Discover Puglia: An Art Retreat with Jess & Lindsay Pritchard
Escape to the breathtaking landscapes of Puglia, Italy, for a unique artistic retreat led by wildlife artist Jess Pritchard and landscape painter Lindsay Pritchard. Hosted at the stunning Masseria Specula, a beautifully restored farmhouse surrounded by rolling countryside and close to the white sands of Specchiarica Beach, this retreat combines artistic exploration & authentic Italian charm, in a welcoming & sociable setting.
Throughout the week, you’ll paint and sketch en plein air, capturing the essence of Italy’s rich scenery, from the historic streets of Nardò to the rugged coastline of Santa Maria al Bagno. With expert guidance, you’ll develop your artistic skills through experimental acrylic techniques, palette knife painting and intricate pencil work, all while exploring the region’s wildlife, seascapes and architecture.
Beyond the canvas, immerse yourself in authentic Italian experiences-horse riding, guided nature walks and visits to local markets and towns. Enjoy freshly prepared traditional Puglian cuisine, indulge in a mobile cocktail bar and live music, and celebrate your creative journey with a final exhibition of your artwork.
About Jess & Lindsay Pritchard
Lindsay Pritchard is a landscape artist specialising in oil painting. Lindsay captures the wild, open moorlands of Northern England with expressive brushwork. An Associate Member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) and a former participant on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, she brings years of experience in painting en plein air and running art workshops. Jess Pritchard is a multi-award-winning wildlife conservation artist and is known for her highly detailed pencil and paint artworks. She has exhibited at prestigious venues such as London’s Mall Galleries, The Dorchester Hotel and was a finalist at the 2023 Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition. Passionate about wildlife preservation, she has raised thousands for conservation efforts and is an ambassador for Derwent Art. Whether you’re an experienced artist or picking up a paintbrush for the first time, this retreat is designed to inspire, challenge and rejuvenate your creativity in one of Italy’s most captivating regions. All levels are welcome!
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Puglia Art Retreat Itinerary
The proposed itinerary is shown below and all excursions are organised and included. You don’t need any art experience to enjoy this tour.
Please note that the programme maybe subject to change due to the nature of the excursions.
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Day One
Pick up from Bari airport at 1pm and Brindisi airport at 2pm -transfer to the Masseria Specula. On arrival to your accommodation, you will shown to your comfortable room, with time to settle in. Join Jess and Lindsay Pritchard for a welcome drink in the warm evening Sun before sitting down with the rest of the art group to enjoy an authentic Italian dinner, enhanced by a glass of locally produced wine.
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Day three
- During the morning, visit the quaint town of Nardo. Using the journals made yesterday morning, learn how to sketch el plain air in the beautiful streets, focusing on composition and perspective. - A short drive away is Santa Maria Al Bagno. During the visit, you will be guided on how to take the best photos compositionally to use later when developing them into drawings or paintings - Back to the villa for lunch - This afternoon’s workshops are all about ‘Capturing Ocean Scenes’. You have a choice of 2 workshops. Jess will lead a workshop on drawing an ocean scene with boats in pencil while Lindsay leads a workshop on painting the rocky coastline using palette knives. - Dinner & free time
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Day five
- An exciting opportunity for early morning horse riding. For those choosing to stay at the villa, you will have a masterclass in colour mixing and colour harmony using a limited palette. - Lunch - Learn how to draw a horse portrait in pencil, discovering short & long fur techniques and how to add soul into an eye - Guests are then invited to take a post afternoon workshop visit to the stunning local nature reserve where you will see a variety of wildlife such as flamingos and hoopoe birds - This evening’s dinner will be out at the wonderful Maruggio.
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Day seven
- With guidance from Jess & Lindsay, complete your previously started works from the week or create a new piece from one of your own reference photos or sketches - Lunch - Continue with your work from the morning or take the opportunity to explore the local area - Set up of exhibition to display works created throughout the week- A mobile cocktail bar and folk band will join guests on sight to celebrate a great week of Italian culture and art. - Dinner & free time.
Day Two
- Take a guided walk with accommodation owner Carlo, where guests are encouraged to collect natural objects such as petals and pine cones in preparation for the afternoon workshop - Gets hands on at a workshop in journal making back at the villa. These journals can be used during the week as a creative record of your stay. - Lunch - Enjoy an afternoon of drawing and painting skill development using items gathered during the morning walk - After a relaxed afternoon of drawing & painting, guests are invited to take an evening trip to the beautiful town of Araya. - Dinner & free time
Day four
- Paint a scene from yesterday’s trip to Nardo using playful and experimental techniques in acrylics. You will be guided step by step to develop one of the sketches in your journal into a final painting .- Lunch - Discover how to draw the beautiful Hoopoe bird with particular focus on feathers and layering techniques - At 4:30pm, guests will be treated to a visit to Grottaglie. A beautiful Italian town well known for its unique handmade ceramics - Dinner & free time
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Day six
After a nutritious breakfast, we will embark on our day trip to the wonderful city of Lecce. With the option of a tour provided by a guide you will get the chance to spend the whole day in this Baroque inspired town. Famed for its stunning architecture, Roman amphitheatre, Cathedral and Churches, it is one of the most awe inspiring cities in the world. It is filled with ancient palaces and squares, vibrant cafes, museums and restaurants… ideal for painting plein-air, gathering photo references or simply for taking time out to absorb the atmosphere. On our return to the Masseria we will have a relaxing evening dinner over which we can share our experiences of the city and the retreat as a whole and make plans for our final day.
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Day eight
Enjoy breakfast together, exchange any last contacts and catch the 10am transfer to Brindisi airport arriving there around 11am and Bari airport for around 12pm. Please note that the Masseria is very much in the heart of rural Puglia. As such the majority of our trips will be via mini bus with the journeys ranging from 15 to 60 minutes in duration. All transportation is covered in the cost of your retreat
Paint & draw with Jess & Lindsay Pritchard
What You’ll Learn at the Wild Landscapes & Wildlife Art Retreat
Join Jess & Lindsay Pritchard for a transformative art retreat in the heart of Puglia, Italy, where you’ll explore a diverse range of painting and drawing techniques inspired by the stunning landscapes and rich wildlife of the region.
The retreat begins with en plein air sketching in the historic town of Nardò, where you’ll develop confidence in composition, perspective, and storytelling through quick studies in your creative journal. From there, you’ll refine your ability to capture light, movement, and texture with a mix of expressive acrylic techniques, palette knife painting, and intricate pencil work.
The breathtaking coastal scenery of Santa Maria al Bagno provides the perfect backdrop for learning to depict ocean waves, rocky shorelines, and boats at sea, while visits to a local nature reserve offer the chance to sketch and study native wildlife. Under Jess’s guidance, you’ll hone your ability to render feathers, fur, and animal expressions, creating detailed wildlife portraits that bring each subject to life.
For those seeking deeper technical refinement, Lindsay’s masterclass in color mixing and harmony will teach you how to create depth, contrast, and atmosphere using a limited palette. Whether experimenting with playful and abstract techniques or capturing fine details, you’ll discover new ways to express your artistic vision.
Beyond the easel, this retreat invites you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Puglia. Horse ride at sunrise, stroll through olive groves, explore charming Italian towns, and enjoy exquisite locally sourced cuisine prepared by traditional Puglian chefs. The week culminates in a celebratory exhibition of your artwork, complete with a mobile cocktail bar and live folk music.
This retreat is designed for artists of all levels, offering expert guidance, inspiration, and an unforgettable creative escape in one of Italy’s most captivating regions. Come and discover the wild landscapes, rich wildlife and boundless artistic inspiration of Puglia.
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At this landscapes & wildlife art retreat, you will learn how to:
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Master composition, perspective, and storytelling through en plein air sketching in stunning Italian towns.
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Develop expressive painting and drawing techniques, including palette knife painting, acrylic experimentation, and detailed pencil work.
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Capture the natural world by sketching wildlife, drawing intricate feather and fur textures, and incorporating natural elements into your work.
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Enhance your color mixing and harmony skills, learning to create depth, contrast, and atmosphere with a limited palette.
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Refine your ability to depict landscapes and seascapes, translating dynamic coastal textures and movement into your art.
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Use photography effectively as a reference tool, improving your eye for composition and lighting to inspire future paintings.
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Bring animals to life on paper, focusing on expressive eyes, realistic fur techniques, and the essence of movement.
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Complete and exhibit your work, refining your paintings with guidance and showcasing them in a celebratory final exhibition.
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Immerse yourself in the Italian landscape, gathering inspiration from its towns, beaches, and countryside to infuse into your artwork.
Authentic Italian Experience
This art retreat takes place at the Masseria Specula, which is a traditional farmhouse & nearby villas located in Puglia, Southern Italy. It is ideally located in beautiful countryside, close to the long white sandy Specchiarica Beach.
The Masseria seamlessly merges authentic traditional Italian charm with modern comforts. The villas are modern, spacious and have outdoor space with a swimming pool. The venue is surrounded by countryside and offers beautiful sea views.
In keeping with the Masseria's Italian charm, meals are freshly prepared by three Puglian women who cook delicious, authentic Italian recipes their mothers taught them.
On booking (subject to availability), you can select from rooms within the Masseria itself or one of the villas and more information about the accommodation can be found below.
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Stay at the Masseria
Relax and unwind in one of the Masseria’s beautifully furnished bedrooms. Each room is tastefully decorated and generous in proportion, whether you are sharing or having the room to yourself.
Room Layout:
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First Floor Rooms: Feature roof terraces.
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Ground Floor Rooms: Most have individual garden spaces.
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Accessibility Note: Guests with mobility issues should book a ground floor room.
Twin Rooms:
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Priced per person, based on double occupancy.
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You can share with a guest of your choice (if available) or be paired with another guest (by us) of the same gender.
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The en-suite bathroom is shared between both occupants.
Double Rooms (Single Occupancy):
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Designed for single occupancy only.
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You may bring a non-participating artist to share the double room for an additional charge of £1,800. Non-participating artists can join excursions, but will not be able to attend the art workshops.
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Stay in a neighbouring Villla
Contemporary Villas with Pool Access:
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Located across the road from the Masseria, 3 villas offer modern design; each with access to a swimming pool and outdoor space
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These villas provide a relaxing space to unwind during your stay.
Villa Sizes:
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Villa 1: Larger in size compared to the others.
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Villas 2 and 3: Slightly smaller in comparison.
Villa Bedrooms:
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Villa bedrooms are all solo occupancy rooms
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Villas are shared with other participants of the same gender, with shared kitchen, seating area, pool and outdoor space
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All rooms in the villas (except one room in Villa 1) share a villa bathroom with other guests in the villa
Photos: The images provided represent the typical rooms available in the villas.
Price & What's Included
Prices for this Italian retreat start from £3,240 per guest for 8 days, depending on which room you choose. Each room is priced differently as per the information about the accommodation above.
Spaces on this retreat are limited to just 18 students.
What's included
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7 nights, 8 days of accommodation at the beautiful Masseria & neighbouring villas
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Exclusive use of the property including all common areas, workshop spaces and gardens
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Daily Art workshops with Jess & Lindsay as outlined in the itinerary
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Daily freshly prepared meals cooked by a private chef at The Masseria on most days
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Two evening meals at local restaurants
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Wine and non-alcoholic beverages during dinner service
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Unlimited supply of tea/coffee/water during Art Workshops at The Masseria
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Roundtrip airport transfers from Brindisi & Bari airport if you adhere to our flight parameters. These will be emailed to you once the retreat is guaranteed.
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Excursions including: trip to Nardo town, trip to a local flamingo lake & trip to Lecce.
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Private transportation for all planned trips/English speaking interpreter
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Spice cocktails and local traditional band on the evening of day 7
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Access to a private WhatsApp group before the retreat
Not included
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Flights are not included
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Airport transfers outside of our flight parameters (which will be sent to you when the retreat is guaranteed)
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Required Travel Insurance- this is compulsory
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Art materials — you will receive a detailed list of art materials recommended by artists Jess & Lindsay two months before the retreat. Tables, chairs, glass jars and paper towels are included. A printer will be on-site to print off any photo references.
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Alcoholic beverages outside of the evening dinner service
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Additional excursions or taxi journeys you may wish to take outside of the itinerary
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Pasta making, pottery classes and horse riding are available to do in your own time, bookable via The Masseria and not included in the Olive & Plum package.
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Tips — tipping isn't the norm but it's appreciated by the local service providers
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Other expenses guests might incur on their own
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The non-participating artist package (when sharing a double room with a participating artist) excludes all art workshops
Got any questions?
