Spend 6 fantastic days immersed painting the historic canals with its gondolas and grand buildings of the grand Renaissance city of Venice. For centuries, water-colourists have been enjoying the magnificent sights, colours and atmosphere that only Venice has to offer. Colour, light, mood, reflections, gondolas, grand palazzos and piazza’s offer endless inspiration to any painter. The romantic light and mood are just some of the themes featuring in this gloriously unforgettable watercolour course!

Treat yourself to this fantastic opportunity painting watercolours in this breathtakingly beautiful floating city. Quite simply, it DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER than this for an artist! Allow your experienced tutor to guide you around from one inspirational painting backdrop to another! Learn to paint quickly with impressionistic fervour and flair through the expert tuition from your Academy trained tutor. Whether you are into the weathered but illustrious facades of the grand waterfront palazzos, or the open spaces of the majestic piazzas, the Canal Grande, St Mark’s or the more tranquil settings of the back streets and canals of the Cannaregio, there is something for everyone.

Of course, there will be time for sightseeing, enjoying boat trips around the Lido, tour of the Gallery Academy Museum where you will see Tintoretto’s, Bellini’s and Titians and so much more! With this tour, you will learn to compose interesting water themed, urban scenes amidst the famous landmark backdrops of Europe’s most beautiful city – Venice! You will exercise traditional watercolour techniques whilst developing your command of the very principles of realistic painting and drawing. The particular focus has an academic aspect in that the principles of perspective proportion and placement will be the compass for our creative journey. Colour, value and edge quality will become the map and compass as the group embarks on a journey that bridges the elements of water, air and earth. Let your creative passions supply the fire that will ignite a lifelong passion for watercolour painting! Suitable for beginners and intermediate painters!

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Accommodation

This Retreat will take place in Venice and your stay will be hosted at a magnificent Monastery within walking distance and or a small boat ride to all painting locations.

Book early for a single or double room with private bathrooms. If you prefer to organise you own accommodation then a reduced rate is negotiable!

Meals

Breakfast and dinner are included at the historic monastery we call home for the course. During the course, your tutor will introduce you to the classic Venetian ‘Spritz’ with cicchetti, the traditional late afternoon drinks during your painting feedback sessions and explorations around the lagoon.

Lunch is not included in the package as we will be at various beautiful locations around Venice and your tutor will make suggestions for great and economically priced restaurants, bistros and trattorias near to the painting location. It will give you the opportunity to explore the scenic spots of Venice further during lunch break and grab a tasty quick bite for those who want to paint longer or explore the sights of Venice during their break or sit and linger for longer and just soak up the atmosphere with your chilled white wine. Your tutor will advise you on great locations for your lunch break or where to get a bite on the go.

About the Course

Watercolour can be both a challenging and exciting medium, one that offers huge scope for experimentation and unusual effects. Many techniques have been around for centuries and still form the foundation of watercolour work.

These techniques need to be mastered first, without them little progress will be made quickly. But it does not take long to become familiar with these processes and then the enjoyable part of the experimentation can begin.

Program

Day1

· 6:30pm-Meet and greet in reception at the Casa Cardinale, followed by course orientation and welcome drink.

· 7:30pm Dinner

Day 2

· 7:30am-9am-Breakfast

· 9am-1pm -First Painting location -Cannereggio (approx. 4hrs including break)

· Tutor led demonstration followed by practical time.

· 1pm-Lunch (Pranzo.) at Restaurant Diana nearby. (tutor will accompany.)

· 3:15pm-6pm -Colour theory practical-tutor lead demonstration

· 7pm Aperitivi and critique of works produced. (Bar area)

· 7:30pm Dinner

· 8:30pm Evening Stroll and Site Seeing into the San Polo district.

· 11pm return to casa Cardinale

Day 3

· Early Breakfast- 7:30am

· 8am Boat trip to the islands of Burano.

· Second Painting Location-Fishermen’s Village. (approx. 4hours including break and journey time.)

· Tutor led demonstration followed by practical time.

· 1pm Lunch (tutor will accompany.)

· 2:30pm Boat trip to Murano.

· Time to explore the glass studios and museums or sit and paint.

· Tutor will accompany.

· Return by 6pm

· 7pm Aperitivi and critique of works produced. (Bar area)

· 7:30pm Dinner

· 8:30pm – Evening Stroll and Site Seeing into Castello district

· 11pm return to casa Cardinale

Day 4

· 7:30am-8am-Breakfast

· 8am-Early Start

· Walk short distance and take a Traghetto to the Rialto Fish Market.

· 8-30am-12-30pm tutor lead demonstration followed by practical time.

· (approx. 3and1/2hour painting time.)

· Lunch on the go or at Casa Cardinale to be determined.

· 2pm -3:30pm Tutor lead demonstration in the garden or studio at Casa Cardinale.

· 3:30-6pm un-supervised exercise time for students-(approx. 1 ½ -4hrs)

· 7pm-Apperitivi and critique of works produced.

· 7:30pm Dinner

· 8:30-10pm Evening Class exploring views of Venice on topics related to Perspective, Placement and Proportion.

· Tutor led Demonstration with practical time!

Day 5

· 7:30am-9am-Breakfast

· 9am-Demonstration at the Casa Cardinale

· 10-30am Gallery Visit- Galleria dell’Accademia (approx. 40mins walk to the Dorsoduro district)

· 12:30pm Lunch at Osteria Al Squero. Cicchetti and wine.

· 1:30-4:30pm Painting the view of Squero di San Trovaso (the last remaining working Boatyard.)

· Stroll back taking in the magnificent views of the Grand Canal and San Marco

· 6pm-7pm-Apperitivi and critique of works produced. (San Marco District)

· 7:30pm Dinner

· 8:30-10pm Evening Class exploring views of Venice on topics related to Perspective, Placement and Proportion.

Day 6

· 7:30am – 9am Breakfast

· Check out by 11am

During your course, you may be given other tasks, which could include

Materials supplied: Winsor & Newton Watercolours, a selection of Kolinsky sable brushes, aprons, watercolour paper/sketchbook A4, carry caddy, etc. Some more experienced painters may wish to bring some of their own brushes and paints out of preference

Non-painters: Non-painters are welcome on all our painting excursions and outings where there is plenty of opportunity for sight-seeing and exploring the beautiful city of Venice.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Breakfast 7:30am-9:00am
9:00 am: Instructor meets you at reception, then it will be a walk to the
painting location, all materials needed will be supplied, but you may need to
take spending money for coffee breaks etc, some sunscreen and appropriate clothing for the day.
12:00: end morning workshop. However you may wish to continue working or return to the hotel
13:00: Lunch break

15:00-17:00: Workshop continues at morning location. Those who have finished work can be given a new task by the instructor. Review of work .
19:30: Dinner at the restaurant.

The schedule may be subject to change due to weather, seasonal festivities and other reasons beyond our control.

Tuition included with one morning or afternoon dedicated to a group gallery visit. Your instructor will provide the ticket (included) and guide you through the gallery. One day is a free day and reserved for your personal exploration of Venice or surroundings. Please note, only breakfast is provided on the free day. On the last evening before your departure, there will be a review of the group’s work and an aperitivi to celebrate before your leaving dinner!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR

5 nights accommodation with breakfast and evening meals (lunch not included) mornings and afternoons tuition and program of study with critique of your work in the evening all materials, Winsor and Newton watercolour paints, Kolinsky sable brushes, drawing equipment, incl. watercolour sketchbook guided tour of Venice optional extras incl. cooking classes, mask-making workshop, visit to Murano glass factory available.

COURSE LOCATION

This course is based at a charming monastery in Venice along the grand city’s picturesque canals. , a short walk from all the main attractions of this grand city. With beautifully frescoed walls and ceilings, a beautifully landscaped inner court-yard garden and cloister walk-ways, it makes a perfect peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle. Thus, allowing you to re-charge your batteries after a day’s painting and exploring this magnificent city through the eye of an artist. The rooms are simply and comfortably furnished, many reflecting the monastery’s history. Yet all the mod-cons for the modern-day traveler are provided.

Nearest airports