Graham Berry is a professional artist from Blackpool, England. Currently working in watercolour, and inspiring amateur artists all over the world, until 2017 Graham was a professional illustrator, working on exciting National and International projects.
Graham started his artistic journey at Blackpool School of Art and later at Wimbledon school of Art where he honed his illustration skills. He began his illustration career in 1972 and he was there in London's Soho area when it was the centre for creative talent in the 1980’s. Graham says "My experience working as an illustrator helped me to refine the drawing ability that is the foundation of my current work. I believe being able to draw is fundamental to painting."
Travel and people have long been Graham’s inspiration; he sees vibrancy and colour in even the most pedestrian of everyday scenes. Graham says “I find people going about their everyday life fascinating. The different expressions, situations, colours and shadows are what inspired me to keep painting watercolours alongside my career.”
Since 2016 Graham has been sharing his passion and teaching people to paint in his unique, colourful and striking style. He runs workshops from his studio in his hometown Blackpool in the UK, and embarks on painting tours across the United States,Canada and Europe, holding watercolour workshops for groups of as many as 25 enthusiastic painters.
…and in 2019 Graham decided to take his teaching online too, meaning he can reach even more people. He films and releases a new tutorial every two weeks, and has students from all over the world. He says: “My online tutorials are especially important today; I can still reach and inspire – and bring happiness to – a great number of artists, despite the fact that I can’t hold the in-person classes. I think this is really important at the moment – being able to be creative is so important to a person’s mental health. It makes me happy to be able to continue filming and producing the tutorials, and it makes my students happy to have something to look forward to, it inspires them, and distracts them from what is going on in the world.”
Graham’s work has been selected for inclusion in North Light Books: Best of Watercolour series; Splash 14, 15, 16 & 20, and also appears in The 2nd & 3rd International Watercolor Biennales, Pakistan.
You can find out more about Graham at www.grahamberrystudio.com
and his online school www.paintwithgraham
and also follow him on Facebook(www.facebook.com/grahamberrystudio/).
$3,499 per person ($800 fully refundable deposit*)
new dates 8 - 14 September , 2024
Book Now to save your spot!
Terms and Conditions, including our refund policy, are located on the Book Your Tour page.
Dates and pricing
Private transfer to and from Bologna, BLQ airport (*see time stipulations)
6-night hotel accommodation, breakfast included at https://www.ilparcoducale.it/
6 dinners - 5 lunches beverage included
Opportunities to meet local artists
Private cooking class at Mulino della Ricavata
Private trip to Urbino + entrance Palazzo Ducale and Raphael’s childhood home
Private trip and tasting at Beltrami
All activities for “non painters” included in the itinerary
Exclusive week-long class with Graham Berry
Week-long private guide with Certified International Sommelier
whats included
2024 itinerary
Day 1
-Arrival (*Bologna BLQ 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 the B&B. https://www.ilparcoducale.it/
-Take time to settle in, unpack and explore before we all meet up. The hotel is within walking distance of shops, markets, restaurants, and village life unspoiled by time.
-Graham, and our host and native Marchigiano, Piero Pagliardini, will welcome you over drinks and give an overview of the week to come. Then pizza time! Enjoy the best pizza in town in an authentic Italian pizzeria. End the night with a stroll, a nightcap, and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
-Wake up to the smell of pastries and espresso. Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel, followed by a leisurely stroll through the traveling open-air market. Explore the shops, booths, and flower boutiques, while nibbling on samples of olives, cheese and porchetta. This is a fan-favorite and great opportunity to stock up on souvenirs!
-Break for a light lunch in the village center (aka in Italy – two courses only).
-After lunch, relax followed by studio class with Graham. 2-5pm
-Afternoon cooking class with one of the best local chefs in Urbania to make “pasta fatta a mano” and other traditional courses. Our class will be held in the spectacular Mulino della Ricavata, a 12th century mill that will leave you breath taken. At the end dinner with private wine and food pairing tasting!
Day 3
-Enjoy a local breakfast of cappuccino and pastries (or le paste) at your hotel.
-Morning studio time with Graham 9-12 noon
Non painters will venture out for a morning truffle hunt with Piero. We will meet Andrea, local truffle hunter, and his best friend Pialla, his dog. The hunt will take us through fantastic landscapes while hunting for black truffles and learning local traditions.
-Break for group lunch in town followed by down time to rest or work independently on your project.
Non painters explore village life and nearby towns. With Piero you will never get bored.
Dinner in the square at Doddo’s restaurant!
Day 4
- 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.
-Private guided tour through the Palazzo Ducale and Raphael’s childhood home.
- Lunch at our favorite restaurant!
- Return and relax then in the afternoon back to the studio with Graham.
- Back at the “Braveria” restaurant. By this point, you will know why!
Day 5
Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel (have you tried the chocolate pastries yet?)
Meet for a 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, earthy, and 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. Lunch included!
Return and relax.
Afternoon class with Graham.
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.
Day 6
-Leisurely morning and breakfast at the B&B.
-Full studio day. Usual break for lunch then return to the studio for your last class with Graham. We will finish up our paintings and review lessons shared.
-Free time to pack at the hotel.
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.
-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
- Depart the B&B at 10:00 AM. It is a two-hour trip to the Bologna BLQ airport (*Please arrange flight departures for after 2:00 p.m. in order to have enough time at the airport for check-in and security.).
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 2:00 p.m.
- Pick-up and Departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.