30 September- 4 October 2027
Spend 4 inspiring days in this Journey of Creative Discovery immersed in pattern you will be creating. Set against the extraordinary colours, textures, architecture, gardens, and landscapes of the Alentejo, Monsaraz becomes our creative studio.
Mel Armstrong goal is very clear: by the time you end this retreat, you’ll have created a complete mini pattern collection, including a strong hero print and coordinating patterns, developed from first sketches through to polished artwork in Procreate. We’ll gather visual references from the village and surrounding landscape, explore the colour and pattern traditions of the region, and visit a traditional rug factory to see firsthand how pattern, rhythm, repetition, and colour work together in a commercial design context.
In this Restorative and Creative escape you will create a:
This is a unique opportunity to learn with Mel and finished a collection you can take into the next stage of your career.
Mel Armstrong is an illustrator, surface pattern designer, and educator based in Wellington, New Zealand. She creates joyful, whimsical work inspired by nature, everyday life and the wonderfully unexpected stories her own children tell her. Today, Mel’s playful patterns and illustrations appear across fabric, stationery, home décor, wallpaper, gift wrap, and more. Fabric has become a particular passion, with her designs licensed to Cloud9 Fabrics. Her illustration clients have included publishers and brands such as Scholastic, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hallmark Creative, and American Greetings. She has illustrated more than fifteen children’s books and contributed to the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook. Mel believes there isn’t one “right” way to build a creative career, and she has no interest in adding more pressure to an already overwhelming industry. Instead, she teaches with a calm, practical, and honest approach, sharing what she has learned from actually building a sustainable career as a working illustrator and surface pattern designer. Through her signature program, The Art & Joy of Surface Pattern Design, and her Skillshare classes, where she holds Top Teacher status, Mel helps artists develop both their creative skills and their understanding of the business behind surface pattern design. Her teaching covers everything from creating cohesive collections and developing a distinctive style to preparing artwork, approaching clients, and navigating the world of licensing.
What Mel’s students say:
To know more about Mel’s work visit her website
30 September- 4 October 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 retreat 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.
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.
Get in touch for exclusive access: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
3 full days Classes with Mel Armstrong (more or less total 16 learning hours )
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, 30 September 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, 1 October 2027
After breakfast at the hotel, we will enjoy a relaxed 15-minute walk to the event centre, Sofia in Monsaraz (SIM). In this short walk from the hotel to Sofia in Monsaraz, we will observe and photograph patterns, textures, tiles, and architectural detail along the way.
First studio session: translating what’s been seen into loose sketches and motifs, sketchbook and Procreate both welcome. Goal is a personal library of motifs, not finished art.Around 12:30 pm, we will gather in the garden for a delicious lunch, followed by an olive oil tasting featuring locally produced olive oil. In the afternoon, we will return to the studio and continue working until 4:00 pm.
In this afternoon studio session you will build your “hero print”. Choosing a colour palette from the morning’s motifs and developing the collection’s lead pattern, working through the repeat using a template that will be provide. The visit to the local rug factory will be for inspiration only, no drawing required. Focus on colour, repetition, rhythm, and texture, gathering material to carry into tomorrow’s coordinating prints.The day concludes with dinner at a charming restaurant within the ancient walls of Monsaraz Castle, the perfect setting to unwind and share stories from the day.
Saturday, 2 October 2027
We will begin the morning at Monsaraz Castle, taking time to fully enjoy the atmosphere, views, and inspiration of this remarkable place. Around 12:30 pm, you will return to SIM for a special, relaxed lunch on the patio. In the afternoon, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, we will come together in studio session: Building coordinating prints from the hero, drawing on yesterday’s rug factory visit and the mornings castle visit for texture and rhythm, so each participant leaves with a small, cohesive collection rather than a single pattern. As the day comes to a close you will enjoy a wine tasting event. Dinner will be independent and not included. Free evening to relax, explore the area, or continue working on your project at your own pace.
Sunday, 3 October 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 with a yoga session.
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. The afternoon will be dedicated to our final studio session, finishing touches on the collection, palette consistency and repeat checks across the hero and coordinates. You will also have time to discuss, add finishing touches, troubleshoot problems, etc.
To close this transformative experience, 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, 4 October 2027
After breakfast, you will depart at 9:00 am for your 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 an 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.
Get in touch for exclusive access: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
For more info or questions please consult here our Terms & Conditions.
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