Sketches Loose retreat
INK & WATERCOLOURS
Tired of stressing over perfection? Join international sketcher Toby Haseler (aka Toby Sketch Loose or Toby UrbanSketch) and embrace the joy of truly expressive art.
Toby, known for his signature Continuous Lines and Loose Watercolours, will guide you through a fundamental shift in sketching mentality. Learn to leave rigidity behind and find happiness in quick, lively art.
Discover your artistic voice in the enchanting hills of Le Marche, Italy. This retreat is a complete immersion where creativity flourishes amidst medieval villages, vineyard-covered landscapes, and authentic Italian culture. It’s more than a workshop; it’s a creative and sensory escape.
Program Inclusions (What’s Covered)
This all-inclusive package is designed to let you focus solely on your art and relaxation:
• Tuition: 5 Full Days of focused painting instruction with [Artist Name – e.g., Toby Haseler].
• Accommodation: 6 Nights of comfortable lodging at [Location Name – e.g., Chiaraluce Country House].
• Dining: All Meals and Beverages throughout your stay, featuring our soul-healing cuisine focused on fresh, local Marchegian flavors.
Plein Air & Excursions
Experience the region’s beauty firsthand with carefully planned outings:
• Plein Air Sessions: 3 Days of painting instruction held at selected stunning local venues (villages, landscapes, coastal views).
• Cultural Trip: A dedicated Day Trip to Ascoli Piceno, one of the region’s most beautiful cities, including an authentic local oil tasting experience.
Transportation & Logistics
We ensure a seamless journey to and during the retreat:
• Arrival/Departure Transfers: Transfers are included to and from Pedaso train station or Ancona (AOI) airport on the arrival and departure days of the retreat.
• Venue Transfers: All necessary transfers are included to take participants to and from the venues where the daily plein air painting sessions will take place.
What to Bring (Suggestion)
• Specific art materials (a list will be provided by the instructor).
• Comfortable clothing suitable for painting outdoors (plein air).
• Comfortable walking shoes for excursions (e.g., Ascoli Piceno).
• A hat and sunscreen.
retreat program
All the information you need to know exactly what to expect from this retreat.
Arrival & Slowing Down
From 3:00pm arrival and check-in
(no charges for earlier arrival)
6:00pm Welcome meeting with local wines and briefing of the week, exhibition on final day
7:00 pm Dinner
9 am Breakfast
10-12:30 am Morning workshop: introduction, worming up, start painting
1 pm Buffet lunch
2:30-5:30 pm long demo and sketching Chiaraluce/view from the local garden
6:00 pm relax
7:00 pm dinner
9 am Breakfast
10 am -5:30 pm OFFIDA: draw views from the big square, town hall, churches
1 pm Packed lunch
5:30 pm back to Chiaraluce
6:00 pm relax before dinner
7:00 pm dinner
9 am Breakfast
10-13:30 am MONTEFIORE: Morning plein air workshop
2 pm Buffet lunch
4:00-6:00 pm wine tasting (optional), bring sketchbooks, sketch the wine/ glasses/vineyards/barrels of wine or relax at the venue
6:30 pm relax before dinner
7:00 pm dinner
9 am Breakfast
10-12:30 am DAY TRIP to Ascoli Piceno to sketch in Piazza del Popolo
1 pm Lunch at a local restaurant
2:30-5:30 pm
- Optional free time, shopping, exploring
- Long demo in a second location after lunch 6:00 pm relax before dinner
7:00 pm dinner
9 am Breakfast
10-12:30 am Final Venue, sketch at Ripatransone
1 pm lunch at Chiaraluce
3:00 pm FAREWELL MEETING: informal exhibition of works during the week & “awards”
7:00 pm dinner
9 am Breakfast
10-12:30 am Check out
Toby Sketch Loose
Toby Haseler (aka Toby SketchLoose or Toby UrbanSketch) is an ink and watercolour sketcher who specialises in capturing quick and expressive art, using characteristic continuous lines and loose watercolours. He sketches a range of subjects, both urban and rural landscapes, as well as still lifes, doodle-art and the occasional portrait too.
His journey through art hasn’t always been easy: he used to stress an awful lot and pour his heart and soul into creating paintings for hours and hours but eventually realised he wasn’t enjoying this approach. And that is when he started to ‘Sketch Loose’ and started to find a new joy and happiness in his art.
Now he puts his energy into helping other people discover this fundamental shift in sketching mentality to free up their sketching, loosen up their art, and use art not just to create but also to relax and enjoy life.
does it cost?
We offer different pricing options based on your needs.
€1700
€1500
€1300
they’ll receive a €250 discount on the room and can explore all the activities available for them.
What’s Included
- 5 days painting tuition
- 6 nights accomodation
- All meals with beverages
- Transfers from/to Pedaso train station or Ancona airport
- Transfers from/to the venues where the plein air painting sessions will take place
- A day trip to Ascoli Piceno with oil tasting
- Foldable chairs
What’s Not Included
- Transfers from/to the venue from other airports
- Airfares and travel insurance
- Personal art supplies – a recommended list will be provide by your artist
- Additional beverages outside meals
- Wine tasting
- Optional private sessions
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Transport Assistance: We provide airport transfers from/to any city of Italy for an extra cost.