Painting holiday, Morocco - March 2026
Join me for an unforgettable painting holiday in Marrakech.
I’m teaming up once again with Katel & Harrison from Perigord Retreats — but this time we’re trading French villages for Moroccan spice! I love working with Katel and Harrison and this week will be nothing short of magic.
Picture this: seven sun-soaked days based in a gorgeous Marrakech domaine, where we’ll balance painting time with adventures into the city and countryside. Think vibrant souks, exciting bazaars, intricate tiles, warm light, and landscapes begging to be sketched. It’s exotic, colourful, and a whole new cultural playground for your sketchbook.
Come ready for colour, culture, and creativity — Morocco style.
A week of painting in Morocco – from 3,400euros per person. Limited spots!
Here's what to look forward to...
This retreat is all about balance — time to dive into painting, time to soak up Morocco’s colours and culture, and time to just breathe it all in. We’ll mix relaxed painting sessions at home with inspiring excursions, so your sketchbook fills up as naturally as your photo roll. And of course, there will be room for downtime (because sun loungers and mint tea deserve a place in the schedule too).
- Painting sessions “at home” for drawing and watercolour skills
- Plein air painting (of course!)
- Excursions that feed both your sketchbook and your soul
- Luxurious accommodation with space to unwind
- Delicious food, laughter, and maybe experiencing something you’ve never done before
I also feel so much more comfortable sketching on location which is adding so much joy to my life. I can’t recommend her classes and retreats highly enough.
Group size is small
You’ll get plenty of my attention — and yes, non-painting partners are absolutely welcome. There’ll be no shortage of things for them to do while we’re sketching, from exploring markets to lounging by the pool.
Everything taken care of
Whether you’re coming with paints in hand or just a curious heart, this week is about more than sketching — it’s about experiences you’ll carry home long after the trip. Small groups mean I’ll be there to support your creative journey every step of the way, and with the Perigord Retreats team making sure everything runs smoothly, you’re free to dive in, soak it up, and paint your own Moroccan story. Exciting!
The details
When…
07 to 14 March 2026
Where…
On a beautiful domaine just outside Marrakech and hosted by Perigord Retreats (click on the link to find out more about the itinerary, accommodation and booking information)
Cost…
- Shared bedroom and bathroom - 3,400 euros pp
- Private bedroom with ensuite - 4,000 euros pp
- Couple bedroom & ensuite - 6,500 euros per couple
Cost includes - pretty much everything!
- Daily trips to tailored locations chosen by the artist and their group.
- Every day you will receive group and one-to-one tuition outside or in the studio in the form of demonstrations and individual feedback.
- Fresh baked goods, fresh fruit salads & continental style breakfasts every day. Locally produced, freshly cooked lunches and evening meals. We will visit a couple of restaurants.
- 7 Nights lodging on our luxurious domaine with use of the heated swimming pool as well as access to the olive grove and surrounding property.
- Not included are your flights to Marrakech or travel insurance.
For watercolor enthusiasts of all levels!
- Whether you're a beginner or experienced, you'll get expert guidance in a relaxed, inspiring setting.
- Learn how to become more confident when painting on location.
- Learn how to create sketches with minimal materials.
- Be guided by me step-by-step by following demos.
- Have plenty of time to ask questions and receive one-on-one feedback.
- Learn about the different kinds of perspective (and to not be afraid of perspective).
- Learn to work with a limited palette of colors to ensure harmony and cohesiveness in your work.
- Go on excursions to beautiful places to sketch.
- Explore charming towns full of history and character.
- Wonderful food lovingly prepared.
- Experience a new culture and connect with other artists who share your passion for creativity.
- Enjoy a fully immersive art experience, with everything taken care of, and the cares of the world far away!
Ready to join us?
Bookings are open! Please drop me an email or a message on Facebook or Instagram.
Here's a full demo of me painting the lovely lavender field at Perigord Retreats in July 2022...
Travel sketching is a passion of mine.
18 years ago, I packed a sketchbook along with my climbing gear on a trip to Spain and France and I filled it. Since then the sketching part of a trip has overtaken my climbing passion and I never go anywhere without a sketchbook.
I've been visiting Europe for about 6 months a year, almost every year, since 2007 and I have a massive stack of sketchbooks that are filled with priceless memories. There are watercolour sketches of villages, landscapes, flowers, food, and people in every sketchbook, along with little notes that bring me straight back to a place whenever I open a sketchbook. Sketching outside has immersed me in places, creating very vivid memories and has allowed me to meet so many local folks I would not have encountered otherwise.
I've been teaching people to paint in watercolours since 2017. I've run classes outside giving people the tools to learn to sketch plein air; studio-based classes on painting birds, flowers, and landscapes; and classes on Zoom. Since June 2022 I've been guiding painting holidays annually in France and I can honestly say these trips are some of my favourite days of my year! I'm excited to guide one in Italy this year.
Ask me for more details...
Please drop me an email
I have been truly fortunate to attend Renee's watercolor retreats on two occasions, and both experiences have been nothing short of transformative. Her teaching style is not only exemplary but also infused with genuine support and encouragement that makes learning so much more enjoyable. ... beyond her exceptional skills, Renee exudes warmth and kindness, making her a joy to learn from and be around.
I absolutely love painting lessons with Renee. I first discovered her on Patreon last year, what a fabulous selection of tutorials and everything is so easy to find and well laid out! ...
Then I was lucky enough to join Renee at Perigord Retreats and I absolutely loved it! We had such fun painting each day, going on excursions, chatting, eating and drinking, Renee and everyone were so friendly and supportive it was so great I'm booked again for next time! 😊
Renee has an amazing way of breaking down complicated subjects into concrete steps. Watching her paint in real time, and explain her “why” behind choices such as color palettes and composition was so valuable to me. I learned so much about perspective, capturing light and shadow, and questions to ask yourself when planning a painting that I now apply to my creative practice since coming back.
Renee is a phenomenal teacher and artist! She explains techniques and fundamentals for sketching and painting in such an understandable and applicable way. When painting, she also gives wonderful encouragement and tips to help you not only feel confident in your work, but also push you to be brave. Working with her is absolutely the best. Renee is friendly, knowledgeable, kind, and so incredibly talented.