May 3-7, 2027

Explore and sketch the main island of Venice (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) plus several outlying islands: Lido, Murano, Burano and San Giorgio Maggiore with Watercolour Instructor, Sebastian Thommen and your Tour Manager, Brenda Murray. This vacation package includes 5 art classes taught by Sebastian plus several demonstrations, many plein air painting opportunities, vaporetto rides along the Grand Canal and between the islands, a tour of the main attractions (the Doge's Palace and the Basilica San Marco) plus some off-the-beaten-path hidden treasures as well. We are looking forward to making art in good company. Average temperatures in Venice at this time of year are a high of 66-74°F (19-23°C) in the day and a night-time low of 52-60°F (11-16°C). Perfect for our painting adventure!

Click HERE to download the brochure.

Meet your Instructor Sebastian Thommen

Irish urban sketcher and watercolour instructor, Sebastian Thommen has been painting in watercolour since his early teens. In 2023, he was awarded the Silver Award and the Artists Choice Award in the Art in The Open International Plein Air Festival in Wexford.  Sebastian teaches in-person classes in his studio in Cork, Ireland and travel workshops with Studio 56.

To learn more about Sebastian watch THIS DEMO, THIS TOUR OF SEBASTIAN'S STUDIO, THIS INTERVIEW.

Warm Up Sketch & Welcome Reception

Sunday May 2, 2027

Workshop participants who arrive early are invited to meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 for an optional warm up sketch on the island of Lido (Sebastian will not be teaching). All tour ticket holders are invited to a welcome reception in the hotel at 6pm that evening. 

Day 1 Tour the Doge's Palace, Prison and the Bridge of Sighs

Monday May 3, 2027

After breakfast we will orient ourselves to the city with a vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal. Then we will take a guided tour of the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Doge's Prison.

After lunch we will settle in a quiet, off-the-beaten path campo where Sebastian will teach Workshop #1. We will learn how to choose a subject, how to set up quickly and how to settle into our work so that are able to block out everyone and everything and do the work we came to do.

Day 2 Explore the Hidden Jewels of Venice

Tuesday May 4, 2027

Today, in a quiet corner of Venice, we will spend the morning learning how to use the wet-in-wet technique to capture skies and water during Workshop #2.

After lunch we will discover one of the hidden jewels in Venice. A marvel of medieval construction--an arched spiral staircase built in 1400. Just one of the quirky and elegant treasures that we will explore in Venice.

Day 3 Tour Murano + Burano

Wednesday May 5, 2027

This morning we will spend the day exploring the glass-making island of Murano (and tour a glass-blowing factory).

From there we will travel by boat to the lace-making island of Burano. Here on Burano with its rows of jellybean-colored buildings we will enjoy a quiet lunch.

After lunch we will settle into Workshop #3 where we will learn how to edit out the non-essentials and what to keep in our painting. 

Day 4 Tour the Basilica San Marco

Thursday May 6, 2027 

In the morning we will marvel at the mosaics and paintings inside the Basilica San Marco during our guided tour of the church.

The winged lion is the traditional emblem of St Mark, the patron saint of Venice, and it is ubiquitous in the city, benevolently looking down from the tops of towers and pillars and churches.

After lunch we will set up in a leafy campo where we will learn how to capture the history, the romance and the atmosphere of a place during Workshop #4.

Day 5 Church of San Giorgio Maggiore + Farewell Dinner

Friday May 7, 2027 

Today we will visit a church, a marina and an actual boxwood labyrinth.

Here Sebastian will bring together all that we have learned during workshop #5.

In the evening we will enjoy our farewell dinner (included). 

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

Departure

Saturday May 8, 2027

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 :)   

Recommended Workshop Supply List

In this workshop Sebastian will be using the following materials but feel free to substitute with the materials you already have. To view, download or print the supply list CLICK HERE.

Recommendations for nonPainter Companions 

While Workshop participants are working during their 3-hour class, nonWorkshop participants (spouses/travelling buddies) may wish to enjoy activities on their own. There are lots of museums and tours available that we won't have time to see as a group. Here are a few ideas:

• Visit the Pinault collection at the Palazzo Grassi 
• visit the Guggenheim Museum
• take a food walking tour
• visit the DaVinci Museum
• Visit the Jewish Museum
• Visit the Lace Museum
• Visit the Casanova Museum

FAQs

Click HERE to review frequently asked questions. For more information about this vacation package contact Brenda Murray at Studio56Boutique@gmail.com. 

Tour Includes

Ticket Prices in USD

Save money by taking advantage of the Early Bird discount!

*NonPainter Companion tickets include the same attractions and meals as the Workshop Participants with the exception of the art classes.

The remaining balance will be due January 3, 2027.

VIP Members get an additional $100 off their ticket price!

This Studio 56 VIP Rewards Program is a new loyalty incentive for VIP Participants who have previously taken part in a Studio 56 Vacation Workshop. Click HERE to learn more.

How to Register for this Workshop

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 (Dec 4, 2026). The remaining balance is due 120 days prior to the start of the workshop (Jan 3, 2027).

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 and cannot be used in combination with any other discounts.

 

 

Accommodations

The official hotel of this workshop is on the island of Lido near the Lido vaporetto stop. A group rate of 185€ + tax (2.80€ per person per day) including breakfast has been arranged for a double room with single occupancy for a minimum stay of 7 nights. This hotel features generously sized rooms and a treed outdoor patio area (very rare at other Venetian hotels). It is a quiet, spacious haven after visiting the overcrowded main island.

The hotel cancellation policy

The hotel will charge a 30% deposit during the first part of January 2027. There is free cancellation up to 75 days prior to arrival. More info about hotel policies will be sent to participants via email.

Before making a hotel reservation, please click the BOOK NOW button below to ensure you have a spot in this workshop.

After this workshop is greenlighted all participants will be contacted with information about how to book the hotel and get the group rate.

Travel + Medical Insurance

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

Pedestrian Friendly?

"Pedestrian-friendly" is not the same as "Pedestrian-only". Venice is a pedestrian-only town with 400 small arched bridges that are crossed by going up and down some stairs. You must be fully mobile and able to walk for 20-30 minutes and manage stairs. This town is really not pedestrian friendly if you have mobility issues. If you are not able to walk 20-30 minutes and manage stairs, we recommend you consider a different Studio 56 workshop that is less physically demanding. 

Practical Tips

From Marco Polo Airport, the hotel can be reached by water taxi for about 30€ return. Detailed instructions will be sent to participants via email.

Travel Tips

 Please check HERE for Studio 56 Travel Tips.

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, Colombia, Cuba, England, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea (lived there for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, and the USA (35 states). Brenda will be on hand to assist the instructor, to lead the cultural activities 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. 

Do you have questions? 

Email Studio56Boutique@gmail.com or call Brenda Murray at 01-519-572-1757.

How to Register for this Vacation 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 nonPainter Companion deposit. This is the only way to hold a spot in this workshop. Registration closes when 15 workshop participant deposits have been received.