JOIN ELIZABETH ST. HILAIRE in Venice!

Open to students of all artistic levels, Watercolor Sketchbook Venice is an immersion in Venetian inspiration, along the city’s romantic canals and piazzas, as you create your own personal sketch journal with daily instruction and guidance from Elizabeth. 

For years Elizabeth has been using watercolor sketch-journaling to document her own personal trips to Italy, and in this exciting Venice workshop she shares with you her process, techniques and approaches – plus an incredible variety of tips!

But Watercolor Sketchbook Venice is more than a sketching workshop. It’s a week filled with fellowship, camaraderie and fun beyond your wildest dreams – in one of the world’s most spectacular cities. In addition to daily lessons and demos with Elizabeth, you’ll sketch quintissential Venetian scenes at canal-side cafes, as gondolas float past. Plus you’ll take exciting excursions to the islands of Murano and Burano, with a dizzying variety of hand-blown glass shops and colorful houses. Oh – and get ready for delectable food in our favorite family-run restaurants!

1 SPACE! BOOK NOW

HAND-MADE FABRIANO Sketchbook!

Elizabeth will be personally constructing your sketchbook from hand-made Fabriano paper – Italy’s finest. While sketching, drawing and painting in the pages of your sketchbook you’ll learn how to…

• Break your Venetian subject matter down into simple shapes
• Render reflections of light on water  – and on the colorful glass of Venice
• Incorporate vibrant colors into your work
• Achieve shading, depth and dimension
• Add text to your journal pages to document your Venice experience
• Sketch in your journal while staying within a desired palette
• Compose a compelling page layout in your own distinct style
• Incorporate borders as a design element
• Find your own personal style, as you capture the essence of Venice
• Use an empowering approach to improve your water color sketching
• Embellish your watercolor with ink pen details
• Develop imagery and form for depth and interest
• Incorporate essential light and shadow into your sketches
• Easily improve your sketching skills through daily practice
• Pencil sketch your subject and keep it loose
• Post your artwork on social media

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival Venice

• Arrival, workshop orientation, welcome dinner
• Dinner

Upon your arrival at Venice Marco Polo Airport, you’ll take a water taxi or water bus (vaporetto) on your own to our canal-side hotel. (Instructions provided after booking.) After check-in at our boutique hotel in one of Venice’s still-authentic neighborhoods, you’ll enjoy a walking tour, followed by an introductory lesson with Elizabeth. Afterwards it’s time to enjoy a delectable welcome dinner at our friends’ classic Venetian restaurant. 

DAY 4: Venice

• Highlights: Sketching with Elizabeth, Vivaldi Concert
• Breakfast, Lunch, Aperitivo

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll set out with Elizabeth for the sweeping Campo dei Gesuiti. In the quiet of the square, you’ll step inside the richly decorated Chiesa dei Gesuiti before settling in with your sketchbook. Elizabeth will guide you as you in capturing the essence of Venice in your sketchbook. For lunch, we’ll stop at nearby Bar Bacaro, a favorite spot for a casual bite in the heart of Cannaregio.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue your sketching journey with Elizabeth, finding inspiration in one of Venice’s charming squares or along its picturesque canals.

As the day winds down, we’ll gather for aperitivo at a classic Venetian bar, raising a spritz or a glass of prosecco together. The evening culminates in an unforgettable Vivaldi concert performed in a 17th-century baroque church, where music and architecture intertwine in true Venetian style.

DAY 3: Venice

• Highlights: Sketching with Elizabeth Piazza San Marco, Basilica San Marco
• Breakfast, Pizza night

After breakfast this morning at the hotel, the day begins with a tour of Venice’s most iconic landmark—St. Mark’s Basilica. Together we’ll admire the glittering mosaics that line its domes, view the exquisite Pala d’Oro altarpiece, and continue into the upper museum where the original bronze horses are displayed. After exploring the basilica, we’ll step back outside to take a look at the Bridge of Sighs and the grand exterior of the Doge’s Palace. From there, we’ll return to Cannaregio, where you’ll have lunch on your own—perhaps at a neighborhood trattoria or a cozy bacaro serving classic cicchetti.

In the afternoon, Elizabeth will lead you into the Cannaregio district for a sketching session inspired by the area’s graceful bridges, winding canals, and tranquil piazzas. As you work, she’ll share watercolor techniques that bring Venetian color and light to life on the page.

This evening, we’ll come together for a relaxed dinner of wood-fired pizza—a perfect way to end the day.

DAY 4: Murano & Burano

• Highlights: Sketching with Elizabeth, excursion to Murano & Burano
• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll set out by vaporetto across the Venetian lagoon. The first stop is Murano, world-renowned for its centuries-old glassblowing tradition. Here you’ll have time to explore artisan workshops and perhaps pick up a one-of-a-kind treasure. From Murano, continue on to Burano, a picture-perfect island celebrated for its lace-making heritage and brightly painted houses. After a guided stroll through its colorful lanes, you’ll enjoy lunch at a classic Burano trattoria, where island specialties are the highlight.

In the afternoon, return to Venice for a sketching session with Elizabeth in the historic Ghetto district. Among its quiet courtyards and centuries-old synagogues, you’ll find abundant inspiration for capturing Venice’s more intimate side.

Dinner tonight is on your own, leaving you free to discover a local favorite or revisit a spot that’s caught your eye.

DAY 5: Venice 

• Highlights: Artisan demo, Gondola Ride
• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we’ll walk to the workshop of our friend Franco, a master forcolaio. Franco is one of the few remaining artisans who hand-carves the elegant wooden oarlocks—forcole—used by Venice’s gondoliers. As he demonstrates his craft, you’ll discover the surprising complexity and beauty of these sculptural forms, each one unique to its gondola. From there, it’s off to the gondola dock for a leisurely ride through the city’s winding canals.

Afterwards, Elizabeth will share her favorite techniques for sketching gondolas and capturing the movement of water. Lunch today is on your own, followed by a wrap-up session with Elizabeth in the afternoon.

This evening, we’ll gather together for a celebratory aperitivo and farewell dinner at a welcoming trattoria housed in a former gondola workshop—a fitting finale to your week in Venice.

DAY 6: Departure

Departure to Venice Marco Polo Airport or Venice Santa Lucia Train Station

VENUE: Boutique Hotel Ca d’Oro

Hotel Ca’ D’Oro is just a few-minutes walk from Venice’s Rialto Bridge and the Piazza San Marco, yet tucked away in a neighborhood that reflects Venice of a bygone age, with fabulously narrow calle (avenues) and inviting piazzas. The roof-top terrace with views across the rooftops and canals of Venice is not to be missed!

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 5 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Ca d’Oro, Venice
• All breakfasts
• 4 dinners
• Excursion to the islands of Murano & Burano
• Guided walking tour Murano & Burano
• Visit to Basilica San Marco and Piazza San Marco
• Guided walks in Venice
• Live Vivaldi concert (optional/extra)
• Private visit to Franco the oarlock artisan
• Gondola ride
• Daily in-depth lessons, demonstrations, presentations  – plus group and one-to-one instruction with Elizabeth in cafes, coffee bars, piazzas and alongside romantic Venetian canals
• Hand-made Fabriano paper sketch journal
• ALL SUPPLIES! Including your own hand-made Fabriano paper sketchbook and watercolor sketch set
• Free time for shopping and exploring on your own

Not included: Artist-grade brushes (Elizabeth will share suggestions), airfare, meals, alcoholic drinks, buses, trains or boat transportation outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for hotel staff

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

ABOUT Elizabeth St. Hilaire

Elizabeth St. Hilaire is an award winning full-time artist, art workshop instructor, and published author. She is a former Golden Paints Artist Educator, a former Ambassador for Princeton Brush, and a former Creative Team Artist for Gel Press. Her work is also featured on Fredrix Canvas packaging.

Her unique mixed-media artwork is created from torn tidbits of hand-painted paper which she glues down over an acrylic under-painting. St Hilaire’s collages are collected and have been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Images of her work are reproduced and available nationwide on wall canvas, household items, stationery, clothing, jewelry, and more.

Elizabeth is a Signature Member of National Collage Society, holds a BFA from Syracuse University, and has been working in her medium for over 15 years. She has published seven books on her process.

Visit Elizabeth’s website at PaperPaintings.com

DATES AND DETAILS

• Dates:
  • September 15-20, 2025 
• Trip Price:
  • From $3,895 USD shared twin/double
  • From $4,595 USD single occupancy
  • Select room type upon booking. Note: If you are traveling alone, and would like to be assigned a room partner for double occupancy, please let us know upon booking
• Room Descriptions:
  • Deluxe Double (double or single occupancy)
  • Deluxe Double Canal View (double or single occupancy)
  • Jr. Suite Canal View (double or single occupancy)
• A $700 deposit is required to book your space
• View our Terms and Cancellation Policy

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