Our studio space, Casa Palacio Las Marias, is a 18th century house with a calm Moroccan riad-style inner courtyard and rooftop views across the old city. Its natural light and vibrant colours, combined with a variety of thoughtfully designed spaces and collected objects, offer a heap of inspiration for us to draw on throughout the five days, along with local sketching excursions.

Pattern, colour and creating collections form the theme of this year’s workshops, giving us a shared focus whilst leaving space for you to choose your own subject matter and personal direction. Whether it’s designing characters inspired by the local puppet theatre, printing Seville oranges or drawing on the ephemera and textiles of Casa Palacio, there is a breadth of inspiration to build a rich portfolio of illustrations.

Throughout the week you’ll have the chance to work with your own preference of materials through guided demonstrations and tailored feedback, filling a book with characterfully imperfect illustrations. We’ll explore a range of techniques, including watercolour, colour-pencil drawing, lino cutting, and print-making, plus sharing tips for playful creativity and pushing your work in new directions.

By the end of the week you’ll have a range of drawings, prints and paintings, inspired by visited interiors and local surroundings. Through individual conversations you’ll have a better sense of how to bring the best out of your work, along with ways to sustain a creative habit once you return home.

Suitable for adults with all levels of experience and ability from enthusiastic beginners to more established artists seeking new inspiration, this workshop covers new themes and processes and is therefore equally suitable for returning students who have attended my previous workshops or retreats.