Join artist Sophia Rodionov for a week-long watercolor and mixed media art retreat in Ericeira, a charming seaside town on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, just 40 minutes from Lisbon.
Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of light, sea breeze, and artistic flow as you explore new creative directions through plein-air painting, intuitive sketching, and expressive mixed media sessions.

During this retreat, you’ll capture the movement of waves, the textures of cliffs and rocks, and the warm play of light on the white houses and cobblestone streets. Through daily painting sessions and creative exercises, Sophia will guide you in discovering freedom, rhythm, and harmony in your compositions — learning how to let the ocean’s energy inspire your artistic voice.

Beyond the studio, we’ll enjoy sunset sketching by the sea, visit Sintra and Monserrate. You’ll savor authentic Portuguese cuisine, taste local wines, and share evenings of conversation and laughter with fellow artists.

The retreat welcomes participants of all levels, though those with some familiarity with watercolor and mixed media — and with Sophia’s approach — will find the experience especially enriching.
We’ll stay in a beautiful coastal villa with ocean views, where delicious homemade meals, creative atmosphere, and the sound of the sea set the perfect scene for artistic exploration and renewal.

🌍 7 Days
👥 Max. 16 Guests
🗣️ Available in English
🎨 Mediums: Watercolor & Mixed Media (other mediums welcome)
🌿 Focus: Abstract Art, Landscapes, Nature, Composition, Architectural Sketching
💰 All prices in EURO
💎 Pricing:

Early Bird Pricing till May, 1 2026

• Double Occupancy Standard: €3,037
• Double Occupancy Deluxe: €3,172
• Single Occupancy Standard: €3,325
• Single Occupancy Deluxe: €3,586

 Regular Pricing

• Double Occupancy Standard: €3,375
• Double Occupancy Deluxe: €3,525
• Single Occupancy Standard: €3,695
• Double Occupancy Deluxe: €3,985

Photos of O House including rooms and surroundings here

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM OF THE RETREAT 

Day 1 – Arrivals

- Afternoon: Guests arrive, settle into rooms, free time to explore O’House, lunch
- Evening: Welcome Circle & Orientation
  • Introductions, sharing intentions for the retreat and discuss expectations.
  • Light dinner together. 

Day 2 – First Immersions (Nature Focus)

- Morning: Breakfast, Guided plein air session in O’House surroundings (gardens, nearby forest, or fields). Focus: observation, light & atmosphere.
- Afternoon: Lunch, Studio session – translating outdoor sketches into watercolor/mixed media pieces. Emphasis on textures and expressive marks.
- Evening: Dinner, Group sharing & free time.

Day 3 – Exploring Cityscapes

- Morning and afternoon: Excursion to Sintra with a visit in Monserrate (streets, architecture, markets). Plein air urban sketching.
- Lunch in the town.
- Evening: Dinner, Slide talk / inspiration session (masters of urban sketching, Sophia’s works).

Day 4 – Deepening Expression

- Morning: breakfast, Independent painting time in studio (mentored: each participant develops their personal direction).
- Afternoon: Lunch, Short trip to a different natural site (river, coast, or hills) for plein air focus on composition and atmosphere.
- Evening: Dinner in Ericeira 

Day 5 – Floral Inspirations & Mixed Media Exploration

- Morning: Collaborative floral arrangement session.

• Together we create several floral compositions using local flowers and plants — exploring rhythm, color, and harmony.
• Guided sketching and quick studies from the arrangements to capture structure, flow, and emotion rather than realism.

 - Afternoon: Studio work – translating floral inspiration into expressive mixed-media paintings.

• Focus on layering, transparency, and contrast of materials (watercolor, ink, collage, dry media).
• Discussion and demonstration on how to abstract from nature while keeping its inner rhythm and life.

- Evening: Campfire or garden gathering (weather permitting).

• Sharing of insights, informal art talk.
• Quiet evening of connection, music, or simple joy under the stars

- Evening: Farewell dinner with festive atmosphere.

Day 6 – Synthesis & Preparation

- Morning: breakfast, Finishing works in studio – preparing pieces for sharing.
- Afternoon: lunch, Retreat Exhibition & Sharing Circle
  • Set up works at O’House.
  • Informal exhibition, each participant presents their journey.
  • Group closing circle: reflections, gratitude, and intentions for future practice, Group photos, toast/celebration.

- Evening: Farewell dinner with festive atmosphere.

Day 7 – Departure

- Morning: breakfast, Departures

BOOKING INFORMATION

All prices are in EURO

If the retreat is canceled due to force majeure events or circumstances out of our control, we will let you know as soon as possible and refund the total cost of the retreat

All payments are actioned by O House, by booking your place here you provide us your name and e-mail address, then you will be contacted by O House employees regarding your payment details.

You may send your questions or comments to the O House representatives on shared@ohouse.pt or to  Evgenia on evgenia@canotstop.com