ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½app

The ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½app’s Christopher H. Browne Drawing Tours are a reimagining of the long tradition of designers traveling—both domestically and abroad—to study and document precedents in order to inform and inspire the design of new buildings and places. The Drawing Tours aim to enhance practitioners’ knowledge and skills in creative and informed applications of the classical tradition. Each program is guided by leading architects in classical design. Instructors will explore a carefully-curated itinerary of drawing and study sites that introduce participants to the unique design characteristics of the city.

These programs are especially designed for emerging practitioners who have some prior experience working in traditional design, and are looking to expand the breadth of precedents that they can utilize in practice throughout their careers. The Drawing Tours are also frequently attended by established designers, artists, and all those looking to generally broaden their knowledge of classical design precedents.

The 2025 iteration of the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½app's International Drawing Tour focuses on northern Italy, and is split into two sessions: an investigation of the architecture and urban design of Verona, and a special advanced study of the architecture of the Palladian Villa Saraceno (Providence of Vicenza).

The Christopher H. Browne Verona Drawing Tour, taking place May 23 - 26, 2025, will examine the rich architectural history of Verona through drawing and discussion. Please note that participants must make their own travel, accommodation, and meal arrangements (with the exception of a few group meals) for the Verona Drawing Tour; the group will meet on-site at a variety of drawing locations throughout the program.

The Christopher H. Browne Villa Saraceno Drawing Tour, taking place May 27 - 30, 2025, will be fully on-site at Villa Saraceno--approximately one hour by car from the city of Verona. Villa Saraceno, built by Andrea Palladio around 1550, provides a special advanced-level opportunity to fully explore an important Palladian precedent over the course of several days. Accommodation and meals at the Villa are included in registration (with several non-residential spaces also available at a lower rate).

Please note that these two programs require separate registration, and may be taken together or separately.

Prerequisites

It is recommended that participants have experience with architectural field drawing, or have taken a Measured Drawing and/or Analytical Drawing skills class with the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½app, prior to attending a Drawing Tour. Instructors will provide an introduction to each site and demonstrations of relevant drawing techniques, as well as informally assist with participant questions throughout the program. However, the Drawing Tour is intended as an advanced study of precedents rather than a formal course in fundamental field drawing or plein air watercolor techniques.