Painting Retreat at the Rignana Estate, Tuscany
FLOWER PAINTING RETREAT in the vinyards of Chianti, Florence with Úrsula Romero
June 13th - 20th 2026
€ 450/student for 5 days of teaching includes all paper
We advise you bring you own paints and brushes if you are used to our own
Partners & family may join the trip as non-participating guests without the teaching fee.
Medium: Watercolour
Level: All Levels
Language: English
In order to attend this workshop, you must book directly with the Rignana Estate
Set in a private estate, amidst the gentle rolling hills of Tuscany, overlooking vineyards and olive groves, the 18th Century country estate Rignana is a stunning place to learn to paint or to polish your pre-existing skills to master level. There is something very magical about the open landscape in this region of Tuscany - it is perfect for relaxation, self discovery and for expanding your presence. On the estate you will find a thoughtful service, a stunning infinity swimming pool with a breath-taking view on the verdant Chianti hills and exquisite rooms.
All of the tutoring will take place either inside the chapel or outside in their beautiful estate. The studio is available for use everyday during your stay, so you can pop in even on our day off. You will be wined and dined in spectacular fashion. All the meals are locally sourced and there is a selection of their own delicious wines for tasting.
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This is a rare opportunity to learn to paint fruits, flowers and leaves with Úrsula Romero in a beautiful, fully staffed estate of rolling hills with warm perfumed, Mediterranean air. On this course, you will discover more about painting realistic botanicals in watercolours. You will explore the drama that can be created through thoughtful lighting and clever glazing. You will have the exciting opportunity to learn how to enlarge your paintings to a grand scale and how to build your compositions, all the while surrounded by the spectacular countryside.
Even if you have never visited, the Chianti can feel beautifully familiar. This landscape was often used as a backdrop by Renaissance painters and you are left feeling as if really have walked into a painting. The landscape here is framed by the cascading patterns of vineyards and olive groves, with the occasional church bell tower poking above the canopy line. It is like you have stepped back in time.
During this course you will also learn how to mix those difficult greens and browns so that they look natural. You will learn more about capturing translucency in watercolour paint and how to make things look really three dimensional.
Úrsula will be on hand, teaching one-to-one so you get the most from the experience. She will also be giving live demonstrations for you to watch so you leave feeling full of expert knowledge. She will also be bringing her portfolio, so you get to see her original works up close, unframed.
This course is suitable for all levels.
When not outside, we will be learning in the romantic chapel on the Rignana Estate. This is a deeply inspiring space to work in, with its high ceilings, arches and frescoes. There are easels available for those who would prefer to work upright and tables. The space offers a cool environment in which to work in which is ideal in June.
On Wednesday we all have a day off from painting to stretch our legs and to explore the surrounding area. Rignana is the ideal place for exploring Tuscany and its sights; Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Greve are all just a stone's throw away.
Your Teacher
Úrsula Romero (formally known as Jessica Shepherd or Inky Leaves) is an internationally recognized master flower painter, artist and teacher.
Úrsula trained in botanical taxonomy at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh before committing herself fully to painting so that she would understand the processes of plants more comprehensively. Equipped with this scientific knowledge, Úrsula is now testing new approaches to her artwork to push the capacity for botanical art to bring greater awareness of plants and our interaction with them. In 2014, she was featured on the BBC4 documentary “In Search of Rory McEwen” where she demonstrated how to paint on vellum. She currently has works touring the USA for the Rory McEwen retrospective.
In 2017, Úrsula held her first solo exhibition in London, published her first book titled ‘Leafscape’ and produced the Leafscape soundtrack. She started Inky Leaves Publishing in the same year. In 2018, Úrsula launched a cross-disciplinary botanical art publication called INK Quarterly which ran for three years, and embarked on her next project Blue Flower. She has exhibited internationally and her works have been included in exhibitions at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, The National Botanic Garden, Dublin and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. She has 7 pieces in the Shirley Sherwood Collection.
Now, can be found quietly working on her latest flower painting project whilst restoring a historic property in Andalucía.
Úrsula is a great teacher who is not shy of teaching her 'secret tips' so we can achieve amazing results. So much knowledge is packed during her workshops and she is open to questions at all times." - Claudia
Non-painting guests: we are more than happy to welcome non-painting guests, accompanying partners, family or friends. There are plenty of activities to experience around Chianti, that will make your holiday unforgettable.
The Chapel Studio, offers a spacious open plan layout and a cool environment for summertime painting. It is available at all times during your stay.
Extras
In the middle of the week we have a day off where you can go sight seeing.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights
- Travel insurance
Partners & family may join the trip as non-participating guests for the same prices, excluding the tuition fee.
Please contact the Rignana Estate directly to reserve a room and your space on this course.
Travel Information:
Please organise your travel insurance before booking, you are not covered by the Rignana Estate or Úrsula Romero.
Beautiful property in a peaceful location, with an amazing infinity pool looking out over the rolling Tuscan hills. Aimee
