Watercolor Sketchbook Vacation in Italy with Angela Fehr

Benvenuti in Italia!

Watercolor Sketchbook Vacation in Italy Art Program

Angela’s passion as a watercolor instructor is to provide good instruction on watercolor techniques so that students can be freed to express their own creativity. You’ll discover how to paint from the heart. She believes every painter can become their own favorite artist. The key is to learn to trust your instincts. You’ll find your balance between skill and intuition, which falls differently for every artist. 

With that in mind, when painting on location we will spend as much time immersing ourselves in the landscape as expressing it in paint. Angela often paints the same scene multiple times. She seeks the heart of what captivated her as she experienced it. Often that means simplifying the scene down to a single focal point. She lets go of the peripheral and paints to emphasize the beautiful colors and textures that can be created with loose, fluid watercolor. 

Part of your watercolor sketchbook vacation in Italy will take place “in the field”. You’ll be inspired by what you find in the moment. Other sessions will be structured class time at the hotel. During our ArtWalk, as we experience Italy together, we will savor the beauty of the landscape. We will pause to see, smell, and taste this incredible country. Using plein air painting supplies, we document vignettes of our travels. While touring, Angela will guide you in taking “visual notes” in watercolor with short sketches to sharpen your observation skills. These collected details will be explored more in depth during painting sessions.

What Will We Do?

Milan

Your watercolor sketchbook vacation in Italy starts of with a smooth arrival into Milan. We will gather at our art-themed hotel near the Milan Centrale train station. There we will meet one another and review the week’s program. Then it’s off via metro to see Milan’s famous Piazza Duomo. You will have the opportunity to visit the roof of the Duomo for a spectacular view of the city. Later, join us in the piazza for a welcome gelato or aperitivo.

Rapallo

From Milan, we will travel by rail down the coast to Rapallo.  Lovely all on it’s own, with a small harbor, promenade, and an old town. Rapallo is the perfect base to explore the Italian Riviera. The five coastal villages of Cinque Terre lie in one direction. Gorgeous Portofino is in the other. Our 4-star, family run hotel is perfectly situated on the waterfront and steps from the ancient city center.

After a brief orientation walk we will ride the funivia above Rapallo for an encompassing view of the Portofino peninsula and Riviera coastline. Our welcome meal will be at a family-owned and operated restaurant with wonderful food and an amazing view. Pull out your sketchbooks. As we relax beneath the shady arbor with a plate of artisan cheeses and a glass of wine. Capture a vignette of the festive table or the expansive panorama.

The next two days are spent exploring the Italian Riviera. First we’ll leisurely walk coastal paths from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino. The next day we use the regional train to explore the fishing villages of Cinque Terre. Time will be given for painting on location as well as back at the hotel.

Lake Como

After exploring the colorful Italian Riviera – stately Lake Como awaits. Surrounded by the natural beauty of an alpine lake, your watercolor sketchbook vacation in Italy becomes a peaceful art retreat on the water.  We are based in the posh village of Bellagio, referred to as the “Pearl of the Lake”, or the laid-back town of Varenna. Both offer tranquil lake views surrounded by the wooded, towering pre-Alps. Lively outdoor cafes and pretty piazzas draped with wisteria become the perfect settings to watch the world go by and you fill your art journal.

And what would a trip to Italy be without indulging in the culinary riches of the area? Our very popular half-day cooking class option gives a hands-on experience. It finishes with a delicious 3-course lunch. One afternoon we will visit a cozy wine bar created from the owner’s family cantina. It’s the perfect location to taste local wines and sketch a label or two. 

The remainder of your watercolor sketchbook vacation in northern Italy may be spent exploring Lake Como and nearby towns by ferry. You will have time to visit to the stately Villa del Balbianello (as seen in the James Bond film Casino Royale) or picturesque Villa Carlotta.  With Angela’s guidance and encouragement, your sketchbook will evolve into a very personal travel journal filled with memories. Stroll the easy promenades. Take in views from the water and lakeside paths. Over a celebratory aperitivo on the final evening sketchbooks and stories will be shared. Finally, we will gather around the table one last time for a farewell dinner filled with laughter and fond memories created together.

Come and share the experience of art and travel in one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations!

What is Included?

Watercolor Sketchbook Vacation in Italy Inclusions:

Assistance of your host / guide throughout the program

Angela Fehr’s Art Program

All hotel taxes and service fees

Daily full buffet breakfast

Milan:

One night at our 4-star hotel in Milan 

Guided travel via metro to Piazza Duomo

Welcome aperitivo or gelato

Transfer by train from Milano Centrale to Rapallo

Rapallo:

Three nights at our 4-star waterfront, family-owned hotel in Rapallo

Orientation walk along Rapallo’s promenade and Centro Historico

Experience the panorama view of the Portofino Peninsula from Rapallo’s funivia

Welcome dinner

Stunning coastal walk from Rapallo to Portofino

Return from Portofino to Rapallo by bus or coastal boat

Round-trip train from Rapallo to Cinque Terre to visit the towns

Optional self-guided hikes between its famous seaside towns

Lake Como:

Private transfer to Lake Como

Ferry from Varenna to Bellagio

Three nights in our favorite central waterfront hotel

Orientation walk in Bellagio

An all day mid-lake ferry pass

Visit to Lenno, with a guided seaside walk to Villa del Balbianello

Local wine tasting

Optional cooking class