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Rhodes, Greece Artist Retreat with Tom Pajdlhauser
Sept 18-22, 2025
You are invited to join our upcoming vacation workshop in ancient Rhodes, Greece featuring art classes with urban sketcher and designer, Tom Pajdlhauser. Tom will teach 5 art classes to a small group of 10-15 participants and together we will discover the food, architecture, culture and art of this historic region. This vacation package is equal parts cultural experience and art workshop. We are looking forward to making art in good company. Average temperatures for that week in September are highs 28C (82F) overnight lows of 22C (72F)--perfect for a lovely painting holiday!
Meet Tom Pajdlhauser
As a Production Designer and Art Director working in the animation industry, I’ve kept my observational skills sharp by sketching and painting in the field as much as possible. There is so much more to be gained by being physically immersed in an environment, rather than exclusively working from photos. The ability to change perspective, shift focus and capture the feeling and energy of a space are invaluable to my little piece of the creative industry.
My focus is to share my approach to understanding complex environments and to compose attention to a specific area or action within a sketch. Using some cinematic staging techniques, I pull together people, vehicles, architecture, foliage, and light to tell the story of the space I’m sketching.
By thinking a few moves ahead, artists who take part in my workshops will exercise their ability to stay loose and exaggerate their observational work to improve speed, confidence and develop an appealing style of their own.
Click HERE to check out this interview with Tom.
About Rhodes
Rhodes is the fourth largest Greek Island in the southeastern Aegean Sea and a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. We will step back in time to the middle ages when we pass through the fortification walls that surround the old city. Once a stronghold of the Hospitalier Knights of St. John, we will explore the magnificent medieval Palace of the Grand Master. And we will learn about ancient Greece when we visit the Lindos Acropolis and the many ancient archeological sites that dot the island.
When to Arrive?
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Welcome to Rhodes! Your arrival date is your decision but we suggest you arrive on Tuesday Tues Sep 16 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 Sept 17, 2025
Workshop participants who arrive early are invited to meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 for a warm up sketch (optional). Tom will not be teaching. This is just your chance to do a warm up painting before the first art class.
All workshop participants and nonPainter Companions are invited to a welcome reception at 6pm. Below is our proposed itinerary.
Day 1--An Historical Walking Tour + Workshop #1: Architecture and Foundations
Thursday Sept 18, 2025
In the morning, we will enjoy a guided walking tour of the medieval town of Rhodes. The tour typically begins with an introduction to the island’s rich history, particularly its role during the Crusades when it served as a strategic stronghold for the Knights of St. John (also known as the Hospitallers), who ruled Rhodes for nearly 200 years. We will learn about notable figures such as Richard the Lionheart and Philip II of France, who visited Rhodes during their journeys to the Holy Land. And we will learn about the famed Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, that once stood at the entrance to the harbour. There's so much history packed into one beautiful island!
After lunch we will make our way along the medieval streets to the location of Workshop #1: Architecture and Foundations. Buildings are much simpler to draw than people and vehicles in an urban space. We'll start things light and focus on appealing vignettes of architecture without the distracting hustle and bustle of life. Simple blocking and understanding of perspective while abstracting and stylizing what we're observing.
Day 2--the Palace of the Grand Master + Workshop #2: Architecture and Life
Friday Sept 19, 2025
Today we will continue our artistic journey with Workshop #2: Architecture and Life taught plein aire inside the fortified walls of old town. We'll work on some simple vignettes that start to include the hustle and bustle of life in a way that is not overwhelming.
After lunch we will tour the medieval Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. The Order of St John of Jerusalem occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1523 and set about transforming the city into a stronghold. It subsequently came under Turkish and Italian rule. With the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Great Hospital and the Street of the Knights, the Upper Town is one of the most beautiful urban ensembles of the Gothic period.
Optional: After our tour we may find more opportunities to sketch, sketch, sketch as we explore the top of the fortification walls that surround the city. Here we will get a fantastic view of Lower Town with its gothic architecture, mosques, public baths and buildings dating from the Ottoman period.
Day 3--Full day Lindos Acropolis excursion + Workshop #3: Ancient Ruins and Exaggeration of Light
Saturday Sept 20, 2025
Today we are off on an adventure! We will travel by private bus to the Acropolis of Lindos. The Acropolis rises imposingly on a 116-meter cliff with a spectacular view of the sea. At its top stand the ruins of the temple of Athena Lindia of the 4th century B.C. and the ruins of a Byzantine church.
After touring the acropolis we will settle in for Tom's fabulous Workshop #3: Ancient Ruins and Exaggeration of Light. Ruins tend to be quite monochromatic. Especially during mid-day visiting hour light. We'll use this as an opportunity to play with some more dramatic lighting to pop our observed subject matter.
After our workshop, we will enjoy lunch in the charming village of Lindos with its white-washed houses, tiny shops and cobblestone streets.
On our way back to Rhodes we will stop at the Seven Springs park for a couple of hours of sketching and exploring under the cool trees. This park features leafy trails alongside waterfalls and rivers and will be a welcome break on our return trip to Rhodes.
Day 4--An Archeological Museum + Workshop #4: Architecture and the Sea
Sunday Sept 21, 2025
In the morning Tom will teach Workshop #4: Architecture and the Sea. Water is complex. We'll explore some simple techniques to observe and sketch how cast shadows and reflections relate to their source subject with some harbourfront scenes.
After lunch we will learn more about ancient Greek culture with a visit to the Rhodes Archeological Museum. This museum is housed in the medieval building that was once used as the Hospital of the Knights Hospitalier. The museum features a remarkable collection of statues and a historical courtyard where mosaic floors from Hellenistic villas are currently exhibited.
Optional: Afterwards we will peek in to the Museum of Underwater Antiquities next door.
Day 5--The Rhodes Museum of Modern Art + Workshop #5: Dynamic Urban Environment
Monday Sept 22, 2025
After lunch we will visit the Jewish Museum of Rhodes.
In the evening we will meet one last time to celebrate an amazing week at our Farewell dinner (included).
Departure
Tuesday Sept 23, 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 to view Tom's recommended workshop supply list.
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 companions 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 the Lindos Acropolis 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 April 21, 2025 and save $200USD!
$2099.USD $1899.USD Workshop Participant
$1499. USD NonPainter Companions (such as partner or travelling buddy)
NonPainter 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 nonPainter 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, May 21, 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 150 rooms that is within walking distance of the workshop locations and only a 4 minute walk to the beach.
Room Rates
Room rates start at 170€ (depending on room type) including a buffet breakfast with free cancellation up to two days prior to arrival.
How to Make a Hotel Reservation
Before you make a hotel reservation, click the blue BOOK NOW button below to make your deposit. Your deposit ensures 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?
Old town Rhodes is mostly flat and pedestrian friendly with many pedestrian-only streets. Nevertheless, participants must be fully mobile and able to walk for up to 20 minutes and able to manage stairs as we will be climbing the fortification walls and spending a day at the Lindos Acropolis (picture above) that is accessed by stairs. If you are not fully mobile and able to manage stairs and walk up to 20 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.
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