2nd - 8th November 2025
Join Ian Fennelly and the Urban Sketch team for an inspiring urban sketching retreat in the enchanting city of Seville, Spain. During this exclusive retreat, Ian will lead 5 on-location workshops for an intimate group of 15 participants. Together, you’ll capture the vibrant and intricate architecture, explore iconic landmarks, and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this captivating city. Ian Fennelly will guide you through every step of this artistic adventure.
Your Location
Seville is an urban sketcher’s paradise, blending history, culture, and visual charm. The city’s stunning architecture, from the Moorish elegance of the Real Alcázar to the Gothic grandeur of the Seville Cathedral and La Giralda, offers endless inspiration. Modern landmarks like the Metropol Parasol provide striking contrasts, making Seville a rich tapestry of styles and textures perfect for sketching.
Beyond its architecture, Seville’s vibrant streets and lively plazas capture the essence of Andalusian life. The narrow lanes of Barrio Santa Cruz, the colourful tiles and orange trees lining the streets, and bustling markets like Mercado de Triana bring a dynamic energy to every scene. Iconic spaces like Plaza de España, with its intricate design and peaceful canals, create ideal settings for sketchers to immerse themselves in the city’s character.
With its golden Mediterranean light and warm climate, Seville invites year-round outdoor creativity. The city’s artistic atmosphere and welcoming spirit make it an inspiring destination where sketchers can connect with history, culture, and their own creativity while bringing its vibrant essence to life on paper.
Your Instructor
Why Should You Join Us?
- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Hotel
- FAQ
Sketch Seville with Ian Fennelly
We’re thrilled to present this unique opportunity to join Ian Fennelly and the Urban Sketch team for a week’s Sketching, in the stunning City of Seville.
Overview
DURATION: 7 days, 6 nights LOCATION: Seville, Spain SPACES: 15 (+ Companions) DATES: 2nd – 8th November 2025 LEVEL: Beginner’s to Advanced Click the tabs for further information.Our trip starts at the delightful Bécquer, Seville on the evening of Sunday, November 2nd, where you’ll meet up with Ian and some of the Urban Sketch team for a relaxed welcome reception and drinks with your fellow sketchers. The Becquer is located in the heart of Seville and just a short stroll away from all our sketching locations.
Your workshops begin on Monday, November 3rd where we’ll take a pleasant walk each day to a new sketching location. Following 5 days of sketching, we will finish on Friday, November 7th, for our farewell dinner experience.
Despite an action-packed week of sketching and learning, there will be ample opportunity to enjoy some leisure time, including sightseeing, explorations, shopping, views, catch-up sketching, local museums, or simply relax and enjoy facilities provided by the hotel.
Click the next tab to view the locations we’ll be sketching »
Includes:
The Seville Sketching Retreat includes:
- Hotel (6 nights)
- Continental buffet breakfast (daily)
- Welcome reception (November 2nd)
- All workshops & demonstrations with Ian Fennelly (Mon – Fri)
- Farewell evening meal (November 6th)
Excludes:
The Seville Sketching Retreat excludes:
- Flights to/from the destination
- Airport transfer to/from the hotel
- Lunch and evening meals (except the Farewell Dinner)
- Painting supplies
- Tips and gratuities
- Luggage handling
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Items not explicitly specified in the above inclusion list
Click the next tab to find out more about the hotel we’ll be staying at »
For your 7-day stay we have selected the Bécquer which is perfectly located in the heart of Seville. The hotel is a pleasant walk away from all of our sketching destinations.
The hotel is included within the price of this trip (double or twin rooms are available).
Room amenities include:
- Continental buffet breakfast
- Free WiFi internet
- 24-hour luggage storage
- Free mini bar and safe
- Air conditioning
- Hairdryer
- Iron and ironing board available on request
How to Get There?
Via Airplane
Seville Airport (San Pablo Airport) is the closest airport to Seville. It’s located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of the city center, with a transfer time of approximately 15-20 minutes by taxi or car. Public buses are also available, providing an affordable and convenient option to reach the city.
For international travelers, connecting flights via major European hubs such as Madrid, Barcelona, or Lisbon are recommended.
Via Train
Seville is well-connected by Spain’s high-speed rail network, the AVE. The train from Madrid to Seville’s Santa Justa station takes around 2.5 hours. There are also direct rail connections from other major Spanish cities like Barcelona, Málaga, and Córdoba. For European travelers, the Eurostar can be taken to Paris, followed by a train to Barcelona or Madrid, and then onward to Seville.
Via Car
Seville is accessible by car, with excellent road networks connecting it to major cities in Spain. Driving from Madrid takes approximately 5-6 hours, depending on traffic. If you’re coming from Portugal, it’s around a 2.5-3 hour drive from the Algarve region. Parking is available at various locations in the city, though it is limited in the historic center.
I’m a beginner, is this trip for me?
Yes. Ian will assume no prior experience and will take you carefully through each of the steps in his process as he is doing it – from blank pages to the shapes and colors he uses, through to finished artwork.
What do I need to bring with me?
We recommend that you bring with you an A3 Sketchbook, your watercolour paints and brushes, a small pot for water, brush pens and fine liners, a small chair to sit on, drinking water, sunscreen, and a raincoat and your best sketching attitude!
For a full materials list, take a look here.
Will we be drawing and painting on location?
Yes. This is authentic urban sketching and Ian will be taking you through all of the steps while we’re there on-location; from blank page to sketching everything out, to applying the paint and fine liner detail work, there and then. There will also be lots of opportunities and a special area back at the hotel to finish and refine your work should you wish to.
What’s the difference between this Sketching Retreat and just doing an online course?
Firstly, while our online courses are a wonderful way to learn urban sketching, truthfully, nothing can replicate the experience, knowledge, and sheer pleasure you will gain from sketching live on location with Ian Fennelly.
Secondly, there is a vast difference between watching and learning from Ian through online tutorials, and actually being there on location, learning and sketching alongside him.
You see, urban sketching is not only about the lines you put on your paper, but about developing and refining the skill of thinking, working, and responding to your environment in real time. And that can’t be developed through sketching from photos. But this is where Ian excels and it’s this level of detail and expertise that you are getting through being there on-location with Ian Fennelly.
Finally, Ian is not only one of the most respected urban sketchers in the world, but he’s also a trained and highly experienced teacher who will be there each day to personally help you to improve on those areas you might be struggling with. The value of having him there to personally guide and coach you are far beyond what you can gain through any online course.
And of course, along with this, you are getting a highly enjoyable week’s experience with a group of fellow sketching enthusiasts! Not only will you make wonderful art together, but you’ll make some special friendships too.
Anything else I should consider?
We strongly recommend that you have a good travel and medical insurance policy in place to cover you in the event you must cancel your trip and any emergency medical services you might need while travelling in a foreign country. Fennelly Art Ltd and V-Learn Ltd t/a Urban Sketch Course cannot be held responsible for any accident/loss or injury incurred during the course of the trip.
Will I have to share a room?
No. Each participant will have their own private room at The Hotel. You will only share a room if you choose to bring a travel companion with you, such as a friend, partner, etc.
Can I extend my stay or upgrade my room?
Yes. If you wish to make any adjustments or upgrades to your room, please contact us at: [email protected]
Can I bring a partner or friend?
Yes. Non-sketching companions are welcome if they are sharing with a sketcher as there is plenty to see and explore on this trip.
What is your cancellation policy?
The cost of the trip is non-refundable once booked and paid for. In the unlikely event this trip is cancelled you will be issued with a 100% refund. If you are unable to join the event after booking, we will attempt to resell your place on your behalf. A refund will only be issued if we manage to successfully resell your place, minus a cancellation admin fee. Please read our full workshop terms and conditions here.
Who do I contact with any questions about the trip?
Contact our support team at any time on support@urbansketchcourse.com. We will be delighted to help you.
Click all the tabs above for all the details of what's included in this Sketch Seville trip
Sketching Locations
Each of these locations has been selected by Ian Fennelly to give you the best sketching experience while developing and refining your skills in specific areas:
Feedback From Past Sketching Retreats
In July 2023, we ran our augural Sketching Retreat in the historical City of Chester. 15 participants joined us from all over the world. Below are just some of the comments that have been posted online (you can also read a recap and see photos here):








Booking Information
Places are limited to just 15 participants. Our previous retreats sold out quickly. Secure your place using the payment options below and join us on this Urban Sketching adventure of a lifetime in the stunning City of Seville. This is a chance to learn new skills, meet new people, make wonderful art, and create special memories that last forever.
Your Retreat Includes:
- 5 Sketching Workshops with Ian Fennelly
- 6 Nights Hotel Accommodation
- Daily Continental Breakfast
- Welcome Reception
- Farewell Evening Meal
Choose a Payment Option Below to Secure Your Place Today:
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Single Participant Price: a month
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Participant + Non-Sketcher: a month