Plein Air Painting Retreat with Christian Koivumaa

Plein Air Painting Retreat with Christian Koivumaa
21-29th of september 2022

I'm a passionate watercolor painter and I paint landscapes and urban scenes primarily. My paintings are painted with a limited palette in a high pace. My goal is to simplify the motive and with a loose style still paint realistic scenes. I use backruns as a way to create interest in my paintings.


Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/christian_koivumaa/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/ckoivumaa

Website: https://www.christiankoivumaa.com/

Day 1

Arrived in Casablanca


Our private tour begins with a transfer from the airport to your hotel in Casablanca, where you’ll be offered a complimentary meal. Today depends on the time your arrival; given the time, we may explore a handful Casablanca’s touristic features such as the Hassan II mosque, the habous and a nearby beach area then take you to your hotel.

MORE
Day 2

Casablanca – Meknes

After breakfast we will head toward to Rabat, which is the administrative capital of Morocco. Our morning will consist of a visit to  the Mohamed V Mausoleum, and the Hassan Tower Mosque. lunch in the caoital, after we will take the road to meknes where we will spend the night.

MORE
Day 3

Meknes  - Fes Sightseeing

After the breakfast: the guide will takes us to tvisit of the Ismailian capital of Morocco home of Morocco’s widest rampart; the famous Bab el Mansour gate. We’ll also visit The Royal Stables and The Jewish quarter. From there, we’ll carry on to fes to the typical sites that we will sketch and paint  400 m from our Riad: Discover the magnificent door « Bab Bou Jeloud » and then spend the night over in fes.

MORE
Day 4

Fes

In the morning : After breakfast, discover Medersa (old Coranic school) sketch and detailed painting of the fabulous decorations in "Zellij" and "moucharabieh"  the Fontaine Nejjarine, quickly sketch and/or paint before having lunch or light meal. Visit the tanneries of Fès : relax and paint with the colors of this incredible site, in the alleys around the tanneries.

 review work, share impressions, finish some sketches if necessary, dinner, relaxation!

MORE
Day 5

Volubilis

In the afternoon: departure toward Chefchaouen (3 Hours and half drive) Arrival at our Riad, a particularly well placed one, in the Medina, so we will be able to visit the city by foot during our four days in the blue city. Free time to relax and then dinner. Our first visit of the city will be at night in order to experience the incredible colors!!!

MORE
Day 6

Chefchaouen

Breakfast before the first visit of the colorful streets of the city: set up and paint in the streets. Picnic lunch or light meal with the famous pastillas! Afternoon: Another location to sketch and paint will be discovered. As well as paint the pretty colorful fountains: Diner in town and soiree in the riad , discussion about our paintings ...

MORE
Day 7

Chefchaouen

Days punctuated by the discovery and inspiration of the many breathtaking alleyways, doors, stairs, porches and roofs not to mention the colourful laundry and the view over Chefchaouen.  All this just by a short walk on the surrounding hills. We mustn’t forget to have fun painting the bags of pigments found throughout the city and why not use their pigments to complete our travel diary! In a discreet and respectful way, we can also paint the inhabitants, so typical of the Rif. And then there is the “Bridge of God” is an impressive rock arche, at a height of 25m above the river “Oued”  Farda, which eroded the rock to form this natural work of art. It serves as a bridge between the two sides of the gorge for locals and day trippers

MORE
Day 8

Chefchaouen-Casablanca

After breakfast in our Riad, we can touch up and finish any pages not yet terminated in our journal including those days in Chefchaouen and then we will return to Casablanca. 

MORE
Day 9

Casablanca-airport

Returning home with our eyes still dazzled by the colors of Chefchaouen ... the city of Artists!!!

MORE

HIGHLIGHTS

✷Experience Morocco’s three imperial cities on this 9 days tour

✷Stroll the streets of Casablanca & explore its main attractions

✷Visit the biggest Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

✷Admire the beautiful historical monuments of Fez, Meknes and Rabat

✷Explore Fez, the country’s cultural capital, stopping at souks, tanneries, madrasas, and mosques.

✷Tour the ancient walled medina of Meknes and the beautiful gates

✷See the Roman ruins at Volubilis.

✷Explore the capital of Morocco (Rabat) and its cultural sights

Materials:


-Artist level paint (most used pigments are : ultramarine blue, alazarin crimson, sap green, manganese blue, yellow ochre, burnt umbre)

-Watercolor paper (I prefer Arches 300-640gsm, cold press)

-spraybottle

-Brushes in different sizes and shapes

-masking fluid (I prefer Winsor and Newton)

-Water bucket

-Paper towel


Terms

Workshop Trip 9 days / 8 nights all inclusive:
This price includes:
- More than 40 hours of lessons spread over 9 days for a maximum group of 15 people
- Airport / Hotel transfers
- (air-conditioning) 17-seater vehicle with driver
- official licend tourist guides
- Full board accommodation, single room & double room for couples (all rooms have a private bathroom)
- Tourist taxes to be paid on site
- Cocktails / henna party
-Traditional hamam

Accompanying Person Trip 9 days / 8 nights all inclusive:
- Full board accommodation, single room & double room for couples (all rooms have a private bathroom)
- Airport / Hotel transfers
- (air-conditioning) 17-seater vhicle with driver
- official licend tourist guides
- Tourist taxes to be paid on site
- Cocktails / henna party
-Traditional hamam

These prices do not include:
- Roundtrip flights to Marrakech
- Painting equipment
- Entrance fees to monuments
- On-site purchases.

Cancellation:

v-In case of withdrawal by a participant within 90 days of commencement of the workshop, the amount already paid will not be refunded.

v-In case of cancellation of the trip by the organisers, a new date will be proposed. Any participant who cannot avail of the new date will be fully refunded of the sum already paid.

v-In the event the organisers cancel the trip with no alternative date proposed, all sums paid by the participant will be fully refunded.

Gallery Photos :


Do you have pre-booking questions? Please contact us.

contact us quick question

Good To Know

Travelers from the US only are required to have a valid US Passport – but it must NOT be due to expire within 6 months of your return flight.

Your flight destination will be Marrakech Menara International Airport (RAK) / Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. Royal Air Maroc is the only airline that has direct flights from the US to Morocco, from both JFK and Washington Dulles.

You can also book flights traveling through major European airports, as there are many connecting flights to Marrakech through economy airlines such as Ryan Air, Easyjet, Iberia, etc. We’ve found that it is easier to find good connecting flights on the way to Marrakech than on the return, but you can take the opportunity to end your trip with a day or two stop in Spain, France, Portugal, England….

Immunizations are not required or necessary but check here for CDC recommendations.

Weather is predictably unpredictable so be sure to check on the estimated conditions the week before you travel. Even though Marrakech can be quite warm by day, it is usually quite cooler at night so pack light clothes that you can layer. We recommend cotton pants, long skirts, wraps or large scarves over tank and tee shirts, and a sweater or light jacket for chilly nights.

Your most important fashion asset: comfortable shoes for traversing the Medina on sightseeing and shopping adventures!

Morocco is a Muslim country and women generally dress more modestly than in the US or Europe. Like elsewhere, dress codes are gradually becoming more lax and there is a lot of tolerance for tourists, but wearing clothing that covers your best “assets”, and that your grandmother would approve of, shows cultural respect, good taste, and common sense.

The currency here is the Moroccan Dirham, and the exchange rate usually hovers these days around 10 Dirhams/1 Dollar. You CANNOT exchange for Dirhams outside of Morocco, but there are several currency exchange booths in the airport when you exit Passport Control and also located all around the Medina. Larger stores and restaurants may take Euros, but it’s really best to have dirhams.

If you bring large bills ($100) to exchange be sure that they are newer bills with holograms. Otherwise they will slide them back to you with a shake of their head.

Another good option for padding your wallet with dirhams is to use the ATM machines which are located around the medina. The exchange rate is a little better, especially if your bank or credit card doesn’t add foreign transaction fees (some homework for you). Be sure to notify your bank of your foreign travel destination so they don’t flag you for fraud. I also recommend that you bring 2 or 3 cards-just in case you still get flagged (happens!) and find too many things you just can’t live without.

  • Free Wifi access in all rooms and common areas
  • Bedside Mineral Water
  • Hair Dryers
  • One-time complimentary laundry service for retreat weeks

Extra items you should pack:

Comments (0)