# Joyous Watercolor Adventures Retreat with Artist Emily Olson in Portugal Join artist Emily Olson for a watercolor retreat in the peaceful countryside of southern Portugal. Focus on still life, portraiture, landscape, and sketchbook studies while drawing inspiration from the textures, light, and colors of the region. Move through the topics as a lead-up to portraiture. By the end of the retreat, you will have created a focused collection that reflects both the environment and your evolving creative direction.Step outside the studio to observe the surrounding landscape. Visit the historic town of Lagos and sail along the Algarve coast, where cliffs, grottoes, and plant life offer rich material. Sketch on location, gather reference photos, and record compositions that will shape your work throughout the week.Stay in a traditional Portuguese villa surrounded by gardens, with meals prepared on-site each day. Paint outdoors under trees or among flowers, or take quiet time to review your progress. Work with watercolor, sketching, and drawing techniques both in and out of the studio as you develop a personal body of work shaped by your surroundings. ## Details - **Dates:** June 19 - 26, 2026 - **Location:** Lagos, Algarve, Portugal - **Starting Price:** $4,650 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Joyous Watercolor Adventures Retreat Join artist Emily Olson for a watercolor retreat in the peaceful countryside of southern Portugal. Work across still life, landscape, portraiture, and sketchbook studies as a natural progression, starting with simple objects and environments and building toward painting someone with presence and soul. With Emily’s guidance, you will explore foundational watercolor techniques, including palette setup, water control, brush handling, and composition. Begin with still life studies to understand shape, light, and color. Then move into landscapes drawn from the surrounding gardens and scenery, focusing on structure, texture, and atmosphere.Daily classes will include demonstrations, time to work independently, and individual feedback. You will practice value studies, layering, and color mixing, learning how to bring clarity and depth to your work across all subject types. If you have an iPad, bring it to make working with your reference photos easier. With each session, you will build confidence and develop a stronger understanding of how to observe, interpret, and express what you see, whether it’s the curve of a fruit, the shape of a tree, or the expression on a face.The topics covered during your lessons will include:Basic water control, controlling your watercolor when working uprightPainting in a sketchbook, on locationPainting from life, whether that's a still life setup, a model, or the landscapes of the Algarve regionFocusing on valuesNarrowing down complex pieces to simple shapesCreating strong compositionsDefeating artist's block and finding inspirationSketching and painting on the goColor mixing and working with a cohesive palette...and many more.Every aspect of the retreat is thoughtfully designed to ignite your creativity. The vibrant colors of Portugal reflect its rich cultural heritage, and you'll immerse yourself in the beauty of the Algarve region with a visit to the charming town of Lagos. Here, you'll find inspiration in the golden sands, vivid architecture, and the endless blue of the ocean. Additionally, a sailing trip on a traditional boat will take you along the stunning coastline, revealing secluded beaches, hidden caves, and striking rock formations.You'll stay at a lovely Portuguese villa, gather inspiration from its blooming Italian garden, enjoy regional, chef-made cuisine every day, and connect with a community of 14 other artists. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Faro Airport and board the 3:00 PM transfer to your retreat with Emily. Once you’ve reached the peaceful countryside setting, settle into your comfortable room, take a moment to unwind, and ease into the rhythm of the week ahead. Later in the afternoon, join Emily for an informal tour of the grounds. Wander through the beautiful Portuguese 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 welcome drinks. Meet your fellow artists and share what brought you here. The evening ends with a relaxed dinner prepared by the on-site chef, paired with a glass of Portuguese wine, as conversations begin and inspiration starts to flow. ### Day 2: Art at the venue Wake up with a hearty breakfast to fuel a day of creative exploration in watercolor. Sit down with a warm cup of coffee and connect with Emily and your fellow artists while reviewing what’s ahead.Begin the morning session by focusing on the essentials of watercolor painting. Emily will walk you through tools, palettes, and foundational techniques. Learn how to control water and pigment, practice different types of washes, and explore how colors mix and interact on paper. Clear demonstrations and hands-on exercises will build your confidence and help you settle into a relaxed, productive rhythm.In the afternoon, bring your sketchbook and step outside. The peaceful surroundings at the venue offer plenty of inspiration: orchards, gardens, and the changing light across the landscape. Fill your pages with studies of still life, natural forms, or scenes from around the estate. Emily will guide you through composition choices, brushwork, and layering techniques, offering feedback to help sharpen your eye and develop your voice on paper.Later, rest or keep drawing outdoors at your own pace. In the evening, gather again to enjoy a relaxed dinner prepared by the in-house chef, paired with a glass of local Portuguese wine. ### Day 3: Art trip to Lagos Start your day with a relaxed breakfast and a slow coffee as you get ready for a morning in the coastal town of Lagos.After a short drive, arrive in a town shaped by centuries of history. Walk through its winding streets at your own pace. Greek, Roman, Moorish, and Portuguese influences appear in the tiled facades, harbor boats, sun-bleached buildings, and bursts of color from lemon trees and wildflowers. Take loose sketches or snap reference photos as you go. Look for shapes, textures, or lighting that might inspire still life setups, portraits, or landscapes later in the day. A short sketchbook demo with Emily will offer ideas to keep in mind as you move through the town.Head back to the venue for a refreshing lunch, then continue your work in the studio or garden during the afternoon session. Use sketches and photos from the morning to develop thumbnail compositions and value studies. Begin distilling the scenes into monochromatic watercolor paintings that focus on structure and clarity. Emily will guide you in refining your ideas, experimenting with layering, and pulling depth from simple forms. Focus on atmosphere, shape, and line to carry the visual feeling of Lagos into your work.Later, take time for yourself. Rest by the pool, walk through the garden, or return to your sketchbook as the light shifts. In the evening, gather for a fresh dinner prepared on-site and unwind over a glass of local Portuguese wine. ### Day 4: Art at the venue Rise and shine to a refreshing breakfast and a quiet coffee as you ease into the rhythm of the morning. Then join Emily in the studio for a focused session on still life.Work through techniques that strengthen your still life compositions. Focus on shape, light, and form, using watercolor layering to create depth and clarity. Emily will guide you as you refine your brushwork, develop your color choices, and adjust your compositions directly on the page. Begin new work with a fresh setup. Select objects that interest you and consider how their scale, texture, and lighting affect the overall feel. Experiment with smaller-scale studies and simplify your arrangements. Pay close attention to subtle shifts in value and color, using these short studies to sharpen your observation and refine your technique.After a relaxed lunch, head outdoors with your sketchbook or drawing tools. Let the gardens around the venue near Lagos guide your next studies. Find interesting angles, natural arrangements, and floral details to work into your afternoon pieces. Continue your still life exploration using these organic shapes and textures as source material. Emily will offer individual feedback and help you refine your technique, bringing new clarity to your brushwork and compositional choices.In the late afternoon, slow down and enjoy some spare time. Walk through the grounds, sketch outside, or unwind by the pool. As the day winds down, gather again for a fresh dinner prepared on-site and enjoy a glass of local Portuguese wine. ### Day 5: Sailing trip Begin with a hearty breakfast and a slow coffee as you settle into the day. Slowly make your way to Lagos Marina for a morning on the water.Step onto a traditional Portuguese sailboat and glide along the coastline. Watch as the boat moves past towering cliffs, narrow grottoes, and small beaches tucked between stone outcrops. The light flickers across the surface of the water and shifts along the rock walls, offering endless shapes and textures. Keep your sketchbook and camera close. Take reference photos, make loose studies, and collect visual notes that capture the rhythm, contrast, and movement of the landscape. Look for forms and compositions that spark an idea you’ll want to explore more deeply later.Back at the venue, enjoy a simple lunch and review your work from the morning. Notice what details stood out and which ideas feel ready to grow.In the afternoon, join Emily for a watercolor session built around translating your observations into finished work. Start by selecting one or two elements from the morning and develop thumbnail sketches to experiment with layout. Create value studies to understand light and structure, then begin layering watercolor to build shape and form. Emily will guide you in capturing the essence of what inspired you earlier, helping you refine your choices and move with intention from sketch to composition.As the day winds down, take time for yourself. Walk through the gardens, sketch outdoors, or rest by the pool. In the evening, gather for a fresh dinner prepared on-site and share stories from the day over a glass of local Portuguese wine. ### Day 6: Art at the venue Let the morning unfold slowly with a filling breakfast and an easy coffee among the group before settling into a day of focused painting.Settle into your space and continue developing your landscape work, using references gathered earlier in the week or drawing directly from the venue’s surroundings. Focus on refining value studies, experimenting with color, and exploring the textures and shapes that define your chosen scene. Emily will be nearby throughout the morning to check in, offer guidance, and sit down one-on-one to discuss your process and progress.Pause for a simple lunch and take a moment to reflect on the direction your work is heading. In the afternoon, explore the grounds with fresh eyes and respond to whatever catches your attention. Paint freely in your sketchbook or on larger paper, letting the moment guide you. Whether you’re drawn to a figure, a branch, or a corner of the garden, follow that instinct. Emily will move through the group, offering individual feedback and answering questions. Use this time to revisit ideas, test new approaches, or build on what you started earlier. Let the day unfold through your painting.As the afternoon winds down, rest in the garden or walk to the beach for a quiet moment to yourself. In the evening, come together again for a fresh dinner prepared on-site and look back on how your work has grown. ### Day 7: Art at the venue Ease into the morning with a quiet breakfast and slow coffee, giving space to reflect on the work you've done and the creative ground still left to explore.The focus today is portraiture. Join Emily in the studio to work from a live model, practicing how to build structure and proportion while capturing presence and emotion through watercolor. Learn how to mix skin tones that stay clear and vibrant and how to layer paint with subtlety and control. Emily will demonstrate key techniques and offer individual feedback as you refine your approach and deepen your confidence with the human form.After a relaxed lunch, continue exploring portraiture through a subject of your choice. Paint someone in the group, work from a family photo, or return to a portrait you started earlier. Choose what feels most meaningful and stay open to discovery. Emily will be available for one-on-one feedback and questions throughout the afternoon. Later, gather for a mini-exhibition. Share what you've created, speak about the process behind your pieces, and celebrate the work of the group. Emily will offer closing reflections and individual insights on your development.As the light softens, come together for the farewell dinner. Raise a glass, share stories, and enjoy the quiet rhythm of the evening as the retreat nears its close. ### Day 8: Departure Join Emily and your fellow artists for breakfast to share any last contact details, say your goodbyes, and get ready for your transfer to Faro Airport (FAO). Please note that check-out is at 10:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Emily Olson** - Watercolor artist and teacher ## Accommodation ### Portuguese Quinta ### Shared room in the cottage (female only) ### Shared standard ensuite room (female only) ### Shared superior room - sea view (male only) ### Single room in the cottage ### Single superior room - garden view ### Single deluxe master suite - sea view ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/joyous-watercolor-adventures-retreat-artist-emily-olson-portugal](https://uptrek.com/retreat/joyous-watercolor-adventures-retreat-artist-emily-olson-portugal) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*