FLORAL TUSCAN LANDSCAPE Collage

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime workshop experience with Elizabeth, available only in Italy! Immerse yourself in subject matter uniquely tied to this enchanting region, and return home with the most precious souvenir—your own artwork—along with memories and keepsakes that will last forever. This all-inclusive workshop, offered exclusively in Tuscany, features her latest tips, techniques, and best-kept secrets for creating a breathtaking, flower-filled Tuscan landscape.

Learn to craft your very own Floral Tuscan Landscape Collage from concept to completion. Paint and collage a vibrant field of flowers—bursting with local color—set against a classic Italian backdrop. Incorporate acrylic paints, prints made from native leaves and plants, and your own gel-printed collage paper palette into a colorful, radiant piece of art.

All levels are welcome!

OFFERED ONLY IN Tuscany…

Elizabeth’s Floral Tuscan Landscape Collage is an all-inclusive experience of fellowship, camaraderie and fun beyond your wildest dreams, that is offered only in Tuscany. You’ll stay in a boutique hotel at the edge of an unspoiled medieval village, and enjoy carefully crafted, daily lessons with Elizabeth. Plus you’ll be immersed in the local cultural, take part in delightful cultural experiences and enjoy exceptional meals. 

LEARN How To…

• Create your own Tuscan flower field through painting and collage, set against a distinctly Tuscan backdrop.
• Enhance your floral landscape by harmonizing the foreground, middle ground, and background for a stunning composition.
• Start with a vibrant underpainting as the foundation.
• Use shading techniques to guide your collage work.
• Create a custom collage paper palette with the gel plate.
• Incorporate prints from local leaves into your collage materials.
• Tear and glue papers to achieve a painterly effect.
• Vary the size and shape of your paper brush marks for dynamic texture.
• Experiment with tearing papers both with and without white edges.
• Ensure your collage elements are glued down smoothly and perfectly flat.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival

• Highlights: Arrival, village walking tour, introduction with Elizabeth
• Dinner

Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, our private drivers will transport you to the Italian countryside, and your boutique hotel accommodations in the unspoiled village of Città della Pieve. After check in, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of the village with trip facilitator, Pamela Haack. Then it’s off to Studio 18 with Elizabeth for workshop overview filled with inspiration! Afterwards you’ll enjoy a welcome aperitivo, followed by a delectable dinner prepared by Chef Vito. 

DAY 2: Puscina Flower Farm

• Highlights: Visit to Tuscany flower farm
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, it’s off to an organic flower farm in the heart of Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia – one the most photographed parts of the regions. Here you’ll enjoy a tour of the garden with owner, Teresa, for creative inspiration for your floral Tuscan landscape project – plus you’ll have a chance to cut a few flowers to take back with you. Afterwards you’ll enjoy a home-made lunch under the old olive tree overlooking the hills of Tuscany.

In the afternoon it’s back to Studio 18 with Elizabeth for a composition lesson, planning your piece, and transferring your sketch to the substrate. Tap into your imagination for your flowers, drawing inspiration from your cut flowers and our morning in the garden. This evening we’ll enjoy a casual apericena (light dinner) at our friends’ cafe. 

DAY 3: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Studio with Elizabeth, biscotti lesson
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, get ready for a fun-filled day with Elizabeth! Learn to create an under-painting that will serve as a roadmap for your collage application and then begin gel printing. Explore Elizabeth’s signature techniques and benefit from her years of experience as she shares her tips for creating richly layered, textured gel prints. Get lost in the process of creating your own perfect paper palette. Lunch today will be at a nearby cafe. 

After lunch you’ll enjoy additional time in the studio with Elizabeth and continue gel printing, because you can never have enough paper!. Then we head to our friend, Cristian’s, bistrot for a delightful baking lesson on making a popular Italian biscottino (cookie) in floral shapes and with colorful marmalades. Afterwards you’ll enjoy dinner right here in the bistrot, featuring Cristian’s locally sourced ingredients. 

DAY 4: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Studio with Elizabeth
• Breakfast, lunch, aperitivo

This morning, after breakfast, enjoy a walking tour with Pamela and Elizabeth. Explore the uniquely embellished interiors of multiple churches and the grande Palazzo del Duca, where you’ll see how florals have inspired Italian artists for hundreds of years. Then it’s off to the studio with Elizabeth as you learn the process for applying your hand-painted collage papers to your underpainting, along with some unique techniques for adding pattern to your background segments.

Lunch today is at a local cafe, followed by time to rest and recharge, or head right back to the studio for a full afternoon session. This evening you’re invited to a private home for aperitivo, followed by dinner on your own. 

DAY 5: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Studio with Elizabeth, wrap-up, farewell dinner
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll head to the studio for a full session with Elizabeth as you continue to work on collage application for your artwork. Lunch today is on your own.  

In the afternoon it’s back to the studio as you wrap-up your project with finishing touches–mark making, sealing, and signing. This evening we’ll gather together for a celebratory aperitivo before enjoying a delicious farewell dinner prepared by Chef Vito.  

DAY 6: Departure

Early morning departure to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

VENUE Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve. 

VIEW the Photo Gallery

WHAT’S Included…

• 5 nights at Boutique Hotel Vannucci (less than a two-minute walk from the workshop space!)
• Group transportation by private transportation service to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure dates. 
• Private transportation service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 4 dinners 
• Elizabeth St. Hilaire’s in-depth lessons, demonstrations, presentations and one-to-one instruction
• Canvas panel for your project – that will fit in your suitcase
• Use of acrylic paints, papers and Italian-themed print materials
• Use of gel plates and brayers
• Floral inspired experiences
• Time on your own for shopping and exploring

NOT INCLUDED

Princeton Catalyst #8 Short Handle Filbert Brush for collage glue application.

All other workshop supplies are provided!

Also not included: airfare, meals or transportation outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for hotel staff and drivers

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

ABOUT ELIZABETH ST. HILAIRE

Elizabeth St. Hilaire is an award winning full-time artist, art workshop instructor, and published author. She is an Artist Educator for Golden Paints, a former Ambassador for Princeton Brush, and Creative Team Artist for Gel Press. Her work is also featured on Fredrix Canvas packaging.

Her unique mixed-media artwork is created from torn tidbits of hand-painted paper which she glues down over an acrylic under-painting. St Hilaire’s collages are collected and have been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Images of her work are reproduced and available nationwide on wall canvas, household items, stationery, clothing, jewelry, and more.

Elizabeth is a Signature Member of National Collage Society, holds a BFA from Syracuse University, and has been working in her medium for over 15 years. She has published seven books on her process. She also enjoys painting en Plein Air and has participated in the Wekiva Paint Out (FL), New Smyrna Beach Paint Out (FL), and the Sedona Plein Air Festival (AZ).

Visit Elizabeth’s website at PaperPaintings.com

DATES AND DETAILS

• Dates: September 8-13, 2025
• Trip Price: $3,895-$4,395 (select room type upon booking)
• Room Descriptions:
  • Single: Single occupancy, single bed, private ensuite bathroom
  • Classic: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Superior: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Deluxe: Double occupancy, double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower (specifically for couples or friends traveling together)
• A $700 deposit is required to book your space
• Arrival and departure airport Rome Fiumicino
• View our Terms and Cancellation Policy

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