# Print Pattern and Color Art Retreat with Artist Elizabeth Olwen in Portugal

Join artist Elizabeth Olwen on a print & pattern adventure on the gorgeous Portuguese coast. Learn how to create your own brilliant designs and discover the secrets behind being a freelancer and having a business in surface pattern design. By the end of the week, you'll have created your own small-but-mighty print and pattern collection. You'll have gained the tools to create more designs and the know-how to promote yourself professionally. With her typical charm, Elizabeth will guide you every step of the way to print design success.A magnificent country estate will be yours for the week. Join Elizabeth and the group in discovering a historical Portuguese seaside town, and set sail across the Atlantic in search of hidden caves and grottoes. On top of it all, enjoy delicious chef-made food paired with Portuguese wine every day.

## Details

- **Dates:** October 6 - 13, 2024
- **Location:** Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
- **Starting Price:** $4,200
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Pattern Design Retreat
Join artist and pattern designer Elizabeth Olwen for a creative week of pattern and color exploration. We will learn how to express ourselves through print pattern and color, tell a story by mixing and matching different designs — and how to conceive of artwork for specific contexts, like creating artwork for the home. Every day will consist of morning warm-ups such as reflecting on our connection to creativity, the benefits of creative practice, and tools for overcoming barriers to our creativity.Guided and warmly encouraged by Elizabeth, we will then explore how pattern, illustration, and color combine, and we'll create a small-but-mighty collection of prints & patterns held together with a well-chosen color palette. We will also discuss how this artwork can come to life beyond our workshop — in a portfolio, or perhaps on real-life products. We will have the immense pleasure of being with other like-minded creative and curious people in sunny and magical Portugal, one of Elizabeth's greatest inspirations, and how to infuse your artwork with your own unique story, style, and personality.At the end of the week, you'll leave the retreat with your own personal pattern collection. We will start with getting our ideas out on paper first, then we will move towards using an iPad to create some final digital art (you will need to bring your own iPad). Elizabeth will also hold a few biz sessions where she will answer any questions related to the business side of a career in surface pattern design and share her experience working in the industry.At the print pattern & color retreat you’ll learn: How to create a complete surface pattern collection from start to finish How to find inspiration in the world around you and turn it into a mood board that will drive your pattern creation How to create hero, secondary, and blender patterns How to mix & match patterns to create an inspiring collection Creating inspired color palettes through intuitive color choicesHow to create a logo for your collectionHow to name your art and tell the story of your pattern collection The business side of surface design The importance of personal branding and how to pitch your designs...and so much more.In addition to creating alongside Elizabeth every day, we'll also have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the sunny Portuguese countryside, explore the surrounding towns and ocean landscapes, and share our experiences with fellow creatives over a cup of tea or a glass of wine

### Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Faro Airport and catch the 3:00 PM transfer to the venue, Quinta Bonita. Get shown to your comfortable room, unpack and freshen up, then join Elizabeth and the art group for a welcome tour of the estate. Explore the beautiful Italian gardens, the bright terraces, the spacious studio, and the cozy common spaces.In the evening, come together with the group for a delightful welcome dinner, featuring three delicious courses prepared by the private chef. Kickstart the retreat in style with a glass of local Portuguese wine.

### Day 2: Art at the venue
Enjoy breakfast, then join Elizabeth in the workshop space to begin your pattern & color exploration. Elizabeth will guide a discussion about the week ahead and you'll gain an overview of what you'll achieve during the retreat: creating an inspired collection of prints & patterns with a great color palette. Then, engage in a super fun and playful session with pattern & color to learn the fundamentals of a great design.After lunch, join Elizabeth and the group in the workshop space for an exciting class on finding inspiration and turning that inspiration into art. Your muse will be the magnificent garden at Quinta Bonita: wander around the blooming flowers, the tranquil fountains, and the narrow paths in search of interesting elements to use in your designs. At the end of the class, Elizabeth will show you how to convert your findings into a mood board.Enjoy some leisure time to recharge before a scrumptious dinner. The private chef will delight you with three mouthwatering courses, paired with a glass of local wine.

### Day 3: Art trip to Lagos
Start the day with a nourishing breakfast, then get your sketchbook ready for a creative adventure. You'll go on an art trip to Lagos, a coastal town with a charming history. The city dates back to pre-Roman times and was an important cultural hub during the Portuguese Era of Discovery. Keep your sketchbook and your camera near, and explore the cobbled streets, the white-washed houses decorated with azure tiles, and the busy plazas. Make sure to check out the marina, where the fishermen's boats sway in the wind. If you want to take a break and relax, go down to the beach for a leisurely sketching session.Return to the venue for lunch, then move forward with your classes. Together with Elizabeth, you'll go over your sketches and reference photos in search of interesting elements to add to your designs. With these elements as support, and inspired by your mood board, create motifs and illustrations in analog media, then learn how to turn them into digital drawings. This will be your introduction to hero patterns.Take a well-deserved break in the afternoon by relaxing in the gardens. As the sun sets, join your group for a delightful three-course dinner, prepared by the private chef, best enjoyed with a glass of wine.

### Day 4: Art at the venue
As usual, start the day with a refreshing breakfast, then get your art materials ready. The first class of the day will be all about color! You will explore some basic color theory and you'll be introduced to intuitive color. You'll learn how to use these lessons to try out some colorways for your artwork and see how color can influence and amplify your work.In the afternoon, you'll spend time drawing or creating more ideas for your collection. Do you have any new ideas to add to the mix? Maybe you were inspired by your trip to Lagos, or by the beautiful surroundings of Quinta Bonita. You'll discover how to use all of this great inspiration to build a great pattern collection and turn these drawings into a few secondary prints.You will spend the entire day creating at the retreat venue and have plenty of time to relax in the late afternoon or take a long stroll in the Italian gardens. Dinner will be served on the terrace, accompanied by Portuguese wine.

### Day 5: Sailing trip
Wake up with a cup of coffee during breakfast, and prepare for another creative adventure with Elizabeth and the group. Aboard a traditional Portuguese sailing boat, you'll explore the most amazing views of the Algarvian coastline. Set sail across the shimmering waters of the Atlantic, and keep an eye out for interesting sights to add to your sketchbook. The rolling waves, the mighty cliffs, and the imposing rock formations may inspire some amazing designs during your classes. Much like the explorers of old, you'll discover hidden grottoes, secluded caves, and secret beaches aboard your ship.Return to the venue in time for a light lunch, then channel the inspiration gathered during the trip into another art class. Come together with your art group into the workshop space for a class on creating blender prints and spot graphics, which will enhance your collection. At the end of the class, Elizabeth will hold a business session about the commercial side of surface design. Ask away during a Q&A if you have any curiosities about bringing your art to life on various types of products.In the evening, enjoy a delicious three-course dinner, artfully paired with a glass of wine and plenty of quality time with Elizabeth and the art group.

### Day 6: Art at the venue
Following a nourishing breakfast, get ready for another full day of classes. The morning will be reserved for more practice time, where you'll continue incorporating your motifs and illustrations into digital patterns, using the inspiring elements you collected during the sailing trip. Elizabeth will be there to offer you some one-to-one guidance and answer any questions you may have if you need some extra advice.Refuel with some tasty lunch, then dive into another engaging business session. Elizabeth's workshop will teach you all there is to know about commercial design and sharing your work with the world through online channels and social media. You'll learn how to promote yourself in a way that feels comfortable, and how to advertise your work with confidence by developing an elevator pitch. If you don't have much experience with delivering pitches, don't worry: Elizabeth will encourage you to highlight your best points and unique assets, and how to gently come out of your comfort zone.As the day comes to a close, mark your progress with a satisfying chef-made dinner, showcasing the best Portuguese cuisine. Enhance the experience with a delicious glass of local wine.

### Day 7: Art at the venue
Enjoy breakfast, then spend the morning class polishing your pieces. Add the final touches to your collection, and wrap up and final prints and illustrations. Elizabeth will be showing you how to create a little logo and story for your collections that will increase their market value and make them unique and special.After lunch, prepare for a special event for a wonderful send-off to the retreat: a mini-exhibition. While participation is optional, this little gallery showing is a chance for you to reflect on how you've grown, how your art style developed, and how your goals changed. Share your best creations with the group, while giving and receiving constructive feedback with your supportive art community.The retreat ends with a final celebration to mark your amazing progress. Enjoy a farewell dinner with three mouthwatering courses and fragrant wine to top off your fantastic week in Portugal. Chat late into the night, exchange any last contacts with your art group, and be proud of your artistic growth.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy a light breakfast, say your goodbyes Elizabeth and your art group, and board the 10:00 AM transfer to Faro Airport. You'll reach your destination at around 11:00 AM.

## Instructors

- **Elizabeth Olwen** - Print-and-pattern Designer

## Accommodation

### Quinta Bonita

### Shared room in Casa Bonita

### Shared standard ensuite room

### Shared superior room - garden view

### Shared superior room - sea view

### Single room in Casa Bonita

### Single superior room - sea view

### Single master suite

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/print-pattern-color-art-retreat-artist-elizabeth-olwen-portugal](https://uptrek.com/retreat/print-pattern-color-art-retreat-artist-elizabeth-olwen-portugal) to make a reservation.

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