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

Join artists Jennifer Orkin Lewis (August Wren) and Gayle Kabaker for a transformative sketchbook retreat set in the radiant Portuguese countryside. Explore your authentic creative voice and deepen or begin a sketchbook practice that helps you capture both adventures and everyday life. Learn to see beauty in the world, embrace your unique style, and experience the joy of creating without judgment. You will benefit from daily classes with your favorite artists, hands-on demonstrations, and tailored feedback. Artists of all experience levels are welcome.This weeklong retreat is more than a painting workshop. It is a fully immersive experience in art, nature, and self-care. Yogi goddess Chloe Ward will lead daily morning yoga, evening meditation, and calming Yin yoga sessions. Nourishing vegetarian and vegan meals will be prepared by a private chef. This retreat is designed to spark inspiration and leave you feeling refreshed in body, mind, and spirit.In addition to time at the venue, a guided creative visit will take you to the medieval town of Óbidos, where cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and a centuries-old castle provide visual inspiration for your sketchbook.Settle into a charming Portuguese countryside estate (Quinta), enjoy delicious vegan and vegetarian meals prepared by a private chef, and take in beautiful views of lush gardens, orchards, and rolling hills in the soulful Ribatejo region. Connect with fellow artists, share ideas, and create a sketchbook that celebrates your creative journey and the captivating sights of Portugal.

## Details

- **Dates:** May 28 - June 4, 2026
- **Location:** Casével, Ribatejo, Portugal
- **Starting Price:** $5,250
- **Category:** Painting

## Program

### Transformative Sketchbook Retreat
Discover the true beauty of everyday life through the power of sketchbooking in this inspiring retreat led by artists Jennifer Orkin Lewis and Gayle Kabaker. Taking place in the tranquil Ribatejo region of Portugal, this retreat blends artistic exploration with soul-nourishing self-care. Through Gayle and Jennifer's insightful classes, you’ll learn the secrets of acrylic gouache and let your creativity loose in a safe, supportive environment. Whether you're new to sketchbooking or already experienced, this retreat offers the perfect chance to grow and learn without judgment, gaining more confidence in your artistic choices. You'll explore the beauty (and relief) of staying more in the process instead of worrying about producing 'amazing’ paintings.By the end of the retreat, you'll have created a sketchbook that tells the story of your experiences in Portugal and gained a deeper understanding of sketching on location, taking reference photos, and much more. Jennifer and Gayle's engaging teaching style will help your best creative self blossom. Gayle and Jennifer will perform daily demonstrations, teach a wide variety of techniques, give you tailored feedback, and, most importantly, heartily encourage your self-expression. Join a community of 17 other creative souls and expand your artistic horizons. Topics covered in your classes include:Introduction to acrylic gouacheHow to lay out a sketchbook page – various methods and ideasColor exploration – learn how to mix colors and find color palettes that feel inspiringHow to let creativity wander and not pick at detailsCreating expressive artwork from reference photosDepicting amazing landscapes or painting the subtle details of everyday lifeLessons based on specific desires from the group, such as painting faces and figures, painting water, and flowers...and so much more! The venue, a peaceful and picturesque Portuguese Quinta, will serve as your creative haven. The property includes spacious gardens, a serene pool, a light-filled art studio, lush orchards, and comfortable accommodations, offering plenty of space to work and relax. A creative outing to Óbidos provides cultural inspiration and opportunities to fill your sketchbook with meaningful memories. You'll also take part in ‘Tuning into Energy with Horses,’ a free-flowing, interactive experience with the Quinta’s own herd, held in the fields of the estate. Connect more deeply with presence, energy, and the natural world through a creative lens. Outside of your art sessions, unwind by the pool, enjoy flavorful cuisine prepared by a private chef, and share creative conversations with fellow artists over a glass of local wine.

### Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at the venue around 4:00 PM after a transfer from Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) around 3:00 PM. Settle into your cozy room and take some time to unwind. Once you're refreshed, gather with your art group for a welcoming orientation tour. Explore the beautiful accommodations, the spacious art studio within the barn, the inviting pool, and the surrounding gardens. To kick off the retreat, enjoy a delightful dinner crafted by the in-house chef, and share a toast with local wine as you discuss the week ahead with your fellow artists.

### Day 2: Art at the venue
Start the day with a calming yoga session led by Chloe, then enjoy a nourishing breakfast to ease into your creative rhythm. Meet your group over coffee to go over the day’s plan with Gayle and Jennifer.In the morning class, get to know the medium of acrylic gouache and warm up with simple exercises that will open up your sketchbook practice. Gayle and Jennifer will guide you through foundational techniques and introduce ways to draw inspiration from the Quinta’s surrounding gardens, orchards, and architecture. Fill your first pages with expressive sketches that respond to your environment.Pause for a relaxed, plant-based lunch served on-site. Gather around the table, share stories, and enjoy fresh food made with local ingredients. After lunch, unwind at your own pace. Walk through the garden paths, sit by the pool, or connect with fellow artists in one of the Quinta’s peaceful common spaces.In the afternoon, return to the studio and continue building your sketchbook. Follow along as Gayle and Jennifer demonstrate new approaches to layout, layering, and creative interpretation. Learn to capture anything depending on your own interests. Practice turning reference images into loose, expressive studies using intuitive mark-making and bold color choices. From 5 PM, enjoy Happy Hour wine and snacks while you further express your experiences through your art.Close the day with a shared dinner and a glass of wine.

### Day 3: Trip to Óbidos
Begin with a morning yoga session led by Chloe, followed by a nourishing breakfast. Then set off for a full-day creative journey to the town of Óbidos and the nearby Atlantic coast.Travel through scenic countryside as the road winds past vineyards, orchards, and sweeping views of the Silver Coast. Arrive in Óbidos, a beautifully preserved medieval village with winding stone alleys, climbing flowers, and whitewashed buildings. Explore the old castle walls, photograph colorful tiles, sketch architectural details, or simply wander and absorb the rhythm of the place.Break for lunch at a small café of your choice or find a quiet spot to relax and reflect. Let the atmosphere of the town move through you as you draw, paint, or write in your sketchbook, responding freely to the textures, colors, and energy around you.Later in the afternoon, continue on to the coast near Peniche. Explore the sandy beaches, recharge in the sun, listen to the ocean, and take in the expansive views. The sea breeze and natural textures will offer new inspiration as you keep sketching, painting, or writing, however you feel called to create in the moment. If the weather is favorable, why not take a dip in the sea?As evening arrives, return to the Quinta for a shared dinner and a glass of wine. Close the day with connection and reflection, letting the creative energy settle into your sketchbook and your spirit.

### Day 4: Art at the venue
Kick off a peaceful morning with a grounding yoga session led by Chloe, followed by a nourishing breakfast served on the terrace.Settle into the light-filled studio and return to your sketchbook. Draw from recent moments, surroundings, and anything that continues to inspire. Paint and draw freely, tuning in to your environment and letting feeling and curiosity guide the page. Gayle and Jennifer will be there with guidance, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback as needed.Enjoy a peaceful, plant-based lunch shared in community, offering time to relax and refuel. Take space for rest or reflection. Walk the garden paths, sit by the pool, or add quiet notes to your sketchbook. Let this time support integration and creativity in its quieter form.In the afternoon, continue working at your own pace. Follow what draws your attention, whether it’s nature, objects, interiors, or memory. Paint, sketch, or collage as you feel inspired. Gayle and Jennifer will move through the space, offering individual support and checking in on your process. This time invites expression without pressure, allowing the rhythm of the day to shape the direction of your work. Relax with a glass of wine and delicious bites from 5 PM onwards, letting your art express the day’s journey.The evening closes with a shared meal and a glass of wine. Gather outdoors or in the dining room to reflect, connect, and enjoy the ease that comes from a full day of art, presence, and connection.

### Day 5: Art at the venue + Tuning into Energy with Horses
Ease into the day with a quiet morning yoga session led by Chloe, grounding your breath and body before stepping into creative flow. After breakfast, prepare to meet Gayle and Jennifer for the day’s first gathering in the field.Join a small group of no more than ten and walk together into the open pastures to meet the resident herd. Take part in a guided session connecting through presence, energy, and breath. Let the horses mirror your rhythm and offer new insight into your creative process. Touch, observe, and move with awareness as you tune into the calm power of these gentle beings. Let the sounds of nature and the open space help you drop deeper into your body and your surroundings.Gather for a nourishing lunch prepared by the chef and shared on the terrace. Let this time offer a reset and a space to connect with others and, take time to rest. Walk the paths, sit by the pool, or continue sketching in a quiet corner.In the afternoon, return to your creative practice. Follow what calls you, be it shapes from memory, impressions from the field, or the stillness that lingers. Paint and draw in your sketchbook without aiming for perfection. Jennifer and Gayle will move through the space, offering support and encouragement as needed. Enjoy a creative wind-down from 5 PM, complete with wine, snacks, and time to deepen your artistic reflections.Later, gather once more for dinner and a glass of wine. Reflect on the insights of the day and enjoy the company of your fellow artists beneath the evening sky.

### Day 6: Art at the venue
Wake into the rhythm of the sixth day with a morning yoga session led by Chloe, followed by a nourishing breakfast.Spend the morning moving through the grounds with your sketchbook in hand. Let your surroundings guide your focus: colors, textures, small details, shifting light. Paint and draw what you’re drawn to, allowing the energy of the place to shape your choices. Gayle and Jennifer will be close by, offering ideas and encouragement as you deepen your process.Enjoy a relaxed lunch outdoors, a quiet pause to give yourself time to rest. Sit quietly in a shaded corner, reflect by the pool, or return to your sketchbook in silence. Let the space hold whatever arises.In the afternoon, keep following your instinct. Work on unfinished pages, explore something entirely new, or rework a moment that’s stayed with you. Stay with the flow of sketchbooking and painting in acrylic gouache, letting feeling lead the way. Jennifer and Gayle will support you as needed, answering questions and offering gentle guidance to help you stay connected to your creative momentum. Starting at 5 PM, sip on wine and enjoy snacks as you capture the day’s memories in your artwork.Close out the evening with a shared meal and a glass of wine. The atmosphere will be warm and unhurried, perfect for soaking in the joy of a day spent deep in color, connection, and creative freedom.

### Day 7: Art at the venue
Ease into the final morning with yoga led by Chloe, followed by a grounding breakfast served at the Quinta. Join Gayle and Jennifer in the studio for a full day of creative flow.Let the atmosphere guide you as you return to unfinished work or begin something completely new. Draw, paint, and sketch freely in your acrylic gouache sketchbook, following what feels most alive. Revisit moments from earlier in the week or respond to something freshly observed. Gayle and Jennifer will offer support and feedback as you move through your creative rhythm.After lunch, enjoy some spare time to rest before diving into a relaxed closing session. Use the time to reflect through your artwork, reconnect with what surprised or moved you, and gather your visual notes from the week into a final spread or piece.Work at your own pace and allow your process to unfold naturally. As the light fades, take a moment to step back and witness what has been created. Share your favorite pages or images with the group, if you wish. Gayle and Jennifer will hold space for closing reflections and creative encouragement moving forward. At 5 PM, indulge in wine and nibbles while translating your experiences into vibrant sketches and colors.In the evening, gather for one last shared dinner and a glass of wine. Sit together, celebrate the connections built throughout the retreat, and hold close the color, movement, and inspiration carried across the days spent in community.

### Day 8: Departure
After sharing a final breakfast with your group and exchanging contact details, prepare for your transfer to Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS). Check-out is scheduled for 10:00 AM, with an expected arrival at the airport around 11:00 AM.

## Instructors

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

## Accommodation

### Portuguese Quinta

### Shared standard ensuite room (female only)

### Shared superior ensuite room - private veranda (female only)

### Shared bathroom - single room (female only)

### Single standard ensuite room

### Single superior ensuite room - private veranda

### Single deluxe ensuite room

## Book This Retreat

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

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