Urban Sketching Retreat in Ein Karem:

A Battle with Rain, Cold, and Creativity

When planning an urban sketching retreat at St. John in the Desert Monastery in Ein Karem, one envisions sun-drenched courtyards, the scent of cypress in the air, and endless inspiration from the ancient stones and rolling hills. What we got instead was rain. Lots of it. And cold. But urban sketchers are nothing if not resilient (and slightly stubborn).

Our retreat was a beautiful exercise in improvisation. The monastery itself is a secluded, atmospheric gem—an ideal setting for quiet contemplation and, in our case, frantic dashes to shelter between sketches.

When the rain let up just enough, we seized the opportunity to sketch outside, braving the drizzle and the occasional gust of wind that tested both our patience and the waterproofing of our materials. Some sketches now come with an "authentic weather effect" – a mix of watercolor and Jerusalem rain.

Plein air or pain air?

Braving the cold to capture the misty monastery gardens, featuring atmospheric raindrops straight from nature’s brush.

And while we didn’t get golden-hour monastery sketches, we did capture something just as special: the energy of a group determined to make art, no matter what the weather had to say about it.

On the second day, needing an alternative space, we found ourselves at Hamiffal, a brilliantly repurposed 19th-century building in downtown Jerusalem. Once abandoned, it now thrives as a creative art space, café, and cultural hub. Think of it as part artist commune, part bohemian hideout, with its eclectic decor and endless pockets of inspiration. Amid surreal murals, vintage furniture, and the scent of strong coffee, we sketched locals deep in conversation, artists at work, and the odd cat lounging under a table.

Despite the elements working against us, the retreat turned into an adventure—proof that sometimes the best sketches come from the most unexpected moments.

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