Travel Sketching Retreats

  • New Mexico: A Cinematic Sketchbook

    Dates: March 15-19, 2027
    Location:     Santa Fe, La Fonda

    In this workshop we will sketch landscapes and locations that have been featured on the big screen, like Santa Fe’s earthy adobe streets, dramatic mesas of Ghost Ranch and the weathered storefronts of old mining towns. Through on-location sketching with ink and watercolor, we’ll capture the colors, characters, and cinematic atmosphere of the Southwest.

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  • The Art of Travel Sketching in Southern France

    Dates: April 17-24, 2027
    Location:     Atelier Clos Mirabel, Jurançon, France

    Join us for a week-long workshop on creating a perfect travel sketchbook, or what the French call “carnet de voyage”. We will learn all of the main aspects of telling a visual story of a place from drawing sweeping landscapes and rendering architecture, to sketching traditional Pyrenees villages and capturing unique flavors of a local market.

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  • Urban Sketching in Guanajuato, Mexico

    Dates: December 5-12, 2027
    Location: Guanajuato, Mexico

    Join us in Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town) of Guanajuato for a week long sketching retreat. We will be hosted by the owner of Alma del Sol Mexican artist and print maker Hugo Anaya. All level of drawing ability including beginners are welcome.

    Info and Registration Coming Soon

Student Testimonials

“As a beginner I had a lot of apprehensions going  to this workshop with mostly experienced sketchers and such a world-class teacher. Not only did I learn so much, and get excited about continuing this urban sketching journey but I overcame my fears through Rita’s gentle encouragement, excellent teaching and the other sketchers camaraderie.”

— Michele, Tijeras, New Mexico

“Rita Sabler presented techniques in a different way than I’ve learned before, and everything clicked for me.”

— Guanajuato Workshops Attendee

“Rita’s passion for capturing places and the people shines through in her approach to reportage urban sketching and her generosity as a teacher. Classes were well organized and suitable for beginners and those with experience. Daily class topics were sequenced to build skills so we could tackle increasingly complicated scenes over the week. I had a lot of fun and came away with new skills and a good sense of where to focus on my own to keep improving. If you’re hesitating — Don’t!”

— Maureen, Portland, OR

“Rita is an excellent instructor - very knowledgeable, organized, supportive and fun. She generously shares techniques and tips. She's a great role model for sketching anywhere, anytime, too! I learned so much from Rita and highly recommend her.“

Tamara W.

“Rita was an excellent teacher!  Her enthusiasm for urban sketching was contagious, as she patiently met each participant at the skill level where they were at.  After the week-long course, I am no longer scared to tackle difficult urban scenes, particularly panoramic city views.  The lessons learned from the week will continue to propel my urban sketching skills forward!”  

— Kat, Guanajuato Workshops participant

“Rita Sabler ‘s manner of instruction is always so clear, non-judgmental and supportive. I value the way she reviews the basics – line, value, thumbnails, etc – all of the elements of a strong composition. It's like first getting all of the ingredients together before making a delicious cake!”


Susan, Portland OR