Sayulita Sketch Retreat with Meagan Burns
Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico (North of Puerto Vallarta)
7-Night Sketch Retreat
Monday, January 8 - Monday, January 15, 2024
You're invited to join artist/educator Meagan Burns and Art Leap Adventures on a winter sketch retreat to experience the funky seaside surf town of Sayulita, Nayarit, about 1.5 hours north of the Puerto Vallarta airport.
Sayulita has a laid-back atmosphere, a lively hippie vibe, trendy dining scene and it's excellent surf beaches attract surfers and hip tourists from around the world, giving the town a sparkly energetic feel that will sure to inspire your sketchbook creations. Sayulita is one of the handful of Mexican towns that have been designated with the title of Pueblo Mágico because over time they've maintained their original architecture, traditions, history, and culture.
This is a very special seaside town full of Mexican charm, color and culture, and we're going to spend a week taking in these sights and sounds in our sketchbooks, please join me
Sayulita has a laid-back atmosphere, a lively hippie vibe, trendy dining scene and it's excellent surf beaches attract surfers and hip tourists from around the world, giving the town a sparkly energetic feel that will sure to inspire your sketchbook creations. Sayulita is one of the handful of Mexican towns that have been designated with the title of Pueblo Mágico because over time they've maintained their original architecture, traditions, history, and culture.
This is a very special seaside town full of Mexican charm, color and culture, and we're going to spend a week taking in these sights and sounds in our sketchbooks, please join me
Sayulita lies along the Pacific coastline of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, approximately 24 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. There will be a van service available to shuttle you to Sayulita, which is the most convenient and efficient way to arrive in our beach town getaway.
Our charming hotel is nestled in the middle of town overlooking the evening's nightlife activities, as well as with a slice of the ocean that's a block away. Each hotel room has it's own air conditioner and quality bed linens, so the rooms will be comfortable, but please know that we will be located in the heart of Sayulita's Centro where there's dancing in the streets with local musicians, so this will be a very lively week, as opposed to a quiet sleepy beach town experience. This sketch experience will give us an opportunity to take in the pace of a Mexican surf town, as well as have an opportunity to fill your sketchbooks with Mexican beach-type scenes.
Our charming hotel is nestled in the middle of town overlooking the evening's nightlife activities, as well as with a slice of the ocean that's a block away. Each hotel room has it's own air conditioner and quality bed linens, so the rooms will be comfortable, but please know that we will be located in the heart of Sayulita's Centro where there's dancing in the streets with local musicians, so this will be a very lively week, as opposed to a quiet sleepy beach town experience. This sketch experience will give us an opportunity to take in the pace of a Mexican surf town, as well as have an opportunity to fill your sketchbooks with Mexican beach-type scenes.
On this 7-day sketch adventure we'll start our day after breakfast with drawing exercises and timed sketches and prompts to begin to fill our sketchbook, but we'll also explore local activities and mercados, visit the hip dining scene, and sit under an umbrella on the beach to take it all in and to add more to ur sketchbooks. A winter getaway with your sketchbook could be the perfect winter escape for curious, sketch-booking artists.
Visitors to Sayulita tend to be more interested in surf activities and trendy restaurants, as opposed to lounging on the beach, so it's a town for active folks -- this is not a quaint beach with lazy days, it will be energetic experience, so if you're up for funky Mexican seaside exploration, keep reading for more details.
Good physical mobility is required for this sketch adventure, as our hotel has two or three sets of stairwells depending on the room you choose, and we will be on foot on the cobbled streets of Sayulita, Mexico.
Visitors to Sayulita tend to be more interested in surf activities and trendy restaurants, as opposed to lounging on the beach, so it's a town for active folks -- this is not a quaint beach with lazy days, it will be energetic experience, so if you're up for funky Mexican seaside exploration, keep reading for more details.
Good physical mobility is required for this sketch adventure, as our hotel has two or three sets of stairwells depending on the room you choose, and we will be on foot on the cobbled streets of Sayulita, Mexico.
SAYULITA'S MAIN SURF BEACH
In this dynamic workshop, we'll be based at a charming beach town hotel and we'll start our day with drawing warmups before we set out to explore the city with one continuous line and a sense of adventure. We'll practice sketching the colorful scenes before us, as well as take time to sit near the ocean to bask in the magic that is Sayulita.
WHY I BELIEVE IN CONTINUOUS LINE URBAN SKETCHING
WHO IS MEAGAN BURNS
Meagan Burns artist, educator and workshop creator, originally from Chicago, now living in Mexico City where she leads drawing classes online and in person to help people move past their drawing fears by practicing Continuous Line Drawing in the fascinating streets of Mexico City and beyond. Meagan has been a part of the urban sketching community since 2016 and has hosted sketch workshops throughout Mexico in cities such as Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, Sayulita, Mexico City, Guanajuato and San Francisco, California. Background is marketing, graphic design and organic meat, now she provides her community with art making opportunities, sketch workshops and community bonding.
In the Continuous Line Storytelling group, Meagan offers tips, techniques, classes, demos and live streams that assist artists in becoming stronger line makers by using the concept of continuous line drawing. Meagan designed a specific curriculum with three powerful benefits: moving past fears, increasing composition comprehension, and building confidence that helps artists of all skill levels enhance their creative expression.
Art Leap Adventures is an art workshop tour business Meagan created in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in 2017. Stay tuned for more on-location workshops with Meagan.
In the Continuous Line Storytelling group, Meagan offers tips, techniques, classes, demos and live streams that assist artists in becoming stronger line makers by using the concept of continuous line drawing. Meagan designed a specific curriculum with three powerful benefits: moving past fears, increasing composition comprehension, and building confidence that helps artists of all skill levels enhance their creative expression.
Art Leap Adventures is an art workshop tour business Meagan created in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in 2017. Stay tuned for more on-location workshops with Meagan.
LEARNING GOALS
Our overall goal is to learn to confidently draw on location, no matter what the subject matter. This workshop is a travel experience and we will learn to capture it all with a small and versatile kit, and in quick sketches throughout our days:
- We will sketch people, food, architecture and experiences throughout the duration of the workshop
- Push through drawing fears to add more unique character to your urban sketches
- Gain a better understand of composition and logistics on the page by practicing continuous line
- Build confidence and a sense of accomplishment by starting and completing your drawings with unique stroke
- We will sketch people, food, architecture and experiences throughout the duration of the workshop
- Push through drawing fears to add more unique character to your urban sketches
- Gain a better understand of composition and logistics on the page by practicing continuous line
- Build confidence and a sense of accomplishment by starting and completing your drawings with unique stroke
SAYULITA, NAYARIT 2023
Sayulita is a charming Mexican beach town that stands out from neighboring towns because of it's youthful crowds and high end dining and shopping, and I invite you to enjoy a week taking in it's Magic with Meagan and a small group of fellow traveling artists. We'll gather each morning for breakfast and community, then we'll begin our drawing exercises and sketch prompts. Each evening we'll gather o review our sketches from the day.
Bring your sketchbook arsenal, your beach attire, sense of adventure and your appetite, we're going to see and sketch the magic of Sayulita.
Bring your sketchbook arsenal, your beach attire, sense of adventure and your appetite, we're going to see and sketch the magic of Sayulita.
WORKSHOP COST: $1,200 USD
Add your Accommodations
Add Travel PVR/Sayulita
Most Meals
PRICE INCLUDES:
Meagan Burns 6-Day Sketch Workshop
Drawing Exercise Books
Welcome Taco Tour of Sayulita
Private Yoga Class on Beach
Private Whaling Boating Excursion with local Marine Biologists on Bahia Bay
Private Transportation to San Pancho Beach for Day Trip
Last Night Dinner
Tour management by Art Leap Adventures
Drawing Exercise Books
Welcome Taco Tour of Sayulita
Private Yoga Class on Beach
Private Whaling Boating Excursion with local Marine Biologists on Bahia Bay
Private Transportation to San Pancho Beach for Day Trip
Last Night Dinner
Tour management by Art Leap Adventures
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare/Transportation to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR)
Transportation to Sayulita, Nayarit
Hotel (see hotel information above)
Food & Drinks except for Welcome Dinner and Last Night Celebration
Alcohol, shopping, incidental food, taxi and tips at your discretion
Transaction Fees
Required Trip Insurance: suggested providers (but please use your own if preferred):
Travelex Insurance Services
Mexico Insurance Advisors
Transportation to Sayulita, Nayarit
Hotel (see hotel information above)
Food & Drinks except for Welcome Dinner and Last Night Celebration
Alcohol, shopping, incidental food, taxi and tips at your discretion
Transaction Fees
Required Trip Insurance: suggested providers (but please use your own if preferred):
Travelex Insurance Services
Mexico Insurance Advisors
Hotel Peix Sayulita & Beach Club
Playa Sayulita # 9, Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico
Seven Nights
Arrive: Monday, January 8, 2024
Depart: Monday, January 15, 2024
Airport Code: PVR
Seven Nights
Arrive: Monday, January 8, 2024
Depart: Monday, January 15, 2024
Airport Code: PVR
Our hotel for the sketch experience is Hotel Peix Sayulita and Beach Club; we have a block of rooms reserved. You'll pay the hotel directly after choosing your room based on availability. The hotel has 12 rooms and we will occupy eight of them for our stay, please choose from the list of rooms and please note there are varying prices, as the room sizes differ because this was once a large home.
Ocean Front Room: $159 USD
Garden Side Room: $129 USD
Ocean Front Room: $159 USD
Garden Side Room: $129 USD
TRANSPORTATION
Puerto Vallarta (PVR) offers many direct flight or a transfer through Mexico City's major hub and easily accessible from almost every corner of the world. Upon you arrival at the PVR airport, there are verified taxi stands, where you purchase your sride with a verified taxi driver. Our hotel is located approximately 30 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. Private taxi is approximately $400 pesos, paid directly to the taxi stand. A very safe and direct way to travel to our hotel.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
Monday, January 8, 2024
Arrive Hotel
Evening Walking Sayulita Taco Tour (included)
Intros, Agenda, Tacos, Materials
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
10am Private Yoga Class on the Beach
Walk through Mercados
Lunch
Beach Time with Reserved Chairs and Umbrellas
Sketchbook Review in our Private Penthouse
Dinner
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
Beach Town Sketch Time
Lunch
Sketchbook Review
Dinner
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Meet after breakfast in Hotel
8:30am - 12pm Whaling Excursion on Private Boat in Bahia Bay
Lunch
Beach Town Sketch Time
Sketchbook Review
Dinner
Friday, January 12, 2024
9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
Walk through Mercados, Explore the Bohemia
Lunch
Beach Town Sketch Time
Sketchbook Review, Dinner
Saturday, January 13, 2024
9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
11am Private Van for San Pancho for Day Trip, Explore Beach, Shopping Lunch/Dinner
Return to Sayulita after sunset
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
Walk through Mercados, Explore the Bohemia
Lunch
Beach Town Sketch Time
Final Sketchbook Review
Adios Dinner
Monday, January 15, 2024
Local Breakfast
Check out, Good-Byes
Shuttle to PVR Airport
Departure
Arrive Hotel
Evening Walking Sayulita Taco Tour (included)
Intros, Agenda, Tacos, Materials
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
10am Private Yoga Class on the Beach
Walk through Mercados
Lunch
Beach Time with Reserved Chairs and Umbrellas
Sketchbook Review in our Private Penthouse
Dinner
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
Beach Town Sketch Time
Lunch
Sketchbook Review
Dinner
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Meet after breakfast in Hotel
8:30am - 12pm Whaling Excursion on Private Boat in Bahia Bay
Lunch
Beach Town Sketch Time
Sketchbook Review
Dinner
Friday, January 12, 2024
9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
Walk through Mercados, Explore the Bohemia
Lunch
Beach Town Sketch Time
Sketchbook Review, Dinner
Saturday, January 13, 2024
9am Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
11am Private Van for San Pancho for Day Trip, Explore Beach, Shopping Lunch/Dinner
Return to Sayulita after sunset
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Meet after breakfast in Hotel
Drawing warmups and practice continuous lines with local subjects
Walk through Mercados, Explore the Bohemia
Lunch
Beach Town Sketch Time
Final Sketchbook Review
Adios Dinner
Monday, January 15, 2024
Local Breakfast
Check out, Good-Byes
Shuttle to PVR Airport
Departure
WORKSHOP COST: $1,200 USD
Plus your Accommodations:
Travel and Transfer to PVR/Sayulita, Most Meals
50% Deposit due now to reserve your spot: $600 USD + $18 Transaction Fee = $618
Balance Due November 15, 2023, $600 USD + $18 Transaction Fee = $618
**See below for cancellation policy
Balance Due November 15, 2023, $600 USD + $18 Transaction Fee = $618
**See below for cancellation policy
PRICE INCLUDES:
Meagan Burns 6-Day Sketch Workshop
Drawing Exercise Books
Welcome Taco Tour of Sayulita
Private Yoga Class on Beach
Private Whaling Boating Excursion with local Marine Biologists on Bahia Bay
Private Transportation to San Pancho Beach for Day Trip
Last Night Dinner
Tour management by Art Leap Adventures
Drawing Exercise Books
Welcome Taco Tour of Sayulita
Private Yoga Class on Beach
Private Whaling Boating Excursion with local Marine Biologists on Bahia Bay
Private Transportation to San Pancho Beach for Day Trip
Last Night Dinner
Tour management by Art Leap Adventures
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare/Transportation to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR)
Transportation to Sayulita, Nayarit
Hotel (breakfast is included in room rate)
Food & Drinks except for Welcome Dinner and Last Night Celebration
Alcohol, shopping, incidental food, taxi and tips at your discretion
Transaction Fees
Required Trip Insurance: suggested providers (but please use your own if preferred):
Travelex Insurance Services
Mexico Insurance Advisors
Transportation to Sayulita, Nayarit
Hotel (breakfast is included in room rate)
Food & Drinks except for Welcome Dinner and Last Night Celebration
Alcohol, shopping, incidental food, taxi and tips at your discretion
Transaction Fees
Required Trip Insurance: suggested providers (but please use your own if preferred):
Travelex Insurance Services
Mexico Insurance Advisors
SAYULITA WEATHER
Mid 80's during the days, low 70's during the night with humidity.
Winter temperatures in Sayulita average 80F // 27C with sunny, dry days and cool evenings for perfect sleeping temperatures. If you are used to a warm climate, you may need a light sweater or long sleeves at night, in January and February, but most people from colder climates find the temperatures at night quite nice.
Winter temperatures in Sayulita average 80F // 27C with sunny, dry days and cool evenings for perfect sleeping temperatures. If you are used to a warm climate, you may need a light sweater or long sleeves at night, in January and February, but most people from colder climates find the temperatures at night quite nice.
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS
This workshop is designed to be mostly outside and many of Oaxaca's restaurants are in open air settings, although generally speaking much of life has always been lived in the streets in Mexico. If you have any further concerns about the Covid situation in Mexico, please feel free to reach out to Meagan, but I have been living in Mexico City since 2021 and have found it somewhat easy to navigate an outdoor existence because so much happens outside. Personal responsibility is necessary and current boosters are requested; let's do what we can to ensure the group has a safe and enjoyable workshop experience.
If Covid protocols are required by Mexican Government and/or City Officials, we will abide and you must agree to abide.
If Covid protocols are required by Mexican Government and/or City Officials, we will abide and you must agree to abide.
Suggested Art Materials
I suggest having at least two sketchbooks; one larger one for Continuous Line Urban Sketches in the streets and a smaller one for quick street scenes. Just make sure they are quality sketchbooks!
I use Canson XL Watercolor 140 lb 9"x12" spiral bound book for this workshop. For watercolor paintings I use Fabriano Artistico and I also carry my hand-sized, handmade Fabriano 50 5"x7" sketchbook for my quick street sketches.
What's in My Art Bag:
Sailor Fude de Mannen Fountain Pen (or similar of your choice)
Sharpie Fine Point Markers
Quality Watercolors in Travel Pan Set (Daniel Smith is recommended)
Quality Watercolor Brushes
Pentel Brush Pens
Platinum Carbon Ink (for Sailor and Pentel Brush)
HB Pencil
Gum Eraser
Water Containers
Paper Towels
Water Bottle (for you to drink)
Backpack to carry all your supplies
Tiny stool for sitting (highly recommended to have a handy portable stool to sit on; I have the Cooseon 10" folding stool, folds up nicely and fits in my backpack, but others prefer the Walkstool Comfort)
Sun Hat + sturdy walking shoes
Layers of clothes for chilly mornings, warm afternoons, rainy evenings
A regard for the safety of yourself and others
Your enthusiasm and sense of adventure
Additional art supplies of your preference
*It is not an option to attend this urban sketch workshop and not participate in the sketching activities
I use Canson XL Watercolor 140 lb 9"x12" spiral bound book for this workshop. For watercolor paintings I use Fabriano Artistico and I also carry my hand-sized, handmade Fabriano 50 5"x7" sketchbook for my quick street sketches.
What's in My Art Bag:
Sailor Fude de Mannen Fountain Pen (or similar of your choice)
Sharpie Fine Point Markers
Quality Watercolors in Travel Pan Set (Daniel Smith is recommended)
Quality Watercolor Brushes
Pentel Brush Pens
Platinum Carbon Ink (for Sailor and Pentel Brush)
HB Pencil
Gum Eraser
Water Containers
Paper Towels
Water Bottle (for you to drink)
Backpack to carry all your supplies
Tiny stool for sitting (highly recommended to have a handy portable stool to sit on; I have the Cooseon 10" folding stool, folds up nicely and fits in my backpack, but others prefer the Walkstool Comfort)
Sun Hat + sturdy walking shoes
Layers of clothes for chilly mornings, warm afternoons, rainy evenings
A regard for the safety of yourself and others
Your enthusiasm and sense of adventure
Additional art supplies of your preference
*It is not an option to attend this urban sketch workshop and not participate in the sketching activities
Your workshop organizer, host and instructor, Meagan Burns in Oaxaca City, June 2023
Complete agenda will be emailed upon registration
FOLLOW MEAGAN HERE:
FOLLOW ART LEAP ADVENTURES HERE:
SMALL PRINT, PLEASE READ
Minor agenda changes may occur, but the substance of the tour will remain.
Please always be armed with your walking shoes, N95 masks, sun hat, sketch bag and sense of adventure, as there will be sketching prompts throughout the workshop, as well as unforeseen circumstances that naturally occur in Mexico. We'll roll with the changes and ask for your patience if a change in the agenda is necessary.
Group is limited to 8 participants + Meagan
During our group meals; we will have one bill per table and you must pay for what you consume plus a 20% tip. Please keep track of what you consume.
Food sensitivities can be accommodated with proper notification, but please know that corn is an extremely important ingredient in the food and culture in Mexico. Vegan and vegetarian options exists, with diligence, yet currently this ALA agenda includes meat and corn.
Physical ability to walk unassisted and stand for extended periods is absolutely necessary.
50% Deposit due now to reserve your spot: $600 USD + $18 Transaction Fee = $618
Balance Due November 15, 2023, $600 USD + $18 Transaction Fee = $618
When paying online through the Art Leap Adventures' invoice, a 3% USD fee will be added for all online payments; please contact Meagan directly for specific information. If you require other travel arrangements, please allow Meagan to assist you.
Please always be armed with your walking shoes, N95 masks, sun hat, sketch bag and sense of adventure, as there will be sketching prompts throughout the workshop, as well as unforeseen circumstances that naturally occur in Mexico. We'll roll with the changes and ask for your patience if a change in the agenda is necessary.
Group is limited to 8 participants + Meagan
During our group meals; we will have one bill per table and you must pay for what you consume plus a 20% tip. Please keep track of what you consume.
Food sensitivities can be accommodated with proper notification, but please know that corn is an extremely important ingredient in the food and culture in Mexico. Vegan and vegetarian options exists, with diligence, yet currently this ALA agenda includes meat and corn.
Physical ability to walk unassisted and stand for extended periods is absolutely necessary.
50% Deposit due now to reserve your spot: $600 USD + $18 Transaction Fee = $618
Balance Due November 15, 2023, $600 USD + $18 Transaction Fee = $618
When paying online through the Art Leap Adventures' invoice, a 3% USD fee will be added for all online payments; please contact Meagan directly for specific information. If you require other travel arrangements, please allow Meagan to assist you.
CANCELLATION POLICY
1) All individual cancellations must be made in writing and are effective upon receipt.
2) If you have paid your deposit or trip fee and are unable to attend due to medical emergency or pandemic affiliated issue you will receive a 100% refund up until November 30, 2022.
3) If you need to cancel after November 30, 2022, please contact Meagan and we can discuss the options.
4) If a waiting list of interested participants has formed, we will put you in contact with the first person on the list to whom you can offer your class spot. If the person accepts and then pays the workshop fee in total, you will be reimbursed for your workshop fee.
5) If there is no waiting list, you can transfer your paid fees to another ALA travel workshop within 12 months.
6) Participant expenses incurred in preparation for the trip (e.g., non-refundable purchased airline tickets) are not the responsibility of ALA. It is required to obtain medical/trip cancellation insurance for this reason.
7) If an emergency occurs and you must make a change to your participation status, please contact Meagan to discuss.
2) If you have paid your deposit or trip fee and are unable to attend due to medical emergency or pandemic affiliated issue you will receive a 100% refund up until November 30, 2022.
3) If you need to cancel after November 30, 2022, please contact Meagan and we can discuss the options.
4) If a waiting list of interested participants has formed, we will put you in contact with the first person on the list to whom you can offer your class spot. If the person accepts and then pays the workshop fee in total, you will be reimbursed for your workshop fee.
5) If there is no waiting list, you can transfer your paid fees to another ALA travel workshop within 12 months.
6) Participant expenses incurred in preparation for the trip (e.g., non-refundable purchased airline tickets) are not the responsibility of ALA. It is required to obtain medical/trip cancellation insurance for this reason.
7) If an emergency occurs and you must make a change to your participation status, please contact Meagan to discuss.
REGISTER:
Urban Sketch Sayulita January 2024
with Meagan Burns
MEAGAN'S SAYULITA SKETCHES
Where is Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico?
