# Vibrant Horizons Art Retreat with Artist Este MacLeod in Portugal Immerse yourself in an unforgettable art retreat with renowned artist Esté MacLeod in Portugal's enchanting Ribatejo region. This retreat is open to artists of all levels, offering a balance of hands-on instruction, personalized feedback, and the space to explore your creativity. However, you’ll benefit most if you’ve already taken one of Esté MacLeod’s courses, as the retreat is designed to build on the techniques and concepts introduced in her earlier teachings.Dive into the rich world of mixed media, where you’ll experiment with various techniques to create dynamic landscapes, townscapes, mono-prints, and vibrant collages. Esté will guide you in observing the beauty of your surroundings and translating it into expressive, textured artworks.Set in the serene Ribatejo region, this retreat provides the perfect environment to relax, savor local flavors, and connect with a community of fellow creatives. Unleash your imagination, fill your sketchbook with new ideas, and discover the unique artistic voice that lies within you, all while experiencing the warm hospitality and cultural richness of the Portuguese countryside. ## Details - **Dates:** July 14 - 21, 2025 - **Location:** Casével, Ribatejo, Portugal - **Starting Price:** $4,250 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Vibrant Horizons Mixed Media Art Retreat Experience an inspiring art retreat with Esté MacLeod in the historic Ribatejo region of Portugal. This immersive retreat invites artists to explore innovative approaches to landscapes and townscapes using mixed media, gel plates, acrylics, watercolors, and collage. Esté, known for her vibrant and expressive style, will guide you through a thoughtfully designed course that emphasizes mono-printing, layering techniques, color theory, and texture creation. The retreat offers a perfect blend of structured learning and creative exploration, set against the backdrop of a charming Portuguese estate.Throughout the week, you will create a series of artworks that blend drawing, painting, and collage, focusing on the simplification of elements to create expressive compositions. The retreat also includes two inspiring art excursions: a visit to the medieval town of Óbidos and an exploration of Almourol Castle, a storied relic of the Templar Knights.The retreat is open to all levels, but you might find you will benefit most from this retreat if you have taken one of Esté's art classes before.Topics covered in this retreat include:Developing a good understanding of mono-printing techniques using a gel plateCollaging with mono-printed paper layersMastering collage processes along with mixed mediaIncorporating acrylics with water-based mixed mediaUnderstanding how to apply these techniques across various contexts and subjectsUsing drawing and mark-making to create texture and expressive marksIncorporating texture and translucence to develop rich artworksExpanding your knowledge of colorGaining confidence in exploring options with color harmonies, contrasts, and limited palettes...and many more!In addition to daily art sessions, there is ample free time each afternoon to relax, connect with fellow participants, or explore the beautiful surroundings of the retreat venue. Your venue, a traditional Portuguese Quinta, offers lush gardens, a refreshing pool, a spacious art studio, and serene natural landscapes, providing the perfect setting for creative inspiration. ### Day 1: Arrival After landing at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), you’ll be transferred to the retreat venue—a picturesque Quinta nestled in the Ribatejo region, about an hour’s drive from Lisbon. Arrival is scheduled around 4:00 PM, giving you plenty of time to settle into your accommodations and refresh.Take part in a guided tour of the estate, where you’ll discover the stately rooms, spacious art studio, and tranquil gardens that will serve as your creative sanctuary for the week. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the in-house chef, featuring delicious vegan and vegetarian cuisine. As you dine, get to know your fellow artists and discuss the exciting week ahead. ### Day 2: Art at the venue Your first full day begins with a relaxed breakfast at the Quinta, followed by a morning session where Esté will introduce the course and outline the week’s goals. You’ll start with a series of warm-up exercises to get into your creative flow for the day. Afterward, Esté will teach an introduction to acrylics for mono-printing. You'll use gel plates to experiment with layering techniques that incorporate stencils. Explore color mixing, learning various methods of applying paint and mediums. To complement this, you’ll be introduced to an array of tools and techniques for mark-making, alongside contour drawing exercises that will help you develop fluidity and confidence in your sketchbook practice.After a relaxed lunch, you’ll move into collage work with a focus on composition and color. Create layered collages using simplified shapes and elements. This will help you explore four distinct landscape compositions. Drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings, this session allows you to experiment with these techniques.In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous three-course dinner, expertly crafted by the in-house chef and paired with local wine. ### Day 3: Trip to Óbidos Begin your day with a delicious breakfast, setting the perfect tone for creative inspiration.After breakfast, prepare for a full-day trip to the enchanting town of Óbidos, located about an hour away from the retreat venue. You’ll travel through the picturesque landscapes of the Silver Coast, known for its rolling hills and vineyards.Arriving in Óbidos, a UNESCO City of Literature, you'll feel transported back in time as you stroll its narrow, cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses and vibrant bougainvillea. Esté will guide you through a morning session of observational drawing, focusing on the town’s buildings, spaces, textures, and forms. You'll experiment with carbon copy paper for unique mark-making, combined with watercolor washes to enhance depth and detail in your sketches.During the day, you’ll also have the chance to visit the historic Óbidos Castle, one of the town’s most iconic landmarks. After exploring the town, enjoy lunch on your own at one of Óbidos’ delightful local eateries. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the nearby beaches of Peniche, famous for their golden sands and clear waters. Esté will lead a relaxed workshop on different composition approaches to explore seascapes, horizontal lines, volume, and color harmonies.The day concludes with a chef-prepared dinner at the retreat venue. ### Day 4: Art at the venue Start the day with a hearty breakfast before diving into your morning mono-printing session with a gel plate.You’ll explore various techniques, including drawing, line work, and more complex color layering on the plate. The focus will then shift to a landscape collage, incorporating different media such as acrylic inks, paint medium, gel, and pigment sticks. Experiment with color and texture to create atmosphere, depth, contrast, harmony, and interest in your work.After a delicious lunch at the Quinta, the afternoon session will continue with more mono-printing on gel plates, enhancing your ability to create texture, rhythm, and patterns. Your instructor will demonstrate how to assemble a layered landscape collage, drawing on the techniques explored throughout the day. Esté will provide personalized feedback to help you refine your approach and further develop your unique voice as an artist.The day concludes with a delightful three-course dinner paired with local wine. ### Day 5: Trip to Almourol Castle Begin your fifth day of the retreat with a delicious breakfast, followed by a relaxed coffee session where you'll have the chance to share impressions, reflect on your experiences, and connect with your fellow artists.The morning session will focus on creating two A3 landscape collages, layering mixed media to emphasize both texture and color. Through layering techniques, you'll build depth and complexity into your compositions, enhancing the narrative of your work.After lunch, embark on a picturesque half-day excursion to Almourol Castle, one of Portugal’s most enchanting historical sites. A scenic 30-minute drive along the Tagus River will take you to the castle, which is gracefully perched on a small islet in the middle of the river. This 12th-century fortress is rich with myths and legends, offering a captivating glimpse into Portugal's past.Spend the afternoon exploring the castle and its tranquil surroundings, capturing the serene landscape through sketches or photographs. Esté will assist in using viewfinders to explore different compositions, allowing you to focus on key elements that bring out the essence of the scene. After your exploration, unwind at a nearby river beach—a perfect spot for capturing the natural beauty through further sketching or simply absorbing the peaceful atmosphere. Before returning, indulge in a tasting experience featuring local liqueurs, traditional sausages, cheese, and bread, immersing yourself in the region's culinary delights.The day concludes with a delightful three-course dinner, expertly prepared by the in-house chef and paired with local wine, offering a perfect opportunity to unwind and reflect on your creative journey. ### Day 6: Art at the venue Begin your day with a delightful breakfast and an informal check-in with Esté.The focus for today is on transforming your sketches into developed artworks. Esté will start the day with a demonstration, guiding you through mixed media layering techniques. You will be working on four distinct collage landscapes, each with a specific focus: texture and mark-making, abstraction, limited color palettes, and a dramatic monochrome approach. After a leisurely lunch, you'll have the entire afternoon to deepen your work on these collage landscapes, applying the techniques demonstrated earlier in the day. This time is designed to give you space to refine your use of mixed media, working with texture and layers to enhance the depth and complexity of your compositions. Esté will continue with short demonstrations and provide individual attention and feedback as you work toward creating polished, cohesive final pieces.The day concludes with an exquisite three-course dinner, carefully prepared by the in-house chef and accompanied by local wine. ### Day 7: Art at the venue As the retreat draws to a close, the final full day is dedicated to refining and completing your pieces. After breakfast, the morning session will focus on adding the finishing touches to your artwork, with special attention to selecting one still-life artwork to mount on a cradle board. Esté will be available for one-on-one feedback and, for those interested, will provide an optional demonstration on how to approach larger-scale collaging on canvas.In the afternoon, you'll finalize your work, culminating in a thoughtful display and group feedback session. This reflective showcase is an opportunity to assess your progress and celebrate the creative milestones you’ve achieved during your time in Portugal. The day will conclude with a festive three-course dinner, toasting new friendships and the artistic growth fostered throughout the retreat. ### Day 8: Departure After a final breakfast at the Quinta, it’s time to say goodbye to your fellow artists and the beautiful Ribatejo region. You’ll be transferred back to Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) for your departure, arriving around 11:00 AM. As you leave, take with you not only the artwork you’ve created but also the memories of a transformative week of artistic exploration and growth. ## Instructors - **Esté MacLeod** - Artist, designer, educator ## Accommodation ### Portuguese Quinta ### Shared ensuite room ### Shared bathroom - single room ### Single standard ensuite room ### Single ensuite room - private cottage ### Single superior ensuite room - private veranda ### Single deluxe ensuite room ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/vibrant-horizons-art-retreat-artist-este-macleod-portugal](https://uptrek.com/retreat/vibrant-horizons-art-retreat-artist-este-macleod-portugal) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*