Dates: May 10-17, 2027
Instructor: Bernard Dellario
Venue: Hotel Hydroussa, Island of Hydra, Greece
Medium: All (Bernie will demo mostly in gouache and acrylic)
Level: Open to all levels of experience (Experience with medium of choice recommended)
Oil Supply List | Acrylic Supply List | Gouache Supply List
Join Winslow Art Center and award-winning artist Bernard (Bernie) Dellario to experience the extraordinary Greek island of Hydra through the eyes of a painter while learning to see and capture the essential character of a place.
In this 8-day immersive, discover how we see and respond to a subject rather than simply how we reproduce it. Hydra provides an extraordinary setting for this exploration: its distinctive light, architecture, landscape, harbor, boats, and everyday life offer endless opportunities to observe, simplify, and make purposeful choices.
Bernie’s gestural approach encourages participants to look beyond detail and identify what makes a moment or scene compelling- the movement of a boat, the shape of a building, a fleeting gesture, or a sudden shift of light. You’ll learn to edit what you see, find the essential shapes, colors, and values, and respond directly with paint. Working alla prima, the goal is not to capture everything, but to create paintings that feel fresh, spontaneous, and alive.
Learn by Watching, Painting, and Receiving Individual Feedback
Each session begins with a demonstration, followed by time to paint and put your ideas into practice. Bernie’s workshops are particularly personal because of the individual attention he gives each participant. Throughout the workshop, he will work one-on-one with every painter, offering practical guidance, thoughtful critique, and encouragement tailored to your experience and goals. Group critiques provide another opportunity to look closely at the work, share ideas, and learn from one another.
We’ll paint throughout Hydra- from the harbor and waterfront to winding streets, quiet courtyards, surrounding landscapes and the people who bring the island to life. We’ll explore alla prima landscape and still-life painting, with Bernie demonstrating primarily in gouache and acrylic. All mediums are welcome and those interested will have the opportunity to explore gouache as a portable and expressive medium for painting outdoors.
Whether you’re new to plein air painting or an experienced artist looking to loosen up and see your subjects differently, you’ll leave with greater confidence and new ways to simplify what you see, respond directly, and capture the character of a place.
What You’ll Take Away
The Greek island of Hydra is a mountainous island located off the coast of the Peloponnese in the Saronic Gulf. Although less than a two-hour ferry ride from Athens/Piraeus, Hydra is a long step back in time. The inhabitants of Hydra elected over 60 years ago to preserve the character and architecture of the island by banning wheeled vehicles including cars and motorbikes, as well as new construction, permitting only restoration of older buildings. The result is an island of largely 18th and 19th century architecture that travels at the pace of donkeys, the only means of transportation available other than by boat.
The port of Hydra, where our venue is located, is considered one of the most picturesque in Greece, a keyhole harbor ringed by waterfront cafes with the town rising steeply behind. Our hotel, the Hydroussa, located on a winding street set back from the hubbub of the port, is a striking example of Hydriot architectural style, a large mansion with soaring ceilings built around a central courtyard shaded by lemon trees where breakfast and evening aperitivos are served.
What’s Included: Â
With over 10 years of experience organizing art tours, and with part of our team, my daughters Anne and Amy, living in Europe and fluent in Italian and Spanish, we maintain long term relationships with the owners and staff of our favorite venues. We personally participate in every travel workshop to ensure the quality and to coordinate all the needs of an art instruction program.
If you have any questions, please use the form below, phone 206-715-6663 or email martha@winslowartcenter.com to contact us.
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