COURSE DATES: May 30th to June 6th 2026 (possibility of additional date at end of August)
Come discover the lesser-known northern Tuscany!
Artist Deenagh Miller is trained in art and design and has a degree in Art History – she has several years experience as an Adult Education Tutor in the UK.
The Course will be suitable for beginners as well as those with a little experience, and will include:
- basic techniques of pen and ink drawing
- adding colour to drawings (feel free to bring along your own watercolour set or pastels etc. – or use the materials provided)
- still life drawing/painting
- drawing/painting buildings, gardens and landscapes
- framing and presentation of drawings
- with Deenagh happy to provide further advice and feedback based on her extensive experience
- pens, ink, paper and other materials provided (though not acrylics/oils)
Local afternoon trips: Two local sightseeing trips will be offered (on Tuesday and Thursday): Montefegatesi for a visit to the Dante statue, and an optional hike to Monte Prato Fiorito; Bagni di Lucca, maybe for a thermal-waters spa visit (at additional cost), to walk the Via dell’Amore (free!), or general sightseeing/cafe culture.
Come and stay at Casale di Clio for a week (or longer!) and enjoy an art course with artist Deenagh Miller. This is a smaller group course (maximum 4 participants), offering the opportunity for a more bespoke and focused input into the development of your artistic abilities and the expression of your potential. A grounding will be given in the techniques of Pen & Ink Drawing at the start of the week, though you will be free to branch out and add or focus upon other techniques and materials, such as watercolours, charcoal, etc. Deenagh will contact each participant before the course with a list of questions that will help her prepare for the course in light of your interests and experience.
Workshop classes are held in the mornings in the ‘Art Barn’, with afternoons and evening free to continue drawing or painting in the grounds of Casale di Clio and the locale – or to hike, read, relax, make use of the various creative resources at the house, or to socialise with other participants and the hosts – two afternoon local sightseeing trips will be offered (see below). If there is interest, Tizi is happy to show guests how to make tagliatelle from scratch, using a hand-operated pasta machine. At the end of the week an informal exhibition of participants’ work will be prepared and local folk invited to enjoy the art and aperitivi!
Aside from complimentary welcome aperitivi and dinner, this is priced as a self-catering week (we have a well-equipped kitchen and an outdoor BBQ); there are various food-shopping options nearby, and a number of options for walks of various lengths to local traditional eateries and a food store that will make you a panino from the deli counter. If self-catering does not appeal, it may be possible to have some or all lunches and/or dinners provided for you at Casale di Clio (eating with the hosts), at additional cost – please contact us if you wish to discuss this, mentioning any dietary preferences and food allergies (you may buy fruit, cereal, yoghurt, pastries, bread etc. locally for self-prepared breakfasts).
Schedule:
- Saturday: arrival (collection from Bagni di Lucca for those arriving by train), meet hosts and other participants, local orientation, settle in/explore/relax (feel free to arrive and stay prior to the course start date – at our additional-day rate); welcome aperitivi and dinner;
- Sunday: Morning – meet tutor, informal course introduction; Later – free to draw/explore/relax (optional walk to Bar Santina at San Cassiano for traditional Sunday lunch – other options available!);
- Monday to Thursday (daily): Morning – Drawing/Art Workshop; Later: free to draw/explore/relax (optional local afternoon trips – see above);
- Friday: Morning – Drawing/Art Workshop and preparation for Exhibition; Late Afternoon/Early Evening – informal exhibition of participants’ works, with aperitivi;
- Saturday: departure (morning drop-off at Bagni di Lucca train station) – or stay on at Casale di Clio, by prior agreement – at our additional-day rate).
“Although we will be working in the morning, on some afternoons I will stay on & paint & draw the landscape, it is irresistible as a subject! And you are most welcome to join me, at no further cost, to paint or draw & receive further tuition, instruction, encouragement; I look forward to meeting you at Casale di Clio!” Deenagh
COURSE DATES: May 30th to June 6th 2026 (possibility of additional date at end of August)
7 nights Accommodation (arrive Saturday – depart Saturday), welcome aperitivi & dinner + Course Fee:
€945 (en-suite room with valley view)/€875 (separate private bathroom & courtyard view)
(stays may be extended at the additional-day rate)
15% deposit secures a place, with balance of payment required by 2 months before arrival
For further information and to secure a place contact us
For more about courses at Casale di Clio – including hybrid/online courses – see our Courses Page
Here are some photos from our 2025 Course, including trips out and the end of course exhibition:
