Join us for “Azul Retreat”, a three-day immersive creative art experience set in the inspiring coastal town of Lagos, Portugal. Designed to help you unlock your creativity through experimentation and expert guidance, the retreat explores painting, mixed media, observational drawing and sketchbook practice. There is something increasingly valuable about taking time to slow down, notice, observe colour, texture and light, and create without pressure or expectation. Whether you are looking to deepen your artistic practice, learn new skills or simply make time for creativity, Azul Retreat offers the opportunity to develop your work in an inspiring and supportive setting. Working in both the studio and on location, you will gather ideas, experiment with materials and develop a series of original artworks inspired by the extraordinary light, colours and landscapes of the western Algarve. Art Retreats Algarve combines the depth and structure of an art school with the warmth and slower pace of a creative retreat. Over three days, participants will explore guided studio practice, plein-air drawing and painting, sketchbook-based learning and experimentation. Our retreats help to reduce stress, support emotional expression, improve mindfulness and boost confidence, while developing ways of seeing that continue long after the retreat has ended. “Azul Retreat” is about more than making finished artwork; it is about slowing down, observing differently, gathering ideas, trying new materials and giving yourself dedicated time to create in a beautiful coastal setting. Whether you are a complete beginner, returning to art or already have an established creative practice, the retreat is designed to support you in exploring, experimenting and developing ideas into a series of original artworks

Website Link

https://www.instagram.com/artretreatsalgarve

What's Included

Welcome pack Welcome dinner on Thursday evening in Lagos Three-day immersive art retreat programme Expert tuition, demonstrations and individual guidance Guided studio practice, sketchbook work and process-led exercises Workshops exploring colour theory, composition and mixed media Lagos photo-walk and visual research activities Boat trip along the Lagos coastline for visual reference gathering Plein-air drawing or painting, weather permitting All art materials, including a sketchbook Observational exercises and mixed media experimentation Small group teaching with opportunities for discussion, reflection and individual support Daily shared lunches 2 evening meals in Lagos: Thursday and Saturday Tea, coffee and water throughout Additional studio time on Friday evening

What to Bring

What to Bring Comfortable clothes you do not mind getting paint on Comfortable walking shoes suitable for cobbled streets and uneven paths A hat, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle for outdoor sessions A light layer for the boat trip or cooler evenings Any favourite art materials you would like to use, although all core materials are provided A phone or camera if you would like to take reference photographs during the photo walk and boat trip Please note: The retreat includes guided walks through Lagos Old Town and coastal locations. Portuguese cobbled streets can be uneven and slippery, so practical footwear is strongly recommended. High heels are not suitable.

Leader Bio

Claire Lloyd-Bown is a UK-born visual artist, arts educator and co-founder of Art Retreats Algarve. She has been based in Lagos, Portugal for the past seven years, where the extraordinary quality of light and everyday visual experiences continue to influence her creative practice. Working across painting, drawing, mixed media, textiles and surface pattern design, her work explores colour, rhythm, pattern, texture and surface through an intuitive, process-led approach. Rather than depicting places directly, Claire creates paintings that sit between abstraction and figuration. Drawing on memory, dreams, interiors, still life and everyday observations, her work evolves through layering, repetition and expressive mark-making. Rich colour, visual storytelling and the relationship between structure and spontaneity are at the heart of her practice, with each painting developing gradually through curiosity, experimentation and discovery. Before moving to Portugal, Claire spent many years working in the UK's contemporary arts and education sector, including senior roles as Director of Education at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London and Deputy Director of Learning and Inclusion at Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange in Cornwall. She has also taught Art and Design in Further Education and led workshops, public programmes and creative projects for a wide range of audiences. Claire is an exhibiting member of the Algarve Artists Network and co-founder of the Living in Lagos Artists Collective (LiLAC). Her work has been exhibited across Portugal, including Blue Planet at the Museum of Portimão, Artists for Hope at the Museu Municipal de Faro, exhibitions in Monchique, Art Expo Algarve, and shows with LiLAC and other regional arts organisations. Her work is held in private collections. Claire's teaching combines the depth and structure of an art school with a warm, encouraging approach that helps participants build confidence, develop technical skills and discover new ways of seeing. She believes creativity grows through observation, curiosity and experimentation, encouraging artists at every stage of their journey to enjoy the process of making while developing their own individual creative language. When she is not teaching or painting, Claire can often be found happily rummaging through antique shops, flea markets and bric-a-brac fairs in search of unusual pottery, vintage books, old photographs and wonderfully quirky objects that inevitably find their way back to the studio. Angie-Lynne De Bock Angie-Lynne is a self-taught mixed media artist based at Azul Atelier, her studio and creative space nestled beside a tranquil garden in Lagos, Portugal. Passionate about exploration and experimentation, she enjoys working across a multitude of techniques, embracing the freedom that mixed media offers. Alongside her own art practice, Angie teaches art in schools and is an active member of the Algarve Artists Network, an organisation supporting artists in the region since 2006. Inspired by the colours, textures and natural beauty that surround her, Angie's work reflects two complementary artistic passions. One is drawn to peaceful, nature-inspired paintings with soft palettes and gentle observation; the other embraces bold colour, rich texture and expressive mixed-media experimentation. Whether painting a portrait, capturing the essence of the ocean, or experimenting with new materials, Angie approaches each piece with curiosity, joy and a desire to connect with the creative process. Her work celebrates the balance between stillness and spontaneity, structure and freedom, inviting viewers to explore their own emotional response to colour, texture and form. Together, Claire and Angie bring complementary experience in art education, professional studio practice and creative teaching. Guest tutors also join selected retreats, bringing additional skills and perspectives. Their shared approach combines the depth and structure of an art school with the inspiration of a creative retreat, balancing practical teaching with experimentation, individual guidance, warmth and encouragement.

Other Information

Azul Retreat takes place at Atelier Azul in Meia Praia, Lagos, a vibrant coastal town in the western Algarve known for its historic old town, harbour, beaches, dramatic cliffs and extraordinary Atlantic light. It is a place rich in visual detail, naturally inviting artists to slow down, observe and look closely. Lagos Old Town offers a rich starting point for sketchbook work and visual research: painted doors, azulejo tiles, narrow cobbled streets, balconies, fishing boats, market details, faded walls, plants spilling from pots and unexpected combinations of colour and texture. The surrounding coastline provides a constantly changing landscape of sea colour, shadow, texture and atmosphere. Beaches such as Meia Praia and Praia do Camilo, together with the dramatic cliffs and rock formations of Ponta da Piedade, offer endless opportunities for observation, sketching and visual reference gathering. Studio sessions take place in a purpose-built creative studio near Meia Praia, set within a tranquil garden surrounded by trees. At the heart of Azul Retreat is a simple invitation: to slow down, look closely, gather ideas from Lagos and the Algarve coast, and develop them into original artwork through guided experimentation, conversation and creating. PROGRAMME Day 1: Friday — Unlocking Creativity Friday begins in our garden studio near Meia Praia with grounding, sketchbook warm-ups and observational exercises designed to loosen up, sharpen looking and build confidence. Through still life, colour, tone, composition and mixed media experimentation, you will begin gathering ideas, testing materials and discovering new ways of working. In the afternoon, the group heads into Lagos Old Town for a guided photo-walk. Through our guided photo-walks, you will stroll through the streets of Lagos, where you will take inspiration from the colours and textures of everyday life in Portugal. You will stop to sketch or photograph hidden doorways, ruins, traditional azulejo tiles, street art, typography, architecture and natural materials. These visual references will form the basis of subsequent studio sessions. Day 2: Saturday — Composition and Mixed Media Saturday is about developing ideas into more resolved work. Using the source material gathered on day one, you will explore thumbnail sketches, composition, scale and storytelling through image-making before beginning a larger canvas piece. Studio demonstrations may include palette knife techniques, layering, acrylic, pastel and ink, with one-to-one support throughout. Later in the day, we head out on a boat trip along the Lagos coastline and grottos. As we travel along the shoreline, we will gather fleeting impressions of water reflections, rock formations, golden sands, changing skies and hidden coves. Using the journey as a source of inspiration, it is a chance to notice what ignites you, discovering the small details of the surrounding environment, from the texture of the cliffs to shifting angles of light. In the evening, there is an optional group dinner in Lagos. Day 3: Sunday — Seascape Sunday begins with a sketchbook-based coastal session, observing the beach and surrounding landscape through drawing, framing and close looking. Back in the studio, we explore ways of interpreting water, texture and light through demonstrations and mixed media techniques, before developing a final seascape or location-inspired painting. ARRIVAL Participants arrive in Lagos on Thursday evening and are welcomed with a relaxed group dinner in one of the town’s traditional restaurants. It is a chance to meet your tutors and fellow participants, settle into the atmosphere of the retreat and ease into the days ahead. OTHER INFORMATION Participants arrive in Lagos on Thursday 27 August 2026 for a welcome dinner, with the retreat programme running from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August 2026. Price: €589 per person. Accommodation is not included, giving you the flexibility to choose a stay that suits your budget and travel style. We are happy to recommend places to stay in Lagos, whether you would prefer to be near the studio, the Old Town or the beach. We also work with several local accommodation providers, some offering a 10% discount to our retreat guests. The programme may vary slightly depending on weather and group needs. The boat trip, beach sketching and any outdoor drawing or painting sessions are weather permitting. Dietary requirements and allergies can be accommodated with advance notice. Please let us know when booking so we can plan accordingly. BOOKING If you would like to find out more or reserve a place, please contact us at artretreatsalgarve@gmail.com or visit @artretreatsalgarve on Instagram. WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED Accommodation Flights and airport transfers Travel insurance Any additional meals not listed in the retreat inclusions Personal art materials beyond those provided Optional personal purchases, shopping or extra activities during free time