CREATIVE Adventure : MOROCCO  
From Kasbah To Coast   17th - 26th September - 2022

A Sketchbook Drawing, Painting & Mixed Media Creative Adventure 

Pack your sketchbook and join artists Tessa Pearson and Lara Harwood for inspiring 10 days journey to the high Atlas mountains, through the Tizi n Test Pass . Draw exotic gardens and ancient ramparts in the southern city of Taroudant and explore the coastal town of Essaouira with boats, souks and sunsets.

Dar Al Hossoun

Dar Al Hossoun

From the Kasbah to the coast.

17th-26th September 2022

 All welcome ! Suitable for beginners to advanced artists.  Maximum number of artist participants 14

9nights / 10 day £1516 pp shared Room  

For Bookings please email : bookings@discover.ltd.uk

(Deposit is 30% on booking ).   

Very 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. (Price does not include flights & insurance or Alcohol) We are partnering with Discover Ltd. (ABTA bonded and ATOL licence holder)

See Full itinerary below....

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Marrakesh and introductions - September 17th

You will be met at the airport and escorted to the Boutique Riad Les Yeux Bleus in Marrakesh medina. If you arrive earlier in the day you will be able to relax on the Riad rooftop terraces, have lunch and maybe go out and explore a little. Later arrivals should be in time for evening drinks around 7pm 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 From Marrakesh To Essaouira - September 18th

Today We will transfer by private transport to Essaouira (approx 3 hours drive) to Riad Watier a traditional guesthouse renovated entirely by Moroccan artists and craftsmen, in the heart of the medina. After lunch at the Riad we will explore the medina, soaking in the atmosphere and looking for interesting and inspiring corners to photograph and sketch. Dinner will be at Riad Watier.. 

Day 3 Exploring and sketching in Essaouira - September 19th 

  We will spend the day in the medina of Essaouira, enjoying the wonderful colours and sights of the old doors, the markets, the cafes and the ramparts with the famous fishing boats in the port. Lara and Tessa will discuss and demonstrate techniques for capturing sketches of people and busy market scenes . Lunch is not included today as there are many cafes and restaurants to choose from including the famous Salut Maroc with it’s amazing tiled interior. Dinner will be at Riad Watier..

Day 4 More exploring and drawing in Essaouira- September 20th

Today we will start with a share of sketchbooks and ideas before returning to favourite spots for drawing and sketching. The medina of Essaouira is small and easy to find your way around, and the shopping opportunities are very tempting! Lunch is your own choice again ( not included) – Lara and Tessa will advise on good places to go where you can people watch and sketch from your table. In the early evening we will return to the port to watch the spectacular sunset over the rocks and maybe try to catch this in our sketchbooks or just enjoy a photo. Dinner will be at Riad al Madina .

Day 5 Enroute Taroudant via Sidi Kaouki Beach - September 21

 We will be travelling with our sketchbooks at the ready as we take a day to drive along the Atlantic coast to Taroudant, stopping at Sidi Kaouki for drawing on the beach in the morning  where there are often camels and horses ( you could have a ride !)  lunching at one the small restaurants along the beach (not included).

Arriving early evening at the very special Dar Al Hossoun. This hotel is located just outside the town of Taroudant and is famous for its beautiful contemporary gardens created by botanists and architects Eric Ossart and Arnaud Maurieres. We stay here for two nights, and you will be able to draw the gardens or explore other gardens and medina of Taroudant. Dinner will be at Dar Al Houssoun.

Day 6 The gardens of Dar Al Houssoun - September 22nd

We will spend the day drawing in the very special oasis gardens at Dar al Hossoun, beautiful contemporary gardens created by botanists and architects Eric Ossart and Arnaud Maurieres. Alternatively if you fancy exploring other gardens in nearby Riads and Taroudan, Dar Al Hossoun  offers various outings (not included in holiday price) on their website. . 

Lunch is not included today as you may choose to stay at the Riad or venture further afield. In the evening we will have a discussion and show and tell of sketchbooks work. Dinner will be at Dar Al Hossoun.

Day 7 From Taroudant to the Kasbah through the Tizi n Test Pass   September 23rd

After an early breakfast we will journey up towards the Atlas mountain valley through stunning scenery with wonderful views of ancient Berber villages and mosques. We will make several stops during the journey for sketching. ( already visited by Tessa and Lara).

Lunch will be at the spectacular Tizi n Test pass, one of the most famous and beautiful passes in Morocco. 

Late afternoon we arrive at the mountain village of Imlil where 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 short 15-minute walk or mule ride up to the Kasbah where we will enjoy Berber tea and welcome talk before dinner (at the Kasbah.)

Day 8 - September 24th

 Drawing and painting in the valley by the river

 This morning we will walk down to the beautiful river valley below the Kasbah for sketching and painting. Lunch will be a lovely Berber picnic in the valley and in the afternoon you are free to explore the village shops and cafes or draw in the Kasbah garden or out on the terraces. Late afternoon Tessa will demonstrate techniques and ideas for mixed media to develop your sketches and we will have a quick share of sketchbooks before dinner which will be at the Kasbah. 

 Day 9 Studio day to develop sketchbook work and mixed media - September 25  

Today we are based at the Kasbah where you can experiment with some mixed media techniques and continue to develop your sketchbook work. Tessa and Lara will demonstrate and advise and the studio space will allow a little more space for your creativity. We may also be able to hold some small group workshops in simple monoprint printmaking techniques. Lunch and dinner will be at the Kasbah.

Day 10 September 26th   

Early return transfer to Marrakesh for flights home. Please do not book your flights before afternoon departures as the transfer is 90 mins  plus 3 hours check- in time. Late departures may leave their luggage at an arranged hotel in Marrakesh until they need to leave.

 

Price £ 1516 for shared accommodation , includes all meals and non-alcoholic drinks,  except where detailed in the itinerary, all transfers and some workshop materials. Single occupancy sold out. You will also need to book your own flight to Marrakesh, arriving on or before September 17th and departing after midday September 26th to allow for transfer from Imlil.

 

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     paintings and screenprints,  bold use of colour and love of travel.  Lara has considerable teaching and workshops experience and runs her own screenprinting workshops in The Print Room at the Chocolate Factory, London N22 lara-harwood/about

 

 

 

Lara & Tessa in a Petit Taxi in Marrakech

Lara & Tessa in a Petit Taxi in Marrakech