People and the Sea: A Reportage Sketching Workshop in Setúbal

Workshop Details

Dates: March 16–19, 2026
Location: Setúbal, Portugal
Skill Level: All levels welcome
Language: English with Portuguese and Spanish translation available
Group size: 8-15

Setúbal is a working port town full of life. Picture boats rocking in the harbor, nets drying on the docks, the vibrant Mercado do Livramento, and the smell of the fish always in the air. Over four days, we’ll explore small-scale fisheries and tell visual stories of the people, boats, market, and marine life that give this town its character. This workshop is organized with the help from Grupo Riscado of Lisbon.

What You’ll Learn

• Finding the essence of a place and communicating it in strokes and washes

• Identifying elements important to the story: objects, people, textures

• Watercolor techniques for drawing water and reflections

• Quick portraits of fishermen

• Drawing people at work

• Capturing hand motions

• Reportage-friendly composition to structure sketches, captions, and observations

• Building drawings progressively: from short exercises to larger, complete works

Registration and Cost 

Flexible Sign-Up: Join for individual days ($150) or take the full 4-day package ($500). We really recommend signing up for the full four day workshop, If you want to get a progression and come away with a solid exposure to reportage techniques. Each day includes 3 hour workshop in the morning and 3 hours workshop in the afternoon + Booklet on the topic of the day with explanations and examples.

Scholarships are available. If you would like to join us but the cost is an issue for you send send us a message and request a discount. 

Not Included in the Price:

• Transportation 

• Accommodations

• Meals 

• Entry fee to the museum

Daily Flow

Because Setúbal’s fishing life follows the sea rather than a clock, our schedule will stay flexible and responsive to what’s happening in the port each day. We’ll adjust our sketching locations based on weather conditions and the activity of the fishermen. If the weather keeps the boats from going out—sometimes it’s sunny but still not safe to fish—you’ll often find fishermen on the docks repairing gear and mending nets, which gives us wonderful opportunities for close-up studies.This fluid approach allows us to sketch authentic moments as they unfold in real time.

Morning – Drawing on Location

1. Meet the group at the day’s location: port, docks, market, or museum

2. Start with short exercises guided by the instructor

3. Observe and sketch people, objects, and marine life

4. Instructor demonstrations on watercolor techniques, composition, and reportage

5. Receive personal feedback and guidance, while working alongside other sketchers 

Lunch at a nearby peixaria

Afternoon – Deepening the Story

1. Move on to longer sketches building on the morning’s exercises

2. Fishermen at work or repairing gear, market life, boats, or marine animals

3. Explore reportage-centered composition: integrating sketches, notes, and observations into a cohesive visual story

4. Practice interviews or observation notes when possible to enrich your narrative

5. Participate in a daily group feedback session: share progress, reflect, and receive instructor guidance

Why You’ll Love This Workshop

• Immerse yourself in a raw, vibrant fishing town where the sea shapes life

• Work together with sketchers of all levels, sharing tips, stories, and learning in a supportive group

• Learn directly from the instructor through demos, feedback, and guidance

• Take home a sketchbook capturing Setúbal’s small-scale fisheries

Transportation options from Lisbon to Setúbal,

• Train (Fertagus):
  45–55 minutes from Lisbon to Setúbal, with frequent departures.

• Bus:
  Several bus lines run between Lisbon and Setúbal, usually taking around 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic.

• Car or Carpool:
  A straightforward drive across the 25 de Abril or Vasco da Gama bridge, typically 35–45 minutes.

• Taxi or Rideshare (Bolt/Uber):
  Usually 35–45 minutes, depending on the time of day.

More info

We will be adding more details about this workshop soon.

Ready to join us? We are so happy - register below. If you are interested but need time to think about it send us a message, so we know how many sketchers to expect and whether we have enough to proceed.

Cancelation Policy

Cancel by February 1, 2026 for a refund, minus $50 cancelation fee. No refunds after February 1, 2026. Full refund in case the workshop is canceled by the organizers.
You can transfer your spot to another sketcher–just please let us know ahead of time.