Sketching workshop in Barcelona: 4- day immersion
Learn sketching from two Barcelona-based artists of recognized artistic trajectory
About the workshop
Explore Barcelona with your sketchbook in hand. Learn watercolor techniques from local artists, Xavi and Zhang, and share a unique creative experience with participants from around the world.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have the skills to practice sketching independently and you’ll take home a beautiful memory of the city: a sketchbook painted by you.
Guided by your local instructors, you’ll not only refine your sketching techniques but also enjoy a complete cultural immersion.
What you’ll learn
In this course, you’ll learn watercolor sketching techniques and master the three key steps of creating a sketch: structure–line–color. Some of the topics we’ll cover include:
- Simplifying complex scenes
- Choosing the essential details (visual hierarchy)
- Developing confident, expressive linework
- Using tonal contrast to create volume
- Composition techniques
By the end of the course, your way of observing the city will be deeper and more personal. You’ll discover that drawing is not just about copying, but about creating a visual narrative of what you’ve experienced.
Meet your instructors
Xavi Julià
Xavi Julià is a Barcelona‑based illustrator and urban sketcher.
He is the creator of Barcelonink brand, through which he has collaborated with renowned clients such as Versace, Honda, Swarovski, and Nike, among others.
He is an university professor at Massana–UAB.
Since 2010, he has been offering outdoor sketching workshops in Barcelona, where he teaches his techniques and his personal approach to this art form.
Zhang Xin
Zhang Xin is a painter and urban sketcher, born in Beijing and based in Barcelona since 2022.
Her style combines a strong theoretical foundation in drawing and painting techniques with loose, expressive brushwork.
She has collaborated with prestigious brands such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Versace, Mercedes‑Benz, and Bank of China.
She is an art instructor in the Master’s degree “Research in Art and Design” from the Barcelona Autonomous University – EINA.
Your 4-day sketching journey
Here’s what your four days of sketching in Barcelona will look like
Day 1- From the Port to the Gothic Quartier
(2 workshops: 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM–6:30 PM)
We’ll begin the course with a simple view of Barcelona’s Port — an ideal setting to acquire the basic principles of sketching.
In the afternoon, we’ll explore the city’s old town, where you’ll find charming narrow streets and historic landmarks such as the Barcelona Cathedral.
Day 2- Montjuïc Viewpoint
(2 workshops: 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM–6:30 PM)
We’ll sketch from a viewpoint offering stunning panoramic views of the city. Later, we’ll move on to finish the session drawing the MNAC Palace and its magnificent domes.
Day 3- Modernist Gems
(2 workshops: 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM–6:30 PM)
We’ll draw Barcelona’s most iconic landmark, the Sagrada Família. From there, we’ll walk to our next destination: La Pedrera.
Day 4- Barceloneta Beach
(1 workshop: 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM)
We’ll conclude the course with a sketching session on the beach, where you’ll practice a maritime scene along with the area’s characteristic architecture.
The schedule may vary depending on weather conditions.
What’s included
- 4 days of in‑person classes, including 7 sketching workshops. Total training time: 21 hours.
- Materials
- Artistic guidance — We are two instructors for a maximum group of 12 participants, ensuring highly personalized attention.
- Local recommendations
What’s not included
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Travel Insurance
- Anything not strictly related to the sketching workshops
Practical Information
- Dates: August 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2026
- Schedule: From August 6 to 8 (inclusive): 10:00 AM–1:00 PM and 3:30 PM–6:30 PM On August 9: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Meeting point: The meeting point will vary for each workshop. You will receive all the details once your reservation is confirmed.
- Location: All workshops will take place in the city of Barcelona.
- Required level: Beginner to intermediate. No previous experience is required.
- Available languages: We will use English as the main working language, but we can offer personalized explanations in Spanish, Catalan, French, Chinese, and English.
Cancellation Policy
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Cancellation by the participant: If you cancel up to 20 days before the workshop, you will receive a full refund except for the 90 € deposit, which is non‑refundable. Cancellations made within 20 days of the event are non‑refundable.
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Transfer of your spot: If you cannot attend, you may transfer your spot to another person at no additional cost. Just let us know in advance.
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Cancellation by the organizers: In the unlikely event that we must cancel the workshop, you will receive a full refund, including the deposit. We are not responsible for travel, accommodation, or any other related expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t need any previous experience to join this workshop.
We work in small groups and you’ll have two instructors who can adapt the sessions to your level.
If you don’t have your own sketching materials yet, we can lend you everything you need. Just let us know in advance so we can prepare it for you.
If you already have your own materials, feel free to bring and use them. You can check a suggested list of recommended materials by clicking on this link: Download the materials list
The main working language of the workshop will be English, but the instructors can offer personalized explanations in English, Spanish, Catalan, French, and Chinese.
It rarely rains in Barcelona during the summer months, but if it does, we may need to change the location of the affected workshop.
We have several alternative spots where we can sketch interesting views from sheltered areas.
Sketches from previous workshops
