Midsommar - Lost in light
Värmdö, SWEDEN
Learn to draw trees on a Remote North Sea Island, Värmdö, Sweden
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There is a profound, silent poetry in travelling light. This retreat is designed for those who want to disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with the primal instinct of art. Surrounded by the whispering forests and quiet waters of the Swedish wilderness, we will leave bulky canvases behind to embrace the intimacy of paper.
We will be traveling to the Swedish wilderness with a singular, profound focus: learning how to draw and paint the soul of trees, cultivate your powers of observation, and discover anew the world around us.
Our journey begins with a spark of curiosity: observing a natural process, the structure of an ancient tree, the intricate texture of bark, or the way shifting northern light filters through the canopy. By blending time-honored art techniques with raw curiosity, Elena will guide you from loose field sketches and intimate notebook recordings to finished, sophisticated artwork on paper.
We will embrace the elegance of traveling light, transforming a compact selection of premium tools—charcoal, graphite, ink, and watercolour—into a powerful laboratory of vision. You will look inside the artist's sketchbook, unlock its technical secrets, and learn how sketching and accuracy are not limits, but the ultimate keys to artistic freedom.
The Stockholm archipelago is a cluster of some 30000 islands, skerries and rocks where rugged nature blends with wooded atolls, rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. It all begins just a few minutes away from the city, unspoilt but also easily reachable.
We have secured a series of top-rated cottages, all with the same features: traditional wood building from around 1900, a romantic vibe, access to the forest and to a pier.
We will keep the group size small to grant an intimate atmosphere, large personal space in the house and constant and caring support to every each of you.
If you are travelling by plane, please fly to Arlanda Airport - we can arrange a comfortable minivan transfer to the property and back if we can all converge there. If you are travelling by car, we will meet you directly at the property.
Our workshop will welcome people of all backgrounds and of all levels of experience. If you are a beginner, you will find accurate tuition and a supportive environment. If you are a professional, you can work with your own tools and with your own style in a new, well organised, quiet workspace. The retreat includes:
❀ 7 nights accommodation in a top-rated seafront cottage/villa
❀ Daily programme of walks, talks and art lessons, movies, excursions.
❀ 7 evening meals
❀ 7 breakfasts
❀ 6 lunches
❀ Minibus transport from/to airport
❀ All art supplies
COST AND INCLUSIONS:
Cost: €1200 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
Come-with-a-friend fee: €1100 per person (invite a friend and get a discount) or come-with-two-friends fee: £885/€1050 (invite two friends and get a discount).
If you book early, you are very welcome to bring along a travel companion who will not be participating in the workshop. We only have one or two double rooms with kings beds, so please check availability first. Non-participating partners fee: €900.
Flights and travel to/from Stockholm are not included. Personal travel insurance is recommended.