Transform nature into vibrant art with Sonal Nathwani

20-24 March 2025

Sonal Nathwani is a contemporary artist whose work is characterized by vibrant, expressive compositions that explore the intersection of abstract and representational art. Nathwani’s work draws inspiration from nature, particularly flowers and botanical elements, which she reinterprets in a style that blends realism with abstraction. A distinctive feature of Nathwani’s art is her use of color, which she employs not just to depict reality but to evoke mood and atmosphere.

In addition to her focus on floral and botanical themes, Nathwani’s portfolio includes a variety of other subjects, including landscapes and more abstract compositions. This versatility and her distinctive style have earned her recognition and acclaim in the contemporary art scene.

Join Sonal in her colourful world of lush abstract blooms and gorgeous greenery. The workshop is suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists who wish to learn how to create exciting work inspired by the local flora and fauna. Sonal will share her process, with demonstrations and creative prompts, to give you the tools to create vibrant and expressive paintings.

You will learn with:

Infinitely inspired by nature, Sonal Nathwani signature abstract florals embrace the power of colour, a free spirit and the beauty of imperfection. Born in Malawi to Indian parents, Sonal grew up in England, moved to Italy and is now based in Vienna, Austria. Experiencing this mix of cultures and diverse environments has enriched and shaped her view of the world and taught her to see beauty in the ordinary.

The opportunity to study at the renowned Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence was a pivotal experience which ultimately led Sonal to leave a career in finance to pursue her passion. She now spends her studio time painting as well as creating art for various markets and companies including Artfully Walls, Minted, Hallmark, Samsung  and Anthropologie.Sonal also enjoys teaching privately in her studio and has led floral painting workshops in London, Rome and Chicago. Her work is held in private collections worldwide.

More of Sonal’s work can be found at Sonal Nathwani  and Instagram @sonaln

Dates:

MARCH – 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 – 2025
(5 days and 4 nights)

Price:

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: Reservations Until end December, and Final Payment 5th January 2025)

Paid 2 times:

Reservations:
1st Payment:
  984€
(shared room)
  1107€
(single room)

2º payment until 5th January 2025:
2nd Payment:
  984€
(shared room)
  1107€
(single room)

What is Included:

   3 full day Art Classes with Sonal Nathwani

  Yoga Class

  2 Dinner 

  3 Lunches

  4 Nights Acommodation (with breakfast included)

  Wine tasting Event

  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.

ITiNERARY:

Day 1

THURSDAY, 20 MARCH 2025

The bus will pick the participants at Lisbon airport at 4 pm. It is advisable to arrive at Lisbon airport before 4 pm. If there is a travel delay you will phone us to wait for you. 

Arriving at the hotel Vila Planície, Monsaraz. Around 2 hours from Lisbon.

After Évora drive  to Reguengos de Monsaraz, and then Monsaraz- Telheiro. A light dinner is served at the Hotel when arriving.

Day 2

FRIDAY, 21 MARCH 2025

After breakfast at the hotel you walk 15 minutes to “Sofia In Monsaraz” with our teacher around 9 am. After the welcoming session and the first class starts at 10 am. Introductions and a look at some sketchbooks.
 
You will spend today drawing and painting on paper/ sketchbooks, working in our sketchbooks and exploring art materials. Practice mark making, gestural drawing and how you can use these in our painting.
 
Around 12.3 pm we do a break to  lunch at SIM. After lunch at SIM, you will do a Botanical Walk to sketch and gather inspiration directly from nature.  
 
In the afternoon, and before dinner we will visit the Rug Factory. After we will travel to the castle, where the dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Day 3

SATURDAY, 22 MARCH 2025

After breakfast at the hotel you walk 15 minutes to “Sofia In Monsaraz” with our teacher around 9 am.
After the yoga lesson you will start your 2nd Class at 10.30 am. We’ll review our sketches and any other images we collected earlier to begin our new paintings on canvas panels.

Around 12.30 pm  we will do a break and have “olive tasting” session. After lunch at SIM we will have the 3rd Class at 3pm.

We’ll take a look at composition and colour (how they can be used to make our paintings more expressive).

At the end of the day, after a wine tasting session, you return to the hotel. Dinner is not included. 

Day 4

SUNDAY, 23 MARCH 2025

After breakfast at the hotel you walk 15 minutes to “Sofia In Monsaraz”. Today you continue working on our paintings, with demos  and other feedback if requested. Finish painting or further sketching in and around property.
 
After lunch we will create informal (mini group “exhibition”) to review the paintings and sketches to discuss what you have  learnt, with Q & A and personal feedback, if requested.
 
The dinner will be serve at a local restaurant, where you will remember the nicest moments of these days with your new friends.

Day 5

MONDAY, 24 MARCH 2025

After breakfast at 9 am you 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. 

WHERE YOU WILL STAY:

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:
1.600€ PP
(+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) = total 1.968€

Single Room:
1.800€ PP
 (+vat 23%) = total 2.214€

Paid 2 times:

Reservations:
1st Payment:
  984€
(shared room)
  1107€
(single room)

2º payment until 5th January 2025:
2nd Payment:
  984€
(shared room)
  1107€
(single room)

If you would like to make a direct booking: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site

Q&A:

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 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 supllies list will be comunicate a few months before the event.

  • Regarding the cancelation we will return the payment (minus 50€) if you make the first payment before the first deadline- December 2024.
  • If you cancel until 60 days before the retreat we will refund all your payment- with the second – (minus 100€).  
  • If you cancel in the period that preceed the retreat (60 days before) we will refund 75% of the total amount paid.
  • 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.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 canceled  and the payments refund to the participants, less cancelation costs 50€ or 100€. 

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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