Making the Most of your Plein Air Art Retreat or Workshop
By Anne Kupillas
Choosing the right workshop or retreat can be daunting, especially for first-timers. Here are a few tips I’ve put together, based on both my own experiences and from reviews I’ve received from our own Eat Paint Live participants.
Before you Go
1. Identify your skill level with the subject or method. There are all kinds of workshops, for all levels of artists, from non-artists who want to get a taste of creativity to beginner, intermediate and advanced Plein Air sketchers and painters. When researching the different options, make sure to ask (if its not clear) what level(s) the retreat or workshop is suitable for. In my experience, I’ve gotten the most out of classes and workshops when they are right at the cusp of my skill level —- giving me a comfort zone that allows me to relax and enjoy, because I can keep up and get into “flow,” while pushing me just a little into new territory, whether it be new techniques and skills, new materials, or a new perspective.
2. What kind of art do you want to make? What medium do you like to work in? From oils to pastels to watercolors, there are many different media suitable for creating artwork on location. Urban sketchers often go out armed with only a fountain or Bic pen and pencil, and a sketchbook. Which also begs the question: What style would you like to work in? Sketching-style or traditional Plein Air ? There are retreats like ours that combine different media and different approaches, welcoming different artists. There are also retreats that focus solely on one media, and one style.
Gorgeous watercolor inks by retreat participant Chris L.
Pen-and-Ink is a wonderful medium to capture quick sketches, maps and notes. Sketches by retreat leader Charles Leon.
3. Location, location, location - Many workshops or retreats take place at one location, where there is plenty of instruction and subjects to paint or draw. Other retreats take you out on excursions to paint and draw in different locations. There are also “art holiday” style vacations which combine classroom instruction, gallery visits and Plein Air excursions. Read the agendas posted on the website to decide how much studio or “one-location” work there is versus how much you will be moving around to different locations.
4. Research carefully - I can’t stress this enough. Read the descriptions thoroughly. How much time will you spend watching the leader(s) demonstrate versus how much time you will be painting yourself ? Studio or on-location or both? How hands-on are the leaders? How many artists will be in the group ? Often, smaller groups will allow for more feedback and personalized critiques, so if that’s what you are looking for, then you’ll want a small group experience. Find out the skill level and experience needed and if it matches yours (see #1). Do additional research if you aren’t familiar with the leaders’ and their art. Do you like the style of the instructor/s? That can be a huge plus, as often your leaders will be sketching and painting along with you as well as doing demos, and you can be inspired from their work and get tips on how to achieve a looser style, for example, or better architectural drawing. Check out the leader’s social media posts on Instagram or Facebook, and their website, to see more examples of their artwork, especially their on-location stuff.
5. Other Questions: Finances, Free Time & More
What’s included? Know before you go what’s included (meals, lodging, transfers, supplies, etc). Also make sure you’re clear on the refund/cancellation policy, especially as regards COVID, travel and other common disruptions. Also know the host’s policy if they are the ones that cancel the event (again, due to weather, other factors, or low registration).
What will you need to buy? Most retreat and workshops share a list of materials / supplies that are required or recommended.
Are there other activities like gallery visits and excursions? And are these extra or included? Many retreats - especially week-long vacations - will have 5 days of scheduled activities and 2 free days. Often, on these free days, there are optional excursions — for example, a trip to a nearby beach or sightseeing, or a spa experience.
How much free time will you have - everyone has a different comfort level with “togetherness,” and let’s face it, many of us artists are introverted. If free time is important to you, make sure you choose a retreat that has some personal time built in. If you want to explore more and the retreat is a full agenda, you may want to consider building in tourist time to explore the locale either before or after you arrive.
What is the vibe like? Casual, vs more academic ? Slow vs fast pace? If it’s not clear from the participant’s reviews or the description on the website, then you might want to check out the host’s social media feeds or — better yet — ask the leaders outright. You want to make sure it’s a good fit for you, regardless of reviews.
Once you’re there…
1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Trust me, retreat leaders get tired of doing all the talking, and participants have a lot to offer in the way of good questions and topics for exploration, as well as helpful advice for each other.
2. Be present. This is your time to immerse yourself in your own creative experience. In order to do that, you need to turn off outside noise as much as possible. To minimize distractions like texts / phone calls / emails, turn off your phone or put it on silent for periods of time. Let your people know in advance that you are away and will be slower to answer. Leave posting to social media for evenings, after dinner and once you’re back in your room. Staying “in the moment” will help you make better art and enjoy the experience!
3. Set an intention. What do you really want to get out of this experience? Maybe it’s a new way of approaching your practice, maybe it’s a new group of friends , perhaps it’s a full sketchbook, or maybe it’s learning new or improving your existing skills. Or in the case of an art vacation, maybe it’s the pure experience of relaxing and being wholly immersed in art with other artists for a few days, in an inspiration setting. Setting your reasonable intentions will help you to relax and enjoy the retreat.
4. Take notes and pictures - but not too much! Make sure you leave time to actually paint or sketch, and ask if notes might be available post-workshop.
5. Be open to new ideas, experiences. As in all new experiences, there can be a level of discomfort - especially until you get into the flow of things, get to know the other participants, and so on. A good orientation at the start of a retreat or workshop should help you acclimate. But be open to learning new things and doing things on someone else’s schedule. At the same time…
6. Go at your own pace - and don’t compare. One of the most detrimental things an artist can do is to compare themself to others. While comparison can be helpful, it’s best to compare your past work to your present practice; this helps artists to see if they are evolving or stagnating. It can also help revive old lines of inquiry and exploration. Regarding pace, every artist is different! Don’t feel that you need to “keep up” or produce or finish as much artwork as anyone else. If you only complete a sketch and a color study, while other artists are finishing full works - that’s absolutely ok. Your sketches and studies will help you if you want to do a full painting once you are back at your lodging, or even post-retreat. Remember, you are there to immerse yourself and treat yourself, it’s not a race and there’s no test. You do you.
7. Connect with other artists who you feel comfortable with . Often artists make lifelong friends and helpful career contacts at workshops and retreats. Learn from and support each other.
Overall, an art retreat or workshop can be so much more than just a way to improve your skills. Do your homework, prepare as much as you can and then prepare to enjoy yourself!If you have constructive feedback on how the retreat might be improved, that can be very helpful for future participants, and should be welcomed by the host. I know that we at Eat Paint Live are always evolving, and improving our offerings, and we love to hear from our participants and get ideas for future retreat agenda items, locations and excursions. If you love the retreat, be sure to tell the host, so they keep doing the same great things that made your retreat a success. And make sure to share your experiences, learnings and your artwork on social media and with family and friends!
Eat Paint Live: Upcoming Art Retreats
In our upcoming April retreat, we will be visiting the island getaway spot of Catalina, in Southern California. Avalon is a waterfront community, replete with stunning views and charm, just waiting to be captured in a. sketch or painting. We will be taking you on excursions into the interior, and on the water, savoring the local food and more! We can’t give away ALL the surprises jere, but if you’d like a full agenda, let us know.
We have 2 remaining spots — so why not join us in Catalina from April 8-10 for a fun-filled, creative and inspiring weekend!
In our upcoming June retreat, we will be visiting the historic and picturesque villages of The Cotswolds, in Central England! Our stay is based on a gorgeous private farm outside Cheltenham, and we will be taking the group into Oxford, local villages, a castle and more! Of course, no trip to England would be complete without at least a few pub lunches and exquisite meals and brews. Four days and nights of demonstrations, tours, and loads of time to paint and sketch the beauty of The Cotswolds countryside and architecture will have your sketchbook — and your creative well - filled up with inspriation .
We have more than 4 remaining spots — so why not join us in The Cotswolds on June 20-24?!
Learn More about our upcoming retreats and hosts here
Charles Leon (@charlesleon917) and Anne Kupillas (@AnneQPdraws) are your retreat leaders. Learn more about us on our Instagrams.