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Sketchbook Drawing
in Morocco  
April 29 - May 6, 2025    SOLD OUT
With Diane Olivier

Taught in English

Join me in exploring the maze of color and details of Essaouira with your sketchbook in hand. Between the old medina architecture (a UNESCO world heritage site), the robust fishing industry and a bustling shipyard the possibilities are endless! I will take you to a variety of great drawing spots each morning, your afternoons are free. We then we get together for a show and tell each evening with our sketchbooks.

Our home will be a lovely riad right by the sea wall which includes a private room with en-suite bathroom and breakfast each day. Two dinners (on arrival and departure nights) and one lunch are also included. Other meals can be enjoy at the many tasty local restaurants.

 

I will be working with you for 4 hours a day; 3 out drawing in the morning and 1 before dinner as we share our drawings. You'll have the rest of the day to shop and draw at the piers and through out the mazes of streets.

 

Your trip will also include a camel ride along the Atlantic shore and dunes with lunch.

 

I can tell you after visiting for many years, I have found Morocco very safe - people are unbelievably hospitable and tourism is the fastest growing area of their economy so they take tourist safety very seriously.

 

The mosaic of colors, patterns, sounds and smells will astound, the architecture is fabulous, the people beautiful - so much to draw! It's the perfect place to wander and fill your sketchbook.

 

Come see for yourself!!

MAY 2025 TRAVEL INFORMATION -
READ BEFORE YOU PURCHASE AIR TICKETS

 

  • Try to get to Marrakesh at least 2-3 days before (so 4/26, 27)

  • Arrive in Essaouira  Tuesday, April 29, 2pm

  • Depart Essaouira Tuesday, May 6 by 11am

  • Remember when making your return flight that the Essaouira airport is a good two hour plus ride and then you’ll need about two hours for airport check in so add 4-5 hours before your flight for Essaouira take off time. You may find you'll need to stay overnight in Marrakech on your return and fly out the next morning.

 

(Click on blue links)

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Arriving at the Marrakesh Airport

Arrange a taxi pick up from your hotel/riad, email them in advance to set it up. 

 

Marrakech Hotel/Riad

There are so many choices and so many price points! Here are a few to check out that are in a good locations and under $200: Hotel Saleme, Riad Naya, Riad Hôtel Marraplace (check for pricing on booking.com).

Do not wait to book, my experience is they sell out

 

Marrakech/Essaouira Travel

  • From Marrakech you will make your way to Essaouira.

  • Bus:There are several morning buses for about $10 one way. You can purchase tickets about a month in advance or when you arrive. (https://www.supratours.ma)

  • Other options: past participants have hired a van and driver and shared the cost, usually about $25 one way. Or a grand taxi that can take 3 people is about $90. Check with the hotel front desk for help with arrangements.

  • We depart on Tuesday May 6th by 11am. I will help you make arrangements back to Marrakech.

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Questions?
Please contact me, I'd be happy to talk with you.
Diane Olivier
415-341-3959
dianeolivier@me.com

Workshop Schedule 

Subject to change depending on weather, desires of group, or other unforseen circumstances.

 

Tuesday May 29, 2025:
  • Arrival in Essaouira after 2pm, unpack, relax
  • Arrival dinner 8pm
Wednesday - Monday, May 5, 2025:
  • Breakfast 7:30-8:30am
  • Drawing together 9-noon
  • Afternoons free
  • Get together with our work 6-7pm
  • During the week we'll schedule the camel ride and the hammam visit
Monday May 5, 2025
  • Departure dinner, 8pm
Tuesday May 6, 2025:
  • Breakfast, depart by 11am
Cost for 7 nights per person:

$1300 artist

$975. non participating partner
When booking use discount code: MOROCCOPARTNER
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Drawing Instructor Diane Olivier

Drawing has always been my primary media, working with both traditional and nontraditional materials on scales ranging from small book size to mural size. My subject matter ranges from figurative, landscape and cityscapes to non-representational. The media ranges from charcoal to graphite, to full color pastels to non-traditional mixed media. The sense of touch between the tools and the paper and the immediacy of the mark are important element in my process. It is a dance between the eyes, the hand and the soul.  See  Morocco Sketchbooks on Flickr & My website

Drawings by Diane Olivier

Click to enlarge

​- $500 Deposit per person to secure the workshop reservation.- The balance is due by Dec. 31, 2024.

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Includes:

  • Private accommodations

  • En-suite bathroom

  • All breakfasts, 2 dinners and 2 lunches

  • Camel ride

  • Local hammam (Turkish bath) visit

  • Teaching 4 hours daily

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Not included:

  • Transportation to and from Essaouira

  • Art Supplies

  • Other meals not indicated above

  • Travel and Medical insurance

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Payment and cancelation

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  • A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is to accompany the workshop reservation.

  • The balance is due by March 1, 2024.

  • If you need to cancel after full payment is made, I will endeavor to re-sell your booking and if successful, I will refund your payments made (with the exception of the booking deposit which is non-refundable). If unsuccessful, I reserve the right to retain full or part payment of your booking.

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By the Medina Wall

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