Artistic Escapes

Join Judith Brassard Brown and Stephanie Tao-Hsuan Chang’s artistic excursions across the globe.

Whether you’re a fearless beginner or professional artist, embrace a unique opportunity to deepen your artistry in unforgettable settings.

Our Next Adventure:

Viterbo, Italy

Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Viterbo, where medieval streets, golden light, and rich artistic heritage create the perfect setting for creativity. This inspiring art travel workshop blends hands-on instruction with cultural exploration, inviting artists of all levels to sketch, paint, and photograph historic piazzas, ancient fountains, and the surrounding Tuscia countryside. Between plein-air painting sessions and critique, you’ll savor authentic Italian cuisine, connect with fellow creatives, and experience the rhythms of daily life in a charming hill town untouched by mass tourism. Join us for a creative journey where art, history, and travel come together in unforgettable ways.

Meet Our Instructors

Judith Brassard Brown
Currently represented by the Kingston Gallery in Boston and the Robert Collins Gallery in Rockport, MA, other home bases have included the Arden Gallery in Boston, The Hopkins Gallery in Wellfleet, MA, the Gimbel Gallery in NYC, and The Bromfield Gallery in Boston. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Danforth Museum (Framingham, MA), The Art Complex Museum (Duxbury, MA), Cerulean Gallery (Philadelphia, PA), and HallSpace (Boston, MA) as well as venues in Rome, Viterbo and Trieste, Italy. 

Her work has been reviewed and featured in articles in The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, Art New England, ArtScope, Cape Cod Voice, Delicious Line, Boston Traveler, Il Messagero Viterbo and Trieste’s Il Piccolo. Brassard Brown’s work is included in corporate and private collections in the United States and abroad.

https://www.kingstongallery.com/judith-brassard-brown

https://www.artsy.net/partner/kingston-gallery/artists/judith-brassard-brown

Stephanie Tao-Hsuan Chang
An accomplished fine artist whose award-winning work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Her artistic practice centers on figurative and portraiture painting, grounded in the tradition of classical realism to capture the timeless beauty and expressive depth of the human form. In her landscape work, she strives to simplify and harmonize natural elements, revealing their underlying connections and visual poetry.

Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Massachusetts College of Art & Design and her Master of Teaching in Visual Arts from University of the Arts.

Her recent honors include being featured in Best of Drawing by Artists Magazine and a feature in Pastel Journal Magazine. Her portraits have also earned finalist recognition in the Strokes of Genius competition, the Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition, and semi-finalist placement at the Art Renewal Center.

  • Tentative Workshop Schedule

    Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome

    • Arrive in Viterbo, Italy

    • Orientation & welcome gathering

    • Aperitivo & group dinner

    Day 2 – Historic Center Painting

    • Morning painting instruction in San Pellegrino

    • Afternoon painting session at Piazza Plebiscito

    Day 3 – Papal Quarter

    • Morning painting instruction at Piazza San Lorenzo

    • Afternoon painting instruction at Palazzo dei Papi

    Day 4 – Excursion & Critique

    • Day trip to Caprarola

    Day 5 – Monster Park Excursion & Critique

    • Day trip to Bosco Sacro

    • Evening group critique

    Day 6 – Architecture & Portraiture

    • Painting instruction near Museo della Ceramica della Tuscia

    • Portrait demonstration

    Day 7 – Final Workshop & Farewell

    • Morning painting instruction at Piazza del Gesù

    • Farewell dinner & celebration

    Day 8 – Departure

    • Depart for home


    ▪ Optional Ceramic Experience at Daniela Laip Bottega d’Arte
    Step back into the artistry of the 14th century as you discover the historic Zaffera technique, featuring exquisite raised blue decoration applied in relief. This hands-on experience offers a unique opportunity to explore traditional Italian ceramic craftsmanship in an intimate studio setting.
    Cost: €35 | Date: To Be Announced

    Note: Activities in the itinerary may be substituted for alternative experiences, should the need arise. 

  •     ▪    8 days, 7 nights accommodation

        ▪    Welcome refreshments

        ▪    1 Lunch

        ▪    Daily painting, demonstrations & critiques

        ▪    Transportation to Caprarola and Bosco Sacro di Bomarzo

        ▪    Farewell Dinner hosted by the instructor in a local restaurant

        ▪    Access to a private Whatsapp group with instructor and the other retreat participants before and during the workshop

        

    • Single Occupancy: $3,350

    • Junior Single Occupancy: $2,950

    • Double Occupancy: $2,750

    • Non-Participating Companion: $1,400

    ✨ Special Offer: Refer a Friend & Save! ✨
    Bring a friend, and you’ll each receive $250 OFF!

  • • Airfare

    • Travel Insurance

    • Lunch and dinner

    • Art Materials

    • Any other expenses guests may incur on their own

  • – Every day will include a morning painting session. There will always be time later in the day for you to explore the area on your own.

    – The itinerary may be subject to change due to weather conditions.

    – Please wear sun protection and comfortable shoes during classes. Students may need to walk up to 25 minutes to our painting/drawing sites.

    – Please pack water and snacks with you on our painting outings.

    – Please note that some days we will walk to the charming historic neighborhoods of Viterbo. Given the nature of the cobbled streets and slopes in some areas, if you have heavy luggage, you may find it challenging to walk.

    – Please pack an adapter

  • THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA:

    https://www.experienceviterbo.com/page/viterbo-s-hot-springs-a-well-kept-secret#

    https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g194950-Viterbo_Province_of_Viterbo_Lazio-Vacations.html

    https://www.italia.it/en/lazio/villa-lante

    https://www.italiadelight.it/what-to-see-in-viterbo-italy-discover-all-its-wonders/?lang=en

    https://myadventuresacrosstheworld.com/things-to-do-in-viterbo-italy/

  • General Supplies

    • Portable stool or lightweight chair (with or without back support)

    • Small sketchbook for notes, studies, and thumbnails

    • Art bag, small backpack, or compact suitcase for carrying supplies
      Tip: Practice packing and setting up your gear at home for comfort and efficiency.

    • Water bottle for drinking, plus an extra bottle for watercolor use

    • Layered clothing for damp or inclement weather

    • Sunhat, bug spray, and sunscreen

    • Paper towels or cotton rags

    • Masking tape (white artist tape preferred; optional)

    Oil Paint Supply List

    Palette & Accessories

    • Palette or disposable palette pads

    • Palette knife

    • Solvent: Odorless mineral spirits (such as Gamsol)

    • Solvent container (leak-proof)

    • Medium: Linseed oil or Oleogel

    • Rags or strong paper towels (Viva works well)

    Surface

    • Canvas or canvas panels (fine texture strongly recommended)

      • Bring 2–3 panels in sizes such as 8×10, 9×12, or your preferred size

    Brushes

    • Oil or acrylic brushes suitable for plein air painting

      • A basic set of 5 bristle brushes is sufficient for the workshop

    Paint Colors (Oils)

    Professional or artist-grade quality recommended (e.g., Winsor & Newton or equivalent):

    • Burnt Umber

    • Burnt Sienna (Winsor & Newton preferred for this color)

    • Ivory Black

    • Cadmium Red Light

    • Alizarin Crimson

    • Permanent Rose

    • Cadmium Yellow Light or Lemon Yellow

    • Cadmium Orange

    • Yellow Ochre

    • Ultramarine Blue

    • Cobalt Blue

    • Manganese Violet (Daniel Smith recommended)

    • Viridian

    • Titanium White

    Optional: A pre-selected landscape color set may also be used for convenience.

    Easel

    • Tripod artist field & display easel
      Lightweight, portable, and suitable for outdoor painting

Register

About the workshop

Join Us in Viterbo

This immersive workshop focuses on capturing the essence of the landscape using each participant’s preferred medium—drawing, watercolor, or oil painting. Students will learn to translate inspiration into compelling compositions as they paint medieval towers, churches, streets, and surrounding architecture.

Instruction emphasizes simplifying complex scenes into strong compositions, with guided exploration of watercolor techniques and oil painting methods using brushes, palette knives, and Catalyst wedges. We will focus on value, color, light patterns, edges, and perspective to develop a personal interpretation of the landscape. Class will meet on-site in different locations.

The workshop features daily demonstrations, personalized feedback, inspiring painting excursions to nearby towns, and engaging group critiques led by Judith B. Brown and Stephanie Chang—creating a truly immersive and enriching artistic experience.