Retreat Program*

Thursday, October 19th

Flight to Milan and travel to our beautiful Bead and Breakfast in the lake Garda district. 

Sketching and painting workshop: “How to turn our experience into a painting”

An introduction and warm up to the painting and sketching ahead of us.

We will practice and discuss color and value thumbnail sketches.

We will also talk about how to approach painting outdoors and how to finish a painting. 

Dinner

Evening Activity

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Friday, October 20th

We will take a walk along Lake Garda.

Breakfast

Painting workshop among the vineyards: “Between abstraction and realism”

We will watch a short demonstration and explanation in which we will learn how to paint what we see through seeing large, abstract shapes in nature. 

Light lunch

Painting workshop: “man-made vs. nature”

We will explore and capture man-made structures and objects in a rural environment.

We will learn how to highlight the contrasts between the two and create an interesting painting. 

Dinner

Evening Activity
 

Saturday, October 21

Breakfast

We will explore an ancient village on the shore of Lake Garda

Painting Workshop: “Reflections of a Castle” 

We will paint reflections in water and learn to create atmospheric perspective through colors and values. 

Light Lunch

Painting Workshop: “How to create art with a passion”

Each participant will scope out a location which they were most drawn to and paint it on site. 

Group observation and discussion: We will look at and discuss artwork we have created up until this point. We will talk about strengths in each painting, and problem-solving during the painting process. 

Dinner

Evening Activity

 

Sunday, Oct. 22

Breakfast

Day Trip to Beautiful Verona

Sketching Workshop: “Urban sketching as preparation for a finished painting”. 

We will sketch Verona Street scenes from life, in our sketchbooks. 

Lunch and Dinner: venue of choice*
 

Monday, Oct. 23

Light Walk

Breakfast

Painting Workshop: tying up loose ends, finishing painting and planning on studio finishes at home.

Group Exhibit and Discussion, Q&A

Cooking Workshop

Dinner

Evening Activity
 

Tuesday, October 24

Breakfast

Travel to Milan

Independent exploration and time in Milan (until 19:00)

Independent travel to Malpensa International Airport

*Program is subject to change based on weather, needs and opportunities which may arise.

Payment: 

Price of retreat: 1,750 Euros

1,680 Euros for the first 10 people to sign up.

Price of additional room or unit: 350 Euros

Price of non-participating guest (welcome to participate in non-art-related activities). 

*Prices are subject to change based on price rises in Italy

 

What is Included: 

• 5 Nights at a boutique Bed & Breakfast 

• Full room and board beginning with the first day until the morning of Day 6, except for Lunch and dinner on our day in Verona.

• Workshops, tours and excursions

• Group and personal guidance and attention

• Transportation

• Free sketchbook with graphite, charcoal and pen

• Full use of easels and small table or stool

What is not Included: 

• Flights Ben Gurion-Milan (approximately 300 Euros in April 2023)

• Personal expenses/shopping

• Travel insurance and or health insurance (we recommend using a policy covers trip cancellations for health reasons)

• Art supplies and materials, excluding what is mentioned above (each participant can work in their preferred medium, for example: acrylics, oil or pastels.  A detailed list will be sent to you after you sign up).
   

Airline Tickets

The retreat package does not include flights to and from Milan. 

The participant will purchase flight tickets independently online or via a travel agency.

We will be more than happy to assist you in doing this. 

Please wait for written confirmation about your place in the retreat, before purchasing tickets.

You are welcome to arrive in Italy earlier, and/or extend your stay, but you are asked to kindly begin the retreat and the stated time, and remain for the duration of the retreat. 

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Recommended flights for people travelling from Israel: 

To Milan: 

From Milan to Tel Aviv: 
in bond: 19/10/23 | 07:45-10:55  | El Al  LY381
outbond: 24/10/23 | 22:55-03:40 | El Al LY388

 

For more information, or to reserve your spot in this retreat, please leave us your contact information below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

The Teacher

Tamara Berlin graduated from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design Jerusalem, and continued her fine arts education in the studio of world renowned artist, Aram Gershuni. Gershuni introduced her to concepts such as painting light, and abstraction. Tamara continued to draw and paint in the realist tradition even while working as an illustrator. Berlin was born in NY, and spent her childhood both in New York and Israel. Her early exposure to a wide variety of cultures and languages, has helped evoke a natural curiosity and ability to communicate and connect with people from many different cultures and all walks of life.   While she describes her art as somewhere along the spectrum between contemporary impressionism and realism, she has a deep appreciation for a wide variety of genres and approaches within the visual arts world. She loves working in a wide variety of mediums. Today, Tamara has 17 years of experience of creating art and teaching in her studio. “I am constantly inspired by how art can communicate ideas which are otherwise very elusive”.  Tamara’s passionate about teaching and helping others  gain tools and skills which help send them on their own unique art journey.

 

 

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The Venue

La Filanda, originally a traditional farmhouse, has been repurposed and turned into a beautiful bed and breakfast, while still retaining it’s historical character. Just a short walk a way lies the beautiful Rocca di Minerva nature reserve which is brimming with many local plant and animal species.  Along the path leading to the reserve, you will find the ancient ruins of Minerva and the cliff with a stunning view of a virgin shore of Lake Garda, the way it was before it was discovered by tourism.

 

 

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The Retreat

Painting and sketching on site are wonderful ways to become immersed in an experience.  The joy of painting creates a deeper, more fulfilling way to experience a location. 

During our workshops, you will learn how to choose your subject, how to plan your painting by using a viewfinder and thumbnail sketches.   How to use inspiration, intuition, technique and skill, to create a memorable experience and unique artwork.

Each workshop will include demonstrations as needed, guidance, explanations and individual feedback. We will be painting “en plein air” (outdoors, onsite), in the heart of Northern Italy’s breathtaking landscapes, on the shores of Lake Garda, among ancient ruins and rustic alleyways. Prepare yourself for the art experience of a lifetime.