Watercolour retreat in Tarifa
26th & 27th April 2025
Welcome to my first watercolour retreat in Tarifa! Over the course of two days, I will share my passion and experience with watercolours, offering you the best tips to enhance your technique. We will explore everything from essential fundamentals to advanced techniques, allowing you to progress quickly. No prior experience is required, as the level of difficulty will be adapted to each participant. My commitment is to provide you with personalised attention and make this retreat an enriching and inspiring experience.
Workshop Content
Live demos.
Observe each stage of the artwork creation process, from the pencil sketch to the application of layers and the final touches with precise details.
Essential materials and techniques.
Discover the best materials for watercolour painting. Master basic techniques such as wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry. Learn to control and manage water and pigment, as well as drying times.
Animal and human portraiture.
Observe your subject: Where does the light come from? Where are the shadows cast? What is its shape?
Learn to draw and paint animals and portraits while respecting their anatomy, and create expressive artworks with an abstract touch.
Creative technique.
Let yourself be carried away by watercolour and its effects. Play with water, pigment, and other complementary materials to create experimental artworks, such as galaxies, organic shapes, and abstract compositions.
Personal evolution.
During the retreat, you will connect with various artists and creative minds in a welcoming and inspiring environment. As the course progresses, you will see how your technique evolves and your personal style naturally takes shape.
Schedule
Saturday April 26th:
Morning session:
9:30 – 9:45 arrival at the Floating House
10:00 group welcome presentation and breakfast.
11:00 theoretical introduction to watercolour, experimental creative artwork, live demonstration, and single-colour watercolour from a photograph.
13:30 – 16:00 lunch break.
Afternoon session:
16:00 free technique for mixing colours, experimenting with simple sketches while practising the creation of your own colour palette. Animal portrait in multiple colours.
18:00 aperitivo break
18:30 introduction to creative animal and human portraiture, planning of the final project.
20:00 break and dinner.
Sunday April 27th:
9:30 breakfast
10:15 – 13:30 final project: create your own artistic composition by blending abstract or realistic portraits with natural elements and watercolour effects. Let your brush run free to create a beautiful and expressive watercolour.
* The times are approximate.
Location:
Tarifa is a picturesque white village in Andalusia, located in the province of Cádiz, with a rich influence from various cultures that have left their mark over the centuries. Situated in a unique location, Tarifa is the southernmost point of continental Europe, just a few kilometres away from Africa. It is also the point of separation between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
It stands out for its beautiful old town with narrow streets and white facades, its endless sandy beaches and its cultural heritage.
Tarifa is also known for its exquisite gastronomy, its culture, its good atmosphere and for being one of the most popular kitesurfing destinations in the world. Ecotourism also plays a fundamental role in the town, with activities such as whale and bird watching, which allow you to enjoy nature in all its splendor.
The retreat will take place at the Floating House, an ecological and cozy accommodation with incredible views of the Strait, and with a large garden, terraces and private parking.
The Floating House can be reached by car via an access road. From the house itself, a path leads directly to the center of Tarifa, which is only a 10 minutes walk away.
Lodging (optional):
The Floating house consists of several rooms for one, two or three persons. Each room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Both the private kitchens and the shared kitchen are fully equipped. Free wifi is available in all indoor and outdoor areas of the house.
At the Floating House, one of the most important points is sustainability, being one of the few guesthouses in the area that runs 100% on sustainable energy.
Price:
The price of the retreat is 150€ (without accommodation), and includes all the material, full breakfast both days and aperitif on Saturday afternoon.
Lunches and dinners are paid separately and will go to typical restaurants in the historic center (approximate price 15-25€ per person). Sunday afternoon activities (to be defined) are optional and are not included in the price.
There are accommodation options at the Floating House on both Friday and Saturday, and the price is 30-40€ per person per night. There are many other accommodation options in the area, although the responsibility will be on the participant to find and book elsewhere. In case of staying in a different place than the Floating House, I strongly recommend to make the reservation in advance, as Tarifa is a very touristic destination, especially during spring and summer.
Important: Accommodation in the Floating House is limited and must be reserved by March 25th.
Cancellation policy:
The accommodation fee will be refunded provided that the cancellation is made at least one month in advance.
The workshop fee is non-refundable, regardless of the reason for absence. However, a voucher will be issued for the amount paid, redeemable in my online store for courses and products.
