KOOSJE KOENE

pens and pasta: drawing retreat in italy

LIFE IS BETTER WHEN YOU DRAW IT.

Koosje believes life is better when you draw it, and her approach is fun-filled. She will hand you attainable drawing techniques and tips for your sketchbook practice. Together, practice during the art retreat, but take it all with you to apply in your sketchbook long after.

This will be a week full of creativity and exploration.

DATES: May 18-24, 2025

PRICE: $3495 USD

THEME: Get ready to fill your travel sketchbook as Koosje Koene teaches you how to capture the moment with pen on paper.

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Meet Koosje

Koosje-Koene-may-18-24-2025-Adventures-in-Italy-Orvieto

Koosje Koene is a Netherlands-based artist who began teaching online in 2013. Since then, she has taught tens of thousands of people all over the world how to create a daily drawing habit and live a more creative life. She is the creator of Draw Tip Tuesday, a weekly YouTube series of over 400 drawing videos, and the co-founder of Sketchbook Skool, a global art-making community. Koosje has written and illustrated a book, all about drawing: “Life is better when you draw (it)”.

Whether she’s at home in the Netherlands with her musician husband or off on an adventure, Koosje (whose name is pronounced KOSH-aKOO-neh) always has a sketchbook in hand. Learn more at KoosjeKoene.com

Your time with Koosje includes:

Sketch in the field, guided by Koosje’s expert encouragement to capture the essence of what you see while having a blast doing it. Let the stunning surroundings inspire you to fill your sketchbook pages during each class (and you’ll be inspired to keep going outside of class!)

Explore line and shape, color and composition. Learn about making your mark, and about your personal style. Koosje will show you how to be bolder and braver when it comes to expressing yourself in your sketchbook. She’ll help you overcome overwhelm when you want to draw a scene (where and how to start a drawing?), and she’ll challenge you to draw people and places, and add context in your own way.

In our daily “show and share” sessions, you’ll be amazed how much you learn from your fellow artists – whether you’re a seasoned sketcher or just starting out.

There will be plenty opportunities to sit and draw with like-minded artists. Be in the moment, enjoy your beautiful surroundings, and get inspired for your daily creativity.

Tour Details

Mornings will be spent in creative exploration, either in the studio or out around Orvieto. In the afternoon you will experience the culture of Italy. It might be a tour into the Etruscan caves, a cooking class, or a vineyard visit. There will also be plenty of free time to explore Orvieto on your own. You will receive a more detailed itinerary for the week in your final information packet sent before you travel.

A traditional continental breakfast is served each morning in the B&B. Because Italian cuisine is such fun, some meals are not prearranged allowing you the freedom to choose where and what to eat. Recommendations are offered and no one eats alone!

WITH EACH ARTISTIC ENRICHMENT TRIP, YOU WILL RECEIVE:

Workshop instruction
Pre-trip notes and guidelines
Six nights double occupancy lodging – Sunday – Saturday
Six Continental breakfasts
Cooking class including lunch or dinner
Vineyard tour and wine tasting
Wine and olive oil tasting including dinner
Two additional dinners
Two additional lunches
Cathedral tour and visit to San Brizio chapel

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

Travel costs
Passport fees, photos and processing where applicable
Transfers to and from the airports
Meals, except where indicated in itinerary
Personal items such as individual journaling and art supplies, wines, liquors, valet/laundry charges, and other items not specifically mentioned as included
Optional activities, if any
Supplement for single room
Additional nights lodging

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Single occupancy available for an additional cost. Travel costs are not included.

The balance including single room supplement of $150 USD and optional activities, if any, is due as indicated on the registration form, which is approximately 90 days prior to trip commencement. Payment installments can be arranged directly with Adventures in Italy Inc. Methods of payment accepted are check, Visa and Mastercard.

* HOLD MY SPOT: A $250 USD non-refundable deposit secures your spot today! You will be contacted by Adventures in Italy to arrange your additional payment schedule.