At a glance:
- 7 nights in 16th century convent in accommodation of your choice
- Instruction and personal guidance from talented teacher and professional artist
- Exploring drawing and painting in stunning nature
- Delicious fresh and local vegetarian meals – 3 per day – prepared by Daniele
- Free time to explore the area and the outdoors, for relaxation and connection to the local community
- spontanious group activities
On this creative week , you will discover innovative creative processes, and rediscover yourself.
Small groups & individual learning
In small groups of up to 12 people, you will improve your techniques and make new friends.
An ancient and historic area
We are near the medieval village of Collevecchio in the stunning landscape that caracterises the Sabina
Art Retreat for Your Soul
What my students have said:
When we arrived here a week ago, I was so eager to finally get back to work. Meeting the friendly people and Marina immediately gave me a really good feeling.
Perspective was explained really well, but it was also exhausting. However, we were able to put it into practice right away in the village over an aperitivo, and everything was easy.
The atmosphere was so wonderful. We became more and more relaxed, and it became so very cheerful. Here, you are completely pampered. The food is vegetarian, and delicious. As a group, we grew closer and closer together, which was very liberating. While working, we noticed that everything actually became more vivid during the time, that we implemented everything with more freedom and dynamic. We also became more more courageous. It was wonderful to know that Marina’s guidance was always there, that we could always ask her any questions and that there was help and support available to help us move forward and develop further.
Sieglinde R.
It was relaxing that the atmosphere was welcoming from the start, without any pressure or expectations to perform. I also really liked the teaching approach: starting with simple things and then moving on to more complicated work helped me to avoid stress and develop my skills quickly. The group was great and a lot of fun, which also helped me feel relaxed and open to everything on offer. The beautiful surroundings, the wonderful landscape and the aperitivo in the piazza in the middle of the village made the course something special.
Irene Hoffman
Collevecchio and the Sabine Hills
The Sabina is a historic region, only a heartbeat away from Rome and has conserved its historic medieval villages, which are still inhabited. The breathtaking panoramic views, rolling hills and olive groves are its main feature along with artisanal traditions and gastronomic delights. The landscape is gentle and hilly and reminiscent of Tuscany forty years ago.
Collevecchio is a small, lively village of around 900 inhabitants with stunning views of the Tiber valley and only 70 km from Rome. It is a 15 minute walk away from our convent accommodation.
The village is very well preserved and intact, with a special charm that is best enjoyed on the piazza over an aperitif.
The convent of Sant’Andrea
The early construction of the convent and adjoining church dates back to the late 1500s by Capuchin Franciscan friars. The Convent was built according to the Capuchin vow of poverty, with 17 cells, and houses the remains of the venerated Father Benedetto da Aspra Sabina.
The Capuchin friars were able to live a simple life of work and prayer in this place of peace and tranquility. The convent, eventually abandoned, was rebuilt thanks to the voluntary labor of the inhabitants of Collevecchio, and it was modified several times over the centuries, until it reached its present structure in the early 1900s. The friars left in 1964.
Marina Buening – your artist and host
Born in Germany and living in Italy for many years Marina is a very spirited and enthusiastic creator (in all media) who approaches art with joy and playfulness and who loves to experiment. Creativity can flourish best in a relaxed and secure environment and she works to create this. Technique is am important part of her teaching – as a means to an end. A strong foundation based on observation from nature opens many windows for the students so they can experiment and explore individual styles with confidence and fluency. She and can communicate well in English, German and Italian.
Marina’s inspiration for your week
To find your inspiration, you relax and leave everyday life with all its problems and worries behind. A wide variety of perception exercises can help with this: e.g., exercises from improvisational dance, contact with nature, and other techniques that strengthen perception.
You will often go out into nature to use it as a source of inspiration and to sharpen your senses. You will also draw a lot from nature, but we will also give our pencils and brushes free rein creating ease and joy, becoming more playful and less serious.
Artist, university lecturer, and mentor: Marina Buening.
How our days will unfold:
Start the day with a delicious homemade breakfast under the pergola. The convent grounds are abundant with fruit trees, olives and oaks, and are an ideal setting for drawing and painting.
After a buffet vegetarian lunch, the afternoons offer free time when you can relax in nature, go for a walk, or cool off in the new village pool 5 minutes away on foot.
Our local chef, Daniele, who lives nearby and is dedicated to the land and sourcing of fresh farm produce, provides us with delicious, healthy Mediterranean meals that are organic and vegetarian. There are tasty options for participants with dietary restrictions.
Here is an idea of a typical day – though we will some flexibility and change:
8.30 breakfast
9.30 to 12.30 working with Marina
13.0 lunch break and rest time
15.00 working with Marina
19.00 supper
“Practice makes perfect, so I can’t help but improve; every drawing you make, every study you paint, is a step forward.” Vincent van Gogh 1853 – 1890.
There are very specific exercises, adapted to those present, for our drawing activities. Since the group is relatively small—no more than 12 people—there is plenty of room for personal attention and encouragement. Your needs will be addressed in a very personal way. If you are already advanced, you will be personally accompanied in your process.
You will discover innovative creative processes and learn to listen to your inner muse. You will also meet like-minded people and have the opportunity to exchange ideas.
You will learn to work large, small, and in new ways, based on nature and also completely freely. Marina, an experienced university lecturer and artist, will be at your side with advice and support, tasks, inspiration, and valuable knowledge.
There is concrete assistance and various exercises to help you stay in the artistic flow and cultivate what you have learned in everyday life. The didactics of the intensive course on this art trip are inspired by Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way and her other books) and Kleon Austin, Elizabeth Gilbert, Eric Maisel (creativity coach), and Ulrich Klieber (university lecturer at Halle Schloss Giebichenstein).
Accommodation & surroundings of the art trip
„I hope with all my heart there will be painting in heaven.”Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot Corot adored the Sabina countryside)
Accommodation at the convent
The special feature is the small monks’ cells, which are very small and basic, but charming and have everything you need – bed and linens, bedside table and lamp, and storage for clothes. These rooms share bathrooms with others.
Additionally there are some single rooms with their own private bathrooms and some double rooms (with double bed) also with own bathrooms and these incur an additional charge.
The surcharge applies to single rooms with private bathrooms and double rooms for single and double occupancy.
The courses costs a total of €1,675 including all meals.
The Dates
From May 10 to May 17, 2026
and from June 27 to July 4
(arrival and departure day is Saturday in July and Sunday in May)
The courses cost a total of €1,675, of which €695 is for meals and accommodation.
The deposit for binding registration is €300. The deposit will be retained in full if you cancel within 4 weeks of the start of the course.
Registration on the waiting list is non-binding and free of charge. Send me an email and I will add you to the list.
If you have any questions, please take a look at the Q&A section.
In the Q&A you find also all details how to arrive.
You can find the general terms and conditions here!
Please have a look at them!
Get in touch
Do you have any questions about this art trip, the art course, or something else entirely?
Then feel free to contact Marina directly:
Landline: 00390765608283
WhatsApp: 00393388883132
E-Mail: marina(ad)marinabuening.com
Your place is secured upon registration. If you cancel within four weeks of the course, the deposit will be retained. If we have to cancel the course, you will receive a full refund immediately.
Here you can make the down payment and secure your place.
To the down payment
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