Join Ann Moeller Steverson for this seven-day Plein air portrait workshop. Moeller will instruct how to match the colors of nature and create beautiful soft skin tones with a rainbow of paints. Explore outdoor settings and create beautiful scenarios for a photoshoot and color study with a model. You will practice getting your own best shots and making an exciting studio reference. Learn photo editing for sight size, matching color, and scaling prints for creating the best reference material for a studio painting. You will leave with the knowledge you need, multiple color studies, and excellent photo references of color for getting started on painting outdoor portraits of your own.
$3,750 per person ($800 fully refundable deposit*)
New dates! 9-15 June 2024
Dates and pricing
BONUS COMPANION PACKAGE
Non artist discount of $250. Piero will be your guide as you explore opportunities to see surrounding historical villages, horseback ride, golf, visit a Roman archaeological site, visit nearby festivals, visit the Church of the Dead, take a bell tower tour, discover sunflower fields or just drink with the locals!
Private transportation to and from Bologna BLQ airport to Urbania (please check our time stipulation on day 7)
6 night accommodation with breakfast at the charming B&B www.ilparcoducale.it all bedrooms ensuite (NO supplement for single)
5 Lunches and 6 Dinners with full beverage service, including wine
Welcome Aperitivo
Stunning studio
Hand-crafted cheese, olive oil and wine tasting at Beltrami
Truffle hunt with local guide and truffle dog
Private transportation on all excursions
Private trip to Urbino
Entrance to the “Church of the Dead” and visit
Exclusive week-long class with Ann
Activities for non painters as listed in the itinerary
Week-long private guide and international sommelier Piero
whats included
itinerary
Day 1
Arrival (*Bologna is the recommended airport). In our commitment to making your traveling experience to Le Marche as easy and convenient as possible, your host, Piero Pagliardini, will meet you at the airport (*see time stipulations) and escort you to B&B Il Parco Ducale in the heart of the beautiful village, Urbania.
Take time to settle in, unpack and explore the village a bit before we all meet up.
Ann, and our host and native Marchigiano, Piero Pagliardini, will welcome you over drinks and give an overview of the week to come. Then pizza night! Enjoy the best “ pizza in town at “Enoteca Vin Italy”. End the night with a stroll, a nightcap, and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
Pastries (or le paste) and cappuccino at your hotel.
First day of class with Ann. You’ll receive plenty of individual attention in this very small class, with students working at their own pace. Outdoor photoshoot and demo color study with a model. Class time 9am - 1pm.
Break for a delicious seasonal lunch followed by time to relax.
Free time to work on your project. Non painters explore village life and nearby towns. With Piero you will never get bored.
Late afternoon explore village life. After class we will explore village life, of Urbania our location. Including a visit to the famous “Church of the Dead” and other historical sites. Learn about Urbania’s traditions, spanning over centuries, including its rich ceramic art culture.
Dinner at one of our favorite restaurants “La Braveria”
Day 3
Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel (have you tried the chocolate pastries yet?).
Morning indoor photo editing instruction and study touch ups. Followed by a light lunch (*aka only two courses in Italy).
Non painters free morning. Ask Piero for suggestions
In the afternoon, meet for drive through the Le Marche countryside for a trip to Cartoceto, a village famous for the best and only DOP olive oil imported from Le Marche. We will visit the inimitable Vittorio Beltrami and his famous Gastronomia. Lydia Bastianich has called Beltrami “The Einstein of Cheese”and not just because he looks like Albert Einstein but because he is a genius cheese maker. His pecorino di fossa - a sheep’s milk cheese wrapped in grape leaves and buried under stone for 90 days is indescribably intense, earthyand like nothing you have ever tasted. From the cheese cellar, we’ll walk over to his shop where the family Beltrami will prepare us an in-depth sampling of cheeses, cured meats, and breads, along with wine pairings and house made sweets.
Return to Urbania for a free evening.
(*Note no separate dinner is mentioned on this day because our extensive tasting usually leaves our guests stuffed until morning!)
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning TRUFFLE HUNT with a professional, local guide. Our seasoned truffle hunter, along with his dog, will lead us on an autumn walk through the forest in search of truffles. Mud boots will be provided. If hiking isn’t your thing, spend the afternoon shopping, relaxing in a café and exploring local treasures in the village.
Time to wash up before a truffle-inspired lunch! Enjoy the variety of local wines paired with savory truffle-based delicacies
Class with Ann. Afternoon outdoor photoshoot (different setup than day 1) and life color study. Class time 1-5 pm
Non painters private wine tasting in a stunning location! A selection of local and national wines.
Dinner at delicious restaurant “Da Doddo”
Day 5
Enjoy breakfast and lots of espresso at the hotel.
- Morning excursion to Urbino, Raphael’s childhood home, where we kick off our adventure! In a loose yet structured manner, we'll wander the main squares and winding medieval pathways. You will be immersed in local color, texture, and flavors (while eating everything in sight) as well as examining architectural motifs, contemporary art, and design, all the while collecting ideas that will inspire your art.
An authentic Marchigiano lunch will follow at our favorite restaurant. “Il Leone”
Return to Urbania for afternoon class with Ann.
2nd photo editing instruction and study touch ups. Selection for studio piece.
Non painters, we will meet for an outing to Mercatello sul Metauro. An expert guide will lead us on a light walking tour revealing all the hidden treasures of this charming village, including a stroll along the river to see its lagoons and mini natural pools (swim shoes recommended if you’d like to test the water!).
Group dinner at La Braveria. At this point you will know why!
Day 6
Breakfast at the B&B
Final painting class with Ann. Full studio day. Working from our best photos and study combination in studio work.
Non painters grab your passort! Visit to San Marino, one of the world’s smallest countries. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set atop Mount Titan, 2480ft above sea level is said to be the world’s oldest surving republic.
Break for lunch.
Back to the studio for a final the final touch.
Time to pack at the hotel.
Meet that evening for a farewell dinner where we will raise a glass (or two, or three!) to our week in Le Marche. Cin-cin! Cheers! And a warm salute until next year!
Day 7
- Departures (*Please arrange departures for after 2:00 p.m.).
Time Stipulations
-Pick-ups at BLQ Bologna airport and Bologna Centrale Train Station will be offered between 12:00-3:00 p.m.
-Departures at BLQ Bologna airport and Bologna Centrale Train Station will be offered from 12:00 noon onward. In order to arrive for your flight with ample time, we recommend scheduling departing flights after 4:00 p.m.
- Pick-up and Departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.
We recommend booking a night or two in Bologna at the end/beginning of your trip to explore this beautiful city and to make your departure/arrival flights more convenient. Please contact us for recommendations. .