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Paint Your Dream! Plein Air Workshop in Verona and Lake Garda with Karen Hewitt Hagan
Karen Hewitt Hagan
September 30, 2025 - October 7, 2025
$3150Karen offers her painting workshop in a new location – Verona and stunning Lake Garda.
Class size is limited. Reserve your spot soon.
In this week-long water and landscape (oil) painting workshop we will concentrate on capturing the light effect quickly en plein air. There will be morning classes, demos, lively discussions on theory, sessions on color mixing and value study, and on using your iPhone camera, blind contour drawings and small plein air studies to capture subject matter for your larger studio paintings.
This class is great for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Karen will be instructing and working in oil, but you may work in any medium you wish – all mediums are welcome. With a small class size you will be able to get as much individual attention as you desire to move your work to the next level while savoring painting at this incredibly beautiful location.
We will:
- Learn to create more vibrant paintings
- Discover how to get big magic out of small canvases
- See and apply color more accurately and in a spontaneous fashion
The class format will be:
- Morning classes with Karen
- Daily demos by Karen
- Discussion of Impressionistic plein air techniques
- Optional free painting with Karen in afternoons in various locations
plenty of painting time. We will have 4 long morning classes and demonstrations with step by step oil painting techniques for creating light filled paintings on small panels. (6×8” panel sizes recommended). Lectures/ discussion, demonstrations and critiques paired with free time to explore.
Most afternoons will be “Free Paint with Karen” which means you will have time to apply the morning`s lesson at your own pace. Some days we will have short excursions to explore the region.
Before dinner we will meet for several group critique sessions. (There may be an optional night painting session if conditions permit.)
The class will be small (8-10 participants) with plenty of painting time. Supply sheet and workshop prep notes will be provided.
The Location
We begin our week in the famed, romantic city of Verona, home to the tale of Romeo and Juliet. We’ll check into the Hotel Indigo des Artes, have our first orientation, followed by dinner together. The next day is free until 2pm when our coach will pick us up to take us to Lake Garda (1+ hour away). In the charming village of Villa di Gargnano we’ll check into our home for the next 6 nights – Hotel Gardenia al Lago.
After our final breakfast at the lake, the coach will take us back to Verona where we can make connections to return home or continue traveling in Italy.
Everyone knows Lake Como because of George Clooney, but Lake Garda is the real hidden treasure coming down from the foothills of the Alps and plunging into the Veneto area. It is surrounded by dramatic layers of mountains, colorful towns and olive and lemon groves.
General Activities: in addition to the activities of the workshop, we will also see and explore this area of Lake Garda with various excursions selected from:
- A breath-taking ferry across the lake to the town of Malcesine
- Painting in various locations along the lake in towns, gardens and hilltops
- Full day excursion to the lovely Renaissance town of Mantua or other lake town
- Overnight and dinner in the romantic city of Verona
- Optional museum visits and site seeing in Verona, like visiting the fabled setting of Juliet’s house
We’ll return each evening to relax in the comfort of our lakeside hotel, enjoy a delicious dinner with wine, and share about the day.
Price: $3,150, ($2,850 for non-painting partners)
Single room supplement: $485
All rooms with ensuite bathrooms. (Click the Accommodations tab above for more about our hotels.)
What is Included:
- First night in Hotel Indigo des Artes in the center of Verona
- 6 nights shared double room in lakeside hotel (single rooms available for supplement)
- Daily traditional breakfast and dinner, including wine
- Dinner at local trattoria in Verona and at the hotel in Garda
- Daily workshop classes and critiques with Karen
- All local transportation including transfers by coach between Verona and Garda
- Fully escorted excursions
- ½ day excursion to nearby lake town Malcesine
- Full day excursion to Mantua or other lake town
- Return transfer to Verona airport or central train station on last day.
Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Independent meals and sight-seeing
To Register: just click on the Sign Up Now button. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your spot in the workshop. Payment can be made on line with a credit card, or you can send in your registration and payment by mail. Once we receive your deposit we will send you a formal Registration Confirmation with further information about the program. You will receive 2-3 other correspondences by email prior to the workshop with information about Italy, a supplies list and an electronic invoice for the balance. Final Balance is due by August 1st. Any time prior to your arrival, if you have questions about anything regarding the trip or the program, you can contact us by email or phone and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Cancellation policy:
$500 deposit is non-refundable. For cancellation:
- 60 days prior to workshop, full refund due less non-refundable deposit.
- 30-60 days prior to workshop, 50% refund of balance paid allowed, less non-refundable deposit.
Less than 30 days prior to workshop, no refund due.
Il Chiostro recommends personal travel insurance to cover the possibility of unexpected or last-minute cancellation.
Contact us for more information: info@ilchiostro.com or speak to us live at 800-990-3506.
We will spend the first night of our week together in Verona at the four star Grand Hotel des Arts. For anyone wishing to arrive early and spend your extra nights at this hotel, please contact them directly through their web site.
We'll have our first dinner together in Verona, and the next day after an independent lunch, transfer to the lake (75 min) where we'll spend the next 6 days at the small, family-owned Hotel Gardenia al Lago, right on the shores of Lake Garda.
This hotel was built on what was once a lemon and olive garden on the shores of the lake. Because this is an original villa refurbished into a hotel, each room is different with some of the decor dating from the original 1925 family home. Rooms are either doubles or singles (with a supplement).
Dinner will be served each evening, weather permitting, in the garden adjacent to the villa.
The charming village of Villa, with it's small harbor and cafes, is just a few steps away. The larger town of Gargnano is a short 10 minute walk where you will find shops, restaurants, another harbor and fantastic artisanal gelato!
We will meet the group at the main train station in Verona on the first day and then proceed to Lake Garda together (approximately 1 hour drive).
Unless you will be traveling around before the workshop, we recommend you fly to Verona's Villafranca airport. There are no direct flights from the US, but you can change in the European city associated with your airline. Then it is a quick taxi ride to the main train station in Verona. Other options include flying into Venice, Brescia, Florence, Bologna, or Milan’s Malpensa airport and traveling around on your own prior to our first meeting in Verona.
On the final day of the program, a coach will take participants back to Verona to catch their flight home - or to continue their travel. If you are flying out that day, please try to book a flight for noon or later.
Travel Agents & Insurance: Over the last few years, the way we travel has undergone significant changes. For that reason, we now encourage everyone to use a professional travel agent when arranging their trips. Travel agents save you time and stress by handling all the details and tailoring your itinerary to your needs. One of the most important services they offer today is helping you choose and enroll in the right travel insurance program. With COVID and the continued possibility of schedule changes or postponements, travel insurance has become essential, and selecting the right plan on your own can be overwhelming.
If you encounter any issues during your travels, your agent can provide quick support and solutions, taking the pressure off your shoulders. While booking through online sites like Expedia or Hotels.com may seem more convenient or less expensive, they offer little help if you need to modify your plans. A travel professional, on the other hand, is there to assist you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and worry-free travel experience.
If you choose to Go It Alone, we highly recommend taking out travel insurance for the trip in the event of any unforeseen obstacles to your travel. We recommend Travelex (800) 504-7883 or Travel Guard International (877) 901-7599.
"Those who are sensitive to all that is sublime. You are invited to look at the map of Lake Garda. The shores of this lake with its beautiful forests and calm waters constitute perhaps the most beautiful landscape in the world." - Stendhal
The Province of Lombardy: Both Milan and Lake Garda are located in Lombardy, a northern Italian region bordered by Switzerland to the north and Veneto to the east. Lombardy is the most populous region of Italy and has a rich, layered history. Over the centuries, it was ruled by Germanic tribes, the Spanish, the French, and the Austrians, before finally becoming part of unified Italy in 1861. As a result, Lombardy’s distinctive character—reflected in its art, cuisine, wine, and architecture—bears the influence of these past inhabitants.
Geologically, the Alpine rivers in the north have spread into a chain of stunning lakes, creating the famous Italian Lakes District. Nestled among the gentle slopes of the pre-Alpine hills, these sparkling waters and lush landscapes have earned this part of Lombardy the nickname “The Garden of Italy.”
Lake Garda: Also known as Lake Benaco, Lake Garda is not only the largest of the pre-Alpine lakes but also the biggest lake in all of Italy. Carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age, it stretches across three regions—Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige—and offers an astonishing variety of landscapes. Thanks to its mild, Mediterranean-style climate, the lake supports lush vegetation unusual for northern Italy: vineyards, olive groves, and citrus orchards thrive here, giving the shores a distinctly southern feel.
Lake Garda has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia. From Bronze Age settlements and Gallic tribes to the Romans—who built villas, roads, and thermal baths along its shores—the area’s long history is still visible in ruins, castles, and charming medieval towns. The lake’s name is thought to come from the mighty castle of Torri del Benaco, which once “guarded” the waters against pestilence and invasion.
Today, the only “invaders” are happy travelers. Lake Garda is a favorite holiday spot for German and Austrian visitors and a popular weekend escape for Milanese city-dwellers. The lake offers something for everyone: sailing and windsurfing in the breezy north, cycling and hiking trails along the hills, and relaxing spa towns and gardens on the southern and western shores.
One of the most celebrated stretches is the Brescian Riviera, between Salò and Gargnano. This area is renowned for its elegant villas, lush parks, lemon houses, and historic health resorts. Beyond that, visitors can explore Limone sul Garda with its cliffside lemon groves, Sirmione with its fairytale Scaliger Castle and Roman ruins, or Riva del Garda, where Alpine peaks tumble dramatically into the water.
From medieval castles and pastel-colored harbors to award-winning gelaterie and lakeside promenades, Lake Garda is a place where history, culture, and leisure come together in one unforgettable setting.
Gargnano: Midway up Lake Garda’s western shore, Gargnano is a picture-perfect town with a small harbor where yachts and sailboats drift against a promenade shaded by orange trees and dotted with lakeside cafés. Despite its laid-back charm, the town has a rich past—most famously as Mussolini’s wartime headquarters at Villa Feltrinelli, now a luxury hotel.
Stroll through its medieval churches, explore the cloisters of San Francesco, or wander the narrow streets lined with citrus-scented gardens and traditional limonaie. Surrounded by the Alto Garda Bresciano Park, Gargnano is also a gateway to hiking, cycling, and sailing. It’s a place where history, nature, and lakeside leisure flow effortlessly together.
I'm after the light, it's what makes an ordinary scene spectacular!
Whether painting on location outside or inside with a model, Karen Hewitt Hagan’s paintings depict a strong feeling of light and include rich, dramatic brushstrokes.
Theresa Golas, Director of the Iredell Museums, said: “She has an innate sense of color and composition, and when it is coupled with the way she handles the media, magic occurs.”
Residing in Charleston, SC, Karen exhibits at Hagan Fine Art Gallery in Charleston, The Gallery at Sweetgrass at Isle of Palms, SC, and st City Art Gallery, Greenville, NC. She is a frequent juror for The Plein Air Magazine Art Salons and has studied and trained with many contemporary masters.
She credits working outdoors, en plein air, as one of the most important parts of that training. “Nature is truly the best teacher”. Hagan was presented with the Award of Excellence at the COPA Plein Air Painting Event in Charleston, SC, and was a signature member of The Plein Air Painters of the Southeast.
Her book, Karen Hewitt Hagan: An American Impressionist (published by Morton Arts Media), has a section dedicated to the Contessa's Farm in Italy, where she taught for Il Chiostro many years ago.
Website: Karenhewitthagan.com
