Thomas Wells Schaller
Thomas Schaller is a multi-award-winning artist, architect, and author based in New York City. He is a winner of the 2024 Arthur Ross Award by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Alpha Rho Chi Medal at OSU, a Graham Foundation Grant, and is a two-time winner of the Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize. He is the author of three books, The Art of Architectural Drawing, and Architecture in Watercolor - winner of an American Institute of Architecture Award of Merit. His new book, Thomas W Schaller: Architecture of Light is published by Penguin Random House. His newest DVD, Watercolor: The Power of Design is published by Streamline Media. And his new interactive online course is hosted by Terracotta LLC.
Tom is in demand internationally as an exhibitor, instructor, juror, and speaker. His recent work has been featured in prestigious international master’s exhibitions in over 25 countries around the world. He was awarded the Best in Show, Architizer Drawing Competition 2022, Best in Show AIP36, 2021, a Finalist for the Architecture Drawing Prize, London 2021, The Abu Rawash Master Award 2019 and was a finalist for the Lynx Prize for Contemporary Art. He has written for many international arts publications, and has been a demonstrator at PACE, Watercolor Live, The Roman Watercolor Society, The Graham Foundation Chicago, Harvard University, the National Watercolor Society, the California Art Club, the Pushkin Museum of Art , Moscow , etc. His work is in many public collections including the Watermark Museum, Fabriano, Italy, The Tchoban Museum, Berlin, The Johhan Museum, Shanghai, The Museum of Watercolor, Mexico City, The Pacific Arts Foundation, Newport Beach and in private collections worldwide.
He is a Signature Member of many arts organizations including the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, and Transparent Watercolor Society of America and elected a member of the International Masters of Watercolor Alliance in 2019. He was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of American Watercolor Weekly and Streamline Publishing, elected Artist Member of the California Art Club and the Salmagundi Art Club, NYC. He is president emeritus of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators and a founding member of the group; North American Watercolor Artists.
Tom is proud to be a Brand Ambassador for:
Daniel Smith Watercolor, Baohong Paper, Escoda Brushes, NEEF Brushes, Stillman&Birn, House of Hoffman
$4,699 per person ($800 fully refundable deposit*)
for our non-painter discount contact us at italianatours@gmail.com
25 - 31 May, POSTPONED 2026
Book Now to save your spot!
Terms and Conditions, including our refund policy, are located on the Book Your Tour page.
Dates and pricing
· Private transfer to and from the Brindisi airport, BDS airport (please check our time stipulation on day 7 and/or contact us for any reasons)
6-night accommodation, breakfast included at https://www.borgoterra.com/ all bedrooms ensuite (NO supplement for single)
6 dinners - 5 lunches beverage included
Welcome Aperitif with the artist
Private studio at stunning Palazzo Micali
Wine, extra virgin olive oil and food tasting at Masseria
Private boat day trip and lunch by the seaside
Private workshop at the Aloe farm
Exclusive week-long class with Thomas Schaller 21 hour workshop guaranteed included plein air sessions
All activities for “non painters” included in the itinerary
Week-long private guide with Certified International Sommelier Piero
Opportunities to meet local artisans and artists
what’s included
Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrival Brindisi BDS is the meeting point for arrival on the 25th of May (*see time stipulations, contact us for any reasons) and transfer by bus to the Hotel.
-Take time to settle in, unpack and explore before we all meet up. The hotel is within walking distance of shops, markets, restaurants and village life unspoiled by time.
-Thomas, and our host and native Italian, Piero Pagliardini, will welcome you over drinks and give an overview of the week to come. Then pizza time! Enjoy the best pizza in town in an authentic Italian pizzeria. End the night with a stroll, a nightcap, and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
- Wake up to the smell of pastries and espresso. Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel followed by our first full day studio painting class with Thomas, which includes full studio set up in the stunning location at Palazzo Micali. 3 hrs. 9-12 am
Break for lunch
- Afternoon plein air session, 2-5pm plein air locations are carefully selected to be near basic amenities such as public restrooms and establishments to buy water.
Non painters will have the opportunity to discover the Grecìa Salentina: scenic drive to visit nearby villages, to sit with the locals for an espresso and gelato. With Piero you will never get bored!
-Dinner at the square! Meet the locals, live like locals
Day 3
- Enjoy a local breakfast of cappuccino and pastries at your hotel.
Full studio day with Thomas, 9-12 noon. Thomas will carefully take you through tips and techniques using the unique architechture of the area as your inspiration.
- Painters break for lunch.
Afternoon: more studio time with Thomas, 2-5 pm. Work in-depth on your projects with Thomas as your guide.
- Late afternoon private Aloe Plant workshop on an Aloe farm.
-Dinner on site at the Aloe farm!
- Non painters will venture out for a visit of the Trulli, the traditional dry stone huts with a corbelled roof. We’ll go to visit Alberobello. (1 hr drive). Lunch in Alberobello!
Day 4
- Grab your swimsuit and sunscreen: a boat day trip to the seaside is awaiting you!
Enjoy the marvelous sea in Puglia: this unpolluted and crystal clear water will take your breath away. We will be able to explore the coastline from multiple points of view, while sipping a nice glass of wine and delicius aperitif. Then, time to unwind on a sandy beach for a luch at the marveoulus Laghi Alimini and relax for the rest of the day.
- Late afternoon return to our hotel for a plein air session with Thomas. Enjoy the change in lighting in this beautiful area.
Dinner on your own1
Day 5
- Leisurely morning and breakfast at the Hotel.
- Full studio day with Thomas. 9-12noon
Break for lunch then return to the studio for your class with Thomas.
Afternoon Landscape session 2 - 5pm
-Non-painters we will visit the west coast. on the Ionic side. Completely different landscape from the coast of the day before, here soft sandy beaches. Visit to Gallipoli! Return in the afternoon for relax time.
- Late afternoon will visit a typical masseria, where olive oil, wine and other traditional Apulian products are produced. You will taste them all and try to decide which one is your favorite. Dinner at the Masseria!
Day 6
-Breakfast at the hotel followed by half studio day! Last day of class with Thomas! We will finish up our paintings and review lessons shared. 9-12 noon
-Break for lunch at the hotel restaurant.
-Afternoon plein air session. Say farewell to Puglia with one final afternoon capturing the beautiful landscape the region has to offer under the masterful instruction of Thomas.
-Non painters private Lecce stone class in the afternoon to create a fantastic memory of your journey in Puglia.
-Meet that evening for a farewell dinner where we will raise a glass (or two, or three!) to our week in Puglia. Cin-cin! Cheers! And a warm salute until next
Day 7- Sunday
- We recommend booking a night or two in Brindisi at the end/beginning of your trip to explore this beautiful city and to make your departure/arrival flights more convenient. Please contact us for recommendations.
- Departures , hotel check-out at 11:00
Time Stipulations:
-Arrival day pick-ups at BDS Brindisi airport will be offered between 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Departure day, in order to arrive for your flight with ample time, we recommend scheduling departing flights after 4:00 p.m.
- Pick-up and Departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.