The artists are never at a loss when choosing a theme to paint at this idyllic riverside location with its breathtaking views of the river and rolling Algarve hills. Not only do our creative guests come away having improved their artistic skills, but they also enjoy the healing effects of nature.

Our fabulous art tutor is full of enthusiasm and will teach you new skills to maximise your art creativity in a range of different media.

During your workshops, you will enjoy daily art lessons on the waterfront deck under the mature carob trees with accompanying bird song. The surrounding countryside and views of the river will make you feel as though you have discovered a secret oasis and you won’t be at a loss when choosing your landscape art scenes.

At the end of the week you will feel relaxed, confident and inspired to take on new artistic challenges.

All art materials are included but if you have a favourite paint brush then bring it along.

A3 paper is the maximum paper size; should you like to work with large canvases, these can be purchased for you at an extra expense.

“Tracy taught me so much about painting and really inspired me. I pay so much more attention to colours and shapes and lines in all the nature I see. ” – Ramla

“Tracy, our art teacher, was extremely knowledgeable in a variety of techniques, gave you confidence and always made you feel at ease.” – Sally

“We were able to understand all the different painting techniques that were incorporated into this workshop.” – Jenny

“Tracy was relaxed, fun, informative and talented” – Liza

“Tracy is a very talented artist and a great teacher I hope to return again” – Jenny

“The River House, I can’t recommend this place highly enough….you wont be disappointed with its location and beautiful views overlooking the river. ” – Charlie

“The hospitality couldn’t have been more attentive by the owner, Cheryl.” – Liza

“The owner Cheryl was very welcoming and cooked amazing meals.” – Ramla

You can cancel until 30 days before arrival and you shall be entitled to a refund of the total amount paid less a cancellation charge equal to the amount of the Deposit paid by you.

The event is held outdoors (weather permitting) and additional safety and sanitation measures are currently in effect.
Figs on the Funcho have been awarded the Portuguese Clean&Safe seal and we work together with our cleaning company and our villa manager to ensure that our rental property’s cleaning protocol meets the “Clean & Safe” protocols by following the new villa rental hygiene guidelines.
In addition to the new holiday rental Clean&Safe guidelines, our art students attending our painting lessons will be asked to adhere to our coronavirus protocols, see details regarding our coronavirus policy

Sunday
Sunday
Natural inspiration workshop
Morning: Natural inspiration workshop

Relaxed introduction morning at Figs on the Funcho learning how to use different shapes, textures and form from the nature. Using various drawing techniques and materials including graphite, charcoal and pen where you can ease into your art holiday learning new tips and tricks or a good refresher for the more experienced. Also a great way to get to know each other and discuss our art interests.
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Monday
Monday
When colour runs riot workshop
Morning: When colour runs riot workshop

A day letting vibrant colours and bold imagery inspired from many different sources comes together to create powerful abstract art. This will be a creative day exploring different colour and how it makes us feel. Chance to try out different art materials like watercolour, acrylics or chalk. All that is required is an open mind willing to explore.

Afternoon: Sunset river walk

Admire the sun setting behind the hills and the water reflections (optional). An ideal opportunity to study water reflections for your painting projects.
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Tuesday
Tuesday
En plein air landscape painting workshop
Full Day Outdoor Landscapes Painting

En plein air painting is the French expression for “in the open air” and we will be outdoors using the stunning location of Figs on the Funcho as inspiration for creating some plein air landscape painting. The morning will be used to work together and discuss how to select your landscape, then compose a painting or drawing while on location. After lunch, we will continue with the landscapes back at base where we can tune the fine details with guidance to create some impressive works of art. The hardest part of this day will be which view to choose, so maybe bring a camera. Material choice is totally up to you, but maybe try something loose and see where the inspiration leads you.
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Wednesday
Wednesday
Ink and mixed media workshop
Morning: Ink and mixed media workshop

A session on the joys of using ink in various ways to create interesting art works. A morning of play and experimentation where we will show you how versatile this medium can be, not to mention the possibilities when other mediums are used. From the application of ink from a pen for sketching, to brush work and the introduction of bleach and other unusual things.

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Thursday
Thursday
Suggestive animals workshop
Morning: Suggestive animals workshop

Have you ever tried to draw an animal but felt it wasn’t quite right? Have you attempted to draw furry coat but it ended up looking flat? Well this tips and tricks session on all things animal will help you master simple shapes into various species followed by the techniques needed to make fur and feather come alive. From the smallest mouse, to the biggest elephant, anything goes in this session.
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Sunday

Natural inspiration workshop

Morning: Natural inspiration workshop

Relaxed introduction morning at Figs on the Funcho learning how to use different shapes, textures and form from the nature. Using various drawing techniques and materials including graphite, charcoal and pen where you can ease into your art holiday learning new tips and tricks or a good refresher for the more experienced. Also a great way to get to know each other and discuss our art interests.

Figs on the Funcho

35 reviews

🏆LuxLife Hospitality Award: Algarve's Most Idyllic Riverside Retreat 2023 Cheryl & Graham, co-founders of Figs on the Funcho, share their love for the Algarve through culinary, walking & painting packages. With 20 years of experience, they explore the best beaches, restaurants, and villages for a memorable experience. Passionate about cooking, they draw inspiration from culinary experts like Ottolenghi, Ixta Belfrage, Sami Tamimi, and Jamie Oliver. Their retreats offer healthy and delicious vegetarian meals, delighting all taste buds.

I really enjoyed this afternoon. Delicious food and interesting information on nutrition. I have already applied some tips from Naomi and I have made two of those delicious recipes from Graham. Nice also to admire your beautiful venue. I will be back soon.

By Alexandra H for Gut Health Lunch & Learn January 2025 on Feb 06, 2025

I had a fantastic time at the "Portuguese Spice Route: A Brunch Cooking Workshop en-route to India" at Figs on the Funcho, recently. Graham and Cheryl were excellent hosts, and the workshop was well-organized, interactive, and a lot of fun. The hands-on experience was great, with everyone getting involved in the cooking process. Our hosts made sure we all had the chance to participate, whether it was chopping, mixing spices, or cooking, which really brought the group together and made it feel like a shared culinary adventure. We learned how to prepare a range of dishes that highlighted flavours from the spice route—each with the unique spices and flavours from the regions along the historic spice route, from Portugal to India. The recipe selection was a perfect way to showcase the spices and ingredients from each region, and the hosts made everything easy to follow. I loved how approachable the dishes were—easy for recreating at home but still packed with rich, authentic flavours. The setting was another highlight. Their home and property are absolutely beautiful, and dining outside in the warm autumn afternoon with a view of the valley made the meal even more enjoyable. Sharing the dishes we all helped prepare while taking in the scenery was the perfect end to the workshop. I highly recommend this experience. Whether you're an experienced cook or just looking to try something new, it's a fun and memorable way to spend the day!

By Carrie C for Portuguese Spice Route: A brunch cooking workshop en-route to India on Oct 16, 2024

The cooking class at Figs on the Funcho was wonderful. Graham and Cherly were so hospitable and friendly. The food was interesting and delicious and the company was fantastic. It was a fun day in a peaceful and beautiful location. Thank you

By Aliya J for Portuguese Spice Route: A brunch cooking workshop en-route to India on Oct 16, 2024

It was a wonderful experience, which I highly recommend. Great venue & accommodation, delicious food, fun group of people, lovely art & yoga teachers. Such a great place to relax and enjoy something different for a few days.