May 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)
From 2nd (Thursday) until 6h (Monday) May 2024
Sarah believes a drawing practice always starts with observation. To be able to draw people, animals, buildings, landscapes, etc. convincingly, we need to know how to capture them realistically before we can let go of observation and let our imagination take over.
Drawing from observation is not about copying what we see in front of us, a camera can do that for us.
Even if we try to make a realistic depiction, we will still have to change what we see. We experience the world through our own eyes. Our personalities, our dreams, tastes, our past and our ideas all influence how we experience the world around us.
Sometimes people skip the observation part, or they are stuck in observation and don’t know how to move to imagination. Whether you belong to one of these groups, you just want to bring your drawing skills to the next level, you want to develop your unique style, or you just want a fun, inspiring and relaxing holiday – this retreat is for you!
Sarah van Dongen is a Dutch illustrator with a passion for sketchbooks and stories.
After finishing a master in children’s book illustration she made drawing and sharing whimsical images her full-time job.
Apart from illustrating for books and magazines she also teaches online and offline courses and workshops; these are usually focussed on using a sketchbook, working with mixed media, and developing your personal drawing style.
Know more about Sarah’s work:
May 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)
From 2th (Thursday) until 6h (Monday) May 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:
Reservation until 20 December 2023:
1st Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
until 25th February 2024:
2nd Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
5 Art Classes with Sarah van Dongen
Yoga Class
Visit to the local rug factory
3 Dinners
3 Lunches
4 Nights Accommodations (with breakfast included)
Wine tasting Event
Transport from Lisbon Airport to the Hotel (2 hours) and transport in the area.
Two hours pottery lesson is available 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 the event will be cancelled and the payments refund to the participants (less 50€ for cancelation fee).
THURSDAY, 2nd May
The bus will pick the participants at Lisbon airport around 5 pm. It is advisable to arrive at Lisbon airport before 5pm. Arriving at the Hotel Vila Planície, Monsaraz around 8pm, when you will have a light supper.
FRIDAY, 3rd May
After breakfast at the hotel you walk 15 minutes to “Sofia In Monsaraz”. After the welcoming session we have the 1st class at 10am.
During this day Sarah and the participants will focus on observing our surroundings and sketching what we see. We’ll start with colour mixing and mark making so that we have the tools to depict the world around us.
We will do different exercises to experiment with composition, depth, and colour.
In the afternoon we will visit the old rug factory and swim in the lake. The dinner will be in a restaurant, located in the castle.
SATURDAY, 4th May
The day starts at 9h with a walk in the nature to “Sofia In Monsaraz”, where we will begin the workshop at 10am.
Today the participants will move from observation to the imagination. We will explore how we can use our creativity to change what we see (on purpose) and make things more interesting, dynamic, and unique. We will practice with different exercises so that we slowly move away from reality and into our imagination.
After the 2nd class will gather around the lunch table in the garden- the food might be cooked in an outdoor oven.
In the afternoon there is the 3th class, we will return to the mornings paintings, working on longer paintings.
We will end the day with a yoga lesson and a conversation around the fire pit. Dinner is not included.
SUNDAY, 5th May
The day starts with a walk at 9am and then is time for a journaling session, where you will learn to write about your art.
After that we do a coffee pause and start the 4th class, when we will dive deeper into working from imagination. You will brainstorm and decide what we want to depict before finding the, if necessary, references.
Around 1.3pm we will savour our lunch in the garden, and then get ready for the final 5th class, that will end at 5 pm. We will end with a finished illustration in our sketchbook.
Before the dinner at the local restaurant, we will enjoy a cocktail, remembering the nice moments of the day.
MONDAY, 6th May
After breakfast at 9 am, we return to Lisbon, and estimated arrival time is 12.30 pm.
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.
May 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)
From 2th (Thursday) until 6h (Monday) May 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:
Reservation until 20 December 2023:
1st Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
until 25th February 2024:
2nd Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
It is advisable to book the plane after the final confirmation that the retreat will happen, or when we have 10 participants.
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 materials list will be given with the BOOKING FORM.
You may cancel before the end of December 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 cancel and the payments refund to the participants (less 50€ of 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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