COLLEY WHISSON VENICE, ITALY
5 Day painting workshop, Venice (October 12 - 18, 2025)
* This is 1 of 3 workshops that are part of Colleys 3 week Italian workshop tour, September 28 - October 18, 2025. It will include a week in each of three locations: Cinque Terra, Lake Como and Venice, Italy. Sign up for one or more, or all three.
COLLEY WHISSON
VENICE, ITALY
5 day Landscape Painting Workshop
Cinque Terra, Italy
October 12 -18, 2025 (Limit 15)
All Inclusive (6 night Hotel / Brekafast / Lunch / Airport transfers / ground transport / Ferry tickets) $3900 (double occ). *add $550 for single room w/private bath.
* Non-painting guest $1,800.
(Does not include Air, travel insurance /dinners).
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100
Email Todd: [email protected]
Join us for an unforgettable five-day Plein Air painting workshop in the enchanting city of Venice, Italy! Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and unique light of this iconic city as you paint its historic canals, charming piazzas, and timeless architecture. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, Colley will guide you in capturing the beauty of Venice on canvas.
During this workshop, you will have the opportunity to explore the cobble stoned streets, hand made bridges and quaint canals, capture their unique character and beauty, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Led by renowned artist Colley Whisson, you will receive expert guidance and instruction on plein air painting techniques, color theory, composition, and more. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter, this workshop is designed to help you elevate your outdoor painting skills and visual problem solving. Colley Whisson's work is best known for the light in his paintings coupled with strong composition and bravura mark making. The primary focus in this workshop will be attempt to convey the sense of strong sunlight in a painting by identifying, clarifying and pushing the values. Exercises will be used to help simplify these concepts. Students will also work on achieving clean color in their paintings and utilize value patterns to aid in developing successful compositions. There will be discussions on materials, scene selection and brushwork. During the workshop, Colley will create a demonstration painting each day and work with students individually, side-by-side at their easels.
Accommodations will be provided in the Venice, with its quaint downtown piazzas and breathtaking views of the Grand Canal. Each morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast before setting out on your painting adventures. Part of the fun will be informal gatherings for dinners, enjoyed at local restaurants, where you can indulge in fresh seafood, pasta, and other regional specialties.
This workshop is limited to 15 participants, ensuring personalized attention and a close-knit community of like-minded artists. Bring your paint box and explore with us one of Italy's most beautiful regions and take your plein air painting to the next level.
Colley will typically demonstrate and lecture and break for lunch. After lunch, Colley will spend the remainder of the day assisting students at their easels.
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
Colley's BIO
VENICE, ITALY
5 day Landscape Painting Workshop
Cinque Terra, Italy
October 12 -18, 2025 (Limit 15)
All Inclusive (6 night Hotel / Brekafast / Lunch / Airport transfers / ground transport / Ferry tickets) $3900 (double occ). *add $550 for single room w/private bath.
* Non-painting guest $1,800.
(Does not include Air, travel insurance /dinners).
Call Todd to register (603) 819-9100
Email Todd: [email protected]
Join us for an unforgettable five-day Plein Air painting workshop in the enchanting city of Venice, Italy! Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and unique light of this iconic city as you paint its historic canals, charming piazzas, and timeless architecture. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, Colley will guide you in capturing the beauty of Venice on canvas.
During this workshop, you will have the opportunity to explore the cobble stoned streets, hand made bridges and quaint canals, capture their unique character and beauty, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Led by renowned artist Colley Whisson, you will receive expert guidance and instruction on plein air painting techniques, color theory, composition, and more. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter, this workshop is designed to help you elevate your outdoor painting skills and visual problem solving. Colley Whisson's work is best known for the light in his paintings coupled with strong composition and bravura mark making. The primary focus in this workshop will be attempt to convey the sense of strong sunlight in a painting by identifying, clarifying and pushing the values. Exercises will be used to help simplify these concepts. Students will also work on achieving clean color in their paintings and utilize value patterns to aid in developing successful compositions. There will be discussions on materials, scene selection and brushwork. During the workshop, Colley will create a demonstration painting each day and work with students individually, side-by-side at their easels.
Accommodations will be provided in the Venice, with its quaint downtown piazzas and breathtaking views of the Grand Canal. Each morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast before setting out on your painting adventures. Part of the fun will be informal gatherings for dinners, enjoyed at local restaurants, where you can indulge in fresh seafood, pasta, and other regional specialties.
This workshop is limited to 15 participants, ensuring personalized attention and a close-knit community of like-minded artists. Bring your paint box and explore with us one of Italy's most beautiful regions and take your plein air painting to the next level.
Colley will typically demonstrate and lecture and break for lunch. After lunch, Colley will spend the remainder of the day assisting students at their easels.
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
Colley's BIO
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION:
All Inclusive workshop package $3,900 (*Double Occ). (*Single Occ/Private bath add $550).
* ( non-workshop spouse / guest package $1,800).
(package includes 5 day Workshop, Accommodations 6 nights hotel, 6 Breakfasts, All ground transport to and from all painting sites.
* ( non-workshop guest package includes everything except the workshop and presumes guest is sharing a room with their spouse / significant other/Guest).
(Price does not include Airfare, travel insurance, lunchs or dinner. Half the fun will be sampling local cuisine in this five star restaurant city).
Call Todd Bonita (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$1,000 Deposit required to hold your space in the workshop. We accept the following types of payment:
1) Credit card or Pay Pal (add 3.25% for process fee)
2) Venmo @Todd-bonita (add 2% for Venmo’s new process fee)
3) Cash for teachers pet.😎
4) Checks. Please make check out to Todd Bonita and mailed to Todds house:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave.
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "Whisson / VENICE workshop" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
PAYMENTS for WORKSHOP
1) $1,000 deposit due at registration to reserve your space and hold your room. ($1,500 if including non-workshop guest).
2) Balance / Final payment due 60 days before workshop.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 120 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $500 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* 60 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $1,000 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* Less than 60 days NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
I recommend you arrange for travel insurance in the unlikely event of an unintended disruptions to your travel plans. Please understand that your deposits are used so that we can reserve our accommodations, transportation and reservations to third parties. For this reason, we have a strict, refund / cancellation policy that honors our agreement to these third parties. Registration in this workshop presumes you have read the refund / cancellation policy and agree to it. To confirm you have read the policy, we will ask for a confirmation email to follow your registration.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit and / or installment payments will be forfeited as detailed by the dates shown above. We will make every effort to find a wait-listed alternate to take your place.
All Inclusive workshop package $3,900 (*Double Occ). (*Single Occ/Private bath add $550).
* ( non-workshop spouse / guest package $1,800).
(package includes 5 day Workshop, Accommodations 6 nights hotel, 6 Breakfasts, All ground transport to and from all painting sites.
* ( non-workshop guest package includes everything except the workshop and presumes guest is sharing a room with their spouse / significant other/Guest).
(Price does not include Airfare, travel insurance, lunchs or dinner. Half the fun will be sampling local cuisine in this five star restaurant city).
Call Todd Bonita (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$1,000 Deposit required to hold your space in the workshop. We accept the following types of payment:
1) Credit card or Pay Pal (add 3.25% for process fee)
2) Venmo @Todd-bonita (add 2% for Venmo’s new process fee)
3) Cash for teachers pet.😎
4) Checks. Please make check out to Todd Bonita and mailed to Todds house:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave.
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "Whisson / VENICE workshop" in the memo on the check for my bookkeeper.
PAYMENTS for WORKSHOP
1) $1,000 deposit due at registration to reserve your space and hold your room. ($1,500 if including non-workshop guest).
2) Balance / Final payment due 60 days before workshop.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 120 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $500 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* 60 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $1,000 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* Less than 60 days NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
I recommend you arrange for travel insurance in the unlikely event of an unintended disruptions to your travel plans. Please understand that your deposits are used so that we can reserve our accommodations, transportation and reservations to third parties. For this reason, we have a strict, refund / cancellation policy that honors our agreement to these third parties. Registration in this workshop presumes you have read the refund / cancellation policy and agree to it. To confirm you have read the policy, we will ask for a confirmation email to follow your registration.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit and / or installment payments will be forfeited as detailed by the dates shown above. We will make every effort to find a wait-listed alternate to take your place.
ACCOMODATIONS
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Accommodations will be provided in Venice, with its quaint downtown piazza and breathtaking views of the Grand Canal. Each morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast before setting out on your painting adventures.
Accommodations will be provided in Venice, with its quaint downtown piazza and breathtaking views of the Grand Canal. Each morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast before setting out on your painting adventures.
SUPPLY LIST (Available to students upon registration)
To get two steps ahead of the sheriff, Colley reccommends Centurion OP DLX oil pads.
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FLYING w PAINT / TSA / PASSPORT :
PRINT THIS CARD. INCLUDE w/ PAINTS.
FLYING w/ PAINT (TSA)
It is recommended that you pack your paints in your suitcase, NOT carry-on. I include a typed note saying, "ARTIST COLORS MADE FROM VEGETABLE OILS".... in the event of TSA investigating my luggage. Never had a problem.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
* International TSA regulations do not exclude Gamsol brush cleaner from air travel. Make sure its in an air tight container.
* You can ship regulated / air travel-prohibited mediums to our destination. Please email me for details.
*This is an excellent, soup to nuts over view of how to travel with your paints and deal with TSA and insure best odds of smooth travel. CLICK HERE.
PASSPORT
* if ITALY is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
** PLEASE NOTE** If your passport expires within three months of your travel time, you cannot fly International. Its fairly simple and expediant to update your passport these days.
It is recommended that you pack your paints in your suitcase, NOT carry-on. I include a typed note saying, "ARTIST COLORS MADE FROM VEGETABLE OILS".... in the event of TSA investigating my luggage. Never had a problem.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
* International TSA regulations do not exclude Gamsol brush cleaner from air travel. Make sure its in an air tight container.
* You can ship regulated / air travel-prohibited mediums to our destination. Please email me for details.
*This is an excellent, soup to nuts over view of how to travel with your paints and deal with TSA and insure best odds of smooth travel. CLICK HERE.
PASSPORT
* if ITALY is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired.
** PLEASE NOTE** If your passport expires within three months of your travel time, you cannot fly International. Its fairly simple and expediant to update your passport these days.
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
* (Subject to change)
Sunday:
4:00 pm: Rendezvous at a location at the Venice Marco Polo airport for coach pick up and ride to our hotel. The hotel is about five miles from the airport so you can be in your hotel lickety-split.
Todd's cell # (603) 819-9100) while in Italy.
Check into your private room, relax.
7:00 pm: Informal gathering for a glass of wine and/or dinner at a restaurant near our hotel.
Monday - Friday
After breakfast, downstairs at our hotel, meet at 9am daily in the front lobby for departure to our daily painting sites. Colley will lecture and demonstrate, followed by students painting for the remainder of the day while Colley provides side-by-side, easel assistance. Colley has an excellent reputation for his generosity and insistance on seeing each student, meeting them on their level and providing individual, professional artistic assistance.
Saturday: After breakfast, Rendezvous at 9am out front with luggage. Our coach will take you to Venice Marco Polo airport, about ten minutes away.
* (Subject to change)
Sunday:
4:00 pm: Rendezvous at a location at the Venice Marco Polo airport for coach pick up and ride to our hotel. The hotel is about five miles from the airport so you can be in your hotel lickety-split.
Todd's cell # (603) 819-9100) while in Italy.
Check into your private room, relax.
7:00 pm: Informal gathering for a glass of wine and/or dinner at a restaurant near our hotel.
Monday - Friday
After breakfast, downstairs at our hotel, meet at 9am daily in the front lobby for departure to our daily painting sites. Colley will lecture and demonstrate, followed by students painting for the remainder of the day while Colley provides side-by-side, easel assistance. Colley has an excellent reputation for his generosity and insistance on seeing each student, meeting them on their level and providing individual, professional artistic assistance.
Saturday: After breakfast, Rendezvous at 9am out front with luggage. Our coach will take you to Venice Marco Polo airport, about ten minutes away.
F.A.Q (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(1) What if it rains?
We have an excellent indoor facility at our disposal in the event of rain or inclement weather. Colley will lead a custom lesson, either still life or his discretion.
(2) What should we wear?
Dress appropriately for the weather. Early October average temps are between 63 -72 degrees farenheit. For me, that is almost idealistic outdoor painting weather. You may bring a hat with visor for sun protection and to keep your valuable artist eyes fresh from sun fatigue. You may wish to bring sun block as well. There is not a lot of strenuous walking but it is advised to bring comfortable shoes....Or, as Stapleton Kearns advises plein air painters, "Put butter in your shoes"...LOL
(3) What kind of currency should I bring?
Euros!. Most of the places we will go to accept credit cards but I like to bring some cash along as well for tipping or "just in case cash". For a week long workshop, I'm comfortable with my credit cards and a few hundred in cash. Please be sure to exchange your currency into EUROS. Banks provide the best rates.
* Let your credit card company know you are traveling and you authorize use of your credit card for the time you will be away.
(5) Will my cell phone work in Italy?
Yes. You should contact your cell phone service provider and let them know you would like to enable International travel calling for the time you are in Ireland.
(1) What if it rains?
We have an excellent indoor facility at our disposal in the event of rain or inclement weather. Colley will lead a custom lesson, either still life or his discretion.
(2) What should we wear?
Dress appropriately for the weather. Early October average temps are between 63 -72 degrees farenheit. For me, that is almost idealistic outdoor painting weather. You may bring a hat with visor for sun protection and to keep your valuable artist eyes fresh from sun fatigue. You may wish to bring sun block as well. There is not a lot of strenuous walking but it is advised to bring comfortable shoes....Or, as Stapleton Kearns advises plein air painters, "Put butter in your shoes"...LOL
(3) What kind of currency should I bring?
Euros!. Most of the places we will go to accept credit cards but I like to bring some cash along as well for tipping or "just in case cash". For a week long workshop, I'm comfortable with my credit cards and a few hundred in cash. Please be sure to exchange your currency into EUROS. Banks provide the best rates.
* Let your credit card company know you are traveling and you authorize use of your credit card for the time you will be away.
(5) Will my cell phone work in Italy?
Yes. You should contact your cell phone service provider and let them know you would like to enable International travel calling for the time you are in Ireland.
COLLEY WHISSON PAINTINGS
COLLEY WHISSON
COLLEY WHISSON
was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1966. I grew up in semi-rural surrounds which gave me an appreciation for nature and the outdoors, enjoying every opportunity I’ve been given to study and appreciate its nuances. In 1985 I had a brief stint as a picture framer which I now look back upon as an excellent introduction to the art world as a young adult.
After giving me, all the necessary fundamentals required in becoming an artist my father Eric encouraged and guided my early artistic direction.
I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”. With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image. I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad. To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement.
My first Solo Exhibition at age of 24 was a sell-out, a very encouraging sign to launch my career. Since then I have held numerous Solo and Joint Exhibitions. I have also written articles in Australia, United States, South Africa & International Artist Magazine's. I am the author of 2 books "Creating Impressionist Landscape in Oil" - 2001 & "Impressionist Painting Made Easy" - 2009. These books and my DVD's are both sought after by collectors, artists and libraries nationally and internationally.
My aim is to share my knowledge and joy of painting with like-minded artist’s world-wide. Throughout my career I have been blessed to be able to share this wonderful artistic journey with my wife and 2 sons.
This journey is ongoing and I look forward to each time I return to my easel.
was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1966. I grew up in semi-rural surrounds which gave me an appreciation for nature and the outdoors, enjoying every opportunity I’ve been given to study and appreciate its nuances. In 1985 I had a brief stint as a picture framer which I now look back upon as an excellent introduction to the art world as a young adult.
After giving me, all the necessary fundamentals required in becoming an artist my father Eric encouraged and guided my early artistic direction.
I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”. With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image. I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad. To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement.
My first Solo Exhibition at age of 24 was a sell-out, a very encouraging sign to launch my career. Since then I have held numerous Solo and Joint Exhibitions. I have also written articles in Australia, United States, South Africa & International Artist Magazine's. I am the author of 2 books "Creating Impressionist Landscape in Oil" - 2001 & "Impressionist Painting Made Easy" - 2009. These books and my DVD's are both sought after by collectors, artists and libraries nationally and internationally.
My aim is to share my knowledge and joy of painting with like-minded artist’s world-wide. Throughout my career I have been blessed to be able to share this wonderful artistic journey with my wife and 2 sons.
This journey is ongoing and I look forward to each time I return to my easel.