September 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)
From 12 (Thursday) until 16 (Monday) September 2024
In this getaway, you will learn to create paintings using gouache and acrylic gouache within the beautiful surrounds of the Alentejo landscape. We will start with a deep dive into the paint mediums with an exploration into Flora’s favourite and most-used techniques, through fun exercises developed specifically for this getaway.
After an exploration of a sketch, we will start to create initial paintings with foraged flowers, plants and objects at hand to loosen up and become familiar with using gouache and acrylic gouache and how the two mediums differ.
Colour will be explored thoroughly as we look at colour mixing and developing experimental palettes which will push the boundaries of our comfort zones. You will learn through guidance and advice by Flora, both in a group and with plenty of one-on-one time.
Flora uses nature as a starting point and often combines imaginative and decorative elements to her paintings. This technique allows for experimentation and play but also develops intuition and emotion.
This retreat is perfect for everyone, whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist looking to explore and experiment! We will come away feeling rejuvenated and inspired, having made new connections, new friends and many conversations.
Flora Waycott is an artist, illustrator and author from the South of England, currently based in Australia.Her artworks are delicately hand-painted using gouache, with a focus on plants and florals, familiar elements of everyday life, movement and considered details. She works primarily in gouache and acrylic gouache, enjoying the striking look this versatile medium gives her recognisable, individual style. She has developed techniques and knowledge of gouache which she shares in her workshops both online and in person.
Working as a freelance illustrator, Flora’s artwork has spanned products worldwide including children’s books, toys, bedding, homewares, food packaging, magazine covers and more. When not working on a client project, she is developing her art practice creating original paintings, a range of paper products and hand painted ceramics. She is the author of “Draw Every Little Thing”, a book which encourages the reader to draw and paint in gouache, from everyday objects and around the home.
To see more of Flora’s work: @florawaycott and www.florawaycott.com
September 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)From 12 (Thursday) until 16 (Monday) September 2024
Shared Room:
1.600€ PP (+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) = total 1.968€
Single Room:
1.800€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2.214€
Paid 2 times:
Reservations:
1st Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
2º payment until 15 June 2024:
2nd Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
3 full day Art Classes with Flora Waycott
Visit to Tile Museum- Estremoz
3 Dinner
2 Lunches
4 Nights Accommodation (with breakfast included)
Wine tasting Event
Transport from Lisbon Airport to the Hotel (2 hours) and transport in the area.
NOTE: It is available a pottery lesson upon request.
• 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 will be cancel and the payments refund to the participants, less 50€ for cancelation costs.
THURSDAY, 12 September
The bus will pick the participants at Lisbon airport around 16 pm. It is advisable to arrive at Lisbon airport before 16 pm.
We will arrive at the hotel Vila Planície, Monsaraz, around 8 pm, where we will be served a light dinner.
FRIDAY, 13 September
After breakfast at the hotel, you will walk 15 minutes to “Sofia In Monsaraz” with our teacher. After the welcoming session, we will introduce ourselves before starting the first class.
As an inspirational starting point, Flora will share her current work and guide a discussion on sources of inspiration. The class will begin with an introduction to gouache and acrylic gouache, with demonstrations by Flora. We will warm up with fun exercises in our sketchbooks and loose sheets of paper before a walk in the garden to gather plants and objects to draw and paint.
Flora will share her process for painting plants and objects, observing the finds from the garden as inspiration. We will learn techniques to interpret them in our own way and create small botanical studies on paper, focusing on layering, movement, composition, emotion and detail.
After lunch in the garden, served with local produce vegetables, we will start our class with a demonstration by Flora on how to make an accordion sketchbook and discuss the fun ways it can be used, choosing a theme for our books and thinking about how it can be filled.
We will spend the rest of the class working on our botanical studies and painting techniques, with Flora on hand to offer one on one guidance and advice. Dinner is served at a local Restaurant in the castle, after a wine tasting.
SATURDAY, 14 September
The day starts at 9 am with a trip (by Bus) to Estremoz, where we will be visiting the antiques market (also farmers market) and the Tile Museum with our sketchbooks and cameras.
We will discuss how to use our sketchbooks and gather inspiration as we walk around, making quick drawings of what captures us on the trip.
Lunch will be a picnic on the way back to the hotel, where we will share our inspirations and drawings from the trip to the tile museum and identify what we like about them, choosing areas we’d like to continue developing. Dinner is not included.
SUNDAY, 15 September
The day starts at 9 am with a walk in nature to “Sofia In Monsaraz”. Once we arrive, it is time for a gardening lesson. During this session, half of us will garden, and half will draw the produce / plants / gardening tools; then, we will swap, allowing us to look closely at inspiration all around us.
Using the painting techniques we have learned, we will explore how to bring together our smaller studies from the morning and the previous days to compose an image. We will explore composition, decorative elements and how to cross the boundary between real and imagined to make your paintings your own. In this fun session we will look at adding depth, texture and movement to your art using simple but effective techniques.
Around 13.30h, we will savour our lunch in the garden and then get ready for one final session. Flora will invite questions about her practice, covering everything from working with clients, daily schedules, building a product range, selling artwork etc. All questions welcome!
For the rest of the afternoon we will work on our chosen artworks, with Flora on hand to offer one on one guidance and advice. Just before the end of the day, we’ll come together to share our artwork and reflect on our time at SIM. Before dinner at the local restaurant, we will enjoy a cocktail and make plans for our future as artists.
MONDAY, 16 September
After breakfast at 9 am you return to Lisbon, and estimated arrival time is 12.30h.
On the way to Lisbon the bus stop in a local pottery shop, for 45 minutes.
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.
September 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)
From 12 (Thursday) until 16 (Monday) September 2024
Shared Room:
1.600€ PP (+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) =
total 1.968€
Single Room:
1.800€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2.214€
PAID IN 2 TIMES:
Reservations:
1st Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
Second payment until 15 June 2024:
2nd Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
– Deposit due to Secure your place in the event, end of January 2024: 984€/ 1107€
– It is advisable to book the plane after the final confirmation that the retreat will happen.
If you would like to make a direct booking: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
Internacional roundtrip airfare, alcoholic drinks, boat trip, activities not included in the itinery, hotel incidentals including room service, materials list, 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 and finish when you leave the hotel, by Monday. 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 one walking tour, where the ground may be uneven and you may be on your feet for several of hours at a time and should be comfortable walking 1km.
The supllies list will be sent with the Booking Form.
You may cancel before the end of January 2024 and receive a full refund minus 50€ fee.
Your payments will be split in two, with an initial deposit to secure your place on the retreat.
After you have completed your registration you will be sent an Invoice to complete your deposit payment. Payment can be made by Banktransfer or PayPal in euros. Additional costs may apply where special accommodations are made available to participants.
In this event we will accept until 15 people. The event does not include spouses, partners or friends if they are not taking the workshop.
If we cannot gather the minimum participants of 10 the event will be canceled and the payments refund to the participants, less 50€ for cancelation costs.
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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