Landscape Expressions in Soft Pastel
with Jennifer Linderman
15th - 22nd October 2027
Since the dawn of time, landscapes have stirred the human spirit—calling to artists, wanderers, and dreamers alike. From violet mountain ranges fading into mist, to emerald hills rolling endlessly beneath glowing skies, to sunsets that shimmer and dissolve into gold—nature offers a poetry that begs to be painted.
In the heart of Italy’s Le Marche region, beauty unfolds at every turn. Medieval hill towns rise from the countryside like stories carved in stone. Vineyards stretch toward the horizon. Light spills across terracotta rooftops and lush valleys. It is here, in Montelparo, that we will slow down, observe deeply, and allow the land itself to guide our creative journey.
This course invites you into an exploration of soft pastel that is both expressive and immersive. Using the landscape as our muse, we will experiment boldly—layering watercolor and acrylic inks to create luminous underpaintings that breathe beneath the pastel surface. We will explore the dance between looseness and realism, discovering how gesture and structure can coexist beautifully within a single painting.
Working primarily with PanPastels and pastel pencils—while incorporating traditional sticks—we will build depth, atmosphere, and form through thoughtful value relationships and confident mark-making. Stencils and unexpected tools will encourage play, texture, and spontaneity. Each layer will be an invitation to trust the process.
Our daily wanderings through the countryside and villages will become the seeds of our studio work. Sketches gathered in the open air will serve as foundations, as we learn to simplify the vastness of the landscape into essential shapes, light, and shadow. Rather than seeing complexity, we will learn to see harmony. Rather than intimidation, possibility.
Above all, this experience is about courage—about embracing experimentation within a supportive and nurturing community. Together we will cultivate fearlessness, curiosity, and joy in the creative process.
Join Jennifer in Montelparo, where ancient villages, rolling hills, and ever-changing light will shape our work and awaken new artistic expression. Let the land speak—and let your pastels answer.
About Jennifer
Jennifer Linderman is a mixed-media artist and art educator based in Oakland, California, where she lives with her husband, two children, and two cats. Largely self-taught, she specializes in colored pencil, pastel, and acrylic, with a particular love for richly layered surfaces and vibrant, saturated color.
Jennifer has been teaching art to both adults and children for over 15 years. She is the founder of Origami Mami, an after-school enrichment program that brings origami lessons to local elementary schools. In addition, she teaches weekly classes in pastel and colored pencil, sharing her enthusiasm for expressive mark-making and bold color exploration.
Her deep appreciation for landscapes led her to experiment with increasingly daring and saturated palettes—until she discovered pastel, and it was love at first layer. Known for her joyful and fearless approach to creating, Jennifer works by her personal mantra: “Just add turquoise.”
Passionate about both learning and teaching, she is committed to making art accessible, encouraging, and engaging for students of all ages. Jennifer is an active member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and currently serves as Vice President of her local CPSA chapter. She is also a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Grateful to have built a sustainable and fulfilling career, she continues to balance her life as a full-time artist, educator, and creative entrepreneur.
Your Stay and Retreat Experience
All retreats are immersive — thoughtfully curated so that you can simply arrive, unpack and create.
Tuition & Creative Space
• Five days of painting tuition, including demonstrations and one-to-one advice and guidance
• Three days of painting at specially selected, stunning locations
• Unlimited use of the air-conditioned studio
Your Accommodation
• Seven nights accommodation in luxury, air-conditioned, en-suite rooms
• Luxury bedding
• 100% cotton waffle robes and slippers
• High-quality, 100% natural Italian toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and hand gel)
• Daily room servicing
• Mid-week linen and towel change
Food & Wine
• All meals are provided throughout your stay
• Daily breakfast
• Buffet lunch at the hotel or lunch in local eatery
• A choice of up to four courses from our daily changing gourmet evening menu
• Local wines served with lunch and dinner
• A relaxed “pizza-giro” evening at a local trattoria, just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel
Experiences During Your Stay
During your stay, we arrange a selection of small-group experiences designed to connect you with the landscape, culture and traditions of Le Marche:
• An eco-printing workshop at a family-run weaving farm in the Sibillini Mountains
Transfers & Getting Here
For your convenience, we offer one scheduled group transfer on arrival and departure day from either:
• Ancona Airport
• Pedaso (station or bus stop)
This is provided as a complimentary service for guests arriving at similar times.
We also arrange transport for group activities during the week, allowing you to relax and enjoy each experience without logistical concerns.
Guests travelling outside of the scheduled transfer times are welcome to make their own arrangements, and we are always happy to assist with advice.
Room Type
Shared Classic Ensuite Room
Private Classic Ensuite Room
Private Superior Ensuite Room
Private Deluxe Ensuite Room
Private Junior Suite Ensuite
2 Bedroom Suite - private room, shared en-suite bathroom
Price Per Person
€3349
€3999
€4099
€4199
€4399
€3849
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.
