DESCRIPTION WORKSHOP
Join master painters David Kassan and Shana Levenson for a 5-day workshop in the historic and artistic heart of Italy—Urbania next to Urbino, the birthplace of Renaissance master Raphael. Designed for artists of all levels, this workshop will deepen your skills in portrait painting through daily instruction, and personalized feedback from both Kassan and Levenson.
This experience will involve a deep exploration of the formal elements of representational painting, such as form, tone, value, color matching, edges, proportions, and composition. David and Shana will guide you through these technical aspects while also offering support to those wishing to delve into conceptual art, using representational portraiture as a launching point for broader creative exploration.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Urbino’s rolling hills and Renaissance architecture, you’ll explore classical techniques with a contemporary approach, focusing on capturing the essence of the human form. Each day will bring opportunities to sharpen your skills and build upon the inspiration of Italy’s artistic heritage.
Participants will work from Italianate-themed photo references, carefully selected to echo the essence of the Italian Old Masters. Ongoing demonstrations by both Kassan and Levenson will provide rich insight into their unique approaches.
Students are encouraged to bring along their partners, who can enjoy specialized excursions tailored just for them, including vineyard tours, cultural explorations, and visits to historical sites. This makes for an unforgettable experience, combining art, history, and leisure.To complete the experience, all meals will be curated by a local wine sommelier, pairing regional dishes with the finest Italian wines, offering a taste of Italy’s culinary mastery.
Whether you're looking to refine your portrait painting skills or explore conceptual possibilities, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn from two renowned artists in the inspirational setting of Raphael’s hometown, surrounded by art, culture, and exquisite cuisine.
$4,699 per person ($800 fully refundable deposit*)
for our non-painter discount contact us at italianatours@gmail.com
June 8-14, 2025
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 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 https://www.italianatours.com/location
Pairing food and wine tasting
Private cooking class at 12th century mill Mulino della Ricavata
Private trip to Urbino
Entrance Raphaelʼs childhood home
Private tasting and visit at the Einstein of Cheese
Private transportation on all excursions
Entrance to the “Church of the Dead”
Exclusive week-long class with Levenson and Kassan, 18 hour workshop guaranteed with optional time on your own
Activities for non painters as listed in the itinerary
Week-long private guide and international sommelier Piero
whats included
itinerary
Day 1 Sunday 8 June
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.
Shana, David, 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. End the night with a stroll, a nightcap, and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2 Monday 9 June
-Wake up to the smell of pastries and espresso. Enjoy a local breakfast at the B&B, followed by a morning
-Workshop with Shana and David! Walk next door to your private studio in the Duke of Urbino’s summer palace, a historical landmark and your creative hub for the week.
- On our first day in the studio, we’ll dive right into the essentials that will carry us through the week. We’ll begin with a comprehensive discussion about your tools of the trade—exploring your palette, brushes, and painting mediums. This session will offer insights into how to select and prepare materials that best suit your style and the techniques we’ll be working with throughout the workshop.
-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 a light lunch (aka in Italy – two courses only).
-Afternoon in the studio. Once you’ve become familiar with your materials, we’ll start the creative process by sketching the foundation of your portrait. Transferring the drawing to the panel to help you develop a clear plan for your painting.
As we work, you’ll have the opportunity to observe a live demonstration led by Shana and David. Together, we’ll show you how to block in the background of the painting, laying down broad strokes and setting the atmosphere for the portrait. This is a key step in building depth and creating a sense of place before we refine the details of the figure.
By the end of the day, you’ll have your panel prepared and a solid roadmap for the days ahead, with your first layers of paint establishing the groundwork for your portrait.
-Later 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. Private wine tasting to follow with dinner at the Mulino!
Day 3 Tuesday10 June
-Enjoy a local breakfast of cappuccino and pastries (or le paste) at your B&B.
-Morning studio time with Shana and David. On Day 3, we’ll shift into full creative momentum as you begin to bring your portrait to life. With your drawing and background in place, it’s time to start painting in earnest. Shana and David will be by your side throughout the day, offering individualized coaching tailored to your artistic vision. You’ll focus on form, light, and shadow as you build the initial layers of your portrait.
Expect a mix of one-on-one feedback and practical tips, allowing you to deepen your understanding of oil painting techniques. The goal is to help you navigate the balance between structure and fluidity as you develop the depth and personality of your subject. By the end of the day, you’ll feel the energy of your painting coming to life
Non painters explore village life and nearby towns visit to Domus of Myth. Archeological site with amazing mosaics. With Piero you will never get bored.
- break for group lunch in loco
-Afternoon in the studio, 1:30-4:30pm. Throughout the day, you’ll receive one-on-one coaching tailored to your specific needs. Demonstrations will alternate with hands-on practice, giving you a clear understanding of how to execute each step before trying it on your panel. The goal is for you to not only understand the techniques but also feel empowered to experiment and make bold creative decisions. By day’s end, your painting will be well on its way, with the portrait starting to emerge from the panel.
- All group late afternoon Dive into village life in Urbania, historical sites. Learn about Urbania’s traditions, spanning centuries, including its rich ceramic art culture. Included a visit to the most iconic and misteriuous “Church of the Dead”.
-Dinner at one of our favorite restaurants “La Braveria”
Day 4 Wednesday 11 June
-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. Please bring your sketchbook and/or materials for an amazing sssion in the city center and at a panoramic lookout.
-Entrance to Raphael’s childhood home.
- Lunch near the town square.
- Return to the B&B for down time to rest or work independently on your project.
- Dinner at the sqaure!
Day 5 Thursday 12 June
-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 Shana and David .3:00 -6:00 pm.
**Studio Days remaining Deepening Your Craft and Connection to Place**
As the week progresses, the focus will shift toward refining and building upon the foundations you've laid in the first two days. You'll continue to develop your paintings, working on details, textures, and the subtleties of your subject. Each day will begin with a short demonstration or discussion led by Shana and David, covering topics such as layering techniques, working with glazes, and achieving color harmony within your palette.
**Deepening Your Understanding of Mediums and Palette**
A central theme for the remainder of the workshop will be an exploration of your materials—going beyond technique to truly understand the properties of the oil mediums, pigments, and brushes you’re using. We’ll delve into the nuances of color mixing, experimenting with historical palettes and mediums inspired by Renaissance masters like Raphael, whose artistic spirit is felt throughout this region. These sessions are designed to help you make informed choices about how to achieve the effects you desire while maintaining control over your painting’s progress.
**The Influence of Local History and Art**
As we work, we’ll also take time to reflect on the rich history of the area and how it can inform your practice. The influence of Raphael and the artistic legacy of the Renaissance will be woven into our discussions, offering you a deeper connection to the place where you’re painting. Whether through studying local artworks or simply absorbing the atmosphere of this inspiring region, you’ll find new layers of meaning to incorporate into your creative process.
**Individual Coaching and Continued Progress**
Throughout these studio days, Shana and David will continue to provide personalized feedback, helping you navigate challenges and refine your work. Each artist will receive one-on-one coaching tailored to their painting’s specific needs, with attention to detail, composition, and expression. You’ll be encouraged to push your artistic boundaries, while also staying true to your vision.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a fully realized portrait that reflects both your technical growth and the influence of the artistic heritage that surrounds you.
Non painters, we will meet for an outing to Mercatello sul Metauro. Piero will lead you 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!).
- Dinner at Braveria at this point you will know why.
Day 6 Friday 13 June
-Leisure morning and breakfast at the B&B. Morning workshop with Shana and David.
Painting session in the morning, on site 9-12pm.
**Final Studio Day: Reflection and Celebration**
On our last day together, we’ll take time to step back and reflect on everything we’ve learned and created throughout the workshop. This day will be more relaxed, allowing you to put the finishing touches on your painting and review the techniques and insights you've gained over the week.
In the afternoon, we’ll gather as a group for a thoughtful discussion, sharing our personal experiences, challenges, and breakthroughs during the workshop. It will be an opportunity for each artist to speak about the evolution of their work, the impact of the techniques they've explored, and how the historical and cultural richness of the area has influenced their creative process.
As we talk, we’ll celebrate our journey with a bottle of fine local wine, raising a glass to the progress we’ve made and the new perspectives we’ve gained. This is a moment to enjoy the camaraderie that’s developed among us and to savor the beauty of painting in this extraordinary setting.
By the end of the day, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of portrait painting, enriched by the knowledge of the Renaissance masters and the memories of this immersive artistic experience.
-Deliciuos lunch and free time to pack, shopping or relax.
Non painters grab your passport! Visit to San Marino, one of the world’s smallest countries. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set atop Mount Titan, 2480 ft above sea level is said to be the world’s oldest surviving republic.
-Meet that evening for a farewell happy hour and dinner. Share your art with the group and then 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 Saturday 14 June
- 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.
Time Stipulations
-Pick-ups at BLQ Bologna airport and Bologna Centrale Train Station will be offered between 12:00-3:00 p.m.
-Depart the B&B at 10:00 AM. Departures at BLQ Bologna airport and Bologna Centrale Train Station will be offered from 1:00 pm onward. In order to arrive for your flight with ample time, we recommend scheduling departing flights after 3:00 p.m.
- Pick-up and Departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.