29 May- 2 June 2025
Escape into the serene beauty of nature with my Botanical Gouache Painting Retreat, where you’ll learn the dashing painting method of using gouache paints to capture the vibrant essence of flowers and plants from our surrounding nature.
This retreat is suitable for artists of all levels from beginners to advanced artists who are eager to enhance their skills and explore the rich, opaque textures of gouache.
Under expert guidance, you’ll discover techniques to mix colors and shades, create depth, and add stunning details to bring your floral paintings to life. We’ll begin by practicing the use of gouache, mixing colors, and sketching. We’ll also explore various techniques for using paint brushes and painting different textures. Through this, we’ll gain a solid foundation in mastering gouache paints. We welcome you to our creative journey that will not only improve your painting techniques but also deepen your connection with nature!
29, 30, 31 May- 1,2 June – 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 March 2025)
Paid 2 times:
Reservations:
1st Payment:
1107€ (shared room)
1230€ (single room)
2º payment until 5th March 2025:
2nd Payment:
1107€ (shared room)
1230€ (single room)
3 full day Art Classes with Iisa Nuorttila
3 Dinners
3 Lunches
Yoga Class
Wine Tasting event
Visit to old rug factory
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.
Iisa Nuorttila, she is an illustrator and art entrepreneur from Helsinki, Finland. She has studied art pedagogy and after graduation 2018, she has worked as a full-time illustrator and also founded a popular art workshop studio in Helsinki, where she organizes popular painting workshops with different painting themes.
Her illustrations typically feature vibrant floral designs and joyful children’s themes, which she creates both by hand using gouache or digitally. She finds immense inspiration in bright colors, nature, the changing seasons—especially early summer. She has worked with many international brands and companies, and her illustrations can be seen in a variety of paper products and prints all around the world.
THURSDAY, 29 May 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, 30 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.
On the first painting day, we will start by practicing the use of gouache paints through various painting exercises. We will paint our first simple flower painting exercise which will provide a good foundation for upcoming paintings. Iisa will teach brush techniques and color theory and explain in detail how to mix new shades.
Late afternoon, you will travel to the castle, where dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
SATURDAY, 31 May 2025
On the second painting day, after one hour of yoga and relaxing under the trees, we will create the first flower-themed painting based on what we have already learned on the first day.
The beautiful surroundings of Monsaraz will inspire our paintings, and each participant will get to choose their own flower to paint with my guidance and help. First, we will sketch the subject on paper, and then we will start painting. Iisa will guide each participant individually with their flower theme and help complete the work.
SUNDAY, 1 June 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.
On the third day, you will dive deeper into flower themes through painting. You can use larger paper sizes to paint on and choose a slightly more challenging floral subject if you wish. You’ll draw inspiration from the enchanting surroundings and its diverse blooms.
After the final lunch in the garden, you 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.
Before ending the day you will taste some Portuguese wines, with a local sommelier. The day will end with a dinner at a local restaurant, together with your new friends, while reliving the best moments of your experience during these days.
MONDAY, 2 June 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 March 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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