# Figures and Fantasy Art Retreat with Artist Jimena Agra in Portugal Join artist Jimena Agra for an unforgettable oil painting retreat, taking place among the golden sands of Portugal. Designed for artists of all levels, this weeklong art journey will take your figure painting and portraiture skills to new heights.Through Jimena's guidance, demonstrations, exercises, and tailored feedback, you'll form a solid foundation of oil painting skills. Explore color mixing, skin tone shading, composition, proportions, and drawing inspiration from your environment. By the end of the retreat, you'll be able to infuse more depth and meaning into your work and create a narrative through your portraits and figures.Step outside the studio and explore Portuguese culture through two amazing art trips. Visit the historic town of Lagos and sail along the Algarve coast, where cliffs, grottoes, and the azure sea will breathe new life into your work. Sketch on location and gather reference photos that will shape your work throughout the week.Stay in a traditional Portuguese villa surrounded by gardens, with meals prepared on-site each day. Paint outdoors under trees and among vibrant flowers, or within the spacious, dedicated art studio. Discover your true artistic self alongside a supportive group of 15 other artists! ## Details - **Dates:** June 12 - 19, 2026 - **Location:** Lagos, Algarve, Portugal - **Starting Price:** $4,650 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Figures and Fantasy Art Retreat Join Jimena Agra for an oil painting retreat set among the sun-kissed Algarve coast of Portugal. You'll study figure painting and portraiture, paint from a live model, and learn to infuse your artwork with depth and atmosphere. The retreat is open to artists of all experience levels.Across 8 days, you'll take part in daily workshops led by Jimena, featuring insightful demonstrations, plenty of practice time, and one-on-one feedback from your favorite artist. You'll cover essential techniques for figures and portraits, such as skin tone shading, color mixing, proportions, and composition. Start with foundational classes to get you acquainted with oil as a medium and achieving different effects with brushes. Later on, you'll tackle portraiture and complex figure painting works, both in the spacious indoor studio and en plein air.Take inspiration from the venue's blooming gardens, featuring thousands of vibrant plants. Infuse your paintings with fantasy and natural elements, and learn to confidently work alla prima. Painting from a live model will help you capture realistic form and movement, while Jimena's unique approach will teach you how to build ambiance and narrative into your work. By the end of the retreat, you'll be able to mix and match multiple techniques and elements into a cohesive piece. Lastly, Jimena will teach you more about selling art, getting commissions, overcoming artist’s block, and maintaining a daily creative practice.Topics covered in your classes include:Color mixing, skin tone shading, and proportionsCreating narrative-driven paintingsConfidently transferring images into artSustaining your creative practice and marketing your workOvercoming artist's block and integrating art into daily life...and many more.Every aspect of the retreat is thoughtfully designed to ignite your creativity. The vibrant colors of Portugal reflect its rich cultural heritage, and you'll immerse yourself in the beauty of the Algarve region with a visit to the charming town of Lagos. Here, you'll find inspiration in the golden sands, vivid architecture, and the endless blue of the ocean. Additionally, a sailing trip on a traditional boat will take you along the stunning coastline, revealing secluded beaches, hidden caves, and striking rock formations.You'll stay at a lovely Portuguese villa, gather inspiration from its blooming Italian garden, enjoy regional, chef-made cuisine every day, and connect with a community of 16 other artists. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Faro Airport and board the 3:00 PM transfer to your retreat with Jimena Agra. Once you’ve reached the villa, settle into your comfortable room, and take a moment to unwind. Later in the afternoon, join Jimena for an orientation tour of the grounds. Wander through the beautiful gardens, visit the light-filled art studio, stroll along the shaded terraces, and take in the calm atmosphere around the pool. As the sun begins to set, gather for a relaxed dinner prepared by the chef, paired with a glass of wine. ### Day 2: Art at the venue Step into the morning light with a nourishing breakfast and a cup of coffee shared with Jimena and your art group.During the very first class of the retreat, you'll go over the week's program, learn more about what to expect during your painting journey, and set some personal goals. Jimena will introduce you to your materials and perform a couple of basic demonstrations. Techniques like mixing skin tones, understanding light, and mastering proportions will form a solid foundation.Stop for a relaxed lunch, then head back to the studio for a practice session in the afternoon. Hone your skills as you paint your very first portrait, using the live model. Your instructor will explain how to employ your brushes and tools to achieve various effects. Take on the challenge of painting alla prima, working directly onto the canvas to capture spontaneous expressions in your artwork.Later, rest in the garden or carry on painting at your own pace. As evening falls, gather for a delicious shared dinner, and pour a glass of wine. ### Day 3: Sailing trip Begin with a hearty breakfast and a cup of coffee shared with Jimena. After you’ve had your fill, gear up for the first trip of the retreat: an exciting sailing adventure across the Atlantic coast.Step onto a traditional Portuguese boat from the Lagos Marina, then set sail across the rolling waves. Spend the morning exploring hidden grottoes, secret beaches, and stunning rock formations that dot the shoreline. Remember to snap a few photos of the gorgeous seascapes you’ll encounter. Experiment with the composition of your photos or sketch right on the boat if you don't mind the wobble. Enjoy the breeze in your hair and go for a dip in the ocean if the weather's favorable.After returning to the venue, pause for a delicious lunch. Take a moment to flip through your sketches and photos. Notice which ideas stay with you and what details you might want to develop further.In the afternoon, return to the studio with Jimena for a focused session, where you'll learn to integrate your observations from the trips into your art. Jimena will guide you through techniques to capture the shifting light values and how they influence your portrait’s depth and emotion. Inspired by the dramatic seascapes of the Algarve coast, weave your personal narrative into the piece, infusing the scene with meaning and story. As you continue the portrait you started the day prior, you'll slowly get more confident in the storytelling power of your artwork.The day ends with some spare time, wrapped up with another mouthwatering dinner prepared by the private chef. ### Day 4: Art at the venue Wake slowly with a fresh breakfast and coffee alongside Jimena as the morning light filters through. Head into the studio with renewed inspiration!You'll tackle a new topic during the morning class; Jimena will introduce you to figure painting, beginning with a demonstration on proportions. Start with a light wash to break the white of the canvas and set the stage for a looser, more expressive style. Learn to integrate multiple elements into one cohesive, larger piece. You'll experiment with balancing depth and creating a unique ambiance in your painting.After a relaxed lunch, the afternoon session will focus on depicting clothing and nature-inspired elements in your figure paintings. Jimena will explain how to bring these components to life with texture and movement. Dive into discussions about the great artists who have inspired her, learning how they approached similar subjects. The session will conclude with hands-on practice as you continue painting from the live model, applying what you’ve learned throughout the day.In the late afternoon, stretch out by the pool, take a walk through the garden, or continue painting on your own. As the sunlight fades, gather for a shared dinner and share creative insights with your fellow artists. ### Day 5: Art trip to Lagos Start your day with a relaxed breakfast and refreshing coffee alongside Jimena, pack a few light supplies, and embark on the second trip of the retreat.Take the short drive through the sunlit countryside and arrive in Lagos, a town full of stories held in tiled walls, fishing boats, and weathered stone. Wander at your own pace. Stop to sketch or snap photos of doorways, patterns, shadows, or scenes that catch your attention. Explore angles, light, and patterns as you discover the colorful history of Lagos. Make sure to stop by the marina for a delicious coffee, accompanied by the endless rows of swaying boats.Return to the venue for lunch, then regroup in the gardens. Using the thousands of blooming plants as your backdrop, learn to integrate human form with natural elements and sharpen your skills in creating cohesive compositions. Experiment with quick gesture drawings, improving your ability to capture movement and essence. As you work, don't hesitate to ask Jimena for advice; she'll be available for tailored feedback.Later, take a walk through the trees, stretch out by the pool, or chat with your fellow artists. As day turns to night, gather again for a shared dinner and let the stories of the day ring through the evening breeze. ### Day 6: Art at the venue Kick off the day with a delicious breakfast and coffee alongside Jimena and settle into another creative day.Head into the studio and begin a more complex painting inspired by your trip to Lagos. Jimena will begin the session by demonstrating her approach, showing how she incorporates these references into her own artwork. Take inspiration from her methods for depicting elements of color, light, and composition.After a light lunch, carry the work into the afternoon by refining your complex painting. Jimena will provide guidance on key techniques such as color mixing, achieving realistic skin tones, and creating the right ambiance within your work. Focus on bringing depth and emotion to your painting, with personalized feedback to support your creative process.Later, cool down with a dip in the pool or stroll through the gardens to meditate on your progress. The day wraps up with a nourishing dinner, shared with your art group and washed down with a glass of wine. ### Day 7: Art at the venue Ease into the final full day with a satisfying breakfast and a delicious coffee, then return to the studio for a final morning session.Take this chance to polish your portraits and figure paintings. Jimena will be on hand for any last-minute questions, guiding your process and giving you invaluable pointers for the next steps in your creative journey. She will lead a discussion touching on essential topics: selling your paintings, securing commissions, and leveraging social media for promotion. You'll learn to navigate challenges like overcoming artist’s block, maintaining momentum, setting goals, and keeping a sustainable daily practice.After a peaceful midday break, return for an afternoon of reflection. Gather together for a mini-exhibition and closing circle. While participation is not obligatory, this is an excellent opportunity to give and receive constructive feedback from your peers and, most importantly, celebrate how far you've come!The retreat wraps up with a special farewell dinner, carefully prepared by the chef. Share insights, laugh, and reminisce on the wonderful adventure you've experienced with your art family. ### Day 8: Departure Join Jimena and your fellow artists for breakfast to share any last contact details and get ready for your transfer to Faro Airport (FAO). Please note that check-out is at 10:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Jimena Agra** - Oil painter, educator ## Accommodation ### Portuguese Quinta ### Shared room in the cottage ### Shared standard ensuite room (female only) ### Shared superior room - garden view (female only) ### Shared superior room - sea view (female only) ### Single room in the cottage ### Single deluxe master suite - sea view ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/figures-and-fantasy-art-retreat-artist-jimena-agra-portugal](https://uptrek.com/retreat/figures-and-fantasy-art-retreat-artist-jimena-agra-portugal) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*