Portugal, Part 1
I’ve just returned from a fascinating and rewarding trip to Portugal, where I taught a workshop at Sofia in Monsaraz. It was my first visit to the country, and I was captivated by the artistry on display in both Lisbon and the more remote Alentejo region, where we traveled for the workshop. Ceramic-tiled buildings, patterned stone walkways, ornate religious vestments, hand-loomed rugs, colorful pottery—I wanted to draw it all. I don’t often create such an elaborate opening page for a trip, but inspired by tile motifs and frequent sightings of House Martins, this page felt right.
I also sketched a few things that caught my eye during a visit to the Lisbon cathedral (Se de Lisboa), where Common Swifts ruled the skies and where we lit a candle in honor of the recent passing of our Uncle Max.
Another highlight in Lisbon was a visit to the Museum of Natural History and Science. It was fabulous: not only were there plenty of historic specimens, but there was also an excellent exhibition on natural history illustration, along with another on the impacts of climate warming on wildlife.
And this was only in the first few days, before I met my group and headed into a countryside dotted with ancient olive and cork oak trees, vineyards, and white-walled villages. More to come!
Drawn In 
What gorgeous pages!
Thanks Leslie- I found plenty of inspiration. Sorry our paths are not crossing at MISA, but I’ve enjoyed seeing what you’re up to there. I’m looking forward to teaching in WI in July and Tucson in January.
Jean! Welcome home from Portugal; from what sounds like an amazing adventure! Your illustrated Portugal, Part 1 is wonderful! All of the pages instantly brought me back to the country, especially the distinctive tiles! It’s not surprising they made such a memorable impression to be included in your travel sketchbook! Can’t wait to see all of the next Parts!
Thanks for the welcome home, Barb! I enjoyed all the patterned artistry of Portugal. So much to take in!
I love your first page. Those blue and white tiles are so indicative of Portugal.
I really enjoyed seeing them. I did some research in advance and we went to a tile museum in Estremoz, which was incredible. I knew at the get-go that I wanted to incorporate them into my sketches.
We were in Porto last year and the tiles in the station there are incredible.
These pages are so fresh and lovely!
Thanks Wendy! All that blue was so lovely.
Wow. Beautiful, Jean! Looks like a tremendous trio. Look forward to hearing more about it! ❤️❤️
BLISS!
Have you been?
I haven’t. It sounds magical. So glad you got to experience such a lovely place in the world.
Me too. But we live in a very beautiful part of the world as well. So green, so varied, and still wild in many places…I love that.
OH, yes! Bears, bobcats, coyotes! We’ve got the untamed world here.
Headed to the Maine coast with the trailer this morning for a week of salt air bliss.
Bliss! Enjoy…we’re headed there in August.
The opening pages are perfect – after all, it’s not minimalist Iceland. 😉 And the calming color palette is gorgeous. You’re really whetting my appetite, Jean. I’ll be there in early October: 3 days in Lisbon, a few in Coimbra, and the rest in the Alentejo. I like your Day 2 itinerary and the Museum of Natural History and Science sounds great. The layout and restrained colors of the wren page work beautifully. Can’t wait to see more — welcome back!
Don’t miss going to the Museum of Natural History and Science. It’s fantastic. So many good exhibits and the space is equally fascinating. The botanical garden is right next door.
That sounds perfect, we’ll just segue from one to the next. 😉
A great beginning to what I’m sure will be fabulous and inspired images from your trip! I was tickled by the blue and white tiles: larger tiles for graceful patterns, and the smaller tiles for individual building numbers and addresses. And, of course, the nest is beautifully rendered, I can almost hear the breeze of 300 years ago rustling the leaves.
Can you imagine this nest surviving for so long…and the leaves! I don’t know how they preserved them so well. The wren specimen didn’t fair nearly as well.
Absolutely fascinating and beautiful!
So beautiful! Thank you, Jean!
Glad you enjoyed part 1 of the trip.