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TONY ALLAIN: Commanding Color - Painting Sicily in Pastel
TONY ALLAIN: Commanding Color - Painting Sicily in Pastel

Sun, Sep 12

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Marsala, Sicily

TONY ALLAIN: Commanding Color - Painting Sicily in Pastel

Bold color. Decisive marks. No timid landscapes. Paint Sicily with Tony Allain and discover how far pastel can go.

Time & Location

Sep 12, 2027, 1:00 PM – Sep 18, 2027, 9:00 AM

Marsala, Sicily, 91025 Marsala, Free municipal consortium of Trapani, Italy

About the event

About Tony Allain

Tony Allain’s pastels do not whisper — they command attention. Known for his luminous color, daring compositions, and unmistakable marks, Tony teaches artists how to simplify, commit, and paint with greater confidence and authority. This is not a workshop about timid landscapes or careful copying. It is an invitation to push pastel further, make stronger choices, and discover the power of color and mark-making in the dramatic coastal landscapes, ancient towns, and sun-struck architecture of Sicily.


Tony’s landscapes are not simply records of what he sees. They are bold, expressive responses to the energy and structure of a scene. Working with economy and force, he distills the landscape to its essential elements — shape, value, temperature, edge, and rhythm — giving his paintings their clarity, vitality, and unmistakable presence.


As an instructor, Tony is known for his direct, generous, and practical teaching style. He helps artists simplify complex scenes, strengthen composition, and make confident decisions with color and mark. His workshops encourage both technical growth and personal expression, giving students the tools to paint with greater freedom, authority, and intention.



What to Expect From Your Week with Tony

This retreat is designed as an immersive week of pastel landscape painting, combining focused instruction with the extraordinary visual richness of western Sicily.

Each day will offer opportunities to study composition, color relationships, value, edge, and expressive mark-making. Tony will guide students in simplifying the landscape, finding strong design, and capturing the character of a scene without overworking the image.

The week includes a balance of studio demonstrations, discussion, critique, and on-location painting. Studio time will allow Tony to introduce key concepts and techniques, while outdoor sessions will give students the chance to respond directly to Sicily’s changing color, terrain, architecture, and coastal forms.

Painting locations may include the salt flats and windmills of the Stagnone Lagoon, the historic center of Marsala, the medieval hill town of Erice, and the ancient landscape of the Greek Temples at Segesta. These sites offer a powerful range of subjects: sea and sky, stone and shadow, architecture, ruins, distant views, and the warm tonal harmonies of the Sicilian landscape.

By the end of the week, participants will leave with a stronger understanding of pastel as a landscape medium, a more confident approach to composition and color, and a body of studies shaped by the force, beauty, and visual richness of Sicily.


What Can I Expect From a Week with Sicily Artist Retreats?

  • Arrival day airport transfers, orientation, aperitif, and welcome dinner

  • Daily studio sessions

  • Guided instruction, demonstrations, and individual feedback

  • Private, chef- prepared studio lunches

  • Excursions to Stagnone Lagoon, Mozia Island, Marsala Historic Center, Erice mountain, and Segesta Greek Temple and Archeological Park,

  • Boutique hotel accommodations with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms

  • Most meals and all ground transportation included

  • Time for rest, conversation, poolside relaxation, cultural immersion, and unhurried exchange with fellow artists.


Accommodations

Participants will stay at Hotel Baglio Custera, a boutique resort in the Marsala countryside nestled among olive groves, with sweeping views, luxurious atmosphere, and private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Cuisine

In Sicily, food is part of the experience. Guests will enjoy fresh, seasonal, garden-to-table meals rooted in the flavors of western Sicily, with menus designed to be vegetarian or pescatarian. Studio lunches will be prepared by a private cook, allowing artists to relax, gather, and return easily to their work. On days when the group is painting or visiting sites away from the studio, lunch will be at each guest’s own expense, with time provided to enjoy the many local cafés, restaurants, and casual dining options nearby. Dinners will include meals at the award-winning Baglio Custera restaurant, local eateries, a seaside pizzeria, and a special evening with folkloric dancers.

Traveling with an Accompanying Guest

Accompanying guests are warmly welcome for an additional retreat fee. While studio instruction is reserved for registered workshop participants, guests may enjoy the beauty and comfort of the retreat experience, including shared accommodations at Baglio Custera, scheduled excursions , airport transfers, and time to relax by the pool or explore the surrounding area.

This is a wonderful option for a spouse, partner, or friend who would like to experience Sicily alongside you while you take part in the workshop. Guests will be included in studio lunches, group dinners, cultural outings, and excursions to local sites.

Payment Options

Retreats are paid in full at the time of booking. For guests who prefer to spread payments over time, flexible payment options such as Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm  “book now, pay later” services are offered at checkout.

These payment options are provided through third-party payment platforms and are subject to their approval, terms, and availability. All bookings remain subject to Sicily Artist Retreats’ cancellation and refund policies.

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

We want every participant’s experience with Sicily Artist Retreats to be seamless and worry-free from the moment you register. The policies below are designed to be clear and fair, and we encourage you to read them carefully before booking. 

 

Cancellation Policy

Because commitments for accommodations, transportation, staffing, and operations are made well in advance, we ask that you plan accordingly and register only when you are confident in your attendance.


Before the six-month cutoff:  Cancellations received more than six (6) months prior to the workshop start date are eligible for a refund, less a $500 administrative fee to cover processing, bank fees, and related costs.

After the six-month cutoff:  All payments are non-refundable without exception. We are unable to make exceptions to this policy regardless of circumstance, which is why we require travel insurance for all participants.



Travel insurance is required for all Sicily Artist Retreats participants and must be obtained prior to or at the time of registration. Given our non-refundable policy after the six-month cutoff, a comprehensive travel insurance policy is your best protection against the unexpected — including illness, injury, family emergencies, and travel disruptions.


Travel insurance is available through many reputable providers. For reference purposes only, companies that offer travel insurance include Allianz Travel Insurance, Travel Guard, and Generali Global Assistance, among others. Sicily Artist Retreats makes no recommendation regarding any specific provider and is not responsible for the terms, coverage, or performance of any insurance policy. Participants are solely responsible for researching, selecting, and obtaining coverage appropriate to their individual needs and circumstances.




Package

  • Artist Early Bird Ticket

    Early Bird Artist Ticket — Save $200 Reserve your place early! Artist Early Bird Ticket -- receive $200 off the regular artist registration through September 30, 2026

    $4,100.00

    +$102.50 ticket service fee

  • Artist

    This ticket is for registered participants.

    $4,300.00

    +$107.50 ticket service fee

  • Accompanying Guest

    Welcome to Sicily Artist Retreats! This ticket is for an accompanying guest sharing a room with a registered workshop participant. It includes accommodations, meals, scheduled excursions, airport transfers, and retreat activities. Workshop instruction and studio participation are not included. During studio hours, guests may relax at the hotel or arrange optional self-pay activities, subject to availability.

    $2,100.00

    +$52.50 ticket service fee

Total

$0.00

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