Dates: May 11-18, 2026
Instructor: Sarah B. Hansen
Venue: Hydroussa Hotel, Island of Hydra, Greece
Medium: All levels welcome
Level: Open to all watermedia
Acrylic Supply List | Gouache Supply List | Watercolor Supply List
Experience the radiant beauty of Hydra, Greece, through expressive painting in watercolor, gouache, and acrylic. This immersive workshop is designed to help you simplify, interpret, and respond to the island’s unique light, textures, and atmosphere using the water-based medium of your choice.
From quiet stairways and whitewashed walls to the deep blues of the Aegean and vignettes of everyday island life, you’ll learn to distill complex scenes into bold shapes, harmonious color palettes, and lively brushwork.
Instructor Sarah will demonstrate techniques in all three watermedia—watercolor, gouache, and acrylic—showcasing how each can be used expressively to capture mood, light, and movement. However, students are welcome to work in just one medium throughout the workshop. You won’t need to bring all three unless you want to explore them.
Instruction includes:
Each day includes demonstrations, guided group painting sessions, and one-on-one feedback in a supportive, inspiring environment. Sarah is known for her generous teaching style, insightful critiques, and hands-on guidance.
A mix of plein air and studio work will help you gain confidence, loosen your technique, and connect more deeply with your surroundings. Some experience with drawing and any water-based medium is recommended.
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:
Registration is closed because this workshop was held in the past. Please click here to see upcoming travel workshops.
Martha and the Winslow Art Center team have over 10 years of experience organizing destination art workshops. We personally participate in every travel workshop to ensure the quality of the accommodations and cuisine as well as to coordinate the special needs of the 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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