# Sketchbook Retreat with Artists Jennifer Orkin Lewis and Gayle Kabaker in Spain

Join artists Jennifer Orkin Lewis (August Wren) and Gayle Kabaker on a creative painting retreat where you'll develop your creativity, learn to use a sketchbook, draw, and paint in a loose style in sunny Andalucía, South of Spain. Stay at a gorgeous Spanish Finca which is a beautiful self-contained oasis rented exclusively for the art group. Indulge in chef-made organic exclusively vegetarian meals paired with wine, and draw your inspiration from your stunning surroundings, the charming streets of the whitewashed village of Mojácar, and the Mediterranean Sea.Expand your creativity and connect with yourself and the group in this magical setting, where everywhere you turn you will find beauty to inspire you. Optional morning yoga ( led by professionals) walks in the olive groves, and swimming in the pool, combined with the amazing food will help keep your body feeling great, and will allow for a deep connection to your own creative process.Gayle and Jennifer will share their painting styles and techniques with you, inviting you to be inspired by their unique way of spontaneous painting, from life around you as well as from the photos that you take. Learn how not to replicate what you see in your paintings, but rather use your surroundings and photos as inspirational starting points. Gayle and Jennifer's main goal for the week will be to assist you in embracing the process, finding joy, and having fun while painting.

## Details

- **Dates:** April 3 - 10, 2023
- **Location:** Almería, Spain
- **Starting Price:** $4,200
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Sketchbook retreat in Spain
Guided by artists Jennifer Orkin Lewis and Gayle Kabaker, this retreat is especially for women who are excited about using a sketchbook to express themselves authentically.Sketch-booking offers a fresh way of seeing the world around you. At this retreat, you'll learn to draw and paint what you see in an original way. You'll learn how to access your full potential for creativity by connecting to your body, mind, and soul with optional embodiment yoga classes, unique sound bowl creativity sessions, and fire ceremonies.When out on the fantastic excursion to the beach and to Mojácar Pueblo, one of Spain's most beautiful white villages, you'll get to draw in your sketchbook on the go and take inspiring reference photos of the places you'll explore. You'll discover colors, textures, scenery, and people. Anything that inspires you can be great material for your sketch-booking journey. Jennifer and Gayle will help you learn how to take great photos and edit them to paint from later. You'll be using acryl gouache and some watercolors, focusing on how to translate what you see around you into expressive paintings.In addition to drawing and painting alongside Jennifer and Gayle every day, you'll also have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the heaven-like gardens at La Finca Paradiso and share your experiences with fellow creatives over a glass of wine.Your daily instruction will include:Introduction to acryl gouacheHow to layout your page - different ways and ideasColor exploration - narrowing down your paletteHow to loosen up and learn to not be so precious with your workPainting from your own photosPainting from a still life, or the views around you

### Day 1: Arrival
Catch the 3:00 PM transfer from Almería Airport (LEI) and meet artists Jennifer Orkin Lewis, Gayle Kabaker, and the rest of the art group at La Finca Paradiso. Settle in your beautiful room and recharge after the flight. Take a tour of the delightful 33-acre property rented exclusively for the art group. Discover the two pools, the 2000-year-old olive tree, the water gardens, and the beautiful workshop spaces. Discuss the week ahead with Gayle and Jennifer over a special welcome dinner served with local wine.

### Day 2: Art classes at La Finca
On your first painting day, you will stay at La Finca Paradiso, drawing and painting either indoors, in the bright and inspiring Dojo, or en plein air, on the terraces, or in the lush gardens of the estate.We will begin our retreat with a quiet walk to the mother tree — the 2000-year-old olive tree at the heart of the property — as a symbolic coming together of the group and an opportunity to set intentions for the week. We will do a short 5-minute meditation and visualization to get in touch with our artistic and growth goals. Then, we'll return to our workshop space and begin creating. We will spend the morning getting inspired by what is around us and learning about the materials we use. We will learn how to sketch, paint and draw the objects, views, animals, or people that inspire us the most at this amazing retreat venue. Gayle and Jennifer will perform demos and guide us along the way.We'll also look at examples of Jennifer and Gayle’s work, and how to transform the same inspiration into an original work of art that expresses your own style and approach. Learn how to interpret and simplify what you are seeing and how to go from sketch to paint.Take a short break to enjoy a delicious lunch, then resume your art classes. In the evening, enjoy a three-course dinner put together by the in-house chef and indulge in some delectable local wine. After dinner, Gayle will give a career talk in which she'll share all the secrets of her successful art business and brand.

### Day 3: Art classes at La Finca
Start the day with a relaxing yoga session that will help you get into your body, relax your mind, and prepare for a creative day of drawing and painting.After a delicious breakfast, you will continue your painting and sketchbook exploration at the retreat venue and go for walks in the luxuriant surrounding orchards to sketch and paint from the wonderful landscape. Gayle and Jennifer will perform live demos and guide you through your process every step of the way. Enjoy lunch, then join Jennifer and Gayle for another art class where they will show you how to pack up your supplies for a day out exploring, a skill that you'll need on your exciting trip to Mojácar tomorrow. In the late afternoon, you'll be treated to an authentic Flamenco dance performance and you'll have the opportunity to sketch the dancer as she performs her dramatic and powerful moves. End the day with a lovely dinner with wine and after, learn the ins and outs of Jennifer's career path, and how to build your own successful art career.

### Day 4: Trip to Mojácar
After a delicious breakfast, you will travel to spectacular Mojácar Pueblo and Mojácar Playa on the southeast coast of Andalucía. Only 20 minutes away by car, Mojácar Pueblo is one of Spain's most beautiful white villages (Pueblos Blancos). With ancient Greek and Roman heritage, and Moorish influences, traces of the town's rich history can still be seen throughout the windy cobblestone streets and white-washed houses.Wander around the picturesque white streets adorned with Hibiscus and Bougainvillea flowers. Admire the colorful and intricately detailed tiles that frame the doors of each house. Stop for a sketching session in the central square — Plaza Nueva, boasting spectacular views of the surrounding hills and plains. Enjoy a delicious packed lunch carefully prepared by the in-house chef at La Finca Paradiso, then head to the beach, only 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean Sea and a sketching session with Gayle and Jennifer. Use sketchbooks throughout the trip and learn how to easily and effortlessly paint on the go, guided by your instructors.Return to the retreat venue in the late afternoon, and take the rest of the day off to integrate your trip experience. Rest, socialize, enjoy the pools and gardens at the retreat venue, and prepare for the second half of the retreat.

### Day 5: Art classes at La Finca
Begin your morning with another calming yoga session. Then, enjoy breakfast and jump into your first art class of the day. You'll be choosing your favorite photos from the ones you took on your trip to Mojácar and you will learn how to paint from reference pictures. Jennifer and Gayle will show you how to paint and draw in your sketchbook from these photos and how to create original artworks that express your personal style.After lunch, Gayle and Jennifer will perform demos and answer any questions you may have about the art materials, the painting techniques, the subject matter, or building up your career.Enjoy a scrumptious dinner with wine, and join Jennifer and Gayle on a magical incursion in the world of creativity and sound. You will experience a one-of-a-kind sound bowl ceremony. Let yourself be guided by the beautiful music of the bowls and the meditative state they induce. Create unique artwork as an expression of this exceptional experience. The bowls will be played live in the spacious amphitheater with excellent acoustics. Gayle and Jennifer will guide you to choose a single color before the concert — limiting your resources has a major impact on your creativity. With only one color to work with you're likely to go out of your comfort zone and create something special. Then, when the concert starts, allow yourself to be taken on a journey through the music and express yourself freely on paper.

### Day 6: Art classes at La Finca
After breakfast, continue your sketchbook exploration at the retreat venue. Jennifer and Gayle will guide you to continue refining the paintings that you started in your sketchbook and didn't get to finish yet. These can be sketches from the beach, from Mojácar town, or from the retreat venue. You'll get to learn how to put the finishing touches on your previous work before the painting marathon tomorrow. Gayle and Jennifer will make demos of their process and answer questions.Enjoy lunch, then continue sketching from your surroundings and your pictures. Jennifer and Gayle will be giving individual feedback and attention to each and every one of the guests and making sure that everyone is happy with their progress.Dinner will be followed by a spectacular fire ceremony that will reignite your passion for painting and prepare you for the next day's painting marathon.

### Day 7: Art classes at La Finca
After the last yoga session of the retreat, enjoy a nutritious breakfast and join Jennifer and Gayle in the art studio. Today will be a marathon painting day, where you'll paint all day, inspired by the gorgeous retreat venue, by pictures from your trip, or by the sound bowl and fire ceremony experiences. Jennifer and Gayle will be setting the tone and helping everyone have a successful marathon, with as many beautiful creations as possible. In the evening, you'll get together as a group and support each other as you share your sketchbooks with one another, talk about your favorite piece from the retreat, and how you've grown from this experience. You'll celebrate your achievements and your learning, as well as the new friendships you've made and the wonderful memories you've created at La Finca Paradiso. End the night with a special farewell dinner with drinks.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast together and catch the 10:00 AM transfer to Almería Airport (arriving at the airport at 11:00 AM).

## Instructors

- **Gayle Kabaker** - Illustrator, Writer, Visual storyteller
- **Jennifer Orkin Lewis** - Artist, Illustrator, Author, Teacher

## Accommodation

### La Finca Paradiso

### Shared room with shared bathroom

### Shared triple ensuite room

### Shared ensuite room

### Single room with shared bathroom

### Single ensuite room (standard)

### Single ensuite room (superior)

### Single suite (standard)

### Single suite (superior)

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/sketchbook-retreat-artists-gayle-kabaker-jennifer-orkin-lewis-la-finca-paradiso](https://uptrek.com/retreat/sketchbook-retreat-artists-gayle-kabaker-jennifer-orkin-lewis-la-finca-paradiso) to make a reservation.

*Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*