# Exploring the Gestural Figure and the Essential Still Life Retreat with Artist Wendy Artin in Portugal Embark on an inspiring watercolor painting retreat with artist Wendy Artin on the sunny coast of southern Portugal.Spend a wonderful week painting watercolors of the live figure model and fresh local fruit and vegetables. Learn techniques for making fast and fluid monochromatic watercolors of our beautiful Roman model Laura, with poses ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. Examine the finer details of nature, form, light and color in fresh local produce to paint simple essential colorful still lifes. Individual instruction will be given to each student, to brush control, wetness, and use of the paper. All levels of experience are welcome.Complement your art classes with exciting trips: a boat ride through the hidden grottoes of Algarve and a visit to the historic town of Lagos. Get inspired by the crystalline waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the cobblestone streets of Lagos. Stay at a beautiful Portuguese Quinta, nestled along the sun-drenched Algarve coast. Enjoy elegant accommodation and modern amenities blended with Portuguese charm, such as lush gardens, a refreshing swimming pool, a hot tub, a relaxing massage cabin, and a sauna. Soak in the sweeping views of the endless ocean, indulge in delicious chef-prepared meals, and connect with other 15 fellow artists! ## Details - **Dates:** September 15 - 22, 2026 - **Location:** Lagos, Algarve, Portugal - **Starting Price:** $4,750 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Exploring the Gestural Figure and the Essential Still Life Join artist Wendy Artin on an inspiring watercolor painting retreat, exploring figure drawing and still life through playful exercises, demonstrations led by Wendy, and studio time on the beautiful sun-drenched coast of southern Portugal. Surrounded by spectacular views, mesmerizing seascapes, and vibrant nature, enjoy an inspiring watercolor painting retreat with artist Wendy Artin on the sunny coast of southern Portugal. Explore figure drawing and still life in daily watercolor classes led by Wendy, learning techniques for blending, handling watercolor wetness, brushstrokes, and edge control. The retreat welcomes all levels of experience.Under Wendy’s gentle guidance, enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of watercolors: Paint the live model using monochromatic watercolor in order to quickly capture light and form, with particular attention to mark making, edge control, and brush control. Revel in the finer details of nature, painting still life watercolors of local fruits and vegetables from the farmer’s market, exploring wet washes, color, light, and form. Improve your seeing and your hand with an immersive week of painting.Some of the topics covered in your classes with Wendy include: Capturing light, form, and shadow shapes in gestural watercolor painting Handling of wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniquesExploring techniques for blending Discovering the beauty and uniqueness of watercolors Learning techniques for confident brushwork, fluid washes, and edge control Capturing the beauty of form, color, and the expression of the human figureUsing preparatory sketches constructively Exploring color mixing, composition, and cropping techniquesExploring different types of watercolor Learning where to focus in a compositionImprove your seeing and mark-making Finding your own individual taste and touch …and many more! Your home for the week will be a charming Portuguese villa, nestled along the sun-soaked Algarve coast, offering elegant accommodation, lush gardens, a refreshing pool and a hot tub, a relaxing massage cabin and sauna, and sweeping views of Lagos and the endless ocean. Indulge in delicious chef-prepared meals featuring regional Portuguese cuisine and connect with a group of 15 other like-minded creatives! ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Faro Airport and board the 3:00 PM transfer to your retreat with artist Wendy Artin.Once you’ve reached the villa, settle into your comfortable room, and take a moment to unwind. Later in the afternoon, join Wendy and your fellow artists for an orientation tour of the grounds. Wander through the beautiful gardens, visit the light-filled art studio, stroll along the shaded terraces, and take in the calm atmosphere around the pool.As the sun begins to set, gather for a relaxed welcome dinner prepared by the in-house chef and paired with a glass of local fine wine. ### Day 2: Art classes at the venue Start your morning with a nourishing breakfast and a warm cup of coffee, followed by a quick check-in with the venue hosts. Ease into the gentle rhythm of the day and join Wendy and your fellow artists in the sunlit Shala art studio, diving into the first full day of creation at the retreat.The morning workshop will begin with an introduction to Wendy’s method and way of working, explaining her teaching style and showing you a variety of her artworks. Engage in fun and playful warm-up exercises on handling monochromatic watercolor and figure drawing exercises, focusing on brush handling and mark-making. You will spend 1 to 1.5 hours of the workshop practicing quick poses and gesture drawings from a live model. Pause midday for a refreshing lunch, then continue the day with another studio session in the afternoon. This session will introduce you to Wendy’s approach to painting still life. Explore shapes, colors, light, and compositional possibilities with preparatory sketches.As the class comes to an end, take some time to relax and reset before dinner. Join Wendy and the group for a delicious three-course dinner prepared by the in-house chef and paired with a glass of fragrant local wine. Toast to the first full day on the retreat, share reflections, and soak in the warm atmosphere filled with laughter and lively conversation. ### Day 3: Boat trip through the Grottoes of Algarve Kick off the day with a hearty breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, followed by a brief morning check-in with the venue hosts. After you’ve had your fill, prepare for the first trip of the retreat: an exciting sailing adventure across the Algarve coastline. Step onto a traditional Portuguese boat from the Lagos Marina, then set sail across the rolling waves. Spend the morning exploring hidden grottoes, secret beaches, and stunning rock formations that dot the shoreline. Remember to snap a few photos of the gorgeous seascapes you’ll encounter. Experiment with the composition of your photos or sketch right on the boat if you don't mind the wobble. Enjoy the breeze in your hair and go for a dip in the ocean if the weather's favorable.As the trip comes to an end, return to the venue for a relaxed lunch, then continue the day back in the art studio. This afternoon session will be focused on monochromatic figure drawing. This afternoon session will be focused on monochromatic figure painting. Capture gestures and shadows in a series of poses ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. Work on seeing and capturing shadow shapes.Take some spare time to unwind in the late afternoon. Gather with Wendy and your fellow artists for a delightful three-course dinner prepared by the private chef and paired with a glass of aromatic Portuguese wine. Share reflections of the adventure you went on today and connect over stories, laughter, and inspiration. ### Day 4: Art classes at the venue Begin the day with a refreshing breakfast and a steaming cup of coffee, followed by a quick morning check-in with the venue hosts. Join Wendy and your fellow artists in the spacious Shala studio, preparing for another day full of creativity and inspiration. The morning workshop will be focused on monochromatic figure drawing using a live model. The first half of the session will be the same as the prior day, with focus on mark-making, shadow shapes, and edge control: in the second half Wendy will introduce you to working wet-in-wet on Rives BFK paper with a demo and then time to try it yourselves. Take a break for lunch and enjoy a nourishing meal, then return to the studio for another afternoon art session. This class will be focused on still life, progressing from preparatory sketches to larger watercolor pieces. Experiment with the wet-on-wet techniques that you learned the previous day, and discuss how the color moves and blends in your artwork, as well as when to stop. As the class comes to a close, take some leisure time to relax and reset in the late afternoon. Gather with Wendy and the group for a hearty three-course dinner prepared by the in-house chef and paired with a glass of delicious Portuguese wine. As the middle of the retreat has approached, reflect on your creative journey so far, celebrating your accomplishments and artistic discoveries. ### Day 5: Art trip to Lagos Wake up your senses with a delightful breakfast and a refreshing cup of coffee, followed by a brief morning check-in with the venue hosts. Then, get ready for the second trip of the retreat: a visit to the historic town of Lagos. Located only a 10-minute drive away from the venue, the road will take you through the sun-drenched Portuguese countryside, past rolling hills, open fields, and endless blue skies. Once in Lagos, take part in a walking tour of this beautiful town full of stories held in tiled walls, fishing boats, and cobblestone streets. Stop to sketch if you feel inspired, take some reference photos, or simply explore the Portuguese-tiled buildings, vibrant shops, and historical landmarks. You will have plenty of time to do some shopping, in case you want to bring a souvenir back with you, as well as time for a visit to a nearby beach. Return to the venue for a leisurely lunch, then continue the day with an afternoon art class. This session will be focused on composing multiples in a still life scene. Learn how to arrange several objects together in a composition, paying attention to how they interact visually through placement, balance, proportion, and color. Create a still life watercolor piece, practicing your composition skills and wet-on-wet painting techniques. As the class ends, take some time to relax and unwind before dinner. Join Wendy and your fellow artists for a chef-prepared three-course dinner accompanied by a glass of fine local wine. Enjoy the lovely atmosphere and share reflections of the day with your fellow creatives. ### Day 6: Art classes at the venue Fuel up with a delicious breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, then have a quick morning check-in with the venue hosts before jumping into the first art workshop of the day. You will spend the morning together with Wendy and your fellow artists working on your monochromatic figure drawing skills. Practice sketching poses from a live model ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes, experimenting with both wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry painting techniques. Strengthen your brush control, edge, and mark-making as you capture the gestures and subtle shadows of the live model. Pause midday for a leisurely lunch, then continue the day with another class in the sunlit Shala studio. In the afternoon, the focus will be on still-life compositions and cropping. Pay attention to how the objects are arranged within your frame, and learn how to decide what part of the scene to include or exclude, creating a dynamic and visually impactful still-life piece. In the late afternoon, take some time for yourself to rest and unwind before dinner. Join Wendy and the group for a satisfying three-course dinner prepared by the private chef and paired with a glass of fragrant Portuguese wine. Make conversation with your fellow artists, share impressions of the day, and enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere. ### Day 7: Art classes at the venue Start the final full day at the retreat with a filling breakfast and a warm cup of coffee, followed by a brief morning check-in with the venue hosts. Ease into the gentle rhythm of the day, allowing the wave of creativity to sweep you off your feet. Join Wendy and your fellow artists in the spacious Shala art studio for a final monochromatic figure drawing workshop. Continue practicing your wet-on-wet as well as your wet-on-dry painting techniques, drawing poses from the live model ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. Recap everything that you have learned throughout the retreat and integrate your new skills into your personal artistic practice.Take a break for lunch and enjoy a refreshing meal. Then, gather with Wendy and the group in the studio one last time for a celebratory mini-exhibition, showcasing your artworks and your creative journey throughout the retreat. Exchange feedback, ideas, and insights with your fellow artists, and celebrate together how far you have come! As the afternoon comes to an end, enjoy some spare time to relax and reset before dinner. Indulge in a delicious three-course farewell dinner prepared by the in-house chef and accompanied by a glass of aromatic Portuguese wine. Raise a glass to the end of this transformative experience, and take home with you a heart full of inspiration and cherished memories. ### Day 8: Departure Share one final breakfast with Wendy and your fellow artists and exchange any last contact details before getting ready for your transfer to Faro Airport (FAO).Please note that check-out is at 10:00 AM. You will arrive at the airport at around 11:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Wendy Artin ** - Acclaimed watercolor painter ## Accommodation ### Charming Portuguese Quinta ### Shared triple ensuite room (female only) ### Shared standard ensuite room ### Shared superior room - garden view ### Shared superior room - sea view ### Single deluxe master suite - sea view ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/exploring-the-gestural-figure-and-the-essential-still-life-retreat-artist-wendy-artin-portugal](https://uptrek.com/retreat/exploring-the-gestural-figure-and-the-essential-still-life-retreat-artist-wendy-artin-portugal) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*