8- 12 April 2027
Discover the beauty of the Alentejo through the expressive language of landscape and modern impressionist painting. Join acclaimed artist Lizzie Black in the historic village of Monsaraz for an immersive week of creativity, where dramatic landscapes, beautiful light, and a supportive learning environment come together to inspire your artistic practice. Designed for painters who want to deepen both their technical skills and personal expression, this creative getaway focuses on the principles of landscape painting through a contemporary impressionist approach.
Lizzie’s teaching is centred on building a strong understanding of the foundations of painting. Through demonstrations, individual guidance, and plenty of time painting en plein air and the studio she will help participants develop confidence in their own work.
The Alentejo offers an extraordinary setting for landscape painters. Its golden light, rolling hills, ancient olive groves, whitewashed villages, and timeless architecture provide endless inspiration. Throughout these days, you’ll create a collection of paintings that capture the atmosphere and character of this remarkable region while enjoying the camaraderie of a small group of like-minded artists.
Whether you’re looking to refine your plein air painting, embrace a more expressive impressionist style, or simply spend a week immersed in art in one of Portugal’s most beautiful destinations, this curated art experience offers the perfect balance of learning, inspiration, and relaxation.
‘I believe in breaking down the elements of a painting. Developing an understanding of drawing, composition, mark making, tonal values, colour and paint application. Following this path artists will build a strong foundation informing their own individual art practice and unique creative style’.
‘I am very excited to join Sofia in Monsaraz to lead this creative journey in such a beautiful part of Portugal. The area offers a wealth of rich subject matter for a plein air artist. I am looking forward to working together with the group to produce a collection of paintings that reflect a shared passion and enthusiasm for landscape and figurative oil painting.’, Lizzie Black
Lizzie Black ROI is a British landscape painter and elected member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. Based in the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole in West Cornwall, England, she is renowned for her expressive plein air paintings that beautifully capture the light, atmosphere, and character of the Cornish coast. Working directly from life, Lizzie paints the ever-changing landscape (from colourful fishing boats and bustling harbours to expansive coastal views) creating vibrant works that celebrate the unique qualities of place. Her paintings are rooted in the tradition of plein air painting, responding intuitively to the shifting patterns of light, weather, and season while embracing a fresh, contemporary impressionist style.
Lizzie studied at Bristol Art School and Falmouth School of Art, developing a strong foundation in observational painting. She has exhibited widely throughout Cornwall and the UK, including at London’s prestigious Mall Gallerieswith the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of Marine Artists. Her work is held in private collections across the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and Australia.
An accomplished and highly regarded teacher, Lizzie has extensive experience leading workshops, studio classes, and plein air courses for artists of all levels. She regularly welcomes students to her Cornwall studio, has led painting retreats in France, and teaches online for the Penn Studio School of Art in the United States. Her structured and supportive teaching approach helps artists build confidence by developing a strong understanding of drawing, composition, tonal values, colour, mark making, and paint application, while encouraging each individual to discover their own creative voice.
Student Testimonials for Lizzie Black: “Lizzie is a wonderful teacher and an inspiring artist. Her mentoring was enjoyable, encouraging, and incredibly helpful. I learned so much about plein air painting, colour, texture, and much more. Highly recommended!”
To know more about Lizzie Black please visit her site.
8-12 April 2027
(5 days and 4 nights)
Single Room:
2033€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2500€
You can reserve your spot today, and we’ll only charge you once the event is guaranteed.
Our rooms can be prepared for one person or for a couple. If you would like two separate beds and you are joining with another participant, please let us know. Check hotel details bellow.
Booking Process:
Payment:
You can reserve your spot today, and we’ll only charge you once the retreat is guaranteed.
This retreat is guaranteed once the minimum group size has been reached and the retreat can be operated safely in accordance with applicable local, national, and other regulations.
In the unlikely event that a guaranteed retreat is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, we’ll let you know as soon as possible, refund all payments you’ve made in full.access.
Get in touch for exclusive access:
3 full days of classes with Lizzie Black (total 16 hours teaching)
3 Dinners
3 Lunches
Olive oil and Wine Tasting event
4 Nights Accommodation with breakfast included.
Private luxury coach transfer to the hotel in Monsaraz, approximately 2 hours from Lisbon Airport, with return transfer to Lisbon Airport included.
Thursday, 8th April 2027
Participants will be picked up at Lisbon Airport Arrivals at 3:00 pm, followed by a bus transfer to Monsaraz. Guests travelling independently are welcome to arrive at the hotel from around 5:00 pm. A private and exclusive welcome dinner will be served at the hotel upon arrival, at 7:30 pm.
Friday, 9 April 2027
After breakfast at the hotel you walk 15 minutes to Sofia In Monsaraz with our teacher around 9 am. After the welcoming session and have first painting class at 9.30 am.
The artist group will gather and Lizzie Black will introduce herself and her art practice showing examples of her work and sharing her story and inspirations. We will make some tonal charts and study tonal contrasts. The group will look at some of the basic rules of composition and how we can apply these to our work. Following on from this are some practical fun exercises such as making a colour wheel and learning how to mix colours. We will learn about primary and secondary colours and how to mix cools and warm hues on your palette. Lizzie will share her methods of applying oil paint, becoming familiar with the qualities and consistencies of the materials.
Around 12.30 we do a break for lunch.
After lunch the group will take their easels out to paint in the gardens of the Studio. Looking for simple motifs to make small studies practicing some of our methods of working.
At 4pm we will do a visit to the Rug Factory FABRICAAL, and return to the hotel at 5pm. At 7 pm we go to the castle and the dinner is served at a local restaurant, inside the castle.
Saturday, 10th April 2027
After breakfast at the hotel we travel to Monsaraz castle and spend the morning there until lunch time.
A morning of plein air painting in this historic hill top town. Lead by Lizzie Black with a demonstration with guidance on finding a view, making a composition and taking you through the stages of painting a picture. Individual instruction will be offered to all the students throughout the morning.
Around 12.30 we will go to SIM (BUS) and have “olive tasting” session. After lunch at SIM we will have the Second painting class from 2-5.30pm.
The afternoon back in the studio the artists will continue to work on the paintings and sketches they have made in Monsaraz.
At 5.30 it is time for a wine tasting event. Then we can relax for the evening (dinner not included/ independent).
Sunday, 11 April 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we will enjoy a gentle 15-minute walk to SIM, where our final day begins at 9:30 am.
Morning at the studio. Artists will be invited to complete their work in the studio. Lizzie will offer individual instruction and guidance. We will then spend the rest of the morning working together until midday, before gathering outdoors for a lunch of freshly prepared local dishes, savouring the flavours of the region under the open sky.
A group critique and celebration of all the artists work with Lizzie Black. An opportunity for artists to in the afternoon is time to discuss the work done.
To close the retreat, we will share a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant, a celebratory evening filled with connection, conversation, and memories from our time in this very special corner of the world.
Monday, 12 April 2027
After breakfast, we will depart at 9:00 am for our return journey to Lisbon Airport, with an estimated arrival at 12:30 pm. On the way, we will make a 30 to 45-minute stop at a charming local pottery shop.
P.S. A heartfelt thank you to our past participants, whose beautiful photos help bring the spirit of Sofia In Monsaraz to life.
We ensure that everything is well organised with attention to detail, so that nothing will prevent you from enjoying all the peace and quiet of the Alentejo.
Each participant is given their own room with air conditioning, full and private bathroom, shared or private balcony and outdoor access.
This accommodation is an enjoyable 15-minute walk from the workshop venue (SIM) and passes by the Bulhoa menhir (National Monument) and the Alentejo plain.
Note: The Single rooms will be staying in the “Studio Suit” and “T1 Suite”.
Booking Process:
Get in touch for exclusive access:
Internacional roundtrip airfare, alcoholic drinks, activities not included in the itinerary, hotel incidentals including room service, expenses during free time, laundry service and hotel bar, food and beverages not included in the itinerary. Partners are welcome with an extra fee of 500€.
We require all participants 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. We will not be responsible for refunding any lost trip funds if you have to miss your scheduled trip.
We accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or dairy/egg free, and some allergies. We are unable to accommodate participants with severe food allergies or severe 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 covered by insurance.
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 communicated a few months before the event, and each student will bring their own. The materials can be shipped to our place before you arrive.
Cancellation Policy
You can reserve your spot today, and we’ll only charge you once the retreat is guaranteed.
Your retreat is guaranteed once the minimum group size has been reached and the retreat can be operated safely in accordance with applicable local, national, and other regulations.
In the unlikely event that a guaranteed retreat is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, we’ll let you know as soon as possible, refund all payments you’ve made in full.
If you need to cancel your participation in a guaranteed retreat, the following cancellation terms apply:
If you are unable to attend, please notify us as soon as possible so we can process your cancellation and discuss any available alternatives.
Payment can be made by Bank transfer or PayPal in euros. Additional costs may apply where special accommodations are made available to participants.
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 8, the event can be canceled and the payments refunded to the participants, less 20€ for cancelation costs.
Other questions about this retreat please contact: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
For more info or questions please consult here our Terms & Conditions.
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