• Start your day with an optional wellness session, where you will tap into your inner serenity through a guided yoga, meditation, or breathwork session. Then, help yourself to a tasty continental breakfast.

• For your first workshop, improve your ability to see and mix color. These are foundational skills that will bolster all of your future projects. Enjoy a calm and cozy studio setting as you practice new skills.

• Relax, chat, and enjoy lunch at O House, prepared by our private chef.

• In the afternoon, head to the coast for an inspiring Guided Nature Hike. Stroll on winding paths through fields of wildflowers and cacti while enjoying panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. You will also pause along the way to practice gathering visual information within narrow time constraints. Mastering this ability will allow you to quickly find inspiration for your work.

• In the evening, you will have some down time before helping yourself to a hearty dinner cooked in-house by our private chef.

• After breakfast, venture to Sintra, a fairytale town dotted with castles and forests. Explore Monserrate Palace and partake in an onsite workshop.

• Enjoy lunch at Monserrate, surrounded by serene gardens and stunning architecture.

• In the afternoon, continue to soak up Monserrate’s charm as you wander through the gardens, sketching as you go.

• Return to O House for a delicious dinner followed by a peaceful sound bath. Designed to help you relax, this sound bath session is perfect right before bed, helping you ease into rest.

• Stretch out and set an intention for the day in this morning’s wellness session. Then, fuel up with a tasty breakfast.

• Venture into downtown Ericeira for a workshop in the field. Capture Praia dos Pescadores, Ericeira’s fishing harbor, with careful brushstrokes. Play with colors and light as you paint charming storefronts, quaint streets, and tranquil plazas.

• Enjoy lunch in town, trying out one of the many fantastic local restaurants. Afterwards, either enjoy free time to explore the village, or participate in an optional group painting session. Enjoy your cohort’s company as you sketch the evening light.

• Head back to O House for a tasty dinner.

• Prepare yourself for the day ahead with a meditative wellness session. Wake up your body and mind, ground yourself in the present, and enjoy the beauty of gentle movement.

• After breakfast, head to Mafra Palace, an awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through ornate hallways brimming with history, art and culture. Spend some time sketching the palace and its lush courtyards.

• Take a break from painting with a delicious lunch at O House.

• After lunch, either enjoy some restorative free time, or partake in an optional life model drawing workshop.

• Gather in downtown Ericeira for dinner - take your pick from the numerous restaurants and have fun exploring the local cuisine. Watch the sun slip beneath the horizon, marking the end of another fulfilling day.

• Ease into the final day of the retreat with a restorative wellness session.

• After breakfast, dive into a studio workshop where you will learn how to design a painting based on gathered visual references. Watch all of your learning from the past four days come together in this final painting design.

• Enjoy a satisfying lunch at O House prepared by our private chef.

• Celebrate your hard work and learning with a wine tasting at a local vineyard, where you will try delicious Portuguese wines and enjoy your newfound community.

• Gather back at O House for a celebratory dinner cooked by our private chef - a moment to share stories, memories, and gratitude.

• Enjoy a slow breakfast together, and take pride in your achievements - over the past five days, you have explored beautiful pockets of Portugal, connected with other passionate artists, and painted beautiful pieces brimming with new learning and inspiration.

• We will transfer you to the airport for your departure, ensuring a stress-free transition back into your day-to-day life.

Do I need to have previous painting experience?
Nope! This retreat is designed for all skill-levels.

What can I expect to learn from these workshops?
These workshops will cover a variety of techniques, with a focus on color and process. You will learn how to gather visual information quickly and effectively, see and mix color, and how to design a painting.

Do I need to bring my own materials?
Yes, you should bring your preferred watercolor materials. Alena will also provide a list of suggested materials if you need help packing.

Do you offer airport transfer? Which airport should I fly into?
Yes! Airport transfers are included in the ticket price. You should fly into the Lisbon airport, which is only a 40 minute drive from O House.

What does a typical day look like?
Although each day looks different, there are some core themes and activities throughout each day of the retreat. Most days start with an optional morning wellness session (a combination of yoga, breathwork, meditation, and sound bathing), allowing you to ease into the morning with movement, intention, and self care. We provide a continental breakfast each day, which is then followed by an art workshop or O House activity. We will then have lunch cooked in-house by our private chef, followed by another activity block, which will either be another workshop, activity, or free time. Finally, we wrap up with dinner and time together as a group.

How do I reserve my spot?
We handle all bookings over email. All you have to do is click on one of the “Book Now” buttons and follow the prompts to send your message. We’ll be in touch shortly to answer questions and get you all registered!

How does the Payment Plan work? Provided that you book your spot at least four months in advance, you may choose to take advantage of our payment plan. This plan spreads the payments into monthly installments of equal price. The number of installments depends on how far in advance you book your ticket. Check out more details in our Terms and Conditions, linked below!

Where can I find your Terms and Conditions?
For detailed information about our policies, including booking terms, cancellations, and liability, please refer to our full Terms and Conditions. You can access them by clicking here.​