24-28 April 2025
During this getaway with Emma Block you learn to create loose, mixed paintings in your sketchbook, inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Monsaraz.
It is the second retreat that Emma Block does at SIM and after a huge success with the last participants, she will teach you how to combine different materials, like gouache, coloured pencil, and pastels, how to paint on location, overcome perfectionism and work in a loose expressive way, how to capture landscapes and still lives, as well as an in-depth class on colour theory.
This retreat is perfect for both complete beginners and artists looking to improve their skills, and professionals looking to revive their creativity and recharge. You will come away inspired and refreshed, with a full sketchbook, new skills and new friends.
PS. The images from this page were taken by Emma during last year retreat.
Emma Block is an illustrator, artist and art tutor, with over 10 years of experience. She has written several best-selling books on painting with watercolours and gouache and has taught thousands of students in person and through her bestselling Domestika course.
She is a full-time professional illustrator, and when she’s not working on client projects she is painting in her sketchbook. Her work is inspired by nature, the seasons, and capturing everyday life. She works with a mixed media approach, combining various materials which brings a freshness and liveliness to her work.
Her teaching method combines expert knowledge with a relaxed approach, and she is a warm and encouraging teacher. She is the Author of several books: “The Joy of watercolor: 40 Happy Lessons for Paiting the World Around you”, “Watercolor Life: 40 Joy-Filled Lessons to Spark Your Creativity”, “Slow Travel Journal: The Small Delights of Going Away”, among others. Her latest book is “Keeping a creative sketchbook: Build your artistic practice for a joyfully inspired life”.
To know more about Emma’s work: @emmablockillustration emmablock.co.uk
24-28 April – 2025
(5 days and 4 nights)
Shared Room:
1.800€ PP (+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) = total 2.214€
Single Room:
2.000€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2.460€
(Paid 2 times: Reservations Until end December, and Final Payment 5th January 2025)
Paid 2 times:
Reservations:
1st Payment:
1107€ (shared room)
1230€ (single room)
2º payment until 5th January 2025:
2nd Payment:
1107€ (shared room)
1230€ (single room)
3 full day Art Classes with Emma Block
3 Dinners
3 Lunches
Yoga Class
Wine Tasting Event
4 Nights Acommodation (with breakfast included)
Transport from Lisbon Airport to the Hotel (2 hours) and transport in the area.
• It is advisable to book the plane after the final confirmation that the retreat will happen, or sooner until we have 10 participants.
• If we cannot gather the minimum participants of 10, the event can be canceled and the payments refund to the participants, less 50€ for cancelation costs.
THURSDAY, 24 April 2025
The bus will pick up the participants at Lisbon airport at 4 pm. It is advisable to arrive at Lisbon airport before 3.30 pm. The trip to Monsaraz, to the hotel at Telheiro, lasts 2 hours, so we will arrive at the hotel around 6 pm.
A light dinner will be served at the hotel upon arrival.
FRIDAY, 25 April 2025
After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a 15 minute walk to the retreat centre “Sofia In Monsaraz” with our teacher around 9am.
Once there we will introduce ourselves in a welcoming session before starting the first class at 10am. After a lunch in the garden, Emma will teach a Colour Theory masterclass (2nd class), sharing how an understanding of colour theory can inform your colour mixing, and how to select a colour palette for a painting. It is time for a wine tasting, before we head to have dinner at the castle, where we can meet each other and share the best experience of the day.
SATURDAY, 26 April 2025
The day starts at 9h with a botanical walk to “Sofia In Monsaraz”, where we will start our classes around 10 am.
After the 3rd class you will gather around the lunch table in the garden, the food might be cooked in outdoor oven.
In the afternoon there is the 4th class, and you will return to the mornings paintings, working on longer paintings, with Emma on hand to give help and advice.
SUNDAY, 27 April 2025
The day starts with a walk at 9.00 and then is time for a yoga lesson. After that we do a coffee pause and start the 5th class, which will build on the skills of the previous day, capturing the gardens, terraces and plants.
Around 13.30h you will savour our lunch in the garden, and then we will have an informal “mini group show” to appreciate and review the sketches and paintings done during the retreat and to discuss what we have learnt. You’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant together with your new friends while reliving the best moments of your experience during these days.
MONDAY, 28 April 2025
Everything is organised to detail so that nothing will prevent you from enjoying all the peace and quiet of the Alentejo.
All the rooms have air conditioning, full and private bathroom, shared or private balcony and outdoor access.
This accommodation is a 15-minute walk from the workshop venue (SIM) and passes by the Bulhoa menhir (National Monument) and the Alentejo plain, ideal for reflection before starting work.
Shared Room:
1.800€ PP (+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) = total 2.214€
Single Room:
2.000€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2.460€
Paid 2 times:
Reservations:
1st Payment:
1107€ (shared room)
1230€ (single room)
2º payment until 5th January 2025:
2nd Payment:
1107€ (shared room)
1230€ (single room)
If you would like to make a direct booking: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
Internacional roundtrip airfare, transport to the place, alcoholic drinks, activities not included in the itinery, hotel incidentals including room service, expenses during free time, laundry service and hotel bar, food and beverages not included in the itinerary. COVID-19 test, if applicable.
We require all participantes to have a personal travel insurance that at minimum covers medical emergencies and cancellations. We do not provide travel insurance for the retreat and each participant is required to have their own individual travel insurance. The place, where the retreat happens, has an Insurance that covers accidents. Will not be responsible for refunding any lost trip funds if you have to miss your scheduled trip.
We cannot guarantee to accommodate vegan, gluten free or dairy/egg free, and some allergies. We are unable to accommodate participants with severe food allergies or food intolerances. Please contact us in advance of registering if you have any dietary questions
It will start when arriving at the hotel, Thursday evening and finish when you leave the hotel, by Monday morning. We are not responsible for any non-retreat activity that a participant decides to purchase outside of the retreat and such activity will not form part of the participant’s contract with us. The bus transport is insurance secure.
This retreat includes a walking tour where the ground may be uneven. You may be on your feet for several hours at a time and should be comfortable with walking.
The supplies list will be comunicated a few months before the event.
In this event we will accept up to 15 people. The event does not include spouses, partners or friends if they are not taking the workshop.Please contact us if you would like to bring a non-participant partner.
If we cannot gather the minimum participants of 10, the event can be cancelled, and the payments refunded to the participants.
Other questions about this retreat please contact: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
For more info or questions please consult here our Terms & Conditions.
Rua do Chafariz, nº 6 Aldeia do Outeiro
7200-179 Reguengos de Monsaraz
(+351) 266 557 091
Sofia in Monsaraz Ⓒ 2023 – All rights reserved | Identity design by Jorge Silva | Video created by Janz Anton-Iago | Photos by Ana Paula Carvalho
We will contact you with the details for payment.
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