ways of seeing IV

Painting and drawing

Master Class Retreat 2026

June 20 - July 4 with Nathan Florence

Building on our amazing 2025 experience in Scotland, in 2026 we are excited to be heading back to the outskirts of Florence, Italy, the birthplace of The Renaissance.

Join us for an immersive week of creative growth in Tuscany. The location is a hilltop organic farm between Florence and Pisa which includes heirloom vineyards and olive orchards. The golden light of this region has been immortalized in art for centuries. The farm cafe will provide us with daily delicious breakfasts and dinners.

This retreat is about discovering and telling stories with your art, capturing a sense of place, and communicating your experience in the medium of your choice. Presentations and workshops will be in photography, and writing as well as drawing and plein air oil painting.  Not only that, but the pool is perfect for refreshing dips and the farm offers cooking workshops in their teaching kitchen and wine tastings in their cellars which are available to workshop participants and their companions!

La Pineta, Tuscany

June 28-July 4, 2026

Price: $2950 ($2500 if you register before Dec 31) based on double occupancy. Limited single rooms and family apartments available at various prices. Partner options below.

Single Rooms: add $1,250 (limited availability)

Includes: 5 days tuition, 6 nights accommodation, three meals per day. Transfer from Florence and optional local day-trip travel can be arranged.

Age: 18+ with exceptions for 15+ accompanied by parent.

​Location: Agriturismo La Pineta, Fucecchio, Italy

​Courses of study: Oil painting and drawing.

​Workshop size: 20 spots available

Experience: All levels welcome

About the Experience

The stunning, off-the-grid location is ideal for an immersive, creative experience like no other. Participants will learn about narrative painting, the landscape, and how to think about composition and the use of color in your work. We will also talk about pursuing a personal vision and visual story-telling. We will be working alongside each other and sharing feedback in nightly group discussions as well as one on one instruction with the opportunity to discuss personal goals and direction in your work.

The farm-run cafe is perfect for sharing our experiences in the evening. Over plates of local favorites and a glass of the house wine, it is a place to pin up drawings and paintings, hear an impromptu performance of a new song, poetry or story reading, etc. This is the creative circle; where the air crackles with passionate conversation!

Meals will be provided by the farm chef with lunch and dinner served al fresco on the patio, which has a sweeping view of the countryside. Breakfast is available in the main house. In free time, participants will have use of the grounds to explore, including the orchards, vineyards and the resident pigs. There will also be options to participate in cooking classes, wine tastings, and much more.

Did we mention the pool?

The focus of the workshop is the creative community and working where we are, so if you’d like to visit some of the popular museums and sites we recommend adding a few days after the workshop to explore Florence and the rest of Italy.

What People are Saying


"Getting to see how and artist thinks and approaches tackling their own expression of the world around them has been very helpful. Working directly from life is something I haven't done much of since school and plein air is something I'd never really done."

-Dave

“The most meaningful part of the creative experience was painting alongside Nathan, seeing how he approached a scene, and “tips” he gave me on my work. The whole trip was well planned and worked well logistically. The venue was perfect, Nathan was patient, flexible, [and] never a sense of feeling rushed.”

-Brian

“I have grown so much. I see the world differently by appreciating my environment around me in a creative light. While I learned about photography, I learned even more about myself, what I enjoy, and how I can continue to create in my day-to-day life. And most importantly…learn how to stop and be present and enjoy my surroundings.”

-Rebecca

Proposed Schedule

Instruction: Monday through Friday, morning daily painting sessions, presentations and evening group critiques/discussions are available to all participating artists.

​Daily Local Destinations: We will begin by exploring our immediate environs of the La Pineta Farm and its sublime views. We will paint/draw in the afternoon and then enjoy an early supper to take advantage of the long evening light for an evening session.

  • delicious home cooked meals

  • chatting with the artists

  • "Red Tower" by Nathan Florence

  • art in the garden

  • "Blue Fields" by Nathan Florence

  • views from La Pineta

  • "Limone" by Nathan Florence

  • Nathan Florence

    PAINTING/DRAWING

    I see everything around me in terms of how I would paint it. Everything can be used to make something out of and almost anything can be hacked to make it better.

    I have been teaching people to see, draw, paint and create for over 20 years. Art is about communicating, and learning how to do that better makes life richer.

    Follow me on Instagram/TikTok!

    @picturesofflorence

FAQ and stuff.

What's included?

5 days tuition - 6 nights accommodation

3 meals per day - Tea, coffee - Wine tasting - Extra activities - Solvents for painting

​Prices

 $2950-participating artist-shared accommodations

$2450-Participating Partner (or parent of 15+ yo.)

$1950-Bring a non-participating partner or friend

 You are welcome to bring along a travel companion with you who will not be participating in the workshop. Partners can join all of our meals and activities and become a part of our group. Double rooms with Queen beds are available.

+ $1,250 for a single room

The location is outside of town so any activities away from the group need to be self-supported. You may want to consider renting your own vehicle in this situation, but we are happy to advise.

​The Food

Breakfast and any other meals at La Pineta Farm will be delicious, home-cooked Italian cuisine, and will take place in the cafe or outside when the weather is nice. Vegetarian and gluten free options will be available; please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements (dietary needs rather than preferences). 6 breakfasts and 6 dinners are provided; other meals are available wherever we are working and is the choice of the artist. Local restaurants are varied and delicious!

Wine is served with dinner, additional wine and cocktails are available for purchase.

​Materials list, itinerary & more information

Participants are responsible for their own equipment according to course of study.

Materials list for painters is here.

Transfer Information

Artists are responsible for getting to La Pineta Farm from the airport and back, but we are happy to help figure out the best way for you.

​Booking information

 Click here to confirm your place on this retreat. You will be connected to a Google form and we will contact regarding best payment information for you. $750 deposit or the full workshop fee are required for reservation. Terms and conditions can be found on the booking page.