Watercolor Impressions : Techniques in Creating Dynamic Watercolors
With Al Kline
3rd - 10th September 2027
This retreat will include both classroom sessions and two selected en plein air outings at stunning locations.
It is suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced watercolor artists who want to master watercolor techniques.
The class is designed to give you the tools to sketch and paint in watercolor, and to deepen your understanding of composition, sketching, color mixing, and brush techniques. Join me as I introduce the “5 Golden Pearls to Mastering Watercolor.”
Al will share his approach to creating a sketchbook or “memory” book that he often uses outdoors to capture interesting moments. He frequently uses mixed media—ink, pencil, and watercolor—to create small sketches called “littles” in his sketchbook.
These studies not only capture intriguing moments but also provide essential information for future paintings.
You will use our sketches to create dynamic watercolors from these studies.
Al believes this is a vital skill for capturing the correct composition, mood, and moment of a scene before committing your idea to a full watercolor painting.
We hope you will join Al on this exciting, painting and learning adventure!
About Al
Al Kline is a self-taught artist who began painting with watercolor in April 2017.
He is a signature member of the Southwestern Watercolor Society (SWS) and the Watercolor Society of South Texas (WSST). He has been selected for member exhibitions by the American Impressionist Society (AIS) and the American and National Watercolor Societies (AWS, NWS).
Al enjoys traveling and has painted and taught workshops throughout the United States and Europe. He is an invited artist with Paint by Destination, a company that specializes in watercolor workshop cruises across Europe.
He is well-known for his impressionist painting style and enjoys sketching and painting en plein air.
Al taught the “Basics of Watercolor” course at the 2025 En Plein Air Explosition in Reno, Nevada and has won numerous awards, including “The Artist’s Choice Award” at the OPS Texas En Plein Air Event in Kerrville, Texas. His specialty includes creating small “sketch-paintings” or “littles” in his sketchbook as preparation for larger works in his studio.
Al is the author of “Watercolor Impressions: Techniques in Creating Dynamic Watercolors,” published in 2023.
I look forward to painting and sharing my passion for watercolor with you
in the beautiful region of Italy.
Your Stay and Retreat Experience
Tuition & Creative Space
• Five days of painting tuition, including demonstrations and one-to-one advice and guidance
• Two 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:
• A full-day “Taste of Le Marche” experience, visiting local, family-run artisanal food and wine producers
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
€4449
€3899
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 2pm from Ancona airport and 3pm 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:
ℹ️
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.
