# Sketchbook Retreat by the Sea with Artist Emma Block in Spain

Join artist Emma Block on an art retreat by the Mediterranean Sea in a stunning coastal area close to Valencia, Spain. In this mixed media sketchbook retreat, Emma will be showing you how to use watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils to capture everything from scenery to people and architecture. Learn from an amazing artist and draw inspiration from Valencia's awe-inspiring City of Arts and Sciences, its history-drenched Old Town district, and the alluring golden beaches with more than 300 days of glorious sunshine a year. Enjoy exclusive use of a premium retreat venue located less than a mile from the beach and enjoy delicious chef-made exclusively vegetarian meals served with local wine.

## Details

- **Dates:** April 23 - 30, 2023
- **Location:** Valencia, Spain
- **Starting Price:** $3,650
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Art Workshops
Join artist Emma Block on a creative exploration by the Mediterranean Sea. Learn how to sketch from one of the most talented illustrators out there who will lavishly share her passion for Spain and all of her tips and tricks for creating beautiful artwork. Create amazing sketches inspired by the gorgeous places you'll visit: the beach, the beautiful city of Valencia, and the Spanish landscape. Emma will show you how to capture the essence of the place and how to best sketch landscapes, buildings, interesting people, delicious food, and more.During the retreat, you’ll get to experience: a materials masterclassa people drawing masterclassa color masterclassa sketching trip to Valencia’s Old Towna sketching trip to The City of Arts and Sciencesa sketching trip at a Flamenco Performancesketching trips at the beachQ&A sessions with the artistindividual guidance and feedbackEmma Block will perform live demonstrations and offer hands-on instruction and one-on-one tuition throughout the retreat. Students of all skill levels — from beginners to those with lots of experience — are welcome! Every step of the process will be covered and there will be lots of individual assistance and guidance. In addition to drawing and sketching alongside Emma every day, you'll also have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the stunning Spanish seaside, and share your experiences with fellow creatives over a glass of wine.

### Day 1: Arrival
Get transferred from Valencia Airport (VLC) at 3:30 PM and meet Emma Block and the rest of the art group. Settle in your premium room and explore the gorgeous private property that will be exclusively at your disposal during the retreat. Get to know Emma Block and your fellow art retreat participants during the delicious chef-made welcome dinner served with delectable Spanish wine.

### Days 2: Art classes at the venue
After a delicious buffet-style breakfast, join Emma Block in the art studio for your first art class of the retreat — a materials masterclass. Emma will be showing you the different techniques you can use with the various art materials you have brought. You'll learn the best way to layer up watercolor, gouache, and pencils and see examples of these techniques from Emma's sketchbooks. Discover how to beautifully capture different elements in your surroundings and transpose them into pretty and compelling sketches. Throughout the first art class, you will be doing light exercises and getting familiar with the art materials and techniques you'll be using throughout the retreat.Enjoy a light lunch on the terrace, then join Emma and the art group for an art class on the beach. We will find a nice spot to sit and sketch the beautiful seaside views, putting into practice all that we've learned in the materials masterclass. There will also be plenty of time to enjoy the lovely weather, sunbathe and take a dip in the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea if you wish.In the evening, delight in an appetizing three-course dinner served with Spanish wine.

### Day 3: Trip to Valencia Old Town
Enjoy breakfast at the retreat venue and go on a half-day trip to Valencia city center. Visit the old town and revel in its historic charm. Founded over 2000 years ago, Valencia has one of the most culturally rich and diverse city centers in Europe. Discover Catedral de Valencia, the Gothic cathedral purported to hold the true Holy Grail and filled with important art pieces by Maella, Goya, and Spanish Renaissance masters. Get inspired by La Lonja (The Silk Exchange), the Church of San Nicolás with its "Valencian Sistine Chapel" and the El Carmen neighborhood rich with medieval buildings, palaces, frescoes, and restaurants. Wander the cobbled streets of Ciutat Vella (Old Town) and soak up Valencia's lively character. Make a stop at the Central Market, a paradise of fresh produce, color, and flavor. Indulge in churros con chocolate in Plaza de la Reina, visit inspiring photo and art exhibitions and climb the Quart and Serranos towers for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You will have ample opportunities to sketch the gorgeous architecture of Valencia, or the vibrant and colorful fruit and vegetables at the Central Market.Return to the retreat venue in time for a hearty lunch and continue your art classes with Emma Block. In the afternoon you will be finishing the sketches you began on your trip to Valencia's historic center and working from photos to create new and beautiful sketches of the buildings that inspired you, the treats you enjoyed, or the beautiful plants that you saw on your trip.After your classes, enjoy a three-course chef-made dinner and wine with Emma and the art group.

### Day 4: Art class and Flamenco
After savoring breakfast, continue your art classes with Emma Block. The day will begin with a masterclass on drawing people. You'll learn how to capture movement and personality and you'll get plenty of exciting tips for drawing people on location during your next trip to Valencia. You'll learn how you can use people watching at a cafe, on the street, or at the beach to create vivid and harmonious sketches and drawings of people. Enjoy a refreshing lunch break, then head to the beach again to start practicing the skills you have just acquired. Return to the retreat venue in time for a luscious three-course dinner served with Spanish wine.After dinner, go on a night out in Valencia. Soak in the bustling Valencian nightlife scene, spend quality time with Emma and the art group, and enjoy a spectacular Flamenco show. You will get a chance to sketch or take reference pictures of the expressive dancers. Flamenco dancers practice exaggerated movements and poses that are perfect for dramatic and beautiful sketches.

### Day 5: Art classes at the venue
Enjoy breakfast on the terrace and join Emma Block for an art class in the studio. In the morning, Emma will be teaching a color masterclass, filled with tips and tricks for mixing colors and creating vibrant and delicate color palettes. This will be a deep dive into color, addressing everything from color theory to fun exercises that will get your creative juices flowing.Savor a light, refreshing lunch and resume your art classes with Emma. You will be spending a relaxing afternoon drawing at the vila. You will be working from photos, finishing up any sketches you might have left off from the trips to Valencia. There will also be a still-life setup of fruit and traditional Spanish items — like a snapshot of the area — available for sketching.After a full day of drawing and painting, enjoy a delicious Spanish dinner served with plenty of delicious local wine.

### Day 6: Trip to City of Arts and Sciences
Savor breakfast at the retreat venue and embark on a half-day trip to the amazing Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, a spectacular complex designed by world-famous, locally born architect Santiago Calatrava. Explore the awe-inspiring Oceanogràfic, Europe's biggest aquarium, the Science Museum where touching the exhibitions is not just allowed but encouraged, and the Hemisfèric digital 3D cinema with a huge 900-meter concave screen that envelops the spectators. Take a stroll in the Umbracle — a huge, open-access garden filled with Mediterranean plants and contemporary sculptures. Take in the exotic melange of futuristic architecture and lush palm trees and oleanders surrounded by tranquil turquoise water pools. Allow the impressive setting to inspire you to create unique and personal sketches. You will be drawing on location and taking reference pictures of your favorite artworks, plants, objects, or buildings for sketching back at the retreat venue.After lunch, Emma Block will be guiding and supporting you to work from photos, and share sketchbooks with other students to get a feel of what everyone is creating. Emma will also be answering questions and offering guidance wherever needed.After the art class, enjoy a delicious chef-made dinner with wine together with Emma and the art group.

### Day 7: Art classes at the venue
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and head to the beach one last time. Sketch and have fun, then return to the retreat venue for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, Emma will be hosting a Q&A session where you'll get to ask all your remaining questions about painting, drawing, or being an illustrator. Later, you'll be sharing the work you’ve done over the week with Emma and the art group and celebrating your accomplishments over a special farewell dinner with drinks.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast with Emma Block and the art group and get transferred to Valencia Airport (VLC) at 10:00 AM (arriving at Valencia Airport at 10:45 AM).

## Instructors

- **Emma Block** - Multidisciplinary Illustrator

## Accommodation

### Mediterranean Retreat Center

### Standard shared room

### Superior shared room

### Standard single room

### Superior single room

### Private suite

## Book This Retreat

Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/sketchbook-retreat-by-the-sea-emma-block-spain](https://uptrek.com/retreat/sketchbook-retreat-by-the-sea-emma-block-spain) to make a reservation.

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