You don’t need to be a travel expert to host a workshop in Italy.
That’s literally our job. ✈️
You bring the vision.
We bring 30+ years of experience.
Interested in learning more?
👉 ilchiostroworkshops.com/Design-a-Workshop
#IlChiostroWorkshops #ItalyWorkshops #WorkshopLeader #CreativeBusiness
Nothing like a fresh clean palette!
I’m getting ready for my next painting workshop along the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy, so I filled up my travel watercolor palette today.
I usually take my regular size watercolor palette and my oils, since I have students of all mediums, but for this trip trying to travel a little lighter. This is a nice, fairly sturdy travel palette made by Alvin. It’s 5 x 12 with a folding cover and removable tray for plenty of mixing area. I’ve tried many travel palettes over the years that were very small and it was frustrating not to have enough room for paint mixing. This one has plenty of wells, so I even added a few experimental colors for fun. Since this is not the format of my usual palette, I created a little template of all the colors included although I pretty much know the colors just by looking at them.
This will mark the 23rd International workshop I’ve taught since 2008. They are always one of the highlights of each year. I’m in the planning stage for my 2027 workshop with Il Chiostro which will be in a new location. If you’re interested in coming along next year, please DM me your email address and I’ll put you on the “Interest “list to be notified as soon as details are available and before the program is announced broadly. The programs usually sell out fast, so it’s good to find out early if you want to go.
First-time hosting a workshop in Italy? No worries, we’ve been doing this for more 30 years! 🇮🇹
We’ll guide you through the entire process, from selecting the right location to ensuring every detail is covered. You focus on your students, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Ready to bring your vision to life?
Learn more at - ilchiostro.com/design-a-workshop/ 🎨 📸
#IlChiostroWorkshops #TeachinItaly
Are your travel plans for 2026 still taking shape?
A few of our artist-led workshops in Italy still have space, and they just happen to be in some pretty unforgettable places.
Think painting in the light of Venice, finding inspiration along the colorful cliffs of Cinque Terre, soaking in the rolling landscapes of Tuscany, or unwinding by the peaceful shores of Lake Garda.
More than just a trip, it’s an invitation to slow down, create, and experience Italy alongside a community of curious, creative, and adventurous people.
So if you’re still planning your 2026 vacation, visit our workshop page and see where inspiration takes you. 🇮🇹🎨
👉 /2026-Workshops
#ilchiostroworkshops #visititaly #creativevactions #paintingworkshops #photographyworksh
A little montage from last year’s Tuscany trip… and wow, my heart is already packing its bags again 🧳✨
There’s just something about painting in Italy—the light, the colors, the slower pace… it just hits different. So grateful for these memories and the experience of creating in such a beautiful place 💛
And this year… we’re headed back 🇮🇹
Cinque Terre, with a little time in Rome and Florence—I cannot wait 🎨
Also… I may or may not already have another international trip quietly lined up 👀✨
Let’s just say… think storybook villages, old stone charm, rolling countryside, and a touch of elegance tucked into every corner 🥐🌿
Any guesses where I’m headed next?! 🌍👇
Teaching a workshop in Italy turns students into a community.
It’s kind of magical. ✨
Teach what you love. We’ll handle the logistics. 🇮🇹
👉 Learn more at ilchiostroworkshops.com/Design-a-Workshop
Michael is in Africa on our latest “Il Chiostro Upside Down” workshop in South Africa with painter Marni Maree (@marnimareepaints ). What an amazing trip! 🌍✨
Our Upside Down workshops take place during the off-season (winter in Italy) and are designed for our returning instructors. They’ve quickly become some of our favorite adventures, and we’re looking forward to exploring even more stunning Southern Hemisphere destinations with our amazing community.
#ilchiostroworkshops #ilchiostroupsidedown #southafrica #marnimareepaints
Join cabaret master teacher Lennie Watts (@lenniewatts ) and award-winning musical director Tracy Stark (@starktracy ) for Sing Your Heart Out in New Zealand, a 9-day musical adventure in beautiful Napier in the Hawke's Bay region.
Spend some time each day working on song selection, storytelling, and making your material uniquely your own, while leaving plenty of time to explore Napier and the surrounding Hawke’s Bay region, enjoy wonderful food and wine, and take in the stunning landscapes of New Zealand.
🎶 Because sometimes the best way to find your voice is to travel somewhere extraordinary.
📅 November 11–19, 2026
✨ Learn more: ilchiostroworkshops.com/Sing-NewZealand
#Cabaret #SingingWorkshop #CreativeTravel #NewZealandTravel #PerformersLife #IlChiostroWorkshops
Painters, would you like to join me for a wonderful week with a small group of fellow artists along Italy’s beautiful Amalfi coast? We’re spending a week at a private villa overlooking the sea with excursions to neighboring areas including Ravello, Capri and Amalfi.
Come build your skills and lift your spirits, leaving refreshed and inspired.
The program has been sold out for a year, but I’ve had one room open up suitable for 1 or 2 people.
Please direct message me if you are interested or have any questions. Thanks.
Teach beyond technique. Teach inspiration, confidence, and curiosity. 🎨 📸 🖋
Italy helps. 🌟
Il Chiostro has helped instructors craft creative workshops in Italy since 1995. 🇮🇹
Learn more at 👉 ilchiostroworkshops.com/Design-a-Workshop
#IlChiostroWorkshops #TeachInItaly
Simplifying and organizing big shapes into a value pattern is the number 1 tool that has helped me improve my artwork and build my skills over the years. Below is an example of how I translated and modified the scene shown in the top right photo, with a simple 4 value study of value relationships on the left that led to the final watercolor painting on bottom right. If value relationships and value control is something you struggle with or want to learn more about, I’m offering a zoom class on Tuesday March 24 , 1-4pm est on “The Power of Value”.(will be recorded it you can’t attend live).
We’ll take a deep dive into understanding value and why it is so essential to a successful painting. I’ll also demonstrate how to translate a scene from photo to thumbnail sketches and then how to create a simple value sketch to prepare for painting. Yes, there are apps out there that can mechanically translate a photo into a few values for you, but it’s not as powerful as putting your own thinking and decision making into discerning value relationships and deciding how to improve on what’s already there. It will free you up to put more of YOU and your energy and creativity into your art and go beyond simply copying a photo.
DM me for more info.
/workshop/online-class-the-power-of-value/
