# Ethereal Landscapes and Seascapes Retreat with Artist Ana Victoria Calderón in Portugal

Join artist Ana Victoria Calderón on an otherworldly landscape and seascape retreat on the gorgeous coast of Algarve, in southern Portugal. Reconnect with your creative subconscious, access your artistic flow state, and learn to view the world around you with different eyes. Paint dreamlike land and seascapes in watercolor, inspired by the majestic natural beauty found in this region. Relax at a top-notch Portuguese holiday estate rented exclusively for you and your group, boasting 2,5 acres of lush Italian gardens, stylish and airy rooms, spacious terraces, a refreshing swimming pool, and a luminous art studio. Set sail on a traditional Portuguese boat and explore the hidden grottoes and spectacular rock formations on the coastline. Discover a 2000-year-old historical town with a visit to Lagos and its bustling marina. Relish in delicious traditional Portuguese cuisine, paired with delicate local wine.

## Details

- **Dates:** April 16 - 23, 2024
- **Location:** Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
- **Starting Price:** $4,500
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Watercolor in Portugal
Tap into your creative subconscious and see the beauty of nature through a kaleidoscopic lens in this watercolor landscapes and seascapes retreat led by artist Ana Victoria Calderón. Join a supportive community of 16 like-minded visionaries and create ethereal, dreamlike paintings together, while learning from your favorite instructor. Find your authentic artistic self, break down your inhibitions, and let the otherworldly landscapes of the Portuguese coast guide your hand. All levels of experience are welcome, as Ana Victoria will adapt her teaching to your needs, and will encourage you to experiment and develop without critique. Across her courses, your instructor will perform demonstrations, offer individual feedback, and give you one-to-one guidance to ensure you get the most out of the retreat.By the end of the retreat, you'll have completed a wonderful land/seascape masterpiece, created under your instructor's guidance. You'll study a wide variety of watercolor techniques, from the basics of color mixing and composition to unique textures and water effects. Your font of inspiration will be the showstopping splendor of the Algarve region, whose stunning coastal rock formations, molded over millions of years by the crashing waves of the Atlantic, form surreal landscapes in and of themselves. You'll explore this coast's trove of natural monuments with an adventurous sailing trip aboard a traditional Portuguese boat, discovering the hidden grottoes and crevasses of the shoreline. You'll also learn more about the Portuguese history and way of life with an art trip to Lagos, a historical port town with a rich heritage spanning multiple eras (such as the Moorish reign and the Portuguese exploration age) - the narrow, cobbled streets, the colorful azure buildings, and the intricate architectural elements have much to teach you.You'll be using watercolor, and some of the material you'll cover includes:Learning to observe your environment and extract color palettes and textures from your surroundings How to pick up the energy of what you’re looking at Practicing painting watercolor landscapes with Ana Victoria Calderón signature teaching method Applying lessons learned in the first half of the week for a final large-scale masterpieceExercising your skills in color mixing and landscape compositionExperimenting with multiple texturesDepicting water effects (reflections, shimmers, waves, etc.)Taking reference pictures and sketching on location...and many more.Beyond painting alongside Ana Victoria Calderón every day, you'll also have plenty of free time to discover the vast estate at Quinta Bonita, enjoy delectable Portuguese food, and share your experiences with other artists over a drink of local wine.One of the main events of this retreat is a secret gift exchange on the last day - you're encouraged to bring a little something from home to share with one of your fellow artists. It needn't be anything lavish, something that will make their time at the retreat a little brighter is enough.

### Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at Faro Airport, you will be picked up at 3:00 PM and transported to Quinta Bonita. Once you arrive, take some time to get comfortable in your top-tier lodging and explore the stunning grounds. Immerse yourself in the beautifully manicured gardens, elegantly designed communal areas, terraces, and private swimming pool, and let the peacefulness of your environment engulf you.Later in the evening, join your fellow retreat attendees and instructor Ana Victoria Calderón for a welcome drink. Get to know one another and discuss your expectations for the week ahead. Afterward, indulge in a delightful welcome dinner expertly crafted by the Quinta Bonita's private chef. Relish in the flavors of Portugal as you sip on a glass of fine local wine, and let the excitement of the upcoming week fill you with eagerness.

### Day 2: Art at the venue
Your first day of the art retreat with Ana Victoria begins with a delightful breakfast, followed by a class in the luminous studio. Ana Victoria will present the course overview and establish the main learning goals. This is a good opportunity to also meditate on your own artistic objectives over the course of the retreat. Even if you are a total beginner, do not worry, as your instructor will adapt her teaching to your individual needs. Ana Victoria will go straight into a basic watercolor class and an introduction to different textures: a class that both beginners and intermediates (in case they need a refresher) will definitely benefit from. She will do a couple of demonstrations, which you can either follow along with or take notes on. Afterward, you'll have the chance to try them yourself. Follow your art group into the expansive gardens of Quinta Bonita, draw inspiration from the many shapes created by the intertwining branches, leaves, and flowers, and take photographs of the flora that catches your eye. Ground yourself within this paradisiac environment with a plein-air painting session in the garden.Grab a bite during your lunch break, then return for a crash course on color palettes in the studio. Ana Victoria will explain a bit about color theory, and show her mixing methods. Practice colors and textures with a texture-swatching exercise - if you need any help, Ana Victoria is happy to give you some individual guidance. The rest of the class is reserved for free practice time, so let your imagination run wild!Enjoy some leisure time in the afternoon by exploring the gardens further and losing yourself among the tapestry of flowers, or take a dip in the pool if the weather is on your side. The first day at Quinta Bonita ends with a delightful three-course dinner masterfully prepared by the private chef, washed down with a glass of local wine.

### Day 3: Art trip to Lagos
Get your day off to a revitalizing start with a delicious breakfast, then prepare for a half-day art trip to the captivating city of Lagos. This serene town brims with rich cultural heritage, remarkable architecture, and authentic Portuguese charm. Its exceptional beauty is thanks to the ancient wall surrounding the old town, numerous historical monuments scattered throughout the 2000-year-old city center, and the amalgamation of diverse cultures that have shaped its past. Over the course of its history, the city has witnessed the rise and fall of several empires, including the Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, Barbarians, and ultimately, Christians, while playing a significant role as a maritime center during Portugal's era of nautical exploration. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you'll explore the most significant landmarks, stroll through the cobblestone streets, and discover the city's intriguing history. Along the way, you'll discover endless inspiration for your watercolor paintings and pattern exploration, from the ornate 'azulejos' (traditional ceramic tilework) adorning the colorful houses and the bustling shops in the town center to the hallmark that has made Lagos a coveted destination throughout the ages - its Marina, brimming with white-sailed boats. Take reference pictures and sketch the shimmering waves, as they'll be crucial in the next step of your watercolor lessons.Return to the venue in time for lunch, then join Ana Victoria in the studio for a course on depicting different kinds of water using watercolors. A difficult-to-master, yet essential-to-learn skill, Ana Victoria's demonstrations and help will show you many tips and tricks on how to make this challenge less daunting. She'll help you create swatches of different styles of water (such as waves, ripples, or shimmering reflections), which you'll then use in your own work. Using the sketches and reference pictures you've taken in the Lagos Marina, try your newly learned methods on your own. If you need extra help, Ana Victoria is happy to spend some additional time with you, ensuring you'll create a painting to be proud of. After the class, you may spend your leisure time visiting the nearby beach, relaxing by the pool, or dozing off in the garden, in the canopy bed. Lastly, delight in a three-course dinner carefully crafted by your private chef, joined by a glass of delicious Portuguese wine.

### Day 4: Art at the venue
Join your group for a nourishing breakfast and a hot cup of coffee, then go towards the studio, where Ana Victoria will teach an intro to watercolor landscapes. Using printouts and printed templates, namely outlines of hills, mountains, forests, etc., you'll play around with these various shapes in order to sketch multiple types of landscapes. The use of printouts focuses the attention on the composition and structure of the piece and will help you get less fixated on getting the details of the landscape right from the get-go. Integrating your knowledge about different textures and water techniques exercised so far, you'll begin integrating some of the mystical elements Ana Victoria is famous for, in order to create an ethereal, dreamlike seascape.Grab a light bite during lunch, then move to the lush gardens of Quinta Bonita for some free practice time. Continue working on the fantasy seascape you started this morning, or pick a photo or sketch of an intriguing landscape from earlier in the retreat. Ana Victoria will let you decide the course of this afternoon's class as much as possible, but if you ever need some extra help, don't hesitate to ask her for advice or more guidance. Let your imagination flow freely as your hand glides across the page. Enjoy some leisure time in the afternoon, perhaps chatting with your fellow retreat participants on the airy terrace, then end the day with a scrumptious three-course dinner, paired with a glass of Portuguese wine.

### Day 5: Sailing art trip
Embark on an exciting day of adventure after breakfast. Join your fellow artists on a classic Portuguese sailboat and bask in the warm sun and refreshing ocean breeze as you sail across the mesmerizing blue waters of the Atlantic. There is no better source of inspiration for your dreamlike land and seascapes than this trip to the Algarve grottoes. The boat will navigate along the striking Algarvian coastline, where you'll marvel at the towering cliffs, secluded beaches, and crystal-clear waters. As you approach the grottoes, you'll pass through awe-inspiring rock formations and witness the waves fiercely crashing against the rugged shoreline. Take advantage of the stunning sunlight filtering through the narrow crevices of the rocks to snap photos of the illuminated grottoes. Observe how the fiery tango of light and shadow dances over the rugged walls. You may also choose to sketch the breathtaking scenery or even indulge in a refreshing swim if you're feeling bold. After the trip, return to the shore for lunch, rejuvenated by the thrill of the adventure, the natural beauty, and the sense of liberation that comes with sailing to the Algarve grottoes.Catch your breath during lunch at the venue, then follow Ana Victoria in the gardens for some more free practice time. You may elect to continue an older piece or dive right into the photos you've just taken of the rock formations and hidden caves of the coast. Try to incorporate all the learned techniques as smoothly as possible; this practice time will prepare you for the grand masterpiece you'll be working on in the last days of the retreat. As usual, Ana Victoria will be there to offer you individual help and talk to you about achieving your artistic goals. Join your group for a well-deserved, hearty three-course dinner, and sip on a glass of fragrant Portuguese wine.

### Day 6: Art at the venue
Chase the sleep away with a revitalizing breakfast, then begin your morning class with Ana Victoria. You'll start working on your grand piece of the week: a large watercolor painting, using all of the techniques you've been taught so far, inspired by the many gorgeous landscapes you've seen during your time in Portugal. Your instructor will provide you with a large sheet of watercolor paper; begin by sketching and planning out the structure and composition of your painting. Don't be afraid to get ambitious with this project; Ana Victoria will help you overcome any of the challenges you may encounter along the way. Using creative color mixing, experimenting with the textures you practiced, and depicting water in unique ways, all of your efforts will come together into a masterpiece that you can proudly display at home.Take a lunch break, then continue working on your masterpiece. Don't rush, take your time, and give your painting that extra polish it needs to become wonderful. Incorporate the otherworldly and ethereal elements that Ana Victoria has shown you over the course of the retreat. You'll also have the following morning to work on this piece. After the free painting time, enjoy your leisure time, then celebrate your hard work with a mouthwatering three-course dinner prepared by the private chef, washed down with delicious Portuguese wine, and shared with your supportive community of fellow artists.

### Day 7: Art at the venue
On your seventh and final day of the retreat, after breakfast, join Ana Victoria and your art group for a very special event: the secret friend name exchange. Before the retreat, it would be recommended that you bring a small gift to give to one of your fellow artists (but you'll find out who it is more exactly during this name exchange). It doesn't need to be anything extravagant: something that shares a part of your world with your newfound companions, that warms your heart or that reminds them of your time together is more than enough. You'll draw names and your secret friend will be revealed to you. Remember to keep it secret until dinner! After the name exchange, pick up your materials, and with renewed motivation, add the finishing touches to your masterpiece. Don't forget that Ana Victoria is available for any queries you may have, and will offer you extra help if you need it.Break for lunch, then prepare for the last main event of the retreat: a mini-exhibition of everyone's hard work over these past seven days. Participation is not compulsory, but this is an excellent opportunity for you to give and receive constructive feedback from your artistic community. Of course, Ana Victoria will also evaluate your work, underline your strong points, and also give you advice for further improvement back home. After the gallery show, enjoy a relaxed afternoon, then get ready for a celebratory three-course dinner meticulously crafted by your private chef. You'll exchange your gifts during dinner. This moment will bring you and your group closer together, as one of the essential parts of the retreat is making connections and building a supportive network of artists together. Besides, who doesn't get excited about an early 'secret Santa'? Dinner extends well into the night, complemented by discretionary Portuguese wine and good cheer.

### Day 8: Departure
After breakfast with Ana Victoria and your fellow artists, say your goodbyes and prepare for your transfer to Faro Airport, departing at 10:00 AM. You'll reach Faro Airport at approximately 11:00 AM.

## Instructors

- **Ana Victoria Calderón** - Watercolor artist, author and teacher

## Accommodation

### Quinta Bonita

### Shared triple ensuite room

### Shared standard ensuite room

### Shared superior ensuite room - garden view

### Shared superior ensuite room - seaview

### Single deluxe master suite - seaview

## Book This Retreat

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