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The Umbrian Context: Interior and Exterior Light and Spaces

with Mark Dunford & Kay Vinson - June 5-12, 2026

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Exploring the inspirational light and colour of the interior and exterior spaces of the Umbrian landscape and the Castello di Petroia.

Dates: June 5-12, 2026
Instructors: Mark Dunford and Kay Vinson
Venue: Castello di Petroia, Gubbio, Umbria, Italy
Media: Oil, acrylic, gouache, watercolour, pastel – Mark and Kay will work together to deliver a painting and drawing course that demonstrates approaches and ideas that will inform your looking and practice.
Level: All levels welcome

Supply List

Join the award-winning painters and experienced instructors Mark Dunford and Kay Vinson for their observational painting and drawing workshop at the Castello di Petroia; a magnificent location of breathtaking beauty in the hills of Umbria. The rich heritage of early renaissance Italian painting and the Castello with its unparalleled painting opportunities, will inspire you to consider and depict painted equivalents of light, colour and space. There will be a guided working excursion to the Galleria Nazionale dell’ Umbria, Perugia to see one of the richest and important collection of works in Italy, providing insight and context for the workshop. Working from observation to draw and paint the atmospheric qualities of interior and exterior spaces, this workshop will reference the nearby wealth of painting, architectural structures and the incredible beauty of the light.

Mark and Kay will introduce the painting sessions with unique visual presentations that outline a particular daily focus to inspire and suit individual students’ interests. Individual tuition and demonstrations will encourage students to engage and respond to the light and many contrasting spaces unique to the location. Students will be shown ways to begin and develop their understanding of painting and drawing from observation. Combine this with five-star accommodations, superb food and wine, and excellent company, this workshop will
inspire and inform you for years to come.

  • Day 1 – Meet in Rome, arrival and welcome to Castello di Petroia
  • Day 2 – Painting: Starting strategies, simplification in line and tone. Clarification using measuring and sighting techniques.
  • Day 3 – Painting: colour and light, theory and practice in colour observation.
  • Day 4 – Painting: compositional ideas, intuitive and hidden geometries.
  • Day 5 – Context Excursion to Galleria Nazionale dell’ Umbria, Perugia
  • Day 6 – Painting internal and external environments
  • Day 7 – Painting internal and external environments
  • Day 8 – Farewells and depart for Rome
Workshop Description
About Mark Dunford & Kay Vinson
Castello di Petroia, Gubbio, Italy
Itinerary
Make a Reservation
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About Mark Dunford & Kay Vinson

Mark Dunford studied painting at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London where he was taught by the artists Euan Uglow and Patrick George. He paints from direct observation using drawing and colour to investigate forms and spaces. He is represented by Browse and Darby, London and Tregony Contemporary, Cornwall. Mark is an experienced painting and drawing lecturer and has led two outstanding art and design programme areas in the UK over the past thirty-five years, as well as teaching international workshops.

His awards include the Robert Ross Scholarship from the Slade School of Fine Art, the Richard Ford Award from the Royal Academy of Arts to study in Madrid and the Young Artists’ Award from the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. Since 2001, Mark has been an elected member of the prestigious London Group. Mark lives and works in Cornwall in the UK and has work in collections in the UK, USA, Australia, and Europe.
Kay Vinson studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, under the tutelage of Euan Uglow and Patrick George. She achieved a first-class B.A Hons Degree and M.A in painting, specialising in the figure, interior/exterior contrasts and still life. Her numerous awards include The Boise Travelling Scholarship to Russia, Italy and Istanbul and Kay is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Canadian Award for figurative painting, from the Elizabeth Greenshield’s Foundation.

Kay has exhibited at the Royal Academy, Leighton House, London and the Millenium Gallery, St Ives, and has been represented by Tregony Contemporary, Cornwall since 2016. She has work in public institutions, including University College London and Jesus College Cambridge and private collections internationally.
Mark Dunford & Kay Vinson - The Umbrian Context: Interior and Exterior Light and Spaces; Italy, June 5-12, 2026

Luxury Accomodations at Castello di Petroia

The venue for this week-long art immersion is the 10th Century Castello di Petroia, an authentic medieval fortress perched on a hilltop between the towns of Perugia and Gubbio, with inspiring views of the surrounding landscape. The castle, birthplace of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino (b.1422), is surrounded by a 600-acre traditional Umbrian farm with beautiful olive groves, hiking and horse-riding trails, meadows, woods and abundant wildlife.

The castle’s 16 bedrooms, each with ensuite bathroom, feature original wooden beams, stone arches, antique furniture and painted ceilings. The luxurious accommodations have been restored with an eye to modern amenities, while preserving the authentic medieval structure. The 13th Century dining room is warm and refined, with historic furnishings, soft light, fireplaces and candles. Breakfasts, which include homemade yogurts, breads, pastries, jams, fresh fruit and local meats and cheeses, are served in the historic Guidobaldo Hall, an elegant book-lined, wood-beamed room with magnificent views of the Umbrian countryside.
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Itinerary

Friday, June 5
• Pickup at Rome meeting spot at 1:30
• Arrive Castello di Petroia
• Orientation/welcome aperitivo
• Dinner at Castle
Saturday, June 6
• Breakfast at Castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at Castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Aperitivo and dinner at Castle
Sunday, June 7
• Breakfast at Castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at Castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Aperitivo and dinner at Castle
Monday, June 8
• Breakfast at Castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at Castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Wine tasting and aperitivo
• Dinner at Castle
Tuesday, June 9
• Breakfast at Castle
• Excursion to Perugia
• Aperitivo and Dinner at Castle
Wednesday, June 10
• Breakfast at Castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at Castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Aperitivo and Dinner at Castle
Thursday, June 11
• Breakfast at Castle
• Morning painting instruction
• Lunch at Castle
• Afternoon painting instruction
• Farewell aperitivo and exhibit of work
• Farewell dinner at Castle
Friday, June 12
• Breakfast at Castle
• Depart for Rome – 9:00 am
• Arrive 12:30 PM Rome at drop-off spot
(Planned itinerary is subject to alterations.)
The Umbrian Context: Interior and Exterior Light and Spaces
with Mark Dunford & Kay Vinson – June 5-12, 2026

Total cost is based per room and number of occupants:

Solo workshop participant: $5,300.
Workshop participant with travel companion: $7,450.
Two workshop participants sharing a room – $7,950

Deposit Options:

Single Occupancy

Solo Workshop Particpant - $750 deposit

Double Occupancy

Workshop Participant with Travel Companion - $1500 deposit

Double Occupancy

Two Workshop Participants - $1500 deposit

What’s Included:  

  • 8 days, 7 nights accommodation, private room with ensuite bathroom at Castello di Petroia
  • Ground transport from Rome to venue and return
  • All breakfasts, 5 lunches, all dinners with wine
  • 5 full days of painting instruction
  • Additional activities include: Welcome aperitivo, excursion to Umbrian town, wine tasting, closing reception.
A deposit of $750 per person will reserve your room and space(s) in a workshop. You may cancel your reservation for a full refund of the deposit within 24 hours. After 24 hours, the deposit is non-refundable. Full balance and signed contract are due four months before the beginning of the workshop.
Please read the contract for complete terms and conditions.

Experience Counts

With over 10 years of experience organizing art tours, and with part of our team, my daughters Anne and Amy, living in Europe and fluent in Italian and Spanish, we maintain long term relationships with the owners and staff of our favorite venues. We personally participate in every travel workshop to ensure the quality and to coordinate all the needs of an art instruction program.

If you have any questions, please use the form below, phone 206-715-6663 or email martha@winslowartcenter.com to contact us.

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