Jono Gilbert´s
ART SAFARI
Take your paintbrush into the untamed lands of Northern Portugal…
This August, we will be venturing beyond the canvas and stepping into the landscape.
A land where centuries of creativity, exploration, and transformation have unfolded—a land where artists have long drawn inspiration from nature's vast beauty.
This week-long art journey encourages exploration of new techniques and self-expression in the rustic scenery of Northern Portugal. With a mixture of plein air and in-studio painting sessions our goal is to improve your painting skills in a comfortable atmosphere under the guidance of your friendly tutor Jono Gilbert.
You'll learn how to paint a variety of landscapes in a range of atmospheric and lighting conditions.This is a safari for the soul, for those who seek more than just technical skill; it's a space to connect with nature and like-minded people, to experience the quiet moments of inspiration, and to tap into the fun, love, and hope of your own artistic journey.
This is your invitation to paint not just what you see, but what your heart feels, and to return home with a sense of artistic connection that we hope will last a lifetime.
Includes:
7 nights accommodation in a traditional farm house with vineyard
20 hours of guided painting sessions
3 days of excursions painting in the wild
3 home cooked meals a day including traditional local Portuguese dishes
Unlimited studio time
Art equipment provided: paintbrushes, easel, palette
Art material provided: acrylic paint, canvases
Key Techniques:
In this week long workshop, you’ll learn essential techniques like blending, layering, color theory and how to create depth to bring your landscapes to life.
Lighting plays a crucial role in creating mood and depth, so you’ll learn how to use light and shadow to enhance form and evoke emotion in your landscapes.
Through experimentation and guidance, you’ll develop your unique artistic voice and gain the confidence to create work that feels authentic to you.
About your guides…
Jono The Artist
Jono Gilbert is a British artist, ecologist, photographer and general vagabond—a true wanderer at heart. He will be guiding us through our painting journey, helping us build up colours and capture what’s out there. With a spirit as untamed as the landscapes he traverses, Jono has embarked on countless expeditions across the globe, from the rugged peaks of Nepal to the dense jungles of Nigeria, the wilds of Argentina to the icy expanse of Alaska.
His landscape paintings and photography are driven by the elusive, shifting light that captures the mood of a moment. With over 15 years of experience working with acrylics, he has honed a style that channels the living energy of nature, reflecting what stirs within him. To find out more about his work, visit his website here.
Teaching Style: Jono believes that for beginners, it’s essential to build confidence by providing a solid foundation in core techniques. However, he also encourages students to explore and express their personal creativity once they feel comfortable with the basics. The workshop environment is designed to be supportive and low-pressure, allowing for plenty of room to experiment and learn through trial and error—after all, mistakes are a natural part of the artistic journey.
“I’ve always been captivated by the concept of ´wilderness´. From as far back as I can recall, I’ve held onto the belief that the most genuine way to experience the natural world is by venturing as far from civilisation as possible. It’s a feeling of needing to detach from the modern world and fully immerse myself in nature, seeking out lands untouched by human hands. This pursuit also carries with it a sense of challenge, a test of endurance and resilience in the face of the untamed. For me, accessing each remote expanse was the sole pathway to truly connect with the rawness of nature.”
Charlie The Tracker
Charlie is a landscape designer, gardener and amateur artist with an obsession for waterfalls. He’ll be our driver and tracker, using his extensive local knowledge to find us some stunning vistas to paint. He believes the north of Portugal is the most beautiful place to live and is very excited to show us around. Along with his partner Sharlit, he created Court of Cavalum to provide a space for people to explore their creativity in a natural setting (and to live by a waterfall).
Sharlit and Celia The Chefs
Sharlit will be teaming up with local cozinheira Celia and providing our meals for the week. 2 intuitive cooks who are always looking to delight people with healthy and delicious meals and happy to cater to anyones dietary needs. Together with Charlie they’ll be looking after our comforts as hosts of The Court.
Our Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Drop our bags, have a glass of house wine and get to know our fellow artists!
Day 2: Sunrise excursion to Serra do Boneca.
Jump up early to drive to the very top of the mountain and capture those breathtaking first rays over the river valley. Followed by an adventure hike to a secret lagoon.
Day 3: Painting afternoon at local waterfall
Unwind at the Court of Cavalum, explore the grounds and let your brushes fall on its watery treasures.
Day 4: Excursion to the Douro valley
Adventure into the UNESCO protected heartland of Port winemaking where history has marked the landscape. Mountainsides carved with 2000 year old vineyards dive into the giant winding Douro river. If we’re not too busy painting, there’s an option for a delicious pitstop - wine tasting (not included).
Day 5: Painting morning at Court of Cavalum
A morning to experiment with light and colour in the studio. In the afternoon have a well-earned break or take the opportunity to venture into Porto and explores it’s charm.
Day 6: Excursion to Gerês National Park
One last big drive to witness the majestic scenery of Portugals largest national park. Replete with waterfalls and rugged landscapes.
Day 7: Sunset painting at Court of Cavalum
On the final day we’ll have an opportunity to share our works all side by side in an in-house gallery presentation and to discuss what we’ve learned. In the evening we´ll capture our last sun as it sets over the hills, followed by a chance to turn our hands at making pizzas for our last dinner out under the vines.
Day 8: Departure
The itinerary has been carefully thought out to offer a varied experience of these inspirational landscapes. There are too many stunning locations to visit in a week- so we can be flexible with where we go and we are very open to the preferences of the group. As we will be exploring natural sites, it is also subject to changes due to the weather.
Why go on this Art Safari?
In this peaceful and relaxed environment, you'll have the opportunity to explore your creativity without pressure, with plenty of personalized guidance to help you along the way. The focus is on building confidence, embracing mistakes, and fostering a supportive atmosphere that encourages experimentation. You’ll also become part of a vibrant artistic community, connecting with fellow participants and sharing in the creative process. Whether you’re a total beginner or refining your skills, the Art Safari gives you the freedom to discover and develop your own personal style while immersing yourself in a truly enriching experience.
Pricing and Details
Dates : August 24th-31st
The total cost for the week is €1950
(incl. VAT)
The price includes a fully-catered stay at the Court Of Cavalum. Accommodations are all generous and beautiful private double rooms, allocated on first come, first served basis. Two rooms have ensuite and two share a comfortable bathroom. To view the accommodation, click here. The large farm house, complete with all its creative studios and grounds are available for your leisure and pleasure throughout the week. Three home cooked meals a day are provided using local and seasonal ingredients. On excursion days, the meals will include preprepared lunches/picnics as just another reason to enjoy the time outdoors.
Each of the six days, there will be 3 hours of guided painting sessions with Jono. Three of the days will be at the Court of Cavalum, in the studio or outdoors and focusing on technique. Three of the days will be painting excursions, where we will be driven with our easels, canvases and paints to some of the most remote and idyllic parts of Northern Portugal.
The price does not include flights or transfers. The Court of Cavalum is 30 minutes by taxi from Porto international airport or 35 minutes by train from the centre of Porto. There will be the opportunity for meals out, wine tasting and other ways to sample Portugals wonderful culture - these are not included in the price, but well worth the extra.
Participants on the Art Safari are more than welcome to bring partners, companions or family members to stay with them, one room has a second twin bed and children beds or cots can be provided in the others. For more information, please mention this in your booking enquiry.
