Dear Paula.

Here it is - my Moroccan Retreat!

I’m so excited to share this news with you. You are my Arty News family so I'd like you to have the chance to book before I tell the world on social media! 😊

I’m holding this special sketchbook retreat, hosted by Uptrek, in Agadir, Morocco from Saturday 30th August to the Saturday 6th of September.

Many of you know that I used to organise my own retreats in France and Italy. I really enjoy teaching in a new sunny environment with small groups of like-minded creatives, who love nothing more than working together in their sketchbooks.

I love this way of working and I love Morocco!

I also know how reassuring it is, as a solo traveller, to travel with a group and share ideas, stories, experiences and delicious meals together. This Uptrek retreat covers everything!

I have spent many days filling my own concertina sketchbooks on the streets and in the cafés in Morocco. It is wonderfully atmospheric country, so rich in exotic colour and pattern, tradition and of course the friendly Moroccan people.

On this retreat we will immerse ourselves in our books, drawing in collaging to create a wonderful mixed media journey

I’m never without my sketchbook when I travel. After many years, and many journeys, I have a wonderful collection of books and whenever I open one I’m transported right back to that place where I sat sketching.

I want to help you create your own Moroccan concertina book full of the colour and character of this exciting country. As your confidence grows we will build up layers with paper collage and drawing, but don’t worry about being able to draw - this may be a just roofline or a doorway, it’s up to youa

How will we draw and collage? Have a look at my Barcelona book and Collage the Street to see good examples.

Dates 30th August - 6th September 2025

Where Agadir, Morocco

Perfect for all levels

Places Limited 16

Included All meals, wine, transfers, trips

Questions

I am collaborating with a wonderful travel company Uptrek. Have a look at their booking page and if you still have questions at all you can chat to them directly at  [email protected]

Each morning, after wonderful Moroccan breakfast, we will either work on location or in the studio. I will give quick demonstration of techniques and share ideas to help you get the most from your own sketchbook on this trip.

I know retreats are as much about meeting new friends, with shared life interests, as creating your own  sketchbook. There will be much storytelling and laughter and you will return home inspired with many happy memories.

This is going to be a wonderful immersive sketchbook retreat, with added trips to the coast, the bazaar and a palace. What exciting places to collect collage materials, draw and photograph! 

Many of you email me to ask if I run residentials workshops, so I wanted to reach out to you my newsletter readers first before opening this retreat to the public later this week. The numbers are limited to 16 places.

I am buzzing and ready to go and I would love to be there with my special sketchbook people. I would love to share this once in a Moroccan lifetime week with you!