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Painting with Watercolor
at the Villa Palagione, Tuscany
Sept. 20 - 27, 2025
With Shirley Lehner-Rhoades

Taught in English

Our one week painting holiday in Tuscany takes place at an elegant villa, over 400 years old, painstakingly restored by an Italian-German team of artists who have created a wonderful international culture and study center.  Complete with a gorgeous swimming pool, Villa Palagione is nestled into the picturesque hills of Tuscany, only 6 kilometers from the art city of Volterra. Within a half hour drive of the villa are several gorgeous fortified hill towns for which Tuscany is famous.  We will pick you up at the airport in Pisa, or if you have your own car, parking is available at the villa.

 

Shirley, a professional graphic artist, typographer and painter for over thirty years, will lead the workshop, painting "en plein air" at sites in and around the Villa grounds. We will begin each day with a demonstration, discovering the warm light at the Villa Palagione and the surrounding area.  After a quick lunch we will find another beautiful spot to paint and end the day with a relaxed but informative critique of the day's work.

 

Delicious farm-to-table dinners will be served at the Villa, as well as breakfast each day.  Lunch will either be a picnic lunch, or a bistro lunch when we are offsite.  A Welcome vino e formaggio party on Saturday night, a mid-week trattoria lunch and a Farewell gastronomic dinner at a wonderful restaurant on Friday night are also included.

 

Some of the time will be spent walking through Tuscan hills and Volterra's cobblestone streets.  Participants should be comfortable with carrying their gear on uneven surfaces.  You always have the option of course of remaining at the villa to paint on site.

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Typical Schedule 

Subject to change depending on weather, desires of group, or other unforseen circumstances.

 

Saturday
Pick up at Pisa airport and arrival at Villa Palagione near Volterra

 

Saturday night 

7:00 pm Welcome reception at the Villa followed by dinner

 

Sunday

9:00 - 9:45 am breakfast 

10:00 am painting demo at villa

10:30 - 1:00 pm plein air painting

1:00 - 2:30 pm lunch

2:30 - 5:30 pm plein air painting

5:30 - 7:30 pm Siesta

7:30 pm Dinner at villa

 

Monday - Friday

9:00 - 9:45 am breakfast 

Painting at Villa, in Volterra and in Mazzolla. Optional museum and historical site visits.

10:00 - 1:00 pm plein air painting

1:00 - 2:30 pm lunch

2:30 - 5:30 pm plein air painting

5:30 - 7:30 pm Siesta

7:30 pm Dinner at villa

Friday night open studio followed by gourmet Farewell Dinner

 

Saturday 

8:00 - 8:45 am breakfast
9 am Van pick up to Pisa Airport

Paintings by Shirley Lehner-Rhoades

Click to enlarge

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Painting Instructor Shirley Lehner-Rhoades

Shirley has been a professional graphic artist, typographer and painter for over thirty years. She currently teaches watercolor, acrylic and oil painting classes to all age levels at Scotts Valley Art Center in Scotts Valley, California. Shirley is a member of Gallery 24 in Los Gatos, California and exhibits in various shows throughout the year; Coastal Arts League, The Visual Arts Network, Saratoga Rotary Fine Art Show, Palo Alto Fine Art Festival and Open Studios in Santa Cruz, California.

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Holiday Director Kate Kilbourne

Since 2000, Kate Kilbourne lived part of the year in San Francisco, California, and part of the year in her house in Trôo, France... until 2017 when her partner Robert bought a flat in Cádiz, Spain.  Now Kate and Robert spend the spring and fall all over Europe, running Plein Air Holidays in France, Spain, Italy and in Croatia where they lived for nine months during the Covid pandemic.  Kate is fluent in French and is learning Spanish as fast as she can!

Historic renovated lodging at

The recorded history of Villa Palagione starts 400 years ago, in 1598, at the height of the Florentine dynasty of the Medici family. A plaque names the original owner as Girolamo Minucci. He was a knight and cupbearer of various Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Over the centuries the Minucci family represented the interests of the Medici in this region. The area's vast mineral resources were the source of great wealth and power, but also the cause of numerous power struggles. Since the times of Girolamo the appearance of the estate has changed several times over the centuries, bowing to the tastes of past generations and the dictates of fashion trends. The villa has numerous large rooms and halls. The "Lords and Ladies" lived on the central floor, or "Bel-Etage", where today you can still find the most beautiful murals and frescoes.

Villa Palagione

Today Villa Palagione has evolved into an internationally renowned centre of culture and study, a place of encounters, learning, enjoyment and creativity. We offer accommodation for up to 65 guests, seminar and conference rooms, as well as beautiful gardens and a pool for recreation and relaxation. Our in-house Tuscan cuisine varies according to the seasons and includes a breakfast buffet, and a midday or evening meal (a set meal with several courses) featuring regional specialties. 

Included in Holiday
  • 6 days of instruction

  • 7 nights lodging at the Villa Palagione

  • Van pick up at Pisa airport

  • Welcome Vino e Formaggio party

  • Daily breakfast at villa

  • Daily picnic or trattoria lunch

  • Nightly home-cooked  dinners at villa

  • Local museums and historical site visits

  • Farewell 3 course gourmet dinner 

Not Included
  • Air fare

  • Travel insurance

  • Medical insurance

  • Train fare

  • Painting Materials 

Cost

The cost for the 7 night holiday, inclusive of everything listed under "Included in Holiday", varies according to whether you prefer a single room or are planning to share a double.  

Accommodation is in the historic Villa Palagione.

 

Double Room: 2750 euros 

Per person

 

Single Room: 3100 euros 

Per person

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Sign up by Dec. 31, 2024

to receive a 200 euro discount! (When booking use discount code: EARLYBIRD)

20% Discount

for non-painting participants

(When booking use discount code: PARTNER)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2025
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