Keiko Tanabe,
AWS, NWS, AIS, SDWS-MA
Often working en plein air, Keiko Tanabe creates atmospheric watercolors that capture a strong sense of time and place. Through her nuanced use of color, texture, and expressive brushwork, her landscapes and cityscapes convey both the poetry of the everyday and the character of the places she travels.
A largely self-taught artist, Keiko began painting in 2005 and soon dedicated herself fully to her practice.
Since then, she has developed a distinctive voice in watercolor, approaching the medium with both discipline and intuition.
Since 2011, Keiko has taught numerous workshops and conducted live demonstrations internationally. Her work has been featured in leading art publications, and she is the author of several books and DVDs.
workshop description
Do you paint everything you see, or do you paint what you feel? In this workshop, you’ll begin to see the world through a new lens - learning how to transform everyday reality into expressive, impressionistic paintings that evoke mood and atmosphere. The focus is not on replicating every detail, but on capturing the essence of your subject.
Set in the luminous landscapes of Puglia, in the sun-soaked heel of Italy, this workshop offers the perfect environment to slow down, observe deeply, and respond intuitively. With its whitewashed villages, expansive skies, olive groves, and sparkling coastline, Puglia provides endless inspiration while remaining refreshingly authentic and unspoiled.
Keiko will guide you from that first spark of inspiration through a process of simplification, leading to a compelling painting rich in composition and meaning.
Key topics covered in this workshop include:
Creating a strong preliminary drawing and composition
Exploring a range of watercolor techniques and brush handling
Understanding what makes a strong design
Mastering the relationship of light and dark values
Balancing planning with intuition
Learning how to simplify and edit complex visual information.
Each day includes a live demonstration by Keiko, filled with practical insights and techniques you can immediately apply.
The workshop will combine both studio sessions and plein air painting. There will be ample opportunity for one-on-one guidance, individual critiques, and daily Q&A sessions - all in a supportive and inspiring atmosphere designed to help you grow as an artist.
$ 4,499 USD per person
May 9-15, 2027
Dates and pricing
Book Now to save your spot! Terms and Conditions are located on the Book Your Tour page.
BONUS COMPANION PACKAGE:
Non-artist discount of $200 USD. Piero will be your guide as you explore opportunities to see surrounding historical villages, horseback ride, golf, visit a Roman archaeological site, visit nearby festivals, visit the Church of the Dead, take a bell tower tour, discover sunflower fields or just drink and eat with the locals!
FOR PAINTERS ONLY: EARLY SIGN-IN discount of $200
- 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)
- 5 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 Keiko Tanabe 21 hour workshop guaranteed including 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- Sunday 9th
- Arrival Brindisi BDS is the meeting point for arrival on the 9th 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.
- Keiko, 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 - Monday 10th
- 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 Keiko, which includes a full studio set up in the stunning location at Palazzo Micali. 3 hrs. 9-12 noon.
- Break for lunch
- Afternoon plein air session in town within walking distance, 2-5 pm
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- Tuesday 11th
- Enjoy a local breakfast of cappuccino and pastries at your hotel.
- Full studio day with Keiko , 9-12 noon. Keiko will carefully take you through tips and techniques using the unique architecture of the area as your inspiration.
Non-painters will venture out for a visit to the Trulli, the traditional dry stone huts with a corbelled roof. We’ll go to visit Alberobello. (1 hr drive). Lunch in Alberobello!
- Painters break for lunch.
- Afternoon: more studio time with Keiko, 2-5 pm. Work in-depth on your projects with Keiko as your guide.
- Late afternoon private workshop of carving Lecce stone with Master Luigi Nocco at our studio!
- Dinner in town! Leave like a local eat like a local!
Day 4 - Wednesday 12th
- 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 delicious aperitif.
- Lunch in Otranto
- Afternoon plein air session in Otranto
- Late afternoon return to our hotel for a plein air session with Keiko. Enjoy the change in lighting in this beautiful area.
- Dinner on your own.
Day 5 - Thursday 13th
- Leisurely morning and breakfast at the Hotel.
- Full studio day with Keiko. 9-12 noon
- Break for lunch then return to the studio for your class with Keiko.
- 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 relaxation time.
- Late afternoon we 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 - Friday 14th
- Breakfast at the hotel followed by half studio day! Last day of class with Keiko! We will finish up our paintings and review lessons shared. 9-12 noon
- Break for lunch at the hotel restaurant.
-- Afternoon Free Time – Artists can continue painting or relax and share your art with the group also enjoy shopping or exploring at leisure.
Non-painters free time. Ask Piero for any suggestions!
-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 year.
Day 7- Saturday 15th
- 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 am
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-ups and departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.