# Andalusian Watercolor Retreat with Artist Karen Rice in Spain Join an unforgettable watercolor retreat led by artist Karen Rice, set amidst the stunning Cabo de Gata park, in southern Spain. Develop your foundational watercolor skills and benefit from personalized instruction from your favorite artist. Explore themes of abstract, floral, seascapes, and landscape painting. Get inspired by imposing cliffs, pristine beaches, unique flora, and a premium retreat venue, Finca Maltés del Fraile.Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Cabo de Gata lighthouse. Explore the rich history of Granada and marvel at the Alhambra's Moorish architecture. Discover the wild heart of Spain, and capture it in amazing watercolor paintings. ## Details - **Dates:** May 21 - 28, 2024 - **Location:** Níjar, Almería, Spain - **Starting Price:** $4,150 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Watercolor Retreat Take your watercolor skills to new heights with artist Karen Rice in this unforgettable art retreat. Taking place in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, on Spain's southern coast, this week-long retreat features expert instruction from your favorite artist, plenty of one-on-one feedback, exciting classes (in the studio or en plein-air), and inspiring art trips. You'll explore a gorgeous natural reserve, known for its stunning rock formations, pristine beaches, and rugged wilderness.Guided by Karen Rice, you'll gain a solid grasp of foundational watercolor. Experiment with techniques like wet on wet, wet on dry, lifting your color to create contrast, and understanding tonal values. Create alongside 15 other fellow artists, and discover your style in a supportive environment. By the end of the retreat, you'll have a wonderful collection of watercolor paintings, featuring abstract, floral, and landscape themes. All levels of experience are welcome, from beginner to advanced. You'll also explore the beauty of Andalusia through two exciting art trips, to the historic city of Granada and the famous Alhambra, and to the Cabo de Gata lighthouse, overlooking stunning coastal landscapes.Some topics covered in the classes include:Watercolor basics: wet on wet, wet on dry, damp into wet, damp into dampUniform washesLifting off methodPlastic card techniqueSpattering techniqueEmbracing the happy accidentHow to make your paintings look more 3D by using color, tonal values, texture, mark-making, and sizeCapturing great reference photos and transposing them into paintingsExploring abstracts, florals, and landscapesDiscovering your style...and many more.Your retreat location, the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, is an impressive display of natural beauty. A treasure trove of inspiration for any artist, its landscape is defined by dramatic rock formations, calderas, hardy flora, and unique fauna. The Sierra del Cabo de Gata mountain range, with sharp peaks and crags, descends steeply to the Mediterranean Sea, forming imposing cliffs and picturesque coves and beaches. Your premium venue, Finca Maltés del Fraile, is situated right in the midst of this charming reserve. ### Day 1: Arrival Touch down at Almería Airport (LEI), then catch the transfer to Finca Maltés del Fraile, departing at 3:30 PM. Arrive at the venue, settle in, freshen up, then join a welcome tour with Karen Rice, your hosts, and the art group. Discover the manicured gardens, airy terraces, the bright indoor studio and elegant common areas. In the evening, gather for a worthy welcome: a three-course dinner prepared by your private chef, paired with a glass of local wine. ### Day 2: Art at the Finca Begin your day with a lovely breakfast spread, then join Karen and the rest of your art-group for a morning check-in. Over coffee, get to know the day's schedule, and set some personal goals.The first class of the retreat takes place in the morning. Karen will guide you in this leisurely introduction to watercolor painting. Get more familiar with the course structure, your materials, and some basic watercolor techniques, including wet-on-dry, wet into wet, and damp into damp. Learn how to create a variety of different washes and methods, which include: salt, plastic card, spattering, tilting, spritzing, and more. You'll gain a solid understanding of foundational watercolor. Follow along with Karen's demonstrations, then try these methods on your own with some fun warm-up exercises. By the end of the class, you'll have turned these warm-ups into expressive abstract paintings.Enjoy a light lunch at midday, then continue your watercolor exploration in the afternoon. Karen will show you how to paint beautiful loose florals using techniques from the morning session. Take your time and don't rush the process. If you ever get stuck, Karen will be on hand to give you extra tips. The class ends with a tutorial on preparing your materials for plein-air painting.In the late afternoon, take a breather with a walk around the venue to gather your thoughts, or perhaps dip in the lovely pool. Rejoin your group for a nourishing three-course dinner, perfectly paired with Spanish wine. ### Day 3: Classes & Lighthouse trip Greet the morning with a refreshing breakfast.The day's highlight is a trip to the Cabo de Gata lighthouse. Perched on top of a rocky hill, this landmark offers breathtaking vistas of the rolling waves. Immerse yourself in the enchanting tales of the Reef of Sirens, where the mystical calls of Monk seals, once believed to be mermaids, echo through the air. During this trip, Karen will give you invaluable advice on capturing the perfect reference photo to use in your later studies. If inspiration strikes, set up your materials right on the promontory to capture the azure seas on your watercolor paper.Upon returning to the venue, a sumptuous lunch awaits. The afternoon is dedicated to an enriching class with Karen in the art studio, where you'll learn to transpose your sketches and photographs into beautiful watercolor paintings. Learn how to plan a sketch from a photo, select the ideal layout for your painting, and incorporate the techniques you've practiced so far with Karen's help. Let your creativity flow and watch your photos come to life.The day ends with a specially curated three-course dinner, complemented by a glass of fragrant wine, rounding off another inspiring day at the retreat. ### Day 4: Art at the Finca After a refreshing breakfast, the day begins with a morning class where you'll learn to paint loose watercolor flowers. Karen will guide you through the drawing and painting of the lovely flowers available at the retreat, teaching you how to capture their delicate petals and vibrant colors in a relaxed, expressive style. Explore wet-on-wet techniques, learn how to create vibrancy in your colors, as well as adding texture with salt effects.Lunch at the venue offers a relaxing break and time to socialize.The afternoon continues in the art studio, where you can further practice your flower painting skills. Karen will be available for one-on-one tuition, helping you refine your techniques. She will demonstrate the importance of tonal values and working light to dark to enhance your flower paintings. You will also learn how to add softer shapes in the background, working damp into wet, and experiment with spattering techniques to add texture and depth.As the day comes to a close, gather for a tantalizing three-course dinner, expertly paired with a glass of Spanish wine. ### Day 5: Trip to the Alhambra The fifth day of the retreat starts with a delightful breakfast, getting you ready for the day's adventure. After breakfast, there's a relaxed coffee check-in, allowing everyone to share their experiences and connect with fellow artists.The day's main event is a full-day trip to the enchanting city of Granada. Here, you'll immerse yourself in the city's rich history and mesmerizing Moorish architecture with a guided tour of the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This palace complex, once home to kings and nobles, is adorned with intricate carved designs, Arabic inscriptions, and stunning woodwork. Explore the palace with the help of a guide and take in the grandeur of the Court of Lions.For lunch, delve into the local flavors at a nearby eatery, savoring regional dishes. The afternoon is perfect for exploring Granada's vibrant streets, from the Alcaicería, a famous Arab bazaar, to the quaint Realejo neighborhood and the Jewish Quarter. These areas provide a plethora of inspiration, with their rich history and splendid architecture. Take this opportunity to collect unique souvenirs and gather a collection of reference photos. Karen will be happy to give you some advice on taking great reference photos for painting landscapes.The day concludes back at the retreat with a specially prepared three-course dinner, accompanied by a glass of wine, reflecting on the day's rich experiences. ### Day 6: Art at the Finca Your morning begins with another delicious breakfast, followed by a coffee check-in, where you may share your creative progress with the art group.The morning class focuses on exploring the property to paint en plein air, capturing the natural beauty of the park or reflecting on the cityscapes from the Granada trip. Use your photographs as references and apply your learned skills to depict the stunning landscapes or urban scenes.After enjoying lunch at the venue, the afternoon class resumes in the gardens. Here, Karen will provide individual tuition, emphasizing personal guidance to help each your develop your own ideas and create finished pieces. Use this session to nurture your personal artistic expression and refine the skills acquired throughout the retreat.During leisure time, you can unwind at Finca Maltés del Fraile, perhaps taking a relaxing dip in the pool, wandering through the lush gardens, or simply enjoying the tranquility on the terraces.The day concludes with a three-course dinner accompanied by a glass of wine. Chat with your companions late into the night, and recount your achievements. ### Day 7: Art at the Finca On the last day of the retreat, the morning starts with a scrumptious breakfast. Following this, a coffee check-in allows everyone to connect and reflect on their journey so far.The morning class is dedicated to personal artistic development. Let Karen guide you in discovering your unique styles and strengths, encouraging you to trust in your abilities. Spend time completing your final pieces, preparing and arranging them for a mini exhibition (optional) held later in the day showcasing the week's progress.After lunch, get ready for a special event: the mini exhibition. This little gallery show is optional, but it is an excellent opportunity for you to see how far you've come. It's a moment of reflection, where you can present your artwork, receive feedback, and draw inspiration from your group's creations. Take a step back and truly appreciate your remarkable progress.End the retreat on a high note with a celebratory farewell dinner. Toast to your achievements and to the lasting friendship you've forged over the retreat! ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy breakfast with Karen and your fellow participants, share final contact details, bid farewell, and prepare for your transfer to Almería Airport (LEI). Check-out time is 10:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Karen Rice** - Watercolor artist and teacher ## Accommodation ### Finca Maltés del Fraile ### Shared standard ensuite room ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Single standard ensuite room ### Single superior ensuite room ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/andalusian-watercolor-retreat-artist-karen-rice-spain](https://uptrek.com/retreat/andalusian-watercolor-retreat-artist-karen-rice-spain) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*