From Sketchbook to Studio - Novanta, Italy
Drawing on the beautiful surroundings of the Casentino Hills and breathtaking views of the once-abandoned Gello valley, this creative retreat at Italy’s Novanta will explore ways to travel with a sketchbook then bring these drawings to life.
Novanta is surrounded by around 300 hectares of rolling fields and lush forests, right on the edge of the stunning Casentino National Park. Their valley provides endless opportunities for exploration and wonder, providing perfect inspiration for this four-day workshop.
The retreat begins with an entirely playful first evening - dabbling in colour and pattern, inviting intuitive and abstract image-making - processes that influence the start of many of my own creative projects. From there I’ll lead you through an exploration of the surroundings using a sketchbook and pared-back selection of drawing tools to make simple sketches from life. These will become the springboard for the creation of energetic and visually sumptuous illustrations inspired by this wonderful landscape and the authentic charm of the Tuscan agriturismo lifestyle.
Throughout the course you’ll be guided to work with a range of materials including watercolour, acrylic and emulsion paint, ink, pastel and coloured pencil, along with a special focus on building colour palettes, creating characterfully imperfect illustrations and developing final images that evoke a strong sense of place.
By the end of the retreat you’ll have myriad ways to explore any location with a sketchbook - from holiday travels to daily walks - and know how to develop these casual ‘on-the-go’ sketches into vibrant artworks inspired by your trip.
This is an opportunity to fully immerse yourself creatively in breathtaking surroundings, with a balance of directive teaching and feedback along with the freedom to explore on your own terms. You’ll leave feeling inspired to move your creative work in new directions, having tried new approaches and different techniques in an inspiring setting.
This retreat is suitable for all levels of experience and ability from enthusiastic beginners to more established artists seeking new inspiration. It also covers new themes and processes and is therefore equally suitable for students who have attended any of my previous workshops or retreats.
Prices includes everything but travel*:
Private room - €2595 / Semi-shared room - €2295 / Shared room (2 people, same sex only) - €1995
Dates: Sun 21th - Fri 26th September 2025
Location: Novanta, Borgo di Gello, Bibbiena, Arezzo, Italy
Website: https://novanta90.com/
*Scroll down for images and key information…
“This course changed everything. It raised my painting few levels up. I can’t recommend it enough. Laura McKendry is amazing. Her art is so alive, vibrant and free. I started to draw again, discovered new techniques and new materials. I feel true joy!”
Five uninterrupted days of Laura’s very generous and inspiring encouragement and guidance for creating through exploration and play, while also having a lot fun alongside five other wonderful artists. I’ve been letting the effects settle in and have come away with a can’t-quite-describe-it sense of both freedom and focus, thanks so much Laura. I’m more than happy to sing your praises after such an exceptional experience, the workshop exceeded expectations and my expectations were high!
– Drawing Urban Nature, London 2023 - Lindsey, North Wales
MORE INFORMATION
*Prices include all meals, refreshments, 5 nights accommodation, teaching and all art materials, use of the pool and surroundings. It doesn’t include flights and transfers. Alcoholic drinks from the honesty bar are additional and paid for individually at the end of your stay. Additional activities not connected with the workshop may be available and can be booked and paid for individually.
Check-in is from 16:00 on Sunday. The workshop begins Sunday evening at 17:30 before dinner at 19:30, followed by 4 full days from Monday to Thursday. Check-out is 11:00 on Friday. If you are travelling some distance, you might like to consider making your own arrangements to add an additional night or two in Florence or Pisa before or after your stay at Novanta.
If you opt for a shared room, we are happy to put you in touch with your room partner in advance of the trip - with each person’s permission.
We are also happy to put participants in touch with each other if you are arriving at the same airport and want to combine transfer travel (train to Arezzo then taxi, or taxi/hire car from Pisa or Florence).
The workshop will be for a maximum of 15 participants and will be delivered in a private teaching space. Novanta is large site and offers a shared experience for different travellers; therefore other guests not connected with the workshop may be in the area at the same time. This adds to the social atmosphere and creates more opportunities for interactions outside of the scheduled sessions.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE:
** Borgo di Gello is a beautiful and unique place, but also a place with limited facilities. It is unrefined and rough and, in this respect, suitable for guests with an adventurous attitude and an open mind. And above all, be prepared to have an unconventional and memorable stay! During your stay Novanta’s inhouse photographer will be on site to take pictures of the village being enjoyed, to be used by Novanta for marketing purposes. They will do this with the utmost respect for your privacy.
**Payment is made in two installments. 50% is required to secure your space; the remaining 50% will be due in June. If you would like to discuss an alternative payment plan, please contact me on art@lauramckendry.com.
**Bookings are non-refundable unless your space can be filled, in which case it will be refunded minus any transaction fees. We recommend travel insurance for any unforeseen cancellations.