At The Arniano Painting School we offer week-long residential art holidays for artists and enthusiasts of all levels. The courses were founded in 2014 and were originally hosted at Arniano, a romantic, elegant and secluded farmhouse villa thirty minutes from Siena. Courses are designed for both beginners and more experienced painters, and are run by best friends, William Roper-Curzon and Amber Guinness. William does the teaching, while Amber concentrates on cooking delicious, seasonal meals from locally sourced ingredients. Both make sure that, above all, guests have a relaxed and fulfilling stay at Arniano, whilst improving their creative skills.
Situated in a rolling landscape dotted with green-black cypresses and hilltop villages, Arniano commands a panoramic view across southern Tuscany at its rural best, and provides plenty of beautiful subjects and views to inspire both painting and drawing. The house is a rare find and has been lovingly converted by interior designer Camilla Guinness, into an unusually light and airy property. It is exquisitely furnished with a mixture of grand bohemian chic and simple Italian style, creating a beautiful, comfortable, and much-loved family home.
Now, courses are hosted throughout Europe, including at Pylewell Park, William’s family home. Located on a beautiful private estate in Hampshire, England, Pylewell is where William grew up and drew his early creative inspiration. The house is unusual in standing directly overlooking the sea, with dreamy views towards the Solent and the Isle of Wight, and is set amid acres of lush formal and informal gardens, with a lake, walled garden and mill.
On our courses at Arniano we can accommodate up to ten guests in one of our five lovely and luxurious bedrooms. At Pylewell, we can accomodate up to twenty. Guests who would like to bring a non-painting partner or friend are more than welcome to do so, and equally for those intrepid travellers who are coming on their own, these courses are a fabulous opportunity to meet other like-minded painters, and have a relaxing and productive time in glorious surroundings.
Ahead of your stay, if you’d like more information on the painting courses, William’s teaching style and the food we serve, you can read all about these in Amber’s first book: A House Party in Tuscany, Stories, recipes and art from Arniano
William Roper-Curzon
William studied at City and Guilds of London, and latterly at the Prince of Wales's Royal Drawing School, where he studied under Catherine Goodman. Both of these schools uphold a tradition of technical drawing which has been pivotal to William's work and teaching style. His exhibitions consist of dynamic figurative and landscape drawings, displaying a strong rhythm of line and mark-making; it is this emotive and highly expressive way of working that William endeavours to instil in our students. His wonderful charm, sense of humour, enthusiasm and encouragement ensure that students of all levels at Arniano can confidently grow in their artistic ability. William is married and lives in Athens. Outside of the painting courses he spends his time travelling around Greece, painting in nature and building bodies of work to sell to private clients and for yearly exhibitions in London.
Amber Guinness
Amber is a cook and best selling author of three books on Italian cooking. Her parents bought Arniano in 1989, where she grew up with her mother, father and sister until 2003. Throughout her Tuscan childhood, Amber's mother Camilla, who was a cook herself before moving into interior design, taught her all about the importance of making the most of seasonal, local ingredients to create splendid feasts for family and friends, all the time remembering the two cornerstones of cooking - good, fresh taste and beautiful presentation. While at art school, it had always been a great wish of Amber's to share the beauty of her home and its stunning views with new people, and she could think of no better way than organising art holidays with her talented friend William. Amber is married with a son and spends her time between England and Italy.
