
Join me for a relaxed and inspiring travel sketching workshop in the heart of one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Using ink and watercolour, we’ll capture the timeless charm of Monte Castello’s medieval streets, sun-drenched piazzas, and sweeping Umbrian landscapes. My workshops focus on simplifying complex scenes, finding your personal sketching voice, and embracing the imperfections of on-location sketching.
Participants will work with portable materials — pens, travel watercolour sets, and sketchbooks — ideal for capturing moments on the move. Monte Castello’s unique, car-free setting means we can sketch in peace, surrounded by ancient stone buildings, flower-draped balconies, and panoramic views without the interruption of traffic. It’s a dream location for artists and travellers alike, offering endless inspiration at every turn. Whether you're new to sketching or an experienced artist, this is your chance to slow down, observe deeply, and sketch your adventures.
Materials for the course will be available in the ICA Art Supply store in Monte Castello, but if you prefer to bring them from home, you will need: pencil (B or 2B), eraser, pen with waterproof ink (fineliners are a good option: 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 by brands such as UniPin, Micron, Copic, etc), watercolour brushes: one large (#10 round) and one small (#4 round or 1/4inch dagger), watercolour sketchbook (at least 200gsm, 300gsm preferred), watercolour set (12 colours is fine, artist grade preferred – St Petersburg White Nights, Rosa Gallery, Roman Szmal, Royal Talens Van Gogh (higher end student grade), Daniel Smith, Winsor Newton are all good brands and variety of price points), pot for water, cloth to wipe brush.
Participants will be housed in the remarkably well-preserved Umbrian hill town of Monte Castello di Vibio. Your workshoppackage is all-inclusive, providing welcome and departure services and airport transfer from the Rome Fiumicino, Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO) aboard our comfortable private bus, single occupancy accommodations with shared bath (a wide range of upgrades with private bath are available), 3 meals per day Monday-Thursday, Prosecco brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday (no meals are served on Friday, our excursion day. Your workshop includes one excursion per week and many additional options are available on weekends for an additional fee. Of course, 24/7 access to facilities and 24/7 bi-lingual support.
Refund/Cancellation Policy
Payment in full must be made within 30 days of submission of € 500 (Euro) non-refundable deposit in order to hold the reservation.
Payment in full is required within 60 days of the start of the workshop- no participant will be admitted to our airport transfer with an outstanding balance.
All payments are non-refundable after payment in full has been made - however, under certain circumstances (see below) credit from one course may be utilized for another within a one-year period.
Session Cancellation by ICARTS
ICARTS only “cancels” retreats in the event of low enrollment or in circumstances in which providing the opportunity to re-schedule is not possible.
In circumstances in which travel is interrupted due to travel restrictions or health protocols, Force Majeure (such as a: strike, riot, acts of God) ICARTS WILL NOT CANCEL and will re-schedule programs to the soonest reasonable opportunity.
In case of death or illness. of instructor, a substitution will be made at the discretion of ICARTS
Each ICA Retreat requires a minimum number of participants in attendance - including the Residency Program. While the minimum enrollment number may vary according to the timing and duration of the session, the limit is typically, six (6), to nine (9)
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the the right to cancel those programs.
If deemed necessary, notification of cancellation will be made as soon as possible following the close of Registration or typically, 30 days before the start of the session/course/tour/event.
When a condition arises that results in a cancellation, participants will be notified and the class will be rescheduled to a later date.
In event that ICA determines that enrollment for a particular session/Retreat is insufficient, ICA will typically offer you:
(a) an option to join an alternative session/course/tour/event, within a one-year period or
(b) to defer your participation until the rescheduled date of the intended workshop
Cancellation by the Participant
Cancellation by the participant is not possible however, in certain circumstances - such as illness of the participant or illness or death of a close relative or spouse - payment may be applied to another workshop within a one-year period.
Candidates seeking to cancel due to personal hardship, illness, or death should contact the ICA in writing, stating full personal and course details. In this case, fees paid – excluding deposit - MAY BE applied to another workshop within a one-year period. However, this withdrawal and substitution may not cause the enrollment to fall below the minimum number, and this is the case substitutions cannot be made.
Up to 90 days before a session/course/tour/event starts a participant may also request a transfer to another session/tour/course/event, provided the original session/tour/course/event still has the minimum number of participants.
NOTE:
In cases of Force Majeure (such as a: strike, riot, acts of God, unforeseen illness or death, or death of a family member) we highly recommend that your travel insurance policy include coverage for any trip cancellation that may occur prior to or afterdeparture. Policy coverage varies. Often, it is advantageous to purchase your coverage prior to reservation payments with us and your flight provider. Check your specific policy carefully for more information. See the travel insurance section of the ParticipantHandbook for more information.
Arrive Rome/Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO); Bus Departs FCO promptly at at 12:00 PM. With this in mind, our shuttle cannot support flight arrival after 11:00 AM and those participants arriving later must make transportation arrangements at their own expense.
Arrival at Monte Castello di Vibio appx.: 2:30 PM:Lunch/Orientation/Rest/ Tour of village/ Dinner
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
3:30 - 5:00 Afternoon Session
5:00 – 8:00 Free time or independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
3:30 - 5:00 Afternoon Session
5:00 – 8:00 Free time or independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
3:30 - 5:00 Afternoon Session: Same
5:00 – 8:00 Free time or independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.
8:30 – 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 – 1:00 Morning Session
1:00 – 2:00 Lunch
3:30-5:00 Afternoon Session
6:30 – 8:00 Free time or independent work
8:00 – 9:00 Dinner
9:00 – 10:30 Optional time for presentations, films, lectures, etc.