JOIN SAM MARSHALL in Italy!

This extraordinary sketching, linocutting and printing workshop in Italy includes daily lessons and expert guidance with Sam, hand selected excursions, authentic cultural experiences and spectacular scenery that provides endless inspiration.

From experimenting with drawing materials in the studio to exploring and sketching along medieval avenues, you’ll learn to improve your drawing skills through observational drawing, as you create sketches in both graphite and colour. Then, with Sam’s expert guidance, you’ll select one of your drawings to create a linocut that you’ll learn to ink up and print in a variety of ways.

I’M SAM!

I’m an artist who specialises in drawing and printmaking. I did my BA in Fine Art at the at the Slade School of Fine Art in the early 90’s and completed my art studies at the Royal Drawing School with an MA diploma in drawing.

I originate from the flat fens of Lincolnshire in the UK, where my Dad was a cabbage farmer. I fled the countryside aged 18 and moved to London where I lived for 22 years before returning to the countryside in 2018. I now live in a cottage in rural Northamptonshire with Miss Marple, my mini dachshund, and have two studios in my garden where I make my work and run my online workshops and coaching sessions.

In January of 2023, my best-selling LINOCUT book was published by Bloomsbury and I’m currently working on a new book all about drawing called SKETCH which will be published in 2026.

IN THIS WORKSHOP You’ll Learn How to 

• Experiment with drawing materials in the studio and select which ones to take out sketching
• Pack and organise your bag ready for sketching outside
• Draw in the Italian landscape/village and discover what inspires you and catches your attention
• Create sketches in graphite and colour
• Improve your drawing skills through observational drawing
• Return to the studio and evaluate your sketches
• Discuss linocut as a process and learn about materials
• Select one drawing to turn into a linocut
• Redraw your chosen drawing, simplify it and make it suitable for linocut
• Transfer your drawing to a linoleum block
• Carve your own image using selected linocut tools
• Ink up your carved linoleum block
• Print your block using the hand burnishing technique
• Experiment with different papers and methods of inking up a linoleum block
• Use different registration methods
• Create a small edition of your single-coloured linocut
• Experiment with adding different colours to your block through multiple methods
• Add colour to your linocut using collage, known as Chine Collé
• Discuss and evaluate your work with the rest of the group and celebrate your success!

ITINERARY

Day 1, Sunday, May 18: Arrival

• Highlights: Arrival, welcome, workshop overview
• 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, followed by a workshop overview with Sam. Afterwards it’s time to enjoy a welcome aperitivo, followed by a delectable Tuscan-style dinner.

Day 2, Monday, May 19: Città della Pieve 

• Highlights: Studio with Sam, tour of local churches
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, you’ll head to the studio space with Sam to get to know your fellow students, to organize your sketchbook and materials, and to get prepared for outside drawing. Lunch today will be taken at our friends’ inviting cafe.

This afternoon you’ll gather with Sam in a beautiful location for outside drawing as you learn to capture the spectacular Italian landscapes that surround the village. With Sam’s personalized instruction and guidance you’ll gain confidence in drawing onsite, as well as improving your drawing skills. Later, we’ll gather for a walking tour to view Renaissance masterpieces in the town’s many churches, followed by dinner at Gianluca’s cozy trattoria. 

Day 3, Tuesday, May 20: Pienza

• Highlights: Excursion to Pienza, sketching on location, pizza night
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, our driver will transport you into the heart of Tuscany, and the Renaissance hill town of Pienza, with its sweeping views of the Val d’Orcia – one of the most painted and photographed areas of the region. After a brief walking tour and introduction to the historic town, you’ll join Sam for drawing on location along one of Pienza’s scenic alleyways, followed by time on your own to explore, shop and enjoy lunch at one of Pienza’s inviting cafes. 

This afternoon, it’s back to Città della Pieve for a short break before joining Sam in the studio where she will guide you in evaluating your drawings, and in planning for your first linocut. This evening we’ll head to our friends’ wood-fired pizzeria for a delicious pizza dinner. 

Day 4, Wednesday, May 21: Studio, Pasta Making

• Highlights: Lino carving, pasta making lesson
• Breakfast, lunch, aperitivo

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll head to the studio with Sam to prepare for your first linocut (so exciting!) and to learn how to transfer your image onto linoleum. In late morning, you’re in for a treat, as we walk to our friend, Cristian’s, bistro for a delightful pasta-making lesson where you’ll learn about the history of pasta and other farm-to-table foods in Italy. So fun! After a peek inside Cristian’s private cantina, you’ll enjoy lunch, featuring your hand-made pasta, of course.

This afternoon you’ll return to the studio with Sam as she guides you in continuing to carve your linocut. Afterwards you’ll learn how to begin your first printing! This evening you’ll enjoy aperitivo in a private home, followed by a free evening.

Day 5, Thursday, May 22: San Casciano dei Bagni

• Highlights: Excursion to archeological site, printing in studio
• Breakfast, lunch, aperitivo

This morning, after breakfast, we’re off with our private drivers to the charming village of San Casciano dei Bagni, a town with thousands of years of history, built upon a hilltop teeming with hot springs. Here we’ll meet up with our friend and archeologist, Ludovico, for an astonishing visit to a recently excavated ancient sanctuary – one of Italy’s most important archeological discoveries to date. Afterwards we’ll enjoy lunch at Daniela’s restaurant in the picturesque main piazza of the village, with its sweeping views across Tuscany. 

After returning to Città della Pieve, it’s back to the studio with Sam for an exciting afternoon session as you print your linocut in a single colour and learn to create a small edition. This evening we’ll gather for apertivo and light dinner at our friends’ cafe.

Day 6, Friday, May 23: Studio, Farewell Celebration

• Highlights: Saffron tasting, studio
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s off to the studio with Sam as you experiment with techniques and colours in your printing. In late morning we’ll walk to our friend, Alessandro’s, saffron “house” for a fascinating introduction to saffron – a spice once used for dying textiles in the village – followed by a saffron tasting and light lunch. Delicious and beautiful!

This afternoon, after a short break, you’ll head back to the studio for a final session and discussion with Sam, as you finish up your project. After a celebration of an amazing workshop experience, we walk to a lovely trattoria for a delicious farewell dinner.

Day 7, Saturday, May 24: Departure 

Early morning transport 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

• 6 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci, Città della Pieve
• Group transportation to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure days
• Private transportation service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• Daily group and individual sketching, linocutting and printing lessons with Sam Marshall
• All breakfasts
• 4 lunches
• 5 dinners featuring regional specialties and accompanied by local wines
• Pasta-making lesson
• Visit to archeological site
• Saffron tasting
• Village walking tours
• BONUS from Sam!! Creative coaching to anyone who would like further help with their work. “I’m more than happy to follow up with anyone with questions, etc.” ~ Sam

Not included: Airfare or transportation, outside of that listed in the trip itinerary, alcoholic drinks or meals ordered “on your own”, gratuities for drivers and hotel staff

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. ☺️

DATES & PRICES

• Dates:
  • May 18-24, 2025
• Trip Price: $3,595 USD – $4,095 USD per person (choose 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)
• $700 deposit (partially refundable for 30 days) is required to secure your space on this workshop
• Arrival/departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
• View our terms and cancellation policy here

BOOK NOW