A Week of Friendship, Wonder, and Watercolor in Tuscany

Creating in the Heart of Tuscany

Our home base was Tenuta di Sticciano, nestled in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The grounds were dreamy—vineyards, olive groves, and the kind of sunsets that make you stop and just take it all in. We wandered the property, lunched under tall trees, and settled into the rhythm of making art together in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Special Surprises + Art Goodies

One of my favorite parts of hosting a retreat is creating thoughtful welcome bags, and this year’s might have been my favorite yet. Each attendee received a travel-friendly art kit designed to help them travel like an artist. Inside were vibrant Viviva Colors watercolor sets, sketchpads (generously provided by Viviva!), prints, stickers, a retreat booklet, and a roomy tote to carry it all around Tuscany. I even designed and 3D printed lemon-shaped name tags for each person. It brought me so much joy to see everyone using their kits all week long.

Daily Art-Making and Intentional Time

Each day began with a relaxed breakfast together before heading into the studio for our workshops, which focused on both analog and digital watercolor. We started by swatching our palettes and learning how to mix the 16 base colors of the Viviva set into any shade imaginable.

One of my favorite lessons—a side-by-side exploration of watercolor techniques like wet-into-wet, dry brush, and layered washes, practiced both on paper and in Procreate. Watching everyone discover how the two mediums could inform and enhance each other was such a delight.

Throughout the retreat, we focused on two main projects. The first was a Tuscan landscape painting in digital watercolor, inspired by the gorgeous setting of the retreat. We warmed up by painting mini landscapes in our sketchbooks.

Then we dove deeper into landscapes by creating a larger piece in digital watercolor in Procreate using my Watercolor Wonder brush set.

Our second project was a travel-inspired collection—a composition of mini illustrations based on what we saw, tasted, and experienced during the retreat. Everyone’s work was deeply personal and full of charm: wine bottles, pastries, rustic shutters, blooming flowers, rolling hills. Each piece told a little story.

In the late afternoons, I offered 1-on-1 coaching sessions—personal time for each attendee to talk with me about their creative goals and projects. We set intentions, explored their process, and talked through roadblocks. I gave feedback, suggested project ideas, and helped them better understand their unique style. These conversations often led to meaningful breakthroughs that extended well beyond the retreat.

In between projects, sketchbooks were never far. Whether we were eating lunch, exploring a town, or lounging in the sun, spontaneous painting moments popped up everywhere. That playful, creative energy flowed through the whole week.

Excursions and Shared Experiences

Of course, we couldn’t come all the way to Tuscany without some exploring. We spent a day in San Gimignano, walking its cobblestone streets, admiring the tall medieval towers, and enjoying what might just be the world’s best gelato.

Another day, we road-tripped through the Chianti Classico region, visiting charming towns, doing a little shopping, and taking in the postcard-perfect views. These outings gave us a fresh wave of inspiration for our artwork.

One of the most beautiful parts of the retreat was how quickly the group bonded through our shared travel experiences. Whether we were sketching side by side in the studio, wandering cobblestone streets, or passing around plates of pasta at dinner, every moment built a sense of connection and camaraderie. Exploring a new place together sparked meaningful conversations, lots of laughter, and a feeling of creative community that only deepened as the week went on.

Sharing Hearts & Dreams

Some of the most powerful moments weren’t about the art itself. On our very first night, we sat together watching the sunset and sharing our dreams. A few tears were shed as we opened up about our big goals—including the ones we were already fulfilling just by being there, on this retreat.

On our final classroom day, we celebrated each other’s work with a group art show in the studio. Seeing everyone’s projects projected on the big screen while the room filled with “oohs,” “ahhs,” and kind words was the perfect close to a meaningful week. The farewell dinner was full of laughter, stories, and even tarot readings courtesy of one of our attendees.

Personally, I left the retreat feeling completely recharged. I sketched during every spare moment and could feel my own watercolor style shifting in real time. Being surrounded by beauty, inspiration, and such a supportive group of artists lit something in me. What made it even more meaningful was reconnecting with returning retreaters and witnessing how much their confidence and creative voice had grown since we first met.

I know everyone left feeling more inspired, more connected to their creativity, and more courageous in their art-making. I saw people step out of their comfort zones, open their sketchbooks in public, and truly see the world with an artist’s eye. I’m so grateful to have shared this retreat with such a warm and wonderful group of people.