Discover the Art of Field Journaling using pencil and watercolor

Witness millions of Monarch Butterflies in the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary

Experience an immersive field journaling retreat in central Mexico. Through hands-on guidance in pencil, watercolor, and observational journaling, you’ll develop artistic skills while exploring the monarch butterfly sanctuary, forest trails, and vibrant cultural sites. This small-group experience emphasizes creative practice in nature, helping you slow down, see deeply, and document the world with intention. Ideal for artists and curious travelers alike, the journey blends expert instruction, meaningful connection, and unforgettable encounters with one of nature’s most extraordinary migrations. Led by art instructor Marjorie Leggitt and limited to 14 participants. 

LEARN: Quick sketching techniques, color mixing “on the go”, watercolor layering techniques, 3 value compositions and linear perspective without tools!

PRACTICE: Sketching “in motion”, “stream of consciousness” page design, daily lessons that build from simple to complex.

IMPROVE: Practice time, one-on-one guidance, group critiques.

COME AWAY with a toolbox of new skills and an illustrated diary of your Valle de Bravo experience!

Marjorie Leggitt is an award-winning science illustrator and educator based in Bellingham, Washington. Specializing in traditional illustration and digital art for professional publications, museums, and commercial products, Marjorie taught botanical illustration courses through the Denver Botanic Gardens School for 35 years. Passionate about teaching, she continues to offer remote “foundation” and in-person plein air classes and workshops to students throughout the world.

• Participants must be able to get on and off a horse assisted by a guide. No previous riding experience required.

• Participants must be able to hike at an altitude of 10,000 ft. After the horseback ride you will hike to see the butterflies.

• Participants must be able to carry their own backpack with their art supplies, drinking water and personal items.

• Participants must be able to climb stairs.

• Participants who wish to sketch or paint in the butterfly sanctuary need to be able to stand or sit on uneven ground.

This isn’t your typical Mexican all-inclusive resort experience. (We love those too—but this is something different.) This journey is active, immersive, and a little off the beaten path.

You’ll explore places and enjoy meals in spots where you’re unlikely to see other foreign travelers.

Along the way, you might practice your Spanish—or get creative with gestures, smiles, and a sense of humor. Cell service and high-speed internet won’t always be part of the picture, but that’s part of the charm.

And then there are the monarch butterflies—one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles. Experiencing them in their natural habitat is something truly special, and a highlight that makes every step of the journey worth it.

Do I need to be an experienced artist to participate?

No previous art experience is required and all levels are welcome!

Can my husband, wife, partner, or friend come with me if they don’t want to paint?
Yes! We’re happy to welcome non-artists. Any additional activities they choose to do independently will be at their own expense.

I am worried about the altitude and physical requirements, but I really want to see the butterflies. Can I come?

Please email Tracy at linesandlatitude@gmail.com to discuss the physical requirements BEFORE you make a deposit or click on "Ask a question" to send Tracy a message.

To protect your investment and provide peace of mind, we strongly recommend, but do not require, purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, travel delays, and missed connections. Please note that “cancel for any reason” policies typically must be purchased within 14-21 days of booking.

Travel and medical insurance may be added during checkout for an additional fee, or you are welcome to purchase coverage through a provider of your choice.

Regardless of the provider, all participants are required to carry international medical insurance that includes emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation, and repatriation. Proof of this coverage must be provided prior to the start of the trip.

As a small business, we cannot offer exceptions to our cancellation policy. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your trip.

Cancelation by the client:

90 days or more before departure - Refund of 50% of amounts paid (excluding deposit)

61–89 days before departure - Refund of 25% of amounts paid (excluding deposit)

60 days or less before departure - No refunds; payments forfeited

After final payment - No refunds, regardless of cancellation date.

Visit our website: linesandlat.com for full Terms and Conditions.

• Day 1 is dedicated to arrival and settling in. Participants may arrive at any time throughout the day or evening and check in at their convenience.

• After getting settled, you’ll have time to rest or explore Mexico City independently.

• Group activities will begin on Day 2.

• Our morning starts with breakfast at the hotel followed by a guided visit to the National Anthropology museum or a walking tour of the city center, a meaningful introduction to our journey. As we explore, we encounter the civilizations that shaped Mexico and their deep connection to the natural world.

• In the evening, we’ll gather for a hands-on Mexican cooking class, spend time getting acquainted, and sit down together to share the meal we’ve prepared, accompanied by drinks.

A gentle introduction to our creative journey, this plein air session in the Bosque de Chapultepec Botanical Gardens invites you to slow down, observe, and reconnect with your artistic instincts. After lunch we hop into the van for the drive to Valle de Bravo, our gateway to the butterfly sanctuary.

Learn architectural rendering and linear perspective in the timeless setting of a traditional Mexican hacienda or the charming colonial plaza of Valle de Bravo. Surrounded by tiled roofs, archways, and sunlit facades, you’ll explore how to capture depth, proportion, and structure while bringing character and atmosphere into your sketches.

Visiting the monarch butterfly sanctuary feels like stepping into a remarkable natural system in motion. What appears at first to be still forest reveals itself as trees densely covered with thousands of monarchs, clustered together for warmth and protection. As sunlight reaches the canopy, their body temperature rises and they begin to take flight, demonstrating the delicate relationship between climate, behavior, and survival. You’re witnessing one phase of an extraordinary multi-generational migration spanning thousands of miles across North America. It’s a powerful reminder of the precision, resilience, and interconnectedness of the natural world.

We arrive at a rustic Mexican ranch, where weathered buildings are softened by vibrant flowers and potted plants, and horses stand just steps away from us. Dogs lounge in the sun as the morning unfolds, giving the whole scene a relaxed, lived-in warmth. We begin practicing quick sketching, learning to capture the energy and movement of the horses as they shift and roam. We break for a farm-to-table Mexican lunch.

At the peaceful Carmel Maranatha monastery outside of Valle de Bravo, we turn our attention to its distinctive architecture—arched walkways, carved stone details, quiet courtyards, and softly flowing fountains. These layered spaces offer a perfect setting to explore atmospheric perspective and values. You’ll practice simplifying complex forms, capturing depth through contrast, and observing how light defines structure and mood. It’s a contemplative environment where art and architecture come together to sharpen both your eye and your understanding of space.

• Before returning to Mexico City we stop to visit The Cosmovitral in Toluca, a renowned botanical garden housed inside a stunning Art Nouveau iron structure from 1910, featuring 3,500 square meters of massive, colorful stained glass murals designed by artisan Leopoldo Flores.

• Our tour ends with happy hour (at your own cost) at the Marriott Airport Hotel for easy, early morning departures the next day.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before walking across the pedestrian bridge or taking the complimentary shuttle to the airport terminals.