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Bryan Jernigan's San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Vacation Workshop
February 20-24, 2024
Explore the colourful, cobbled streets of San Miguel de Allende and learn new skills with a sketching workshop taught by Washington, DC acrylic artist Bryan Jernigan! During this 5-day workshop we will take in the art and culture of this safe, sunny and clean retreat popular with so many fellow expat artists. San Miguel de Allende is a colonial-era city in the mountains in central Mexico located at 6233 ft (1,900 m) above sea level. It is a World Heritage Site known for its baroque Spanish architecture, thriving arts scene and cultural festivals. In February the average daytime high temperature is 77°F (25°C) and the average night-time low temperature is 45°F (7°C)--perfect weather for our art vacation!
Meet Bryan Jernigan
Growing up in Oklahoma, Bryan studied studio art at Oklahoma State University. He continued his studies at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where he received a Masters in Arts degree. Jernigan is a national award-winning abstract painter and instructor. He has been teaching abstraction for more than 20 years, offering classes each semester at the Art League of Alexandria, VA and workshops around the country. His works are held in public and private collections around the world in countries as diverse as France, Japan, India, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. He recently completed five oversized works for the Muse, a condominium community in Old Town Alexandria overlooking the Potomac River. To learn more about Bryan's abstract painting click HERE.
Abstract Painting: Basics and Beyond
In this workshop, Jernigan will orient you to the materials – acrylic paint, various mark-making tools, substrates and brushes, and students will work through exercises to explore what the materials can do. You’ll learn how to balance emotion and movement, chaos with conscious decision making – all to create works that are rich and catch the viewer’s eye. We will talk composition, value, color, line and why developing a painting hierarchy is vital to creating stunning paintings each time you try. Students are encouraged to work on paper and Jernigan will give you insight into getting unstuck and help you synthesize early chaos into essential elements for strong, finished works. Final day will include a constructive, but positive, critique.
Workshop Itinerary
Arrive Sunday February 18, 2024
Your arrival date is your decision but we suggest you arrive on Sunday February 18, 2024 so that you have time to settle in and possibly to adjust to a new time zone or the vagaries of travel which, as we know, could include a missed or delayed flight. Better to be relaxed at the start of your vacation workshop.
Monday February 19, 2024
Welcome to San Miguel de Allende! Workshop participants who arrive early are invited to meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 for a warm up sketch (optional). All tour participants are invited to a welcome reception at 6pm.
Day 1 Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel + Art Gallery crawl
Tuesday February 20, 2024
In the morning we will meet for our first workshop, Workshop #1 Exploring Composition.
After lunch we will visit the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the renowned neo-Gothic, pink sandstone parish church of San Miguel with its soaring pink spires and lofty, ornate sanctuary. Then we will head off on an art gallery crawl exploring some of the many little art galleries supported by this friendly, artsy town.
Day 2 Paseo del Chorro and Lavaderos + a Museum Visit
Wednesday February 21, 2024
In the morning we will meet for Workshop #2 Value Does the Work.
After lunch we will visit the Paseo del Chorro and Lavaderos. Legend has it that in this place a spring was discovered and this is the place where the founding of the city took place. During the 18th century, baths, outdoor public laundry basins and a primitive chapel were constructed. Afterwards we will visit the Museo La Esquina del Juguete, the Mexican Toy Museum.
Day 3 Half Day Excursion to Cañada de la Virgen
Thursday February 22, 2024
Today we will travel by private coach to visit the Cañada de la Virgen pyramids that date back to around 300AD. This guided tour involves walking 3/4 mile from the entrance into the site and back. We will return to the hotel by noon, and Bryan will teach Workshop #3, Color: Warm, cool, Light, Dark Neutral after lunch.
Day 4 Visit the Templo de San Francisco + a trolley tour
Friday February 23, 2024
In the morning, Bryan will teach Workshop #4, The Importance of Line Work.
Then after lunch we will make our way to the Templo de San Francisco just a few blocks from our hotel. This church with its lavishly embellished façade and tri-level bell tower faces a small shaded plaza.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a tour of the town by trolley with a stop at the highest point, the famous vista, el Mirador.
Day 5 Visit a Mercado and Boutique Museum
Saturday February 24, 2024
In the morning Bryan will teach Workshop #5, Finishing, Critique, Questions.
Afterwards we will visit another of the quirky little museums this town is known for and a nearby mercado to pick up any last minute souvenirs of our wonderful week in San Miguel de Allende. 
In the evening we will celebrate an amazing week with a farewell dinner (included).
Departure
Sunday February 25, 2024
It's time to say goodbye but you will never forget the friends you made or the skills you learned during this great week! Or extend your stay for a long relaxing holiday!
Please note that the order of events in this itinerary are subject to change.
Recommended Workshop Supplies
- Bienfang Canvassette paper in 16” x 20” sheets. If you cannot find this paper, a watercolor paper of your choice works well, too.
- Artist’s tape (masking, frog or blue painter’s tape works well) as well so edges don’t curl.
- Paints (acrylic preferred, or oil) in variety of colors – a blue, red, yellow and black at minimum, plus a considerable quantity of white (titanium AND zinc). I suggest bringing colors you already have or that you feel comfortable using. Suggest 4 ounce tubes transported in ziplock bags.
- Variety of Brushes (small and larger, up to 3” wide; round, flat, angled)
- Pencil
- 1-2 Brayers – up to 4”
- Palette paper or freezer paper
- Scraper or palette knife
- 4 oz bottle glazing medium
FAQs
Click HERE for answers to frequently asked questions.
For more information about the workshops content contact Bryan at bkjartist@gmail.com.
For more information about this vacation package contact Brenda Murray Studio56Boutique@gmail.com.
Tour Includes
- A welcome reception
- All art classes
- Admission to attractions listed above
- Half-day excursion via coach to the Cañada de la Virgen pyramids
- Farewell dinner
Tour Excludes
- Flights to/from
- Hotel
- airport pick-up and drop-off
- Meals (except those listed above)
- Painting supplies
- Porterage/luggage handling
- Travel insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Items not explicitly specified in the inclusion list
Early Bird Prices! Book now before September 23, 2023 and save $200USD!
$1850USD $1650. USD Workshop Participant
$1250. USD NonSketcher Companion (such as partner or travelling buddy)
NonWorkshop Participant tickets include the same attractions and meals as the Workshop Participants with the exception of the art classes.
To reserve your spot in this workshop a $500 nonrefundable deposit is required for Workshop Participants and a $300 nonrefundable deposit is required for nonWorkshop Participants.
To make a deposit, please scroll to the bottom and click BOOK NOW.
PLEASE READ OUR REFUND POLICY.
Greenlighting a workshop
Workshops are greenlighted when the minimum number of tickets (10) has been sold. All ticket holders will be notified by email when this happens. Please do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until we have given the go-ahead for the workshop.
Bring a Friend and Get a Discount
Here's how it works. You and your sketching buddy register for the workshop with your deposits. Then send us an email and tell us you are registering with a sketching buddy. You will each be sent a discount code for $50USD that you can apply when you pay the balance of your tickets.
The small print: This discount code cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount code and it can only be applied to 2 Workshop participant tickets if the workshop sells out with 15 participants.
Accommodations
The official hotel of this tour is Hotel Real de Minas. The room rate varies depending on the day of the week. Please see the room rates below in MEXICAN PESOS. Breakfast is not included but can be purchased in the hotel restaurant for about $9USD.
| Sun-Thurs room rate | Fri and Sat room rate | |
| STANDARD 1 King size bed or 2 double beds with interior view | $1949MX | $2749MX |
| SUPERIOR 2 double beds on 2nd or 3rd floor with pool view | $2249MX | $3049MX |
| EXECUTIVE 2 double beds on 2nd or 3rd floor wtih pool view | $2549MX | $3349MX |
| JR SUITE 1 King bed, living room and 1.5 bath | $2949MX | $3749MX |
How to Make A Hotel Reservation
Before making a hotel reservation, please click the BOOK NOW button below to ensure you have a spot in this workshop.
After you have secured your spot in this workshop, then you can make a reservation in this hotel first by visiting the hotel website to familiarize yourself with the types of rooms available. Free cancellation up until 72 hours before arrival.
Workshop participants are not obliged to stay in this hotel. You are welcome to stay in another hotel or Airbnb if you prefer. However, if you would like to stay in this hotel, we suggest you make your reservation asap to get the type of room you want as there is free cancellation up to 72 hours before arrival.
Pedestrian Friendly??
The historic centre of San Miguel de Allende is pedestrian-only but not necessarily pedestrian-friendly due to the narrow sidewalks, cobbled streets and high elevation. You must be fully mobile and able to walk for 20 minutes and sometimes uphill without the aid of a walker. If you are not able to walk 20 minutes and sometimes uphill, we recommend you consider a workshop that is less physically demanding.
Practical Tips
San Miguel de Allende is located midway between two airports: Santiago de Querétaro (QRO) and Guanajuato (also called Bajío International Airport) (BJX). You will want to fly in to the airport that has the best connection from your local airport. Both are about an hour's drive from to the hotel. You can book an uber or taxi. The cost for an uber from either airport to the hotel will be approximately $45-$50 USD. However we recommend booking an airport shuttle that is approximatel $28USD one way.
Travel + Medical Insurance
Travel insurance is also highly recommended as it covers you in the event you must cancel your trip and it covers emergency medical services which may be significantly more expensive than expected when travelling in a foreign country. Please check with your insurance provider. Click HERE for a list of US insurance providers. Some credit card companies may also offer travel insurance if you paid for your trip with that card.
Covid-19 Vaccinations
The instructor and tour manager are fully vaccinated against covid-19. This tour will be following all locally recommended protocols. Please check HERE to read more about Mexico entry requirements and check back closer to the date as entry requirements may change.
Your Tour Manager
Participants will be accompanied by Studio 56 owner, Brenda Murray. Brenda is a Canadian artist and arts advocate, the founder of Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region and a former Urban Sketchers Board member. A seasoned traveler, Brenda has traveled to Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea (lived there for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, UK, and the USA (35 states). Brenda will be on hand to assist the instructor and to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Learn more about Brenda HERE.
For More Information
Email Studio56Boutique@gmail.com or call Brenda Murray at 519-572-1757.
How to Register for this Workshop
To register for this exciting vacation workshop, click the BOOK NOW button below to pay the $500USD Participant ticket deposit and/or the $300USD nonSketcher Companion deposit. This is the only way to hold a spot in this workshop. Registration closes when 15 workshop participant deposits have been received.
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