Join the acclaimed urban sketcher and teacher Rita Sabler for five days of travel sketching through the heart of the American Southwest. We’ll dive into the spirit of this region – its warm adobe structures, vibrant plazas, weathered mission ruins, and quirky ghost towns. We will learn how to sketch traditional Santa Fe architecture, the breathtaking mountain landscapes and then wander through villages, drawing nostalgic roadside Americana in its colorful charm.

Throughout the retreat, you’ll develop an ability to simplify complex shapes and  scenes without losing their essence, master architectural perspective to give your drawings depth and realism, and learn to identify and mix the true colors that capture the unique light and mood of this stunning region.

What You’ll Learn
Throughout the week, Rita will guide you in developing a personal, expressive sketchbook practice that balances observation, storytelling, and design.

You’ll learn to:

• Simplify complex scenes and create strong compositions
• Develop color palettes that reflect the light and mood of the Southwest
• Capture perspective, depth, and architectural rhythm
• Portray people, markets, and daily life to tell a fuller visual story

Sample Itinerary  – (subject to change)

Day 1
Theme: Santa Fe Sketchbook Kickoff & Core Drawing Skills
Learning Focus: Simplifying what you see
Morning: Welcome circle in studio. Possible late-morning session in the Santa Fe Plaza with warm-up exercises.
Afternoon: Guided sketch walk through downtown Santa Fe, with stops at La Fonda Hotel and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

Day 2
Theme: History, Wide Open Mesas & True Colors
Learning Focus: Using watercolor to communicate light, mood, and place
Full-day excursion to a National Park or historic site to sketch Southwest landscapes, ancient dwelllings, and vast mesas.
Evening: Optional plaza sketching at sunset.

Day 3
Theme: Santa Fe’s Cultural Layers & Architectural Sketching
Learning Focus: Playful architectural vignettes and perspective
Morning: Sketch Loretto Chapel, The Pink Adobe, and the oldest house in America.
Afternoon: Return to the Plaza to sketch the New Mexico Museum of Art and other iconic examples of Southwest architecture.
Evening: Group share session at the Hilton.

Day 4
Theme: Exploring the Turquoise Trail – Small-Town New Mexico
Learning Focus: Expressing depth and dimension
Morning: Visit Los Cerrillos, once a thriving 19th-century mining town and now a quaint village with adobe walls and weathered wooden storefronts.
Afternoon: Travel to Madrid, a vibrant artist community full of color and energy—perfect for capturing eclectic galleries, vintage signs, and lively street scenes.

Day 5
Theme: People, Markets, and Life on the Plaza
Learning Focus: Sketching people and storytelling through action
Morning: On-location sketching at the Santa Fe Plaza, Palace of the Governors Artisan Market, or Canyon Road.
Afternoon: Final sharing circle and reflection at the Hilton.

Workshop Highlights

• Experience the artistic and cultural richness of Santa Fe and its surrounding landscapes
• Capture historic plazas, pueblos, desert vistas, and artist villages through on-location sketching
• Receive personalized instruction from Rita Sabler on practical techniques, storytelling, and composition
• Learn methods for travel sketching that translate anywhere you go
• Be part of a supportive, inspiring, creative community in one of America’s most beautiful artistic destinations

Workshop Schedule:
Sunday Night: Welcome Reception at 6pm
Monday – Friday: 9am – 4pm
*Schedule and locations are subject to change*