““Can’t remecomend this enough! Its a fab holiday - go on embrace the sketch book ..btw its much much more than that! September 2019”
A Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media and Printmaking Holiday.
Explore the souks, draw & paint the gardens and palaces of the exotic city of Marrakesh. Experience the spectacular landscape and Berber Traditions in the High Atlas Mountains while experimenting with mixed media & printmaking.
Staying four nights in the beautiful Boutique Riad Les Yeux Bleus in Marrakech’s old medina and four nights at the famous Kasbah du Toubkal.
Lara and Tessa will share their favorite places, ideas and demonstrate their techniques with one to one tuition time.
All welcome ! Suitable for beginners to advanced artists. Maximum number of artist participants 14
8 nights / 9 day £1855 shared Room and limited single @ £2945 ) Price includes most meals, transfers and some workshop materials.
““ Had one of the best creative weeks of my life, rediscovered my love of drawing and learned so much from Lara and Tessa - now need to develop all these and turn them into something ! April 2018”
For Bookings please email : bookings@discover.ltd.uk
(Deposit is 30% on booking ) We are partnering with Discover Ltd. (ABTA bonded and ATOL licence holder)
(Price does not include flights & insurance or Alcohol) IMPORTANT : You will need to book your own flights to arrive for the first day of the workshops. Transfers from Airport to Riad will be arranged etc once we have this info from you. Please let us know ASAP about your flight bookings. * For RETURN HOME We recommend afternoon or evening flights to avoid a very early start to the last day ( Its an hour and a half travel back to Marrakech and you’ll need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight leaves. )
For future trips please JOIN MAILING LIST
See Full itinerary below....
Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Marrakesh and introductions
You will be met at the airport and escorted to the Riad accommodation in Marrakesh medina. If you arrive earlier in the day you will be able to relax on the Riad rooftop terraces, have lunch (not included) and maybe go out and explore a little. Later arrivals should be in time for evening drinks and an introductory talk by Tessa and Lara which will give you the opportunity to meet each other and we can discuss the following days arrangements. Dinner will be in the Riad.
Day 2 - Sketching in Dar Is Said Museum, Henna Cafe & Souk
After breakfast you will be transported by private taxi to the Arts and Crafts Museum where Lara and Tessa will demonstrate their sketching techniques and accompany you in the Palace to draw and explore. A short walk away we will have lunch at the Henna Café followed by a walk up to the main square and back to the Riad, through the souk. For those of you who like gardens there will also be the opportunity to visit the beautiful Jardin Secret (entry fee) in the medina. In the evening we have dinner at the Riad.
Day 3 - Sketching in Musee de la Palmeraire and visit Majorelle Gardens (April 2024)
After breakfast we will go by private transport to the Musee de la Palmeraire, a gallery of contemporary Moroccan art with three wonderful gardens. Lara and Tessa will demonstrate and advise, and you will have the morning to wander and sketch in the gardens or sit and soak up the atmosphere. We will then return by our transport to the Riad for lunch. In the afternoon we propose a visit the gorgeous Majorelle Gardens (entry fee) where you will be able to draw and photograph the exotic colourful garden . You can also visit the new Yves St Laurent museum next door and the Berber museum within the gardens. Return late afternoon to relax at the Riad, pre-dinner show and tell. After dinner at the Riad we will walk down to famous Jemaa el Fnaa square to experience the wonderful atmosphere of Marrakesh evenings
Day 3 - (NOVEMBER) Sketching in Anima Sculpture Gardens and visit Majorelle Gardens (Nov 2024)
After breakfast we will go by private transport to the Anima Sculpture Gardens , André Heller’s African Garden of Eden”(Der Standard, Austria). Lara and Tessa will demonstrate and advise, and you will have the morning to wander and sketch in the gardens or sit and soak up the atmosphere. Lunch will be at Cafe Paul Bowles in the gardens ( not included ) In the afternoon we propose a visit to the gorgeous Majorelle Gardens (entry fee) where you will be able to draw and photograph the exotic colourful garden . You can also visit the new Yves St Laurent museum next door and the Berber museum within the gardens. Return late afternoon to relax at the Riad, pre-dinner show and tell. After dinner at the Riad we will walk down to famous Jemaa el Fnaa square to experience the wonderful atmosphere of Marrakesh evenings
Day 4 - Place Des Epices and a free afternoon to explore the ancient Medina’s souks & hidden museums
We will spend the morning in the Place des Epices where Lara and Tessa will discuss and demonstrate techniques for capturing sketches of people and busy market scenes. You are then free to explore the square and draw for the morning. Choose from the many cafes around the square for lunch (not included) and this afternoon is free to explore the souk and check out the less well known museums of Marrakech, Tessa and Lara will have some suggestions. Return late afternoon to relax at the Riad. Dinner will be at the Riad.
Day 5 - Head for the High Atlas mountains and Kasbah du Toubkal at Imlil. (approximately 90 minute journey).
After breakfast we will head off to Kasbah Du Toubkal,* stopping to draw en route. Once at Imlil, you will be met by a member of the Kasbah staff who will ensure your luggage is loaded onto a mule and you will be guided on a 15-minute walk or mule ride up to the Kasbah. On arrival we will enjoy a Berber welcome tea and talk about the Kasbah . After lunch at the Kasbah, you can venture out on explore the local town of Imil or relax on the terraces. Dinner will be at the Kasbah.
*In November we will have one night at Dar Imlil sister lodging to the Kasbah du Toubkal
Day 6 - Walking and sketching in the High Atlas Mountains
After breakfast we will take a guided walk up along the ancient paths and mule tracks, enjoying the spectacular views of landscape and on to the village of Arrempt,. Tessa and Lara will accompany you sketching. Lunch will be at the Kasbah, in the afternoon you will have demonstrations of mixed media and drawing techniques and time to develop sketchbook drawings in the studio. Pre-dinner show and tell. Dinner will be at the Kasbah.
Dinner will be at the Kasbah.
Day 7 - Drawing and painting in the valley by the river
This morning we will walk down to the river valley below the Kasbah for sketching and painting. if the weather is on our side we will have a picnic lunch under the walnut trees and in the afternoon you are free to explore the village shops and cafes or draw in the Kasbah gardens or out on the terraces. In the evening we will share our ideas and discuss the following days printmaking. Dinner will be at the Kasbah.
Day 8 - Studio day to explore printmaking and mixed media at the Kasbah
Today you will be based at the Kasbah, where Lara and Tessa will hold demonstration and small group taster workshops in screen printing and monoprint. Lunch will be at the Kasbah, and in the evening we will have a small show of work to share with the Kasbah, and a traditional Berber supper for our last night.
Day 9 - Farewell breakfast and departure
After breakfast you will be taken by private transfer back to Marrakesh for onward travel. If you are not heading directly to the airport, your luggage can be left securely while you are free to enjoy your last day. * IMPORTANT : We recommend afternoon or evening return home flights to avoid a very early start to the last day ( Its an hour and a half travel back to Marrakech and you’ll need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight leaves. ) More info about travel arrangements will be send out to you after booking.
The Tutors
Tessa Pearson
Tessa Pearson is a successful artist and educator with over 25 years’ experience teaching adults of all ability. Renowned for her use of colour and painterly printmaking , Tessa has visited Morocco many times and finds inspiration everywhere from the wonderful gardens to the colour, textures and pattern in the souks. www.tessapearson.com
Lara Harwood
"Using a sketch book is a wonderful way of being alive to a place and return with a book of treasures" Lara Harwood has over 25 years of experience as a successful artist and illustrator, known for her uplifting artworks, bold use of colour and love of travel. Lara has considerable teaching and workshops experience. lara-harwood/about
Tessa and Lara in a Petit Taxi Marrakesh