Watercolor Plein Air Workshop in Essaouira With Michael Solovyev
22-29-November 2023
Michael Solovyev
Born in Russia in 1972, Michael has chosen Montréal as his home since 2011. From there, his works continue to add to the beauty and value of both public and private collections around the world. He participated in 16 personal and more than 70 group exhibitions in different countries. Michael won numerous awards, including the 1st Award of Excellence of the Elected Members Exhibition Society of Canadian Artists in 2019. He taught five self-written art courses in the Syn Studio, a prestigious art school in Montreal. He also conducts private lessons in his own studio and many workshops around the world.
In recent years, he represented Canada at many renowned watercolor festivals in more than 20 countries around the world.
Daniel Smith Brand Ambassador
Signature member:
NEWS (North East Watercolor Society), SCA (Society of Canadian Artists),
IWS GLOBAL (International Watercolor Society)
The most important festivals in last three years (overall, I had 36 watercolor festivals and workshops around the world):
• Watercolor West s 54th International Juried Exhibition, June-August 2022, USA.
Award.
• Biennial International Prize "Fabriano Watercolour" - 2022, Italy. Invited Artist.
• Monza in Acquarello – 2021, Italy. 3 Invited Artist.
• 8-eme Biennale Internationale d aquarelle de Rochemaure – 2021, France. Invited
Artist.
• North East Watercolor Society 45th Annual International Juried Exhibition – USA,
2021. Members Award.
• Monza International Festival – Italy, 2020. Invited Artist.
• 6 International Biennial of Watercolor Belgrade – Serbia, 2020. Invited Artist.
Workshop Description by Michael Solovyev :
I have a unique opportunity to invite you to travel with me to Morocco. We can spend eight days together in an extraordinary place. We don't have to worry about anything but watercolor - everything will be organized and we will be able to immerse ourselves in painting completely. The program is very rich and includes daily plein air work. In Essaouira, you will get incredible views, sun, and wonderful weather. In addition, we will have a chance to get to know Morocco, as there will be tourist excursions with a lot of interesting facts to learn. We will fill in our sketchbooks using various techniques and methods, as well as paint plein air artworks in long-duration sessions. These eight days will be full of watercolors, new techniques, and, of course, the sun.
We will get to know this magical land through the prism of watercolor!
Why you will love this trip
*Essaouira gained UNESCO status thanks to it being a prime example of an 18th-century fortified town. The city walls are an incredible reminder of its past, the medina inside still very much a part of its present. The harbor is chock full of traditional fishermen's boats, and you'll catch them (the fishermen—not the boats) hauling in their catch or mending their nets on the regular. The entire port is ridiculously picturesque, in that gritty, nostalgic kind of way.
*To get into Essaouira's history, carve out ample time in your itinerary to just wander. You likely won't get too lost—the streets are linked in such a way that you're never too far from the main thoroughfare running through its center, the spine of the medina. It stretches from the North Gate, Bab Doukkala, all the way to Place Moulay Hassan, by the waterfront.
Our services
Lodging : Riad, guest house. Technical support and overall support during all your travels.
For more details on the itinerary of this trip, I invite you to read the document which you will find below in the section " Itinerary and Book this Retreat ".
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 :
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:
- European Plug adapters
- Electricity Converter for hair appliances (cellphones and computers generally have built-in converters)
Comments (9)
Approx airline cost from LAX and trip with Michael Soloevyev
I would like to know about coming from Irael to this workshop. Thanks
I'm interested in participating in the workshop that will be held in Essaouira, Morocco. I woul
Hello I'm interested in participating in watercolor workshop that will take place in Essaouira
Bonjour, Intéressée par votre stage, les cours sont en anglais ? Je pratique peu l’anglais. Je vo
Hello I'm interested in participating in watercolor workshop that will take place in Essaouira
Hi, I just booked, but have some questions: From Valencia (Spain) I only have one direct flight, an
Nice place with very, very nice people! The workshop with Michael Soloviev was great! He is a nice
Fantastic trip. The boys of the organisations are very gentle and professional. Nothing to think bec