April 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)
From 18th (Thursday) until 22th (Monday) April 2024
During this getaway you learn to create loose, mixed paintings in your sketchbook, inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Sofia in Monsaraz.
Emma will teach you how to combine different materials, like gouache, coloured pencil, and pastels, how to paint on location, overcome perfectionism and work in a loose expressive way, how to capture landscapes and still lives, as well as an in-depth class on colour theory. This retreat is perfect for both complete beginners and artists looking to improve their skills, and professionals looking to revive their creativity and recharge. You will come away inspired and refreshed, with a full sketchbook, new skills and new friends.
Emma Block is an illustrator, artist and art tutor, with over 10 years of experience. She has written several best-selling books on painting with watercolours and gouache and has taught thousands of students in person and through her bestselling Domestika course.
She is a full-time professional illustrator, and when she’s not working on client projects she is painting in her sketchbook. Her work is inspired by nature, the seasons, and capturing everyday life. She works with a mixed media approach, combining various materials which brings a freshness and liveliness to her work.
Her teaching method combines expert knowledge with a relaxed approach, and she is a warm and encouraging teacher. She is the Author of several books: “The Joy of watercolor: 40 Happy Lessons for Paiting the World Around you”, “Watercolor Life: 40 Joy-Filled Lessons to Spark Your Creativity”, “Slow Travel Journal: The Small Delights of Going Away”, among others.
Know more about Emma’s work:
April 2024 (5 days and 4 nights)
From 18th (Thursday) until 22th (Monday) April 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 30th November 2023:
1st Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
until 25th February 2024:
2nd Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
6 Art Classes
Yoga Class
Tea tasting
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, by mid November 2023 or sooner until we have 10 participants.
• If we cannot gather the minumum participants of 10 until the end of this year the event will be cancel and the payments refund to the participants.
THURSDAY, 18April
The bus will pick the participants at Lisbon airport around 17 pm. It is advisable to arrive at Lisbon airport before 17pm. Arriving at the hotel Vila Planície, Monsaraz.
FRIDAY, 19 April
After breakfast at the hotel you walk 15 minutes to “Sofia In Monsaraz”. After the welcoming session we have the 1st class at 10.00 am.
After a lunch in the garden, Emma will teach a Colour Theory masterclass (2nd class) , sharing how an understanding of colour theory can inform your colour mixing, and how to select a colour palette for a painting. It is time for a wine tasting, before we head to have dinner at the castle, where we can meet each other and share the best experience of the day.
SATURDAY, 20 April
The day starts at 9h with a walk in the nature to “Sofia In Monsaraz”, where we will start the workshop at 10.00h.
After the 3rd class will gather around the lunch table in the garden- the food might be cooked in outdoor oven.
In the afternoon there is the 4th class, we will return to the mornings paintings, working on longer paintings, with Emma on hand to give help and advice. We will the day with a yoga lesson and a conversation around the fire pit. Dinner is not included.
SUNDAY, 21 April
The day starts with a walk at 9.00 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 5th class, which will build on the skills of the previous day, capturing the gardens, terraces and plants of Sofia in Monsaraz.
Around 13.30h we will savour our lunch in the garden, and then get ready for the final 6th class, that will end at 17h.
Before the dinner at the local restaurant we will enjoy a cocktail, remembering the nice moments of the day.
MONDAY, 22 April
After breakfast at 9 am you return to Lisbon, and estimated arrival time is 12.30h. 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 and passes by the menhir and the Alentejo plain, ideal for reflection before starting work.
From 18th (Thursday) until 22th (Monday) April 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€
Reservation until 30th November 2023:
1st Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
until 25th February 2024:
2nd Payment:
984€ (shared room)
1107€ (single room)
– Deposit due to Secure your place in the event, end of November: 984€/ 1107€
– It is advisable to book the plane after the final confirmation that the retreat will happen, by end of november 2023.
– Final Payment due 25th February 2024: 984€/ 1107€
If you would like to make a direct booking: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site
Internacional roundtrip airfare, transport to the place, 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 is bellow, so you can bring your own. If you want us to provide them we have to add 132€ to the final fee.
Materials list
The materials list is bellow, so you can bring your own. If you want us to provide them we have to add 132€ to the final fee.
You can bring your yoga matt.
You may cancel before the end of November 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 minumum participants of 15 until the end of November the event will be cancel and the payments refund 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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