• No need to stress about transportation - we have it covered. We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to O House, ensuring a stress-free transition.

• Settle in, unpack, relax, and enjoy the hotel amenities or explore Ericeira’s charming streets and stores.

• In the evening, we’ll have an opening circle and orientation where we will connect and get ready for the days ahead. Then, you’ll enjoy a delicious welcome dinner prepared by our private chef.

• After a slow breakfast, venture onto the green landscape just outside the hotel’s door for a guided plein air session. This session will focus on observation, light, and atmosphere, helping you connect with the land around you and capture it on paper.

• Relax, chat, and enjoy a tasty lunch prepared in-house by our private chef.

• In the afternoon, dive into the day’s second workshop: a studio session in which you will translate your outdoor sketches into watercolor and mixed media pieces. You will focus on textures and expressive marks, and Sophia will support you with tips and guidance as your piece blooms.

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

• Start your morning right with a tasty breakfast, and then head to Sintra for a day of exploration and artwork.

• In Sintra, you will visit Monserrate, a lush palatial village filled with beautiful architecture and stunning gardens. You will also stroll through the busy streets of Sintra’s main town, where you will find artisanal shops, bakeries, and markets. Throughout the day, engage in plein air urban sketching, capturing moments that speak to you.

• Enjoy a delicious lunch in Sintra, exploring traditional flavors and culinary techniques.

• Return to O House for a slide talk with Sophia. To help you find inspiration, she will walk you through several masters of urban sketching, as well as her own work. After the presentation, help yourself to a tasty dinner cooked in-house by our private chef.

• After breakfast, begin independent painting time in the studio. This session will be mentored, allowing each participant to play with paint and follow their muse, while also receiving helpful pointers from Sophia.

• Replenish your energy with an in-house lunch, then venture out to the coast, where you will have a plein air session focusing on composition and atmosphere. As you paint, enjoy the sea breeze on your face as you take in the beauty of Portugal’s rugged coastal bluffs.

• After a busy day of exploration and creativity, help yourself to a hearty meal cooked in-house by our private chef.

• After breakfast, the group will collaborate on floral compositions with the help of local flowers and plants. Play with color and rhythm as you bring the flowers to life on your paper.

• Enjoy a tasty lunch in-house, and then ease back into your painting with studio work. In this session, you will transform your floral inspiration from the morning into mixed media paintings. You will work with a variety of materials, such as watercolor, ink, collage, and dry media, focusing on contrast, layering, and transparency.

• In the evening, following an in-house dinner, we will gather around the campfire, enjoying the September stars and good company. Relax with a glass of wine as Sophia leads an informal art talk and reflection.

• After breakfast, you will finish your artworks in the studio. This is your time to make final touches and prepare your pieces for sharing. This piece will be the culmination of several days of learning, practice, and growth, and is something to be proud of.

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

• Celebrate all of the hard work you have put into your paintings with an informal exhibition. You will set up your work in the common area, and each participant will present their journey and process.

• Reflect on the last several days in a closing circle. This is your chance to share your gratitudes, build goals for the future, connect with your cohort, and celebrate your work and dedication.

• We’ll close the night with a festive farewell dinner - the perfect send-off after a wonderful retreat.

• Enjoy a slow breakfast together, and take pride in your achievements over the course of the retreat. Over the past 5 days, you have explored beautiful pockets of Portugal, connected with liked-minded artists, and painted a variety of pieces brimming with new techniques, inspiration, and passion.

• 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?
This retreat is designed for all skill levels, although participants with some familiarity with watercolor, mixed media, and Sophia’s approach will have the most enriching experience.

What can I expect to learn from these workshops?
Sophia’s workshops cover a wide range of techniques. You will learn tricks for plein air sketching and studio work, as well as helpful techniques such as texture, expressive marks, observation, light, atmosphere, rhythm, color, harmony, mixed media, layering, contrast of materials, and more.

Do I need to bring my own materials?
Yes, you should bring your own materials. Sophia will provide participants with a list of required materials ahead of time.

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. Each day starts with breakfast, which is followed by a workshop. This workshop may be in the studio or in a nearby site (either natural or urban). We will then have lunch cooked in-house by our private chef, followed by another activity block, which will usually be either another workshop or presentation. 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!

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.​