30 April – 4 May 2025
This mixed media workshop invites you to explore the key elements of abstraction in a playful way using the beautiful natural and urban environment of Monsaraz and the Alentejo area as inspiration. You will learn how to build a balanced colour palette, simplify and strengthen your design choices while gaining confidence in your visual language and artistic practice. The sessions will provide you with specific technical information, live demos and ample opportunities for practice and play.
Isabell will offer guidance in the group setting as well as through personalised feedback 1:1. Our artistic exploration will be enriched by cultural visits in the area, such as tastings, tours and walks in nature. There we can apply the newly learnt and share our experience with plein air painting in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
This retreat is for everyone who likes to explore plein air painting with watercolour in a loose, abstract way, who wants to meet new friends, get inspired and take home a treasure of valuable experiences and new connections. A basic understanding of how to use watercolours is very welcome.
Isabell Seidel is a fine artist and freelance illustrator from the North of Germany, currently based in Galicia/Spain. She specialises in waterbased media and carries her sketchbook everywhere she goes. In her art Isabell explores the tension between the natural and human-made world and their constant changes which she captures with loose brushstrokes in vibrant colours. Her work features in editorial projects, fashion collections, national newspapers and on book covers and posters for public institutions.
During the darker months Isabell teaches online workshops, develops personal projects, works on commissions & collaborations and prepares for exhibitions. During the long Spanish summer she participates with great enthusiasm and success in plein air speed painting events, teaches in-person workshops and enjoys the beautiful surroundings of her studio in the Galician mountains with her family.
To know more of Isabell’s work: @isabell.seidel.art and www.isabellseidel.com
30 APRIL- 1, 2, 3, 4 MAY – 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 Isabell Seidel
3 Dinners
3 Lunches
Yoga Class
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 minimum number of 10 participantes has been reached and the retreat retreat will happen.
•If we cannot gather the minimum participants of 10, the event can be canceled and the payments will be refunded to the participants, less 50€ for cancelation costs.
WEDNESDAY, 30 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.
THURSDAY, 1 May 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.
Isabell will offer a short introduction into her artistic background & practice and the key elements of abstraction covered in the 4 formal painting sessions.
Then you’ll dive directly into the first session about colour. After lunch, we’ll have the second painting session in which you’ll continue your colour explorations complemented by exercises in contrast, balance and mark-making. With detailed explanations, demos and exercises to work along you will build the foundation for a more independent practice over the following days.
In the afternoon we will travel to the castle where dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
FRIDAY, 2 May 2025
SATURDAY, 3 May 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. Before starting painting we might do 30 minutes of yoga. The 4th and last formal painting session will start with a demo in which Isabell will pay special attention to the aspects discussed in the first 3 classes.
Afterwards you’ll be encouraged to continue your independent work by choosing your own subjects from around the retreat centre.
Isabell will support you with gentle guidance and there will be even more time for personalised feedback. After lunch 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.
SUNDAY, 4 May 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, Wednesday evening and finish when you leave the hotel, by Sunday 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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