In The Making
A Watercolor Retreat in Southern Portugal
Paint Boldly. Grow with Support. Join Us in Portugal.
April 11 - 17, 2027 · The Algarve, Portugal
Whether you’ve painted with me before or are just discovering this space, I’m glad you’re here. These retreats fill quickly, and I’d love to travel and paint with you in the seasons ahead. Get in contact now to make these dreams a reality.
-Lee
Why I Created This Retreat
Over the years, I’ve seen how much changes when someone steps out of their day-to-day and gives themselves time to make art. Confidence builds. Curiosity comes back. Things loosen and settle in a new way.
I chose Portugal because it invites that shift. The Algarve holds a quiet kind of beauty that helps people breathe a little easier. It encourages you to notice what’s around you and listen more closely to yourself. That’s what art needs.
This retreat isn’t about fixing your work or proving anything. It’s a chance to paint without pressure, to find your rhythm again, and to be around others who care about making things that feel real. I’ll be there beside you, teaching, walking, talking, and painting too. We’ll take our time and see what unfolds.
– Lee
About the Retreat
A week to paint, connect, and recharge. No experience required.
Whether you're returning to art after years away or looking for new momentum in your creative practice, this retreat offers a grounded, skill-building space where you can reconnect with the joy of making.
We’ll spend seven days together at a private villa in Portugal’s Algarve region. It is a peaceful place featuring private and shared room options, 100 percent plant-based meals, and time to explore both painting and presence.
You’ll be guided by watercolor instructor Lee Schauer, whose warm, thoughtful teaching blends foundational technique with gentle mindset support. Many of our conversations include what gets in the way: self-doubt, perfectionism, fear of being bad at something. In this space, we work through those things as we learn.
Your days will be a balance of creative instruction and local exploration. You will enjoy watercolor sessions at the villa, paint a castle on a beach, and capture the iconic rock formations along Portugal's Atlantic coast. We will also take a boat tour of the Benagil caves and spend an afternoon painting traditional Portuguese tiles with a local artist.
Alongside your studio and excursion time, each day includes moments to rest or wander, swim, soak in the hot tub, and relax at the villa. You can also join optional morning and evening practices led by a movement therapist, featuring gentle movement, breath work, and grounding exercises to support your creative process and your nervous system.
You’ll leave with new skills, renewed confidence, and maybe even a few lasting friendships.
Early Bird Pricing (through October 15, 2026)
Shared Room – from $2,600
Private Room – from $2,750
Premium Private Apartment – from $3,250
A $500 non-refundable deposit holds your place.
Limited to 16 guests. Minimum of 10 participants required for the retreat to run. If the retreat does not meet the minimum, all deposits will be refunded in full. A waitlist will be available once full.
What Each Day Looks Like
Your daily schedule is designed to balance focused instruction with ample time for rest and exploration, flowing naturally from morning straight into your excursions.
Mornings begin with optional gentle movement and grounding practice followed by breakfast at the villa. From there, your days head straight into excursions exploring local villages and coastal areas, including a hands-on tile painting workshop one morning, alongside plein air painting sessions, boat tours of caves, and visits to iconic sites.
Afternoons bring dedicated time for continued painting, wandering local spots, and enjoying lunch independently or together, followed by a return to the villa later in the day to rest, swim, sketch, or soak in the hot tub.
Evenings wind down with a group dinner at the villa, followed by open studio time, reflection, or relaxed unwinding.
This retreat is open to all levels. Whether you’re just getting started or deepening an existing practice, there’s room for you here.
Meet Your Instructor
Lee Schauer — Artist, Teacher, Guide
I believe creativity is always within reach, and that making art should feel like something you get to do, not something you have to get right.
As a painter and teacher for over 40 years, I’ve supported thousands of students in finding both skill and ease in their creative process. My classes are structured but relaxed, rooted in watercolor technique, and guided by a deep respect for each person’s voice and pace.
This retreat isn’t about pushing hard or making perfect work. It’s about giving yourself the time, tools, and support to keep going. We want you to show up for your art with curiosity, confidence, and a little more joy.
I’ll be there throughout the week offering instruction and encouragement. You’ll be learning real skills, but you’ll also be making space for yourself and your work in a way that’s both grounded and generous.
Whether you’re just getting started, returning after time away, or looking for new momentum in your practice, you’ll be met where you are and supported fully.
If you’ve been wanting time to paint, to learn, and to connect with others who feel the same, I’d love to share this week in Portugal with you.
– Lee
Meet the Team
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Lily Friedrich
Retreat Coordinator & Guest Experience
Lily brings a background in boutique hospitality and people-centered service. Her supportive presence and attention to detail help create a welcoming, easeful environment — so you can focus on art, connection, and rest. She’s here to make sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly and your experience feels cared for from start to finish. -
Dani Koeck
Movement & Wellness Facilitator
Dani is a licensed dance/movement therapist with a Master’s degree from Columbia College Chicago and certification in Laban Movement Analysis. With over a decade of experience in the wellness field, she offers supportive, accessible movement sessions to help you feel more grounded, present, and connected in your body. Her morning and evening practices are gentle, inclusive, and designed to complement the creative process. -
Culinary Host & Guest Care
Contact us
Interested in our retreat? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!