FLORAL TUSCAN LANDSCAPE Collage

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 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!

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 – August 27: 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 hilltop village of Città della Pieve. After time to settle in, you’ll gather at the workshop studio space with Elizabeth for an introduction and overview of the creative days ahead.

Then, join trip facilitator Pamela Haack for a fascinating walking tour of the village’s charming historic center with its medieval streets, colorful flower-filled lanes and sweeping countryside views. As evening falls, enjoy a welcome aperitivo with your fellow travelers, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Jordy, celebrating the flavors of the region.

DAY 2 – August 28: Puscina Flower Farm

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

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, we’ll set off for an organic flower farm in the heart of Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia—one of the most photographed and breathtaking landscapes in all of Italy. Here you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the gardens with owner Teresa, gathering inspiration for your floral Tuscan landscape project while learning about the flowers and rhythms of the farm. You’ll also have the opportunity to cut a few blooms to bring back with you. Afterwards, savor a homemade lunch beneath a centuries-old olive tree, overlooking the rolling hills and iconic scenery of Tuscany.

In the afternoon, it’s back to the studio with Elizabeth for a lesson in composition as you begin planning your piece and transferring your sketch to the substrate. Drawing inspiration from your freshly cut flowers and the beauty of the morning’s garden visit, you’ll start bringing your creative vision to life. This evening, we’ll gather at our friends’ café for a relaxed apericena—a casual Italian evening of drinks, conversation, and light fare.

DAY 3 – August 29: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Church art walking tour, studio with Elizabeth
• Breakfast, lunch, aperitivo

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll enjoy a guided visit to several of Città della Pieve’s historic churches, home to extraordinary medieval and Renaissance artwork. Highlights include masterpieces by the celebrated painter Pietro Vannucci, better known as Perugino, who was born right here in Città della Pieve. Surrounded by centuries of artistic achievement, you’ll gain fresh inspiration before continuing to the studio with Elizabeth.

Today you’ll be creating an underpainting that will serve as the foundation and roadmap for your collage application, then dive into the colorful world of gel printing. Explore Elizabeth’s signature techniques and benefit from her years of experience as she shares her favorite tips for creating richly layered, textured prints. Experiment with color, pattern, and texture as you build a collection of unique papers and develop your own perfect paper palette. Lunch today will be served up at a local cafe.

In the afternoon, it’s back to the studio to continue gel printing—because “you can never have too much paper!” This evening we’ll visit our friend Alessandro’s saffron shop, where you’ll discover the fascinating local history of this prized spice. The visit concludes with a saffron tasting and a friendly aperitivo, offering a delicious introduction to one of Umbria’s most treasured products.

DAY 4 – August 30: Città della Pieve

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

This morning, after breakfast, get ready for a fun-filled day in the studio with Elizabeth as she guides you through the process of applying your hand-painted collage papers to your underpainting, transforming your vision into a vibrant work of art. You’ll also learn unique techniques for incorporating pattern, texture, and visual interest into your background segments, adding depth and personality to your piece. Lunch today will be enjoyed at a local café.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll head to our friend Cristian’s bistrot for a hands-on pasta-making lesson. Learn the art of crafting fresh pasta from scratch before sitting down to a delicious dinner featuring your handmade creations, accompanied by good wine and even better company.

DAY 5 – August 31: 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 day of creative exploration with Elizabeth as you continue bringing your artwork to life through the collage application process. With personalized instruction and guidance throughout the day, you’ll refine your composition, develop rich layers of color and texture, and watch your vision take shape piece by piece. Lunch today is on your own, giving you the flexibility to enjoy a leisurely meal in one of the village’s cafés or trattorias.

In the afternoon, you’ll return to the studio to complete your project, adding the finishing touches that make it uniquely yours. Elizabeth will guide you through final techniques including mark making, sealing, and signing your work, culminating in a finished piece that captures both your artistic journey and your time in Italy.

As the creative week draws to a close, we’ll gather together for a celebratory aperitivo to toast new friendships, shared experiences, and artistic accomplishments. Afterwards, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner prepared by Chef Jordy, featuring a delicious menu inspired by the flavors and traditions of the Italian countryside.

DAY 6 – September 1: Departure

Early morning departure to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

ABOUT ELIZABETH ST. HILAIRE

Elizabeth St. Hilaire is an internationally recognized mixed-media collage artist, author, and instructor known for transforming hand-painted papers into vibrant works of art. A Signature Member of the National Collage Society, she holds a BFA from Syracuse University and is the author of 12 instructional art books, including the bestselling Painted Paper Art Workshop.

For more than two decades, Elizabeth has taught workshops, retreats, and online courses throughout the United States and internationally, helping thousands of students discover the creative possibilities of collage. Her teaching style is encouraging, accessible, and focused on building both skills and confidence.

Through her workshops, books, videos, and online programs, Elizabeth continues to inspire artists of all levels to explore color, texture, and storytelling through mixed-media collage.

Visit Elizabeth’s website at PaperPaintings.com

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 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
• Visit to organic flower farm
• Church art tour
• Pasta-making lesson
• Saffron tasting
• Time on your own for shopping and exploring

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. ☺️

SUPPLIES

Although most all materials will be supplied, Elizabeth does ask that you bring the following:

• 9×12 Rice Paper Pad
• Basic Paint Brush Pack OR bring what you’re comfortable with or have on hand
• Princeton Catalyst #8 Short Handle Filbert Brush for collage glue application

DATES AND DETAILS

• Dates: August 27 – September 1, 2027
• Trip Price: $4,795 – $5,295 (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 $900 deposit is required to book your space
• Arrival and departure airport Rome Fiumicino
• View our Terms and Cancellation Policy

BOOK NOW