Yossi Kotler | International Award-Winning Watercolor Artist & Instructor
Yossi Kotler is an award-winning Brazilian-Israeli international watercolor artist and instructor based in Israel. With over three decades of artistic experience, his creative journey began in graphic design, evolved through mixed-media painting, and eventually led him to watercolor, which has become his primary artistic expression.
His paintings explore the relationship between light, atmosphere, color, and the fleeting beauty of everyday moments. Inspired by nature, coastal landscapes, fishing boats, village streets, and people, his work combines expressive brushwork, fluid washes, and a sensitive observation of the world around him.
Yossi’s artistic approach emphasizes spontaneity, simplification, and the freedom of watercolor. Rather than reproducing every detail, he seeks to capture the essence of a place — its unique light, mood, movement, and atmosphere.
His artwork has been exhibited internationally, including exhibitions in London, China, the United States, and Israel, and is held in private collections worldwide.
Alongside his artistic practice, Yossi teaches watercolor workshops, demonstrations, and plein air painting sessions internationally, both in person and online. His teaching encourages artists to develop confidence, strengthen their understanding of composition and tonal values, and discover their own expressive language through watercolor.
workshop description
Capturing light, atmosphere, and the beauty of the moment
Join watercolor artist Yossi Kotler for an inspiring painting journey through the beautiful landscapes of Puglia, Italy.
Surrounded by Mediterranean light, picturesque villages, charming streets, coastal scenery, and traditional fishing harbors, we will explore how to transform what we see into expressive and atmospheric watercolor paintings.
Throughout the workshop, Yossi will share his personal approach to watercolor, focusing on capturing the character of a place through light, color, movement, and spontaneous brushwork.
Rather than concentrating on excessive detail, participants will learn to simplify complex scenes, recognize essential shapes, and create paintings that communicate the feeling and atmosphere of a particular moment.
What We Will Explore
Composition and Simplification
Learn how to organize a scene, identify its essential elements, establish a strong focal point, and simplify visual information into expressive shapes.
Light and Tonal Values
Understand how light and shadow create depth, atmosphere, and visual impact. Learn to build a painting through clear tonal relationships.
Color and Atmosphere
Explore color relationships, warm and cool contrasts, and transparent washes to capture the changing Mediterranean light and the unique atmosphere of Puglia.
Expressive Brushwork and Watercolor Techniques
Develop confidence in handling water and pigment, working with spontaneous washes, expressive brushstrokes, soft and hard edges, and the natural movement of watercolor.
Plein Air Painting
Experience the excitement of painting directly from observation. Learn to make quick artistic decisions, respond to changing light, and capture the character of a location without becoming overwhelmed by details.
Developing Your Personal Expression
Move beyond simply copying what you see. Discover how to interpret a subject through your own artistic vision, creating paintings that feel alive, spontaneous, and personal.
The Painting Experience
The workshop will combine live demonstrations, guided painting sessions, individual instruction, and plein air experiences in selected locations throughout Puglia.
Our subjects will include Mediterranean landscapes, village streets, coastal views, boats, harbors, and the beautiful interplay of light and shadow.
Yossi will guide participants through his painting process — from the initial composition and first transparent washes to developing tonal relationships, introducing expressive details, and knowing when to stop.
The emphasis will be on enjoying the creative process, developing confidence, and discovering the freedom and expressive possibilities of watercolor.
The Poetry of Puglia is more than a painting workshop — it is an invitation to slow down, observe, and capture the beauty of a moment through watercolour.
$4,499 USD per person
June 7-13, 2027
BONUS COMPANION PACKAGE:
Non-artist discount of $200. Piero and Alex will be your guide as you explore opportunities to see surrounding historical villages, including a Roman archaeological site, the Church of the Dead, a bell tower tour, sunflower fields or just eat and drink with the locals!
RETURNING PEOPLE SPECIAL DISCOUNT OF $200
EARLY SIGN-IN $200 DISCOUNT (by January 7th, 2027)
Discounts are not cumulative
Book Now to save your spot! $500 USD non-refundable deposit.
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
- 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 trip and lunch by the seaside in Otranto
- Private workshop at the Aloe farm
- Exclusive week-long class with Yossi Kotler 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
- On arrival day, Brindisi BDS airport is the meeting point. In our commitment to making your traveling experience to Salento as easy and convenient as possible, your host, Piero Pagliardini, will meet you at the airport and Brindisi train station and escort you to the hotel https://www.borgoterra.com
-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.
-Yossi, 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 Yossi, which includes a full studio set up in the stunning location at Palazzo Micali. 9 AM - 12 noon.
- Break for lunch
- Afternoon plein air session, 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
- Enjoy a local breakfast of cappuccino and pastries at your hotel.
- Full studio day with Yossi,, 9 AM - 12 noon. Yossi 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. Lunch in Alberobello!
- Painters break for lunch.
- Afternoon: more studio time with Yossi, 2-5 PM. Work in depth on your projects with Yossi as your guide.
- Late afternoon private Aloe Plant workshop on an Aloe farm.
- Dinner on site at the Aloe farm.
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 delicious aperitif.
- Lunch in Otranto
- Afternoon plein air session in Otranto
- Late afternoon return to our hotel for a plein air session with Yossi. Enjoy the change in lighting in this beautiful area.
- Dinner on your own.
Day 5
- Leisurely morning and breakfast at the Hotel.
- Full studio day with Yossi 9 AM - 12 noon
- Break for lunch then return to the studio for your class with Yossi.
- Afternoon Landscape session 2-5 PM
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
- Breakfast at the hotel followed by half studio day! Last day of class with Yossi! We will finish up our paintings and review lessons shared. 9 AM - 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 Yossi.
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 year.
Day 7
- 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 PM
- Departure day, in order to arrive for your flight with ample time, we recommend scheduling departing flights after 4:00 PM
- Pick-ups and departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.