Last month, Katie and I had the pleasure of hosting our very first Sketch Retreat in Spain! We sketched, laughed, shared delicious meals, and soaked in the incredible mountain views near Madrid. There’s something truly magical that happens when a group of creatives comes together to make art, learn, and connect.
“Fantastic. Not just for feeling comfortable drawing and experimenting, but also for all kinds of interesting conversations, I felt completely included from the very first moment!”
It was a dream come true; a weekend full of creativity, inspiration, and friendship. If you’ve ever wondered what happens during a sketch retreat or are curious about joining one yourself, here’s a full recap of our unforgettable art retreat in the Sierra de Guadarrama!
📍 Why We Chose Navacerrada for Our Art Retreat in Spain
If you ever wanted to escape the city and reconnect with nature, the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains are the perfect getaway. Just an hour from central Madrid, our retreat took place in the beautiful village of Navacerrada, a place with an artsy, relaxed vibe, local cafés, forest walks, and crisp mountain air.
Our chalet, with ample space inside and outside, and a mix of private and shared bedroom options. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden with flowers the whole year round. We enjoyed beautiful sunrises from our garden, with mountain and lake views. A truly inspiring and relaxing spot!
☀️ DAy 1: welcoming everyone
On Friday, we welcomed our retreat guests to the chalet and helped everyone settle into their cozy rooms. We gathered in the living room to introduce ourselves, chat, and share our excitement for the days ahead.
Each participant received a curated welcome bag filled with art supplies, creative goodies, and a few sweet treats; perfect for both beginners and experienced artists.
That evening, we introduced the Art Station, a creative corner stocked with paints, brushes, markers, and paper for everyone to freely explore and experiment with. Our goal was to make sure every guest had access to the tools they needed to unleash their creativity.
As the fire crackled, we played relaxed drawing games designed to break the ice and inspire. It quickly became one of the highlights of the retreat; full of laughter, experimentation, and creative connection.
“the highlight for me was the social side; enjoying breakfast together and having deep discussions. Sketching together and learning different styles and techniques!“
🌲 DAy 2 morning: Art, Adventure & Inspiration
After a delicious breakfast, we started the day with a morning walk through Navacerrada. Surrounded by pine trees and mountain air, we made our way to the lake, the perfect spot for plein-air sketching.
Katie led a session on capturing landscape sketches from life, teaching techniques for sketching mountains, trees, and reflections. The morning light, peaceful scenery, and sense of calm made it a truly memorable experience.
Afterwards, we headed into town to sketch the local architecture, flowers, and people around the main square. With Katie’s guidance on color theory and composition, everyone filled their sketchbooks with vibrant, personal pages inspired by the town’s charm.
🖍️ DAy 2 afternoon: Delicious Food & Creative Flow
After a morning of sketching, we refuelled with a traditional Spanish lunch in the heart of Navacerrada; tapas, laughter, and good company. Naturally, dessert followed: pastries and coffee from a local bakery.
Back at the chalet, I (Claire!) led a creative illustration session focused on transforming sketches into expressive sketchbook pages. I shared my personal illustration process and offered one-on-one feedback. As the sun set over the garden, everyone relaxed and created in their own way; a beautiful mix of learning and flow.
🥂 DAy 2 evening: making connections & celebrating
After a full day of creativity, we celebrated our achievements with a fun evening at a German-style bar in town. There were beers, bratwurst, live music, and lots of laughter; the perfect way to end a wonderful day!
🏺 DAy 3: Exploring & Farewell
Sunday began with a relaxed brunch and a final sketching walk around town. We visited the local church, explored quiet corners of Navacerrada, and captured last-minute moments in our sketchbooks.
As we gathered back at the chalet, it was clear that the true magic of this creative retreat wasn’t just the scenery; it was the community we built.
We left the mountains inspired, refreshed, and connected, carrying home not only sketchbooks full of art but also new friendships and a renewed creative spark. A big thank you from Katie & I, we had a blast!
“All the activities were just perfect, the whole weekend felt too short!“
✨Upcoming Sketch Retreat Dates in Spain ✨
We’re already planning our next art and sketch retreat in Spain, and we can’t wait to welcome new and returning artists for another inspiring weekend in the Madrid mountains.
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Have another question about the retreat? Chat with us at thesketchretreat@gmail.com