What could be better than an art retreat in a beautiful place, blooming with the colours of Spring?

Time to draw, walk, explore ideas, talk about dreams, stepping away from our busy lives to be with artists and to further our artwork.

Join us for a blossoming spring-time retreat in Cornwall.  We plan this as a quiet reflective time that’s also full of laughter, fun and development.  With superb hosting from the Boconnoc team and from our own private chef, we all have time to explore our artwork.  We aim to relax with no distractions.  This is a grand house where we can feel at home and made to feel special while we focus on your own creative journey . You may also want to take time to explore the surrounding landscape and coast.

We’re staying on a beautiful rural estate set amongst idyllic surroundings in Cornwall. We have two lovely houses to stay in, with a short 6 minute walk (or 1 minute drive) between the two.  There will be time to walk the woodlands and blooming gardens of the estate and sketch in peace, or discover new ideas and techniques in group sessions.

A typical day might start with an early morning nature walk through the blooming gardens of Boconnoc, before a delicious breakfast. Then we’ll get together and make plans for the day.  We like to start the day with some indoor technical hints and tips, showing you a creative doodle for the day which helps to set our creative talents fire up. There will be plenty to choose from and you can do as little or as much as you want:

• creative doodling warm up exercises, workshops on different watercolour and sketching techniques
• sketching walks, listening walks, nature journaling
• a one-to-one tuition session
• free time to work on your sketches and paintings

This wonderful art retreat is centred on Boconnoc House – a Georgian mansion and its Stewardry nestled in the Cornish countryside only 20 minutes from the coast.

Get ready to paint amidst the mesmerizing beauty of the Boconnoc gardens! These grounds are like a living masterpiece, with every corner offering a new scene waiting to be captured in your sketchbooks. Start your artistic adventure at the Dorothy Garden, just a stone’s throw from the House. Here, bubbling fountains and sun-kissed flowers create a picture-perfect setting that’s bound to inspire. Grab your paints and brushes and get ready to bring these vibrant colours to life! And don’t forget to explore the Shrubbery, where 34 different varieties of hydrangeas and bursts of pink and purple rhododendrons await your artistic touch. For a truly unique painting experience, make your way to the Tropical Fountain along the Stewardry Walk. Surrounded by lush palms and exotic plants, this oasis feels like a tropical paradise right in the heart of Cornwall. With each stroke of your brush, let the beauty of these gardens fill your sketchbooks with the magic of springtime.

If you spend longer in Cornwall you could also visit some of the historic villages and ancient sites nearby, including smugglers’ coves, tiny harbours and the moors.  There will be no shortage of inspiration, indoors or out, and hopefully we’ll have some sunny spells amongst the April showers.

Each evening we dine well, eating produce from the estate cooked by our own chef as we talk about the days painting excursions.  The food is part of the luxury of this lovely retreat.

Spaces are limited so let us know as soon as possible if you’d like to join us. There’s a choice of 16 magnificent rooms for us to sleep in – from grand state four poster bedrooms to charming attic hide-aways, so let us know your preferences quickly!