Meet Hazel Soan

Hazel trained at the Camberwell College of Arts and the Leicester College of Art. She has exhibited worldwide and is remembered well as an Art expert on Channel 4’s popular daytime television programme Watercolour Challenge and for her two series’ of Splash of Colour, made by Anglia TV. Hazel is a bestselling author of numerous highly regarded art tutorial books. Hazel resides in London. Check out Hazel Soan on Wikipedia.

About Milan

Situated in the heart of the Lombardy region, Milan is known for its high fashion, modern buildings and Renaissance art. Milan was the home of da Vinci and it was here under the patronage of the Sforza family that da Vinci painted some of his greatest masterpieces including The Last Supper.

When to Arrive?

Tuesday May 13, 2025

Benvenuta to Milan!  Your arrival date is your decision but we suggest you arrive on Tuesday May 13 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.

Warm Up Sketch + Welcome Reception

Wednesday May 14, 2025

All workshop participants and nonPainter Companions are invited to a welcome reception at 6pm. Below is our proposed itinerary. 

Day 1--Workshop #1 and da Vinci's Last Supper

Thursday May 15, 2025

In the morning, we will walk to a nearby piazza where Hazel will teach Workshop #1.

After lunch we will make our artistic pilgrimmage to the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see the original Last Supper (c. 1495–1498) by Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest paintings of the Renaissance. This work of art is a fresco painted directly on the wall and we will not miss this opportunity to see it in-person.

Day 2--Workshop #2 and the Duomo di Milano

Friday May 16, 2025

In the morning we will make our way to the Duomo di Milano, the largest church in the Italian Republic. The cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete! Construction began in 1386 and the final details were completed in 1965. Hazel will teach Workshop #2 nearby.

After lunch we will tour the Cathedral, its rooftop terraces, museum and archeological area. 

Visiting the roof of the cathedral will be a special treat. In addition to enjoying an impressive view of Milan, we will walk through a stone "forest" with over 3,400 statues, 150 gargoyles, 96 giants, 410 corbels for statues carved in Candoglia marble, along with flying buttresses, falconature, and a silent population of saints and martyrs who watch over the monument. 

Day 3--Workshop #3 and Lake Como

Saturday May 17, 2025

Today we are off on an adventure! We will travel by train to Como then tour the lake on a ferry stopping at Bellagio.

After a leisurely lunch Hazel will teach Workshop #3 on the shore of Lake Como.

Day 4--Workshop #4 and an Art Gallery, a Church and a Crypt!

Sunday May 18, 2025

In the morning we will explore the Loggia dei Mercanti and test the famed resonance of its secret whispering gallery. Hazel will teach Workshop #4 somewhere near this well-known medieval merchant's square.

After lunch we will visit a nearby art gallery wherein hangs da Vinci's Portrait of a Musician among other famous Renaissance paintings. 

Optional afterwards: a visit to the San Sepolcro Crypt nearby. Built on top of the city’s old Roman forum, this is a step back in time as the construction on the Church of San Sepolcro began in 1030. 

Day 5--Workshop #5 and Castello Sforzesco

Monday May 19, 2025

Today we will take a break from the bustle of the city with Workshop #5 in the cool shade of Parco Siempone.  This park features pathways and ponds and the Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) and is just a short walk from our hotel. 

After lunch we will tour Castello Sforzesco, a medieval fortification that was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan. It was this duke's son Ludovico who commissioned the Last Supper and who was the principle patron of Leonardo da Vinci.

In the evening we will meet one last time to celebrate an amazing week at our Farewell dinner (included).

Departure

Tuesday May 20, 2025

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: THE ORDER OF EVENTS AND SUBJECTS PROPOSED IN THIS ITINERARY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Recommended Workshop Supply List

Click HERE.

FAQs

Q: What will my spouse/travelling buddy do while I'm in my art class?

A: Your art class is your time and your spouse/buddy can take this time to sleep in (not on Day 3), explore the city more fully, to shop, hike, take pix or visit venues that you will not have time for. This is a very popular city and there are lots of things for spouses to do. You will meet up again at lunch and will enjoy the cultural activities in the afternoon together.

Click HERE for more FAQs.

For more information about this vacation package contact Brenda Murray Studio56Boutique@gmail.com.

Tour Includes

• A welcome reception
• All art classes
• Ground transportation to Lake Como and admission to the museums and sites mentioned
• A farewell dinner 

Tour Excludes

• Flights to/from the area
• Hotel
• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• Meals (except those listed above)
• Painting supplies
• City taxes payable by guest at check out
• Tips and gratuities
• Porterage/luggage handling
• Travel insurance
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Items not explicitly specified in the inclusion list

Early Bird Prices in USD

Book now before Dec 16, 2024 and save $200USD!

$1899.USD  $1699.USD Workshop Participant

$1299. USD NonPainter Companions (such as partner or travelling buddy)

NonSketcher Companion 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 $500USD nonrefundable deposit is required for Workshop Participants and a $300USD nonrefundable deposit is required for nonSketcher Companions 150 days prior to the start of the workshop. The remaining balance is due 120 days prior to the start of the workshop, that is, Jan 15, 2025.

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 $50 Rebate

Here's how it works.  You and your sketching buddy register for a vacation workshop with your deposits. Then alert us with an email. You will each be refunded $50 after the start of the workshop. This rebate can only be applied to 2 Workshop participant tickets if the workshop has sold out with 15 participants.

Accommodations

Hotel accommodation is not included in this package and is booked "convention style" meaning that the hotel can be booked by participants online. The Tour Manager and the Workshop Instructor will be staying in a 4-star hotel with 97 rooms that is within walking distance of the workshop locations.  

Room Rates

Rooms rates depend on the type of room selected starting at 143€/night including breakfast for Executive Double bed Room single use. Their cancellations policy: free to change or cancel booking without incurring a penalty charge up to 24 hours prior to your arrival. For late cancellations, they charge the first night to the credit card provided as booking guarantee. Credit card only requested to guarantee bookings. No deposit is charged. The city tax of 5,00 € per person per night is not included in the room rate. 

Information about the official hotel of this workshop will be sent to all participants after they have made their deposit. 

How to Make a Hotel Reservation

Before you make a hotel reservation, click the blue BOOK NOW button below to make your deposit that will ensure that you have a spot in this workshop.

After you have secured your spot in this workshop, you will be sent information about the hotel with instructions for how to book a room.

Participants can stay in this hotel or book into another nearby hotel or Airbnb if they prefer. 

Travel + Medical Insurance

Last minute cancellations in this workshop for any reason are nonrefundable therefore protect your investment in this vacation by purchasing trip cancellation insurance. Click HERE for a list of US trip cancellation insurance providers. Some credit card companies may also offer travel insurance if you paid for your trip using that credit card. Be sure to get medical insurance as well.

Travel Tips

 Please check HERE for Studio 56 Travel Tips.

Pedestrian Friendly?

Milano is a city made for walking, and many areas of the city have been pedestrianized in recent years such as the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This pedestrian indoor/outdoor mall affectionately called Milan’s living room, is where locals have been going to see and be seen since its opening in 1877. Participants must be fully mobile and able to walk for up to 30 minutes. If you are not fully mobile and able to walk up to 30 minutes, we recommend you consider a different Studio 56 workshop that is less physically demanding. 

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, England, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea (resident for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, and the USA (35 states). Brenda will be on hand to assist the instructor and to ensure that everything runs smoothly. She has completed the St. John's Ambulance Emergency First Aid - CPR C - AED training. 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 guarantee your spot in this exciting vacation workshop, participants must pay a deposit by clicking the BOOK NOW button below.

Interested but you have questions? Email Brenda at info@Studio56Boutique.com

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