Italy

November 8-15, 2025

with DAVID HORNUNG

Join David Hornung for an 8 day / 7 night intimate retreat experience in a magical, thirteenth century medieval hamlet in Tuscany, surrounded by more than 600 hectares of forest, olive grove and vineyards, overlooking the Val di Chiana.

In This Retreat

In this relaxed and supportive five-day workshop you will make small scale acrylic paintings that explore an improvisational approach to abstraction. The emphasis is on experimentation and workflow with special focus on the interplay between intention and chance in the creative process. You’ll use various tools and both additive and subtractive painting strategies to generate visual events that can be developed into compelling abstract compositions. Studio work is complemented by slide shows and discussions that examine both historical and contemporary abstract painting. Painters at all levels of experience are welcome to participate. Class size is limited to ensure personalized instruction, so sign up soon to secure your spot.

David Hornung

David Hornung is a painter and collage artist whose work has been widely exhibited in the US and UK. Across a long career as an art professor, he has served on the faculties of The Rhode Island School of Design, Indiana University, Skidmore College, Pratt Institute, and Adelphi University. He is the author of Color: A Workshop for Artists and Designers (Laurence King Pub Ltd.), a color theory and practice textbook that has been translated into six languages and is used in art schools and private studios around the world. His work is represented by the J.J. Murphy Gallery in NYC, Elena Zang Gallery in Woodstock New York, Pulp Gallery in Holyoke Ma., and Cynthia Winings Gallery at Blue Hill, Maine.  

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What others have to say about David’s teachings:

“I have been fortunate to have taken five workshops with David Hornung on color, composition, and collages. He’s one of the most extraordinary teachers I have ever had. Students in our classes were on all levels, from beginner to formally trained artists with careers in art. David fashioned exercises that stimulated and challenged all levels. He presented daily power point slide shows that even incorporated students’ work from the previous exercises, which further enhanced the exercise. All of these classes are taught with David’s wry humor. I highly encourage anyone with the opportunity to enroll in any of David’s classes to sign up fast!”

 - Wendy

“David is a marvelous and inspirational art instructor. I have taken several courses from him including a design course, a course on color theory, a course on collage, and a course on abstract painting and drawing. David's exercises are easy to follow and yield very interesting results. I have always been amazed by what I have been able to produce and come out feeling energized to produce more art in my own style. In addition to excellent exercises, David shares digital lectures on artists, both living and deceased resulting in fascinating discussions regarding technique as well as why the artist's compositions are so successful. David also shares his own artwork and his process. He will show the beginning of a painting and take us through its evolution which is incredibly interesting. Finally,  David is a master of quotations that he shares with the class throughout the course. He is brilliant as well as subtly humorous at finding relevant words that portray the moment! “

-Sarah

“I have had the great privilege to take several of David Hornung's workshops over the past two years and have been consistently impressed with his ability to share his expertise with a delightful mixture of humor and humility. In both the Collage and Color workshops, I came away brimming with new techniques and approaches for my own practice. I discovered new artistic influences and perspectives through David sharing examples of both contemporary and historic artists. As an art teacher myself, his Design workshop has been an invaluable source of inspiration and practical exercises that I have gratefully brought into my own classrooms. Throughout all the workshops, David guided me and the other students with honest critique, encouragement to stretch past habitual methods, clear demonstrations, and excellent presentations. He has a wealth of experience, a curious mind, and a keen eye and he shares it all with wit and warmth.”

-Joan

This magical, thirteenth century medieval hamlet in Tuscany will be your home for the week.

What you will learn

• Improvisational painting techniques using a variety tools and processes.

• How experimentation and risk can stretch the parameters of your painting practice. 

• How to find your own ‘voice’ in painting through making. 

• The formal language of abstraction.

• The historical context within which abstract painting has developed.

• The range of contemporary practice in abstract painting.

What’s Included

  • Morning and afternoon teaching sessions with David Hornung

  • 7 nights accommodation

  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)- authentic, farm to table, tuscan style cuisine (Tuscan wines and cocktails available for purchase!)

  • Indoor painting studio

  • Transportation assistance to/from the airport

How it Works

  • At the time of booking, you pay a US$500 non-refundable deposit.

  • The remaining balance is split into half.

  • The first half is due 30 days from the date of booking.

  • The remaining balance is due 30 days after that (60 days from the date of booking). All retreat fees must be paid in full 90 days before the start of the retreat.

  • Note that images shown of rooms are for reference only and may not be the exact room you reserve.

Accommodations & Costs

  • Single Occupancy

    King or Queen Bed / Private Bath

    US$ 4,900

  • Double Occupancy

    Twin Beds / Shared Bath

    US$ 4,400

Book Retreat with David Hornung

  • The workshop is located in the Tuscany region of Italy. We recommend flying into Amerigo Vespucci Airport / Florence (FLR) or San Francesco d'Assisi Airport / Perugia (PEG). These airport are 1 to 1.5 hour drive respectively from the retreat venue. Once you have registered, we will send you options for transportation services from the airport to the retreat center. Each attendee will be responsible for the cost of transportation to and from the retreat venue.

  • This retreat accommodates 16 artists with instructor David Hornung. There are 10 single rooms and 3 double shared rooms (total 6 people). All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Accommodations are on a first come, first basis and all reservations must be completed through this website.

  • Accommodations for 7 nights, painting instruction with David Hornung (morning and afternoon sessions each day), meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

  • Airfare, travel insurance (required), transportation to and from the venue, supplies, alcoholic beverages, tips for staff, art supplies, travel before or after the workshop and/or any personal purchases made.

  • We accept all major credit cards. If you prefer an alternative payment method, please reach out to us at info@artfuelstudio.com. All payments are billed in US Dollars.

  • Yes, to reserve your spot for the retreat, we require a US$ 500 non-refundable deposit.  The remaining balance will be billed as follows: 

    The remaining balance is split into half.

    The first half is due 30 days from the date of booking.

    The remaining balance is due 30 days after that (60 days from the date of booking). All retreat fees must be paid in full 90 days before the start of the retreat.

  • Your US$ 500 deposit is non-refundable, non-transferable. If you need to cancel after additional payments have been made, we are happy to refund the amount paid (less your deposit), once the retreat is full and a replacement person takes your spot and has paid in full - (we’ll be keeping a waitlist).

  • Our retreats can often accommodate vegetarian, gluten free and other common food sensitivities. We will send a questionnaire prior to the workshop asking for your requests at that time so the venue is prepared.

  • Yes, travel insurance and proof of purchase is required for all workshops.  Please do your research to determine if you should purchase standard travel insurance or if CFAR travel insurance (cancel for any reason) is better for you.  

  • Below is a short list of supplies needed, but you'll receive a full list in advance of the retreat.

    Matte or satin acrylic paint (this workshop is taught in acrylics only)

    Assorted brushes

    Canson oil and acrylic pad

    Offset plastic palette knife

    Roll of white ‘artists tape’ 1”x 60 yards

    Paper palette

    Rubber brayer

  • To view the ARTfuel Studio Retreats Terms & Conditions, please click HERE.