory. At right, Jill with her painting, “Phi”, and the Director of the Vatican Observatory, Brother Guy. An optional tour of the Vatican Observatory to view Jill’s artwork, the Papal Gardens, and the Palace in Castel Gandolfo is available at an additional fee—details will be provided.
Find out more!
Find out more about the Italy Workshop and Retreat by filling out this simple form.
Daily Snapshot
- Paint the sunrise (optional) -this will be a quiet time of painting without instruction.
- Breakfast, in the Italian style of sweet and savory
- A moment of quiet reflection and walking meditation to ease the mind and focus
- Morning immersed in painting
- Lunch served
- Rest, relaxation, and revitalization
- Capture the Italian landscape bathed in the late afternoon light, go on an outing, or take a siesta
- Savor a sumptuous dinner, abundant with the region’s fresh flavors
A complete updated list of suggested materials will be provided upon registration
- Canvas and solvent will be provided.
- Various paints will be at your disposal for experimenting with subtle temperature/value shifts.
- The demos will be in oil and watercolor/gouache paints. Other mediums such as watercolors, acrylics, caseins, gouache, multi-media, and pastels are fine.
- After registration, details will be provided. Below is a link to various suggested materials curated by Jill.
FAQ
How do I get there?
Book your flight into Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy – round trip transportation will be provided on Friday afternoon September, 19th to the villa and return to Fiumicino on Friday, September 26th for an additional $250. fee. Other options include car rental, a private car for $500., or carpooling. Please coordinate this with Jill before your travel. We recommend renting a car, which is very simple to do with your driver’s license. The trip to the villa is a straightforward drive. Driving is on the same side as in America.
Note that air transportation costs are not included.
I’m traveling alone. Is anyone else?
This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to meet and make new friends and it offers a friendly and welcoming environment for the solo traveler. Attendees will be introduced the workshop to each other via email previous to travel.
What is your teaching style? Jill will work one-on-one with students, hold a few demos, and review color, composition, perspective, overlapping, and often overlooked aspects, and her own insights into what goes into a successful painting.
Is the Studio at the Villa? The studio is a short walk across the courtyard from the main house. The grounds and views are extensive and surrounded by olive groves. Some photos above will give you an idea of where you will spend eight spectacular days.
Where is Italy is it? An hour and a half north of the Rome airport (FCO), on the outskirts of the medieval village of Farnese, VT. Here is the link to Google Maps so you can see exactly where it is:
Jill’s Farnese, Italy Paintings and Demos
Ask Jill
Paint in France Fall 2025
All-Inclusive, Sept. 3 – Sept. 10, 2025
Plein Air Workshop. Express the exquisite light and colors native to the South of France. Private rooms at a Grand Château, in the heart of the Dordogne. More Info
