Learn to paint Plein Air with William Rogers

10-14 April  2025

William Rogers, an acclaimed contemporary artist, has gained widespread recognition for his mastery in the art of plein air painting. Rogers’ plein air practice also extends to his workshops and educational endeavors, where he shares his expertise with aspiring artists. Through these sessions, he emphasizes the importance of observing nature closely and painting with authenticity and confidence. His teaching philosophy encourages students to embrace the spontaneity of plein air painting, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors and the artistic process itself.

Bill will demonstrate on location (in both watercolor and oil, at alternate times) how to find an interesting subject, find ways to simplify it into a paintable composition, and how to execute the painting process effectively. He is always open to many styles and ways of approaching these paintings. In this retreat you will explore the region near Monsaraz and each day will settle in one area, with many possibilities for a good plein air painting.

 

Bill will also suggest ways to use your reference material gathered in Portugal to make larger studio paintings. Topics will include drawing, shape, value and tone, color, composition/design, paint handling, edges, linear and atmospheric perspective, and other tips to help with the art making process.

You will learn with:

William (Bill) Rogers is an Elected Member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC) of which he is currently the Past President. He is also a signature member of the American Watercolor Society (AWS), the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA) and the Societe Canadienne de l’Aquarelle (SCA), and recently the ASMA American Society of Marine Artists.

One of the distinctive features of Rogers’ work is his dedication to the plein air technique, a method that involves painting outdoors directly from the scene. This approach allows him to immerse himself fully in his environment, translating the immediate sensory experience onto canvas. More of Bill’s work can be found at William Rogers and Instagram

Dates:

APRIL – 10, 11, 12, 13, 14- 2025
(5 days and 4 nights)

Price:

Shared Room:
1.800€ PP (+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) = total 2.214€

Single Room:
2.000€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2.460€

(Paid 2 times: Reservations and Final Payment 5th February  2025)

Paid 2 times:

Reservations:
1st Payment:
  1107€ (shared room)
  1230€ (single room)

2º payment until 5th February 2025:
2nd Payment:
  1107€ (shared room)
  1230€ (single room)

What is Included:

   3 full day Art Classes with William Roger

  3 Dinners 

  3 Lunches

  3 Visit to old rug factory

  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.

BOOK NOW

ITiNERARY:

Day 1

THURSDAY, 10 April 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, 11 April 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.
 
You will spend today drawing and painting on paper/ sketchbooks, working in our sketchbooks and exploring art materials. Around 12.3 pm we do a break to lunch at SIM. In the afternoon we will continue with the lessons to prepare for the plein air technique.
 
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, 12 April 2025

After breakfast at the hotel you walk 15 minutes to “Sofia In Monsaraz” with our teacher  around 9 am.

Around 10 am you will  start your plein air project outside in the garden or another location that Bill will indicate.

Around 12.30 pm we will do a break to lunch at SIM we will have the 4rd Class at 3pm. In the rest of the afternoon you will work on your project. At the end of the day, after a wine tasting session, you return to the hotel. Dinner is not included. 

Day 4

SUNDAY, 13 April 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. After lunch we will create informal feedback  to review the paintings discuss what you have  learnt.
 
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, 14 April 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 30 minutes. 

WHERE YOU WILL STAY:

Hotel Villa Planície

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:
1.800€ PP (+vat 23%, only 6 rooms available) = total 2.214€

Single Room:
2.000€ PP (+vat 23%) = total 2.460€

(Paid 2 times: Reservations and Final Payment 5th February  2025)

Paid 2 times:

Reservations:
1st Payment:
  1107€ (shared room)
  1230€ (single room)

2º payment until 5th February 2025:
2nd Payment:
  1107€ (shared room)
  1230€ (single room)

BOOK NOW

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.

Other questions about this retreat please contact: info@sofiainmonsaraz.site  
For more info or questions please consult here our Terms & Conditions.

Where are we?

Rua do Chafariz, nº 6 Aldeia do Outeiro 
7200-179 Reguengos de Monsaraz

(+351) 266 557 091

info@sofiainmonsaraz.site

If you'd like to make a booking, ask a question or suggest a partnership write us:

RNAVT nº: 631/2021

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Sofia in Monsaraz Ⓒ 2023 – All rights reserved  |  Identity design by Jorge Silva  |  Video created by Janz Anton-Iago  |  Photos by Ana Paula Carvalho

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