Umbria art retreat 2027
A Complete Artistic Retreat in the Heart of Umbria
Umbria Art Retreat 2027
Plein Air Painting & Drawing Workshop
7 days / 6 nights
Where Peace Reigns Supreme
Treat yourself to a unique artistic experience in the heart of Umbria, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, birdsong, and the peaceful atmosphere of a historic monastery.
Nestled in the unspoilt countryside of the Valnerina Valley, San Bernardino Monastery, dating back to 1440, offers an inspiring setting where time seems to slow down. Surrounded by forests, medieval villages, lakes, and rolling hills, it is the perfect place to develop your creativity while enjoying the beauty of authentic Italy.
This is much more than a painting workshop.
It is a complete artistic retreat combining art, culture, nature, history, friendship, and genuine Italian hospitality.
Your Instructor
The workshop is led by an Italian artist and experienced teacher with many years of practice in drawing and painting instruction.
Throughout the week, the professor will provide demonstrations, practical lessons, individual guidance, and constructive critiques designed to help each participant improve their artistic skills and confidence.
Because the group is intentionally small, every participant will receive personal attention and support throughout the workshop.
Who can join
This workshop is suitable for:
- Complete beginners
- Drawing and painting enthusiasts
- Art students
- Amateur artists
- Experienced painters and illustrators
No previous experience is required.
Activities and instruction will be adapted to each participant’s individual level and artistic goals.
Getting Here
The recommended airports are:
- Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
- Perugia International Airport (PEG)
After arriving at the airport, participants should travel by train to Terni Railway Station using the available rail connections.
A member of the organisation will meet participants at Terni Railway Station and provide a complimentary transfer to San Bernardino Monastery.
Participants will be asked to communicate their arrival times in advance to facilitate transfer arrangements.
The transfer between Terni Railway Station and the Monastery is included in the workshop fee.
Workshop Programme
Five Days of Observation, Landscape and Artistic Retreat
Day 1 – Arrival & Foundations of Observation
- 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Check-in at San Bernardino Monastery
- Welcome meeting and introduction to the workshop
- Introduction to materials and plein air working methods
- 7:00 pm: Welcome dinner
Day 2 – Landscape Drawing & Perspective
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am: Breakfast
- 9:30 am – 1:00 pm: Outdoor drawing session
- Packed lunch
- 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Studio work and individual guidance
- 7:00 pm: Dinner
- Drawing from observation
- Basic composition
- Sketchbook preparation
- Linear perspective
- Landscape composition
- Pencil and charcoal techniques
Day 3 – Scheggino
- Breakfast
- Departure for Scheggino
- Full day of plein air drawing and painting
- Packed lunch
- Return at 6:00 pm
- Dinner
- Urban drawing
- Pen and ink sketching
- Expressive line work
Day 4 – Marmore Waterfalls
- Breakfast
- Departure for Marmore Waterfalls
- Full day of outdoor painting
- Packed lunch
- Return to the Monastery
- Dinner
- Watercolour techniques
- Wet-on-wet painting
- Painting moving water and transparency
Day 5 – Lake Piediluco
- Breakfast
- Departure for Lake Piediluco
- Full day of painting by the lake
- Packed lunch
- Return to the Monastery
- Dinner at a traditional Valnerina restaurant
- Colour theory
- Colour harmony
- Reflections on water
- Light and shadow studies
Day 6 – Umbrian Cooking Experience
- Culinary experience in a monastery
- Traditional Umbrian cooking class
- Handmade pasta workshop featuring Ciriole and Tagliatelle
- Review of artwork completed during the week
- Final critique and feedback
- Presentation of Certificates of Participation
Day 7 – Final Review & Departure
- Breakfast
- Final Greetings
- Check-out and departure
What You Will Learn
Throughout the week participants will explore:
- Drawing from observation
- Composition
- Perspective
- Urban sketching
- Watercolour painting
- Acrylic painting
- Colour theory
- Light and shadow
- Water and reflections
- Personal artistic development
Workshop Fee
€2,750
per person (All inclusive)
€2,450
per person (All inclusive)
Immersive retreat formula
The workshop fee combines accommodation, tuition, local transfers, selected materials and the shared dinners and experiences included in the programme.
Everything you need to focus on art, landscape and hospitality
Useful to budget separately before confirming your trip
Registration & Payment
Upon reaching the number of registered membersPlaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until all places have been filled.
Maximum 8 / Minimum 6The workshop will be confirmed once the minimum number of participants has been reached.
30% non-refundable depositRegistration is considered confirmed only after receipt of the deposit and written confirmation from the organisers.
Single Room €822Shared Double Room €735
Due no later than 15 days before the beginning of the workshopThis final payment secures accommodation, transfers, workshop participation and all experiences included in the programme.
Payment Information
After payment, please email a copy of the bank transfer receipt to confirm your registration.
Retreat Gallery
Images from San Bernardino and the Umbrian Landscape
Cancellation Policy
The 30% deposit is non-refundable.
In the event of cancellation before payment of the final balance, only the deposit will be retained.
No refund can be provided after payment of the final balance, except in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the organisers.
Should the organisers be forced to cancel the workshop, all payments received will be refunded in full.
An Exclusive Workshop
Limited to Only 8 Participants
To ensure a high-quality learning experience and personal attention from the instructor, the workshop is strictly limited to eight participants.
Every guest will benefit from individual guidance and ongoing support throughout the week.
Request Availability
Information & Bookings
San Bernardino Monastery
Valnerina, Umbria, Italy
Email: info@plenairumbria.it
Telephone / WhatsApp: contatto su richiesta via email
Art • Nature • Culture • Hospitality
Spend a week immersed in creativity, beauty, and authentic Italian culture.
Paint inspiring landscapes, discover medieval villages, enjoy local cuisine, and experience the timeless atmosphere of San Bernardino Monastery in the heart of Umbria.
This is more than a painting workshop — it is an experience you will remember for a lifetime.