3-day art intensive

Elena Bria

Elena Bria

3 - 5 November │ Portugal

Find out more

Elena’s first workshop, and the only one this year

18 hours of art techniques and personal guidance

Accommodation, lunches, and art materials included

15 spots only – secure yours now to join the program

Master the Art of Portraiture

Join Elena Bria for an exclusive art intensive – the only workshop she holds this year. Over 3 immersive days, for 6 hours per day you’ll focus on what matters most: You’ll be diving into figurative live portraiture under the guidance of Elena, deepening your understanding of how to paint the human presence. Her approach is rooted in the classical tradition, but always with one eye on what it means to be an artist today.

This format offers

A fully organised experience

In the evening hours, we’ll prepare leisure activities to spend more time together and have some well-deserved rest with a Portuguese vibe

Art materials to work with

They are included so that you don’t have to overpack or fear using your oils – just show up, learn new techniques, and work

Flexible lodging

You can book a place yourself (we’ll share the discounts we have) or let us organise it for you to take the management stress away

Local cuisine

You have all 3 lunches included in the price: we eat together, have good local food, and try the best things in Portugal

Standard Ticket

900€

A spot at the workshop without lodging: This setup gives you freedom of accommodation choice

What you’ll get

- 3 days of art classes, 6 hours per day
- lunches for 3 days – to try the best of Portuguese cuisine
- all art materials (no need to bring yours)
- personal guidance throughout the workshop

Flexible Lodging

✦ We’ve partnered with charming guesthouses and hotels nearby, offering exclusive discounts for our participants. You’ll receive a list of recommended stays upon registration.

Accommodation Ticket

1100€

We take care of your meals and provide all the art materials, so there’s no need to carry them in your luggage.

What you’ll get

- 3 days of art classes, 6 hours per day
- accommodation for 3 nights
- lunches for 3 days – to try the best of Portuguese cuisine
- all art materials (no need to bring yours)
- personal guidance throughout the workshop

Secure your spot

And proceed to WhatsApp to receive all further information

Number of spots: 15
Installment payment available: split the amount in 3 equal parts.

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    After signing up, you’ll be transferred to our WhatsApp chat to get all the information about the purchase – we conduct all our communication there. Please provide valid contact info so that we can all be connected.

    Words from our Artists

    FAQ

    Is it an art retreat?

    The Council is a blend of a traditional workshop and rest, so you may call it a workation. Our goal here is for artists to study the master’s techniques and to explore ways to build their own artistic practice. You learn from modern masters, honor the foundations, and play around with what’s going to be your thing. But this is not a boot camp where we’ll drill you to sweat. We still want you to have a holiday and a good rest, talk openly about what moves you and laugh a lot, smell the ocean, see the cliffs, taste some good wine. We believe that creativity and inspiration are key to any development.

    Will I be able to use the knowledge from the Council in real life?

    Well, that’s the whole point: We’ll make sure that is the only kind of knowledge you get from us. Art exists in a real world with real-life rules and processes, so we focus on the things that help you develop professionally, personally, and leave your mark in the art world.

    Who is the Council for?

    The Creative Council is for emerging and established artists who want to elevate their craft. It’s for those who want to master technical skills, build meaningful connections, and understand the intricacies of the art world.

    Join us if you are:
    - A part-time artist aspiring to go full-time and grow as an artist, committed and ready to work
    - A seasoned creator seeking to refine your voice, expand your network, and get to the next level.

    How is the workshop scheduled?

    The workshop dates are November 3–5 (Monday–Wednesday), and here’s how it flows:

    We’ll be fully immersed in the art process from morning to evening, painting, experimenting, and learning together. We have 6 hours of art classes per day with Elena Bria: from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and then from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. And finish each day with something fun to do all together to get to know each other better, explore Setubal, and have some good fulfilling vacation.

    Are meals and accommodation included?

    For all 3 days of the workshop, you have lunch included in the base price: we’ll dine together and enjoy delicious Portuguese food. For breakfasts and dinners we’ll share all the places to visit around the city so that you have the flexibility to go for what you personally want to have: from nice pizza to sushi to fresh seafood or Brazilian steaks.

    For the accommodation, you can choose to get the ticket with it not included (but we’ve partnered with cozy guesthouses and hotels in the city center where you can book a room at a special discounted rate – we’ll send you the list after registration) or to go for the option where we organise it for you: we don’t charge any extra fees for this appart from the average accommodation price.

    This setup gives you freedom of choice while still enjoying the full experience together – just without the rigid package pricing.

    Can I bring a guest with me?

    Absolutely! You’re more than welcome to bring a guest along. Setúbal and the surrounding areas are full of amazing things to explore – stunning beaches, local markets, wine tastings, and breathtaking nature spots. While you're immersed in painting, your guest can enjoy everything the region has to offer.

    Plus, we love having more cool people at our group meals – the more, the merrier! Just keep in mind that the workshop itself is for registered participants only.

    FAQ

    Is it an art retreat?

    The Council is not an art retreat, nor is it a traditional workshop. Our goal here is not for artists to copy step-by-step the master’s techniques but to explore ways to create their signature style. We focus on artistic skill and market knowledge, studying the mindset and sharing with the supportive team, cultivating professional and personal development. You learn from modern masters, honor the foundations, and play around with what’s going to be your thing.

    But this is not a boot camp where we’ll drill you to sweat. We still want you to have a holiday and a good rest, talk openly about what moves you and laugh a lot, smell the ocean, see the cliffs, taste some good wine, and listen to Fado. We believe that creativity and inspiration are key to any development.

    Are meals and accommodation included?

    Accommodation is <strong>not included</strong> in the price, but we’ve partnered with cozy guesthouses and hotels in the city center where you can book a room at a special discounted rate – we’ll send you the list after registration. You can either book a private room just for yourself (and your companion if you are coming not alone) or team up with other participants from the group to have an even better price.

    <span style="font-weight: 400;">As for meals, you can choose to book the ticket with lunches or without: we are happy to dine together and enjoy delicious Portuguese food.</span>

    This setup gives you freedom of choice while still enjoying the full experience together – just without the rigid package pricing.

    Will I be able to use the knowledge from the Council in real life?

    <span style="font-weight: 400;">Well, that’s the whole point: We’ll make sure that is the only kind of knowledge you get from us (apart from silly stuff like why people hiccup – that is our mentors’ special domain, so just go with it). Art exists in a real world with real-life rules and processes, so we focus on the things that help you develop professionally, personally, and leave your mark in the art world. </span>

    Who is the Council for?

    <span style="font-weight: 400;">The Creative Council is for emerging and established artists who want to elevate their craft and navigate the art market with confidence. It’s for those who want to master technical skills, build meaningful industry connections, and understand the intricacies of the art world (and those things just never end, whether you’ve been on the market for 1 month or 10 years, they just differ in forms and approaches).</span>

    <span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
    <strong style="color: white;">Join us if you are:</strong><br />
    <em>- A part-time artist aspiring to go full-time and grow as an artist, committed and ready to work</em><br />
    <em>- A seasoned creator seeking to refine your voice and market strategies, expand your network, and get to the next level.</em><br />
    </span><br />
    <strong style="color: white;">PS. Who is it not for:</strong><br />
    <em>- Those looking for an art retreat or a simple holiday</em><br />
    <em>- Those after a step-by-step masterclass with an artist – you will study new techniques with the art mentor, but our goal is not to do 100% style-mimicking </em>

    Can I bring a guest with me?

    Absolutely! You’re more than welcome to bring a guest along. Setúbal and the surrounding areas are full of amazing things to explore – stunning beaches, local markets, wine tastings, and breathtaking nature spots. While you're immersed in painting, your guest can enjoy everything the region has to offer.

    Plus, we love having more cool people at our group meals – the more, the merrier! Just keep in mind that the workshop itself is for registered participants only.

    How is the workshop scheduled?

    The workshop dates are November 3–5 (Monday–Wednesday), and here’s how it flows:

    We’ll be fully immersed in the art process from morning to evening, painting, experimenting, and learning together. We have 6 hours of art classes per day with Elena Bria, and then finish each day with an extra seminar on art business, marketing, and working with the galleries.

    The Council with Tania is full

    But we are already planning the next event, so sign up for the newsletter to be the first in line — we will send you the freshest updates.

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