Retreats & Gatherings / Retreats Calendar / Ink & Watercolor: A Restorative Painting Retreat in Portugal

Ink & Watercolor: A Restorative Painting Retreat in Portugal

October 8 - 14, 2026

FOR LOCALS: WORKSHOP ONLY

We have opened up a few limited spots for Ericeira locals to join Sarah’s workshop classes!

PRICE: €695

Over the course of six immersive workshops, develop your techniques and watch your paintings flourish with expert guidance from Sarah Sutton. Classes will take place at O House, as well as a special workshop in the field at Óbidos. Also included in the price is one lunch on our double workshop day, as well as the final farewell dinner.

Email Here to Register!

  • 🎨 Expert Painting Instruction - Elevate your ink and watercolor skills with the help of Sarah’s engaging and informative workshops. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced painter, Sarah’s workshops will give you space to learn and grow. Practice line-drawing techniques, finding balance in your watercolor, and more, all while you ask an expert your burning painting questions.

    🏰 Day Trip to the Medieval Village of Óbidos - Spend a magical day in Óbidos, an iconic village encircled by a medieval wall and castle. Not only will you have the chance to explore the town’s many bookstores, artisanal shops, and authentic restaurants, but you will also participate in a workshop, right there in the field. Let your imagination run wild as you sketch historic buildings, castle turrets, and lively streets.

    🍜 Delicious Meals - Enjoy one lunch and one dinner at O House, prepared by our private chef. Treat yourself to exquisite flavors as the day’s learning soaks in.

    👋 Community - Connect with a group of like-minded artists. Learn, explore, and relax together as you immerse yourself in a shared passion in a peaceful and picturesque location.

A brief look at the itinerary:

  • MORNING SESSION: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    • For your first workshop, get to know your tools with a variety of hands-on exercises. In this class, Sarah will teach you how different pens and inks behave, helping you navigate your tools with confidence. Practice making smooth lines, expressive marks, and imbuing personality into every stroke of your pen.

  • MORNING SESSION: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

    • For the day’s first workshop, practice your line-drawing techniques in a series of engaging exercises. With a focus on observation, this class will help you translate real-world scenes onto paper.

    LUNCH: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

    • Enjoy a hearty lunch at O House, prepared in-house by our private chef.

    AFTERNOON SESSION: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

    • After lunch, transition from ink to watercolor in a fun and informative workshop. As you play with paint, you will learn how to find the perfect consistency, explore color mixing with the help of the color wheel, and bring ink sketches to life with color.

  • ALL-DAY FIELD TRIP: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

    • Venture to Óbidos, a beautiful village filled with history, culture, and art. Amongst medieval walls and castles, winding cobblestone streets, and charming shops, practice the skills you have been developing with a plein air sketching workshop. Explore the village as you capture its beauty in ink and paint.

    • Enjoy lunch in Óbidos (not included in price), and then return to your sketches. Continue to stroll through the idyllic village, painting as you go. You also may want to pop into one of the many independent bookstores, sample the traditional ginja liquor, or walk the medieval wall that encircles the village. After a few more hours of painting and exploration, we will regroup and return to O House.

  • MORNING SESSION: 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM

    • Dive into a workshop on architectural painting. With the help of a guided sketch-along and in-depth explanations from Sarah, you will unlock useful techniques to help you accurately depict brickwork, stone, and foliage.

    OPTIONAL EVENING ADD-ON:

    • Gather in downtown Ericeira at sunset to enjoy delicious local wine as the sun slips beneath the horizon. Revel in the colors that dance across the sky and sea and enjoy the company of newfound friends.

  • MORNING SESSION: 9:45 AM - 12:45 PM

    • Final workshop of the retreat. In this workshop, you may choose to refine your piece from Day 3, or begin an entirely new project. This is your time to let loose, experiment with newfound knowledge, and ask Sarah your burning ink and watercolor questions.

    OPTIONAL AFTERNOON: 2:15 PM - 5:30 PM

    Join the retreat group for a wine tasting at MANZWINE to celebrate the end of the painting workshop.

    EVENING: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

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

  • 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 foundational ink and watercolor techniques. You will learn how different pens, brushes, and inks behave, as well as how to develop confidence, precision, and expression in your line-drawing. You will also learn watercolor basics such as consistency, balance, color mixing, shadow, composition, and architectural painting techniques.

    Do I need to bring my own materials?
    Nope! We will provide complete painting kits with everything you need for the workshops. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own materials if you would like.

    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!

    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.​

  • 🎨 6 Painting Workshops — Learn a variety of new ink & watercolor techniques with Sarah’s expert guidance.

    🏰 Field Trip to Óbidos — Spend the day in the beautiful village of Óbidos. Not only will you have time to explore the town, but you will also bring your sketchpads with you and practice your newfound painting skills in the field. Transportation to and from Óbidos included.

    🍽️ 1 Lunch & 1 Dinner — Savor delicious, locally sourced meals prepared by our private chef.

    Note: you will have one lunch in Óbidos on your own to explore the local flavors.

    🎁 Complete Project Kit — No need to stress about bringing supplies - we will provide you with painting swag bags, custom-made for this retreat.

Are you ready to take your painting skills to the next level through expert guidance, all while exploring Portugal’s wonders and connecting with other passionate artists?
Click the button below and send us an email to book!

Limited spots left - Email Here to Register!

  • O House has so much to offer the traveler. If you want some downtime, you have the space to unwind and relax. If you are participating in a retreat then they will exceed your expectations with their curated touches. I have warm and lasting memories from my trip that will never leave me. My experience was a curated masterpiece fit for a King or Queen. Thank you for everything!

    Danita
    Retreat Participant

  • I didn’t realize how much I needed this retreat until I was in it. My time at the Thread & Tiles crochet retreat at O House in Ericeira was relaxing beyond measure—I let go of everything happening back home in the USA and just lived in the moment. The food was incredible, especially Chef Alyssa’s almond cake that I’m still thinking about. The sunset on our last night was amazing and so heartwarming, shared with new friends who I now feel like lifelong connections through crochet. With every detail thoughtfully curated by Jolly Lizard (aka Olena) and O House, this wasn’t just a retreat—it was a reset. Threads & Tiles made it unforgettable and for that I am forever grateful. 🙏❤️🧶

    Lynnette
    Retreat Participant

  • The crochet retreat I attended at O House was absolutely amazing! The hotel is beautiful, staff is top notch, and the schedule they prepared for our retreat week was perfect. We had a great mix of workshop times, group excursions, and individual free time. I highly recommend anyone to attend a retreat at O House!

    Cindy
    Retreat Participant

  • O House created the perfect setting for the Hook & Book Crochet Retreat—cozy, welcoming, and full of heart. Between the incredible meals, wonderful excursions, and staff who treated us like family, it was a week I’ll never forget.

    Leanna H.
    Retreat Participant

  • This is my first ever retreat and combined with an embroidery opportunity, I couldn’t pass it up! It has been the most amazing trip with special people, the staff feel like family while you’re there. The rooms and the atmosphere are so calming yet stunning. I honestly can’t wait to come back for another!

    Rebecca O.
    Retreat Participant

  • Completely amazing experience. The last day will arrive too soon, as you’ll want to stay in the experience of Sophie’s retreat and O House forever.

    Retreat Participant

  • It was beyond what I expected. I would definitely do it again.

    Retreat Participant

  • I truly had the best time on this retreat. The schedule was curated perfectly between the crochet workshops, free time, and excursions. The housing accommodations were very comfortable and felt more like a home/haven. The hosts and O House went above and beyond with making sure everyone enjoyed their time. I walked away learning new crochet techniques, making new connections, and lots of memorable moments.

    J.V.
    Retreat Participant

  • I enjoyed the location and comfort of the hotel plus a very congenial host. The town of Ericeira was close enough to just take an Uber ride, under 10 minutes from hotel to town. The retreat was an excellent experience to learn from a skilled artist and entrepreneur.

    Retreat Participant