Abstracting the Tuscan Landscape:
An Oil and Cold Wax
Abstract Painting Retreat in Chianti, Italy
May 13-20, 2026
Pack your bags (and your paintbrushes) and join me in Chianti, Italy!
🎨 Spend 7 inspiring days painting in Tuscany!
🎨 Explore abstract landscapes with oil and cold wax in a stunning farmhouse studio
🎨 Be surrounded by beauty — rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards, and a small group of like-minded artists
🎨 Savor cappuccinos, Chianti, and creativity in the heart of Italy
This retreat will help us CONNECT, be INSPIRED, and learn.
So download that Italian language app, and maybe watch Under the Tuscan Sun one more time…
It’s my first international retreat of 2026, and there’s room for just 14 lucky painters to join us!
Meet your instructor, Lisa Mann!
Lisa combines the sensibilities and decades of classroom teaching experience with the bold, and riotous color sense that is musical, imaginative, and playful .
She is a lifelong learner of art, and truly enjoys the experience of painting as much as producing a gorgeous work of art. She is particularly skilled at teaching others how to find their own creative voice, and equips students with the tools and confidence to make huge strides at every level.
After a successful 30-year career in teaching both in the states and abroad, Lisa made the leap to painting full-time – In her studios in Portland Oregon and Naxos Greece, she now balances abstract scenes with emotional depth, blending a painter’s sensitivity to light, space, and mood, infused with a playfulness and a nod to all things that are beautifully imperfect.
Her pieces have been shown in galleries nationwide, and won multiple awards and are held in notable private collections and public spaces.
Teaching in Tuscany is a perfect venue for Lisa. The light, the color, the history—it all strikes a deep chord with her colorist sensibilities. A lifelong traveller, Lisa has had the opportunity to both live, work, and teach in four continents. Currently she resides on the Greek Island of Naxos. Being in Italy holds a special place in Lisa’s heart. She lived in Italy with her family and young children, working as a school counselor many moons ago, so it feels like ‘coming home” each time she is here.
This retreat is designed so that all you need to do is arrive with an open heart and a sense of curiousity. Everything else is taken care of for you.
What's included:
- 5 full days of immersive painting with Lisa
- 3 mornings of gentle and relaxing yoga
- A wine tasting with a gourmet lunch at a beautiful castle
- There is a free day, midweek to explore the area
- All meals and accommodation for 7 nights, 6 days
With hands-on guidance from Lisa, you’ll:
- Discover new ways to find inspiration from the Chianti landscape
- Develop your color palette, refine your composition, and explore texture
- Learn Lisa’s signature 6-step creative process
- Create a small cohesive series of abstract works you’ll be proud of
By week’s end, you’ll understand where to begin each painting, how to know when it’s finished, and how to stay loose, expressive, and confident in your process.
Kind words from past retreat attendees:
Victoria R.
I am not a beginner with this kind of technique, yet I benefited immensely from the one on one real life human interaction with Lisa and all the others. The group size is intimate. It felt like a family gathering of artists. We learned the material and techniques and applied them through our own senses, each unique and expressive. Being in a room all day with other artists and a fabulous teacher was exhilarating. It brings you to a new level of confidence, creativity and discipline. I would recommend this retreat to anyone wanting to explore their unique expression.
Gwen J.
Trust the process - and Lisa. She really knows what she is talking about and is so generous with her time and expertise.
This experience will expand you in ways you would never have considered. Even if you never paint again, the experience of having a gifted artist guiding you is profound.
Virginia D.
My hopes were wildly surpassed. Not only was the content amazing, Lisa is a phenomenal teacher and connector. We all had such a great time and I feel like I have made lifelong friends.
Merideth C.
I had never taking a painting class like this before and I was still able to learn and create alongside seasoned artists. Lisa masterfully created an environment where everyone felt successful and supported.
Nancy G.
The intimate setting, the food, the company of fellow artists, and above all you and your family’s hospitality made this experience extraordinary! Thank you again for an unforgettable journey.
Why This Workshop Is So Unique
This retreat offers a way to learn that goes far beyond a typical studio class.
Here, inspiration comes directly from Tuscany — its golden light, weathered stone, and timeless villages. Lisa’s teaching approach helps you bypass creative roadblocks and dive right into intuitive, expressive work.
With her background in education (M.Ed.) and over 20 years of teaching experience, Lisa knows how to meet artists where they are and guide them toward breakthroughs that last long after the retreat ends.
And really — where better to loosen your brushwork and ignite your creativity than the hills of Chianti, Italy?
Class size is capped at 14 painters for a truly personal and supportive experience.
Where we'll be staying: Ancora del Chianti
The wonderful Ancora del Chianti is a 200-year old stone farmhouse outside of Greve-in-Chianti.
In Italian, Ancora means “anchor,” and this beautiful corner of Tuscany truly lives up to its name!
For centuries, this region has been a place where artists, explorers, and dreamers have launched bold ideas, and returned home changed.
With a sprawling light-filled art studio, gorgeous gardens all around and warm Italian hospitality, Ancora del Chianti is the perfect anchor for your own creative growth, exploration and the perfect spot to let your painting flourish.
Cappuccinos, Chianti & Creativity
Each day begins with fresh cappuccinos and ends with shared meals and laughter under the Tuscan sky.
Enjoy delicious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners prepared by our hosts at the farmhouse — plus a gourmet lunch during our wine tasting at Castello di Verrazzano.
You’ll also have one free day to explore nearby villages and indulge in a long Italian lunch or a scoop of authentic gelato.
Exploring, line, texture, composition...you will leave having a greater understanding of the tools to express yourself through abstract art.
Pricing and registration:
Early Bird Savings — Over $700 Off!
Take advantage of limited-time early bird pricing before it’s gone.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY*
(Shared room with ensuite bathroom)
This special early bird pricing won’t last — and neither will the limited spaces!
*If you have a preference for a roommate, please email [email protected].
If you do not put a preference down, Lisa will do her best to match you with someone she knows you will really enjoy having as a roommate 😊
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is oil and cold wax exactly and why is it different?
Is this workshop suitable for beginners and advanced artists?
What about art supplies? How do I get them there?
Do I need a car?
Will you offer the same abstract art intensive education at this workshop?
Can I bring a partner who wont be painting?
Does the price include meals too?
Getting to Chianti:
Ancora del Chianti is located just outside Greve-in-Chianti, easily reached from Florence or Pisa airports by car or arranged transfer.
Once enrolled, Lisa will help you plan travel and provide tips for a smooth journey.
Imagine This…
You wake to views of the Chianti hills,
stretch into a morning yoga session,
paint surrounded by color and light,
share laughter and lunch with fellow artists,
sip wine as the sun sets,
and repeat — for a week of creative joy you’ll never forget.
Click the play button for a glimpse into the super creative, peaceful and connected vibe of these artists and new friends painting (and singing) together 😊
My dream is that together we could become...
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A traveling community of artists
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A group of abstract artists afoot
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Connected to the shared journey in our creative expression
