AugustWren Art and News and I are thrilled to tell you that we’re going back to Portugal with the amazing yogi/goddess Chloe Ward! The retreat we did last June was one of the most special workshops we’ve ever done, and we knew the moment we got there that we wanted to come back. Quinta Carvalhas is such a magical place — between the beauty of the place, the friendliness and generosity of the staff, the healing horses, the incredible food, the landscape… Having Chloe with us to do morning yoga and often at night yin, or meditation, or yoga nidra really opened our creativity in a very special way. We’re also very excited to have a few more single rooms to offer this time. Is Portugal calling to you? We are happy to answer any questions.
Portugal
I made one of my favorite paintings of the year after being there last June.
This painting began as sketchbook studies during the retreat. I had jogged past this field all week, wishing I had a model. I tried setting up a photoshoot with a willing student who is a fitness trainer and she ran through the field for me. I got a few good photos but it wasn’t quite what I was looking for. Then another student showed me a dress she had and - I knew this was it.
fab photographer Julie Skarratt was a student on our retreat!
The yoga is accessible to everyone. An amazing way to start and end the day. but completely optional.
While we teach many of the lessons together, we also break the group up into small groups and focus in on particular interests. The whole group was particularly interested in more figure drawing. Chloe posed for us!
Jennifer teaches a wonderful floral painting class.
Interacting with the horses was magical. Mine of the left - Jennifer’s on the right. Have you ever put your heart next to a horse’s heart? Whoa.
Here’s a sampling of the amazing art our students created, photographed by one of our students Julie Skarrat who is also a professional photographer and took many of these photos.
I always teach how I paint water. ( the pool is divine :)
The food is amazing.
What this week actually is….
This isn’t a “produce a portfolio” kind of retreat. It’s a sketchbook retreat — which means the goal isn’t a perfect painting, it’s a fuller way of seeing. We’ll help you build (or deepen) a real sketchbook practice: capturing the people, places, and small everyday moments around you in a way that feels like you, not like an exercise in getting things “right.”
Over the week we’ll cover:
An introduction to acryla gouache
Laying out a sketchbook page — several approaches, so you find the one that fits you
Color mixing and building palettes you actually love
Letting go of over-detailing and learning to stay loose
Working from reference photos to create expressive, alive artwork
Landscape and still-life painting, on location and in the studio
Smaller group-requested sessions — learn the basics of figure drawing & faces, how to paint water, and painting on a dark ground and other ideas specific to your group requests.
While we always arrive with a plan, we fine tune it daily according to the energy and desires of the group. Every day includes demonstrations, tailored feedback — and a lot of encouragement to explore and let go of the need to be perfect and fears about not doing it ‘right.’
Mornings and many evenings, with Chloe
Chloe Ward is back with us, and if you were there last year, you already know why we call her our secret weapon. Each morning she leads gentle movement and meditation with a thought to carry into the day. Each evening, a slow, still Yin practice or meditation to settle everyone before bed. Every session is entirely optional — but almost nobody skips them, because the rhythm she sets is part of what makes the whole week feel different from ordinary travel.
Here’s what Chloe said after last year’s retreat:
“I truly loved joining Gayle and Jennifer’s Art retreat in Portugal and sharing yoga and meditation with the guests. Every morning we began with gentle movement, meditation, and a thought for the day, each session curated to promote creativity and the flow of energy for the guests. In the evenings, a slow or still practice of Yin or meditation to end the day with soothing energy for a deep, restful sleep. It all aligned beautifully with the art workshops and really ignited the creative flow for us.”
In their own words
A guest from our 2026 retreat at Quinta Carvalhas put it better than we could:
“Can’t begin to gush enough about the amazing week of art, yoga, friendship, and beauty. Gayle and Jennifer are phenomenal — together they lead you through the joyful experience of awakening your inner artist, and very quickly you begin to find new possibilities with color, composition, and self-expression. They are generous with their knowledge, deeply encouraging, and somehow able to meet each participant exactly where they are, whether you arrive as a beginner or with years of experience. Chloe was far more than a yoga instructor; she is a spiritual guide who brought warmth and real connection to every session. And our hosts, Gonçalo, Daniela, and the whole Quinta team, made everything feel seamless and truly special. The setting itself is pure magic — every moment feels intentional and restorative, from morning yoga to long inspiring afternoons outdoors or in the studio, to shared meals that turn into laughter-filled evenings.”
The setting
Quinta Carvalhas will be your creative home for the week — terraced grounds, beautiful gardens, welcoming common spaces, and an infinity pool for the afternoon breaks if you’re not painting. Delicious mostly vegetarian and vegan meals, (fish and chicken are options) are prepared by a private chef. We’ll also take a day trip to Tomar, a charming, historically rich city. New scenery, new inspiration, and more pages for your sketchbook by the time we head back.
By the end of the week, you won’t just have a stack of paintings. You’ll have a sketchbook that tells the story of your time in Portugal — and a clearer sense of your own hand, your own eye, your own way of seeing.
Who this is for
All levels. Truly. Some of our guests have been painting for decades; others are brand new. What everyone has in common is a willingness to show up and try, without judgment of the outcome. You’ll be one of 19 — a small enough group that you’ll actually get to know everyone, and large enough that the room stays full of energy and different perspectives. We often split the group in half and take turns with the lessons, so we are able to focus more intimately.
Join us for a magical week - in Portugal!
