In this workshop, Najeeb Abdulrahiman will demonstrate and guide you through the fundamental aspects of strong outdoor watercolor paintings. Starting with the principles of composition, design, values, and focal points, to specific techniques around color mixing, brush strokes, edges, and much more to really bring about the magic of watercolor.
Each day, except when schedule doesn’t allow because of travel, Najeeb will aim to complete two paintings as he breaks down the process into different stages, demonstrate each step, and help the students digest and complete each stage with sufficient individual help. Students can ask questions along the way, get clarifications on the process, and have their work critiqued. During the 10 days, we will have plenty of opportunities to cover various landscape paintings including cityscapes and historic landmarks. Students get to pick their own subjects to paint or can follow what Najeeb picks. Either way, students with different skill levels can progress at their own pace in a fun and relaxed environment. This will be a fantastic way to combine the magic of watercolor with the wonderful sights of southern Morocco.
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Marrakech. You will check into your hotel and then head off to the Djemaa el-Fna, the center square of the medina. The famous Djemaa el-Fna, is one of the center attractions of Marrakech. Coming alive at night with local storytellers, entertainers, and mouth-watering barbeque pits, the square is well worth the visit. A quiet cup of tea on the terrace of an adjacent cafe provides a spectacular aerial view of the bustling square.
This morning journey along mountain roads and over Morocco’s highest pass, Tizi n’Tichka (2,260 metres), to Ait Benhaddou on the edges of the Sahara (approximately 6 hours). Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco’s most iconic site. It was once an important stop for caravans passing through as they carried salt across the Sahara, returning with gold, ivory and slaves. Today its grand kasbah has been listed as a World Heritage site, with its fortified village being a fine example of clay architecture.
Skoura "The Palm Grove": In the morning we will discover the splendor of the date palms and the sheltered fruit and olive trees that cover over than 27km square. The local population will warmly welcome you, adding to your feeling of well-being, all this under the heat from the Moroccan sun. The palm grove..... with its flora and its kasbahs, will provide many subjects for the second page of your travel journal.
Skoura "The Palm Grove": In the morning we will discover the splendor of the date palms and the sheltered fruit and olive trees that cover over than 27km square. The local population will warmly welcome you, adding to your feeling of well-being, all this under the heat from the Moroccan sun. The palm grove..... with its flora and its kasbahs, will provide many subjects for the second page of your travel journal.
The Todgha Valley Discover the Todgha Valley, an exceptional setting for venturing off the beaten track! On a walk in the heart of this immense oasis you will encounter breathtaking landscapes of canyons and green gorges. Located about fifty kilometers from the Dadès Gorges, the valley unfolds between the High Atlas to the north, and Jebel Saghro to the south. It has preserved many ksours and kasbahs, which extend along the wadi, in the middle of date palms and herds of sheep and goats, the only wealth of the inhabitants.
The journey will continue to the fascinating dunes of Merzouga. It is a village that marks the beginning of the Sahara. At this stage, vehicles will be replaced by camels to enjoy a traditional camel ride o the camp. You will cross the dunes and admire the sunset and the colors in perpetual evolution. After a traditional dinner with Berber rhythms, you will spend the night under the stars in a nomad tent in the middle of the desert.
typical Berber villages and splendid landscapes form the great curiosity of this day. The southern slope of the Atlas is characterized by its colors: an incredible range of ochres and reds, plays a festival of harmony and audacity with one of the most beautiful adobe architectures, drowned in the luxuriant vegetation of the extraordinary gardens of the Atlas.
It is hard to say goodbye. but, this is the farewell day...Transfer to Marrakech International Airport (RAK).
NAJEEB ABDULRAHIMAN is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. His art is mostly on urban and rural landscapes with an emphasis on capturing the feeling and essence of a place. This allows Najeeb to combine his passion for art and travel. While seemingly at odds with each other, he is equally fascinated by the energy of the cities and the tranquility of rural landscapes. Both give him plenty of opportunities to explore the full spectrum of human experience. Najeeb works primarily in watercolor, and he strives to develop his paintings to speak the beauty that he sees in diverse landscapes.
Materials list
Surface
Arches 140 lbs watercolor
paper, rough or similar in 12x16 or 11x14 inches
Medium (Daniel Smith or your
preference)
Yellow Ochre
Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Neutral Tint
Burnt Sienna
Hansa Yellow (Deep)
Lavender
Ivory Black
Organic Vermillion
Titanium White or White Gouache
Brushes
1 inch flat brush
Round Brushes - small, medium Mop Brushes - medium
Liner Brushes - fine
Mixing Palette Water
Small spray Bottle Pencil
Eraser
Container to wash brushes
Optional: Easel
Located in the Ounila Valley, a 10-minute walk from the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou, Caravane offers a Berber lounge with a TV and iPod docking station, an outdoor swimming pool and 2 terraces.
Decorated in a Kasbah-style, the air-conditioned rooms at Caravane feature a wardrobe, and the private bathrooms are complete with a shower and toilet.
The restaurant serves a variety of regional specialties, and Cravane can organize excursions in the surrounding area.
The guest house is 21 mi from Ouarzazate. Wi-Fi is free of charge in the entire property.
Set in Ouarzazate, Riad offers Moroccan, Berber design, in the heart of the Skoura palm grove. It has a garden, a seasonal and several terraces with seating area.
The air-conditioned guest rooms offer mountain views and are equipped with a TV, a wardrobe and an en suite bathroom with shower. Guests can relax by the fireplace in the common room.
At Ait Ben Hada, breakfast can be served in the comfort of guest rooms or on the terrace. Guests can also ask for room service or sample Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant.
With garden views, Desert Luxury Camp is located in Merzouga and has a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, bar, garden, grill and sun terrace. The luxury tent features both WiFi and private parking free of charge.
There's a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries. Desert Luxury Camp offers a continental or à la carte breakfast
Traditional Dishes
One of the most striking features of Moroccan cooking is the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Produce comes from a land without pesticides, chemicals, hormones or preservatives. Animals are slaughtered just hours before they are eaten. The meat you are offered will generally be mutton, not lamb. Market vegetables have been gathered that morning. Spices, herbs, fresh fruit, nuts and dried fruits, an invigorating vitality completely removed from the packaged and imported products available in much of Europe and North America
To encourage you, here are explanations of some of the most common and popular Moroccan traditional dishes (for details of Arab and French pronunciation, see Language,
Harira: a thick soup of chick peas, lentils and haricot beans often flavored with mutton or chicken, lemon and tarragon. Mutton or chicken, lemon and tarragon.
Brochettes: Grilled kebabs of mutton, liver and fat.
Kefta: Spicy meatballs made of minced mutton and offal, often served in a n
Pastilla/bastilla: A pie made up of multiple layers of flaky pastry filled With y
chopped pigeon meat, eggs, almonds and spices. Chicken or fish may be used instead
Tagine: Along with couscous, this is the most universal of Moroccan dishes -
slowly simmered stew,cooked in its own juices in an earthenware bowl with a distinctive conical lid. The tagine provides the foundation for using a whole spectrum
of ingredients, spices and styles. The most popular variants found on most menus
alone with prunes); tagine de poisson (bream or sardine stew cooked with tomatoes and herbs); tagine de lapin (rabbit stew); and tagine de poulet aux olives et citron
(a delicious chicken stew cooked With lemon and olives). The lemon gives a delicious bitter zest to the meat.
Méchoui: Lamb roasted whole on a spit or baked in a special oven. This delicate and fragrant meat, far removed1 from the usual mutton, is eaten with bread. It is, however
an elaborate luxury which is often only available if ordered well in advance.
Couscous: This dish is made from half-baked flour which is then ground into
unlikely to be found at its best. It is usually accompanied by sept légumes (seven steamed vegetables) with the odd lump of mutton. It can also be served as a pudding
with sugar, cinnamon and rich, warm goat's milk.
Cornes de gazelle: Croissant-like pastries filled with honey and almonds.
When we receive your deposit we will email you to confirm your reservation and payment.
Once the retreat becomes guaranteed (minimum number of registrants met) we will contact you to confirm your reservation and arrange payment of the balance for the retreat if only the deposit was paid at registration.
If for any reason the retreat does not become guaranteed, you will be refunded any funds paid (deposit or total amount).