Cost
Per participant: $2420 US for private room
with en-suite bathroom
10% Discount for Non-Participating Partner
(When booking use discount code: PARTNER)*
10% Discount for Early Bird
registration by Dec. 31, 2025
(When booking use discount code: EARLYBIRD)
* Only one discount can be applied per booking
Sketchbook Drawing in Morocco
April 22 - 29, 2026
with Diane Olivier
Taught in English
Click below for recent reviews:
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JAN. 22, 2026
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 drawing possibilities are endless! We start with a guided tour explaining it’s history and includes a variety of great drawing spots each morning with afternoons free for exploration. The mosaic of colors and patterns, sounds and smells will astound and the friendly Moroccans are very welcoming. So much to draw! It's the perfect place to wander and fill a sketchbook. I also have two wonderful adventures out of town - one to a weekly local market with lunch at a farmers home and the other an amazing camel ride down the shores of the Atlantic and into the dunes for a grill lunch. Then, each evening we we gather on the roof before dinner to review our sketchbooks. I will be presenting demonstrations on various topics and materials as well as supporting you with with plenty of individual feedback as you draw.
Our home will be a lovely, quiet riad (hotel) in a great location near the port on a quiet alley. It’s large sprawling rooms are tasteful decorated with comfortable beds and big bathrooms. A large living room and rooftop patio with views invites us to relax and enjoy. Two dinners (on arrival and departure nights) and two lunch are included. Other meals can be enjoy at the many tasty local restaurants!
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. Come see for yourself!!
"The best part about the trip was... every part. When we weren't painting the gorgeous landscapes and/or beautiful architecture, we were either exploring the grounds of the chateau, eating delicious food or relaxing and chatting with the other participants and support staff. Definitely the most enjoyable solo-vacation I've ever taken. I look forward to participating in another trip with Plein Air Holidays, hopefully in a new country altogether!"
Karl K.
San Francisco
California
Workshop Schedule
Subject to change depending on weather, desires of group, or other unforeseen circumstances.
- Wednesday April 22:
Arrival in Essaouira after 2pm, unpack, relax
Arrival dinner 8pm.
- Thursday - Tuesday:
Breakfast 7:30-8:30am
Drawing together 9-noonish
Afternoons free
Get together with our work 6-7pm
During the week we'll schedule the camel ride and the hammam visit
- Tuesday April 28:
Departure dinner, 8pm
- Wednesday April 29:
Breakfast, depart by 11am
Included in Holiday
Not Included
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Private accommodations with en-suite bathroom
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All breakfasts, 2 dinners and 2 lunches
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Camel ride down the beach
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Market visit
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Teaching 4-5 hours daily
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Transportation to and from Essaouira
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Art supplies
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Other meals not indicated under INCLUDED
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Travel and Medical insurance (REQUIRED)
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Dining in Essaouira: There are plenty of well priced cafe and restaurants within easy walking distance!
Payment and cancelation
A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is to accompany the workshop reservation.
Balance is due March 1, 2026.
If you need to cancel after full payment is made, I will endeavor to re-sell your booking and, if successful, a refund will be 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.
"This week was well organised with extremely friendly support staff around all the time.
We spent time in the most beautiful settings in France.
Since we booked we experienced good communication and it is a very well priced experience.
Thank you very much."
Linza & Jan B.
Johannesburg
South Africa
Please contact me, I'd be happy to talk with you.
Diane Olivier
415-341-3959
dianeolivier@me.com
Drawings by Diane Olivier
Click to enlarge
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.
Holiday Director Kate Kilbourne
Since 2000, Kate Kilbourne lived part of the year in San Francisco, California, and part of the year in her house in Trôo, France... until 2017 when her partner Robert bought a flat in Cádiz, Spain. Now Kate and Robert spend the spring and fall all over Europe, running Plein Air Holidays in France, Spain, Italy and in Croatia where they lived for nine months during the Covid pandemic. Kate is fluent in French and is learning Spanish as fast as she can!
"I really don't see how it could be better! You and Tom helped me so much that I was surprised to be able to participate in most everything, except for a couple of naps. The very personal visits to your friends were extra special.
I will definitely recommend this workshop to anyone I see. I have already told my friends that it was so much more than just a fine workshop. In addition, it was a cultural and warm social experience, with gourmet dining, wine and cheese tasting, fitness training, and a final exposition!"
Louise D.
San Luis Obispo
California