Visual Wanderings

An Italian Sketchbook Journey

Slow down, explore, and capture Italy through art with Helen C. Stark

15-20 september 2025

 

Create lasting memories through watercolour and sketching

Meet a small group of like-minded people and kickstart your creativity, develop your own style, while enjoying the incredible views and amazing food!

 
 

take the freedom to play and reignite your creativity

This intimate retreat invites you to slow down and connect with your surroundings. Let us take care of you these days. We’ll eat Elisabeth’s meals at a big communal table, getting to know people from all over the world. From your room you’ll take in the beautiful vistas of the Farfa valley, and fall gently to sleep to the tranquil bells of the donkeys and the whispering sounds of the river.

Pause, observe, and translate Italy into your visual journal

Together with experienced artist and illustrator Helen Stark, you’ll explore your creativity through watercolour, gouache, and sketch journaling. A visit to the medieval village, a clay workshop and the centuries old olive trees will get your creative juices flowing, while Helen will gently guide you through all the possibilities of what a visual journal can be.

A chance to unwind and recharge

Between creative sessions, unwind by the pool, or take peaceful walks through ancient olive groves.

Whether you're an experienced artist or new to the craft, this retreat offers the perfect blend of relaxation, creativity, and indulgence, leaving you refreshed and creatively recharged.

 

Your tutor

Helen Stark is a French-Irish illustrator, artist and teacher, living in South Yorkshire, UK. She’s passionate about heritage, the seasons and noticing little moments. She keeps a visual journal to maintain her creative practice, to process her days and collect the things that touch her.

She did an art residency at Le Mole sul Farfa in September 2024 and fell in love with the place. Have a look at the work that she made here.

Helen can’t wait to lead you through this creative journey, where you’ll get back in touch with your playful self!

 
 

six creative days immersed in the beautiful sabine hills

visual journaling

Throughout the retreat, Helen will offer daily prompts to inspire and guide you as you fill your travel sketchbook and develop your unique creative voice. You'll explore how to create cohesive sketchbook spreads, working with limited palettes and experimenting with layouts, from full-page scenes to charming vignettes. Incorporating local lettering and journaling, you’ll capture the essence of your Italian surroundings.

landscape painting

Helen will lead you through expressive landscape painting, encouraging you to embrace quick, loose marks and focus on the feeling of the scene rather than realism — think olive trees, distant villas, and the turning season in the valleys. You’ll learn to capture the beauty of a landscape in just six lines, adding more details intuitively.

still life and movement

The retreat will offer playful still life sessions, tips on sketching people in motion, and even a fun lesson on how to illustrate a recipe.

You’ll also get hands-on with natural earth pigments, creating your own watercolour, and enjoy decorating your sketchbook cover with linen and other materials, adding a personal touch to your creative journey.

 

the itinerary/

what to expect

You’ll receive a detailed itinerary at the event but here’s what we have planned.

Every day there will be time to yourself to sketch and wander, to take in the peaceful scenery.

 

monday

Your retreat begins with a warm welcome as you’re picked up from Fara Sabina train station and whisked away to the serene Le Mole Sul Farfa. Upon arrival, take some time to settle in, explore the grounds, and soak in the peaceful surroundings. In the afternoon, Helen Stark will lead an introductory sketchbook session to spark your creativity and help you ease into the retreat. Relax and let your artistic journey begin as you craft your own ceramic palette and water cup in a hands-on workshop with local ceramist Karla Sotres. As evening falls, enjoy a beautifully prepared welcome dinner with fellow artists, perhaps ending your day by reflecting on your journey in your sketchbook.

tuesday

After a leisurely breakfast, venture to an ancient Roman villa, where you’ll sketch the centuries-old olive trees, donkeys, and sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. One of our hosts, Stefano will guide you through the archaeological site, offering a deeper understanding of its fascinating history. In the afternoon, return to the guesthouse for a relaxing life drawing session. A special chutney-making demonstration will add a touch of culinary creativity to your day, offering a sensory experience to complement your art-making.

wednesday

Today, enjoy breakfast before heading off to visit a historic abbey, renowned for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning architecture, which offers endless plein air sketching opportunities. A picnic lunch will be provided, allowing you to relax and take in the scenery. In the late afternoon, return to the guesthouse for some quiet time — find a peaceful corner to sketch or journal about the day’s experiences. Let the calm of the countryside inspire you before enjoying another delightful dinner.

 

thursday

After breakfast, embark on a trip to the nearby village of Mompeo, perched on a hill behind the guesthouse. Wander its charming streets, capturing the essence of Italian village life in your sketchbook. Gather in the village piazza and choose a scene that speaks to you to draw at your own pace. In the afternoon, unwind and enjoy the tranquillity of the organic farm and swimming pool before coming together for dinner.

friday

After breakfast, take a scenic walk down to the enchanting ruins of the medieval river mills, a hidden gem that will provide fresh inspiration for your sketchbook. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to decorate the cover of your sketchbook with linen and paint, adding a personal and creative touch to the journal that has captured your retreat experience. Gather with Helen and fellow participants for a celebratory review of your artwork, sharing your favourite moments and creations. The retreat concludes with a special farewell dinner, a final chance to savour the company of new friends and reflect on your artistic journey.

saturday

Enjoy a final breakfast at the guesthouse, savouring the last moments of peace and beauty at Le Mole Sul Farfa. A taxi will take you back to Fara Sabina train station, leaving you with wonderful memories and a sketchbook full of art and inspiration.

 

join us for an italian escape

Have a room to yourself or bring a friend!

 

2800 EUR

This early bird rate is applicable

until 29 November 2024.

 

2400 EUR per person

This early bird rate is applicable

until 29 November 2024.

 

What’s included

  • Accommodation (single occupancy and twin occupancy available) and all meals

  • Refreshments (tea, coffee and still/sparkling water) 

  • Swimming pool access

  • Exclusive use of the guesthouse and facilities

  • Taxi collection (from rendezvous point Fara Sabina-Montelibretti Train Station) on day 1

  • Taxi drop-off (from guesthouse to Fara Sabina-Montelibretti Train Station) on day 6

  • All transport for the day trips

  • One-to-one meeting on Zoom with Helen prior to the retreat

  • Handcrafted itinerary, including:

    • Expert artistic instruction from Helen C Stark, for an intimate group of maximum 9 participants

    • 1 x Pith Lumia sketchbook per guest

    • Studio space with communal art materials carefully curated by Helen to play and experiment with

    • Guided tour of an ancient olive grove and a Roman Villa archeological site

    • Workshop with ceramic artist Karla Sotres, including your own hand made ceramic cup and palette to take home

what’s not included

  • Flights to Rome

  • Local travel to rendezvous point (Fara Sabina - Montelibretti Train Station)

  • Travel insurance

 

FAQ’s

  • Make sure to get travel insurance, so you’re covered if anything happens. The booking is non-refundable.

    Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against all circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements.

  • Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements, we’re happy to accommodate you.

  • Your flight is not included. The retreat begins Fara Sabina-Montelibretti, where we pick you up. There is a direct train from the airport of Fiumicino to Fara Sabina-Montelibretti.

    All transfers during the retreat are included.

    After booking, you’ll receive an email with general tips on planning your trip.

  • Follow the Book Now button and you will get all the payment information.

    To confirm the reservation we ask for a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total amount. The remainder should be paid before 15th May 2025. You will be send a payment link for the remainder.

    Note that all bedrooms have their own charm, but that they are not identical.

    This booking is managed by Italia Travel.

  • The retreat is both for beginners who are getting started, as for experienced artists. The retreat will be a blend of relaxation, creativity, and indulgence, leaving you refreshed and creatively recharged.

  • Closer to the time of the retreat, Helen will send out a list of materials to bring. And host Elisabeth will send a list of recommended things to pack as well as some tips for your train journey to Fara Sabina.

  • If the retreat is cancelled due to force majeure events or circumstances out of our control, we will let you know as soon as possible and refund you.