Italian Horizons: En Plein Air Art Adventure
With Oksana Zhelisko
16th - 23rd October 2026
GUARANTEED
Escape to a transformative 7-day all-inclusive En Plein Air art retreat in the breathtaking landscapes of Le Marche region in Italy, hosted at the luxurious Hotel Leone.
Led by the talented and inspiring Oksana Zhelisko, this retreat is open to artists of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills in oil or acrylic painting.
Oksana will break down the painting process into its essential elements, focusing on key aspects like composition, value, and colour mixing.
Working En Plein Air (from the direct observation) captures the nuances of light, shadow, and colour live, helping you build a deeper understanding of the landscape around you.
Oksana’s personalized approach will also support you in developing your unique artistic style, empowering you to express your vision confidently and creatively. Whether you’re refining your technique or exploring new ideas, this is the perfect opportunity to grow as an artist in an inspiring and nurturing environment.
This retreat is more than just an opportunity to paint; it’s an adventure that will deepen your connection to your art, your fellow artists, and the beautiful world around you. All levels are welcome! Bring your creativity, and leave with the visual diary and memories to cherish for years to come.
About Oksana
Born in Ukraine, award winning artist Oksana Zhelisko, one of Edmonton’s strongest contemporary artists of the feminine portrait, puts women first. The classically trained visual artist creates beautiful feminine portraits in oil that differ in emotions, moods and atmosphere. Passion, love, curiosity, exhaustion, sadness and elegance are all highlighted. Each painting engages on a meaningful level.
In addition, 7 years ago, Oksana adapted and became obsessed with the magic of En Plein Air Painting. It’s the visual trip through colour and shape that gets Oksana excited. A destination with amazing scenery, traveled at the painter’s pace … allowing her to capture the stunning views not just with the camera, but with the paint and canvas.
“I prefer working in Alla-prima style (wet-on-wet) of painting and I use this style as much as possible. Even when I work on bigger paintings, I make sure to block in tonal and colour balances in my first session. I work intuitively, bold and free from the start at the same time staying true to the emotional response of the initial idea. As I continue working on a painting, I slow down and add more calculated decisions and get certain areas tighter and more detailed”.
Oksana offers a variety of oil and acrylic classes and leads a mentorship programme. Oksana brings her training, skill, and passion to her painting, and she is versatile in expressive styles. She is adept at many genres, including portraiture, still life, and landscape.
Included in the price:
• All tuition fees
• 7 nights accommodation in luxury air-conditioned, en-suite rooms with: see our rooms here
– Luxury bedding
– High quality, 100% natural, Italian toiletries: shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and hand gel
– Daily servicing of the rooms
– Mid-week linen and towel change
– 100% cotton waffle robes and slippers
• All meals including breakfast, buffet lunch and a choice of up to 4 courses from our daily changing gourmet evening menu
• A ‘pizza-giro’ evening at a local trattoria within a few minutes walk of the hotel
• Delicious local wine with lunch and evening meal
• Private group transfers to and from either Ancona airport or Pedaso (station or bus stop)
• 5 days painting tuition including demonstrations and one-to-one advice and guidance
• of which 3 days’ excursions to specially selected stunning locations
• Private transfers to and from painting locations
• Experience the community and culture on a “Taste of Le Marche” full day excursion visiting three local, family run, artisanal food & wine producers with a tour and tasting at each
• Unlimited use of air-conditioned studio
• full-time staff on-site
Prices start from €3549 per person based on two people sharing a room.
For more information, including pricing per room type, please fill in your details below
Deposit
To secure you spot on the retreat please click on the Retreat Booking button above, complete the form, select your preferred room type and pay a non-refundable deposit of €350.
Travel / Transfers
The group pick up is at 2:30pm from Ancona airport and 3:30pm at Pedaso train station or bus stop.
On the day of departure we will leave for Ancona airport after breakfast at 9.30am. Hotel Leone is about one hour and a quarter from the airport so you should arrive just before / around 11.00am your ideal return flight should be later than 12 noon.
If you’d like to arrive a day or two early and stay in Ancona or Pedaso, below are the hotels we normally recommend:
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The hotel will be booked exclusively for you and your art group. Please note that the hotel is situated in a medieval hill-top town and that from the main building to the studio building there is a very brief walk on a slightly sloping but smooth cobbled street. All rooms have stairs-only access and if you choose a room the upper floor in the main building this will entail two sets of stairs. Therefore, this venue may not be suited for participants with limited mobility. Please also be mindful that the days on location may involve walking on uneven, cobbled streets. The exact locations will vary based on instructor planning, group dynamics and/or weather conditions.
