Why I Started Creating My Own Art Retreats
From Art Workshops to Creative Retreats: Discovering a New Way to Paint and Travel
Have you ever heard about art retreats? Some travel companies plan small trips for groups who want to relax, paint, and meet other artists. These experiences have become very popular in recent years, especially among influencers and educators who combine travel and teaching.
In my case, I had already participated in many art workshops around the world. Each one taught me something different, but when I joined my first retreat, it felt like a full week of painting classes in paradise. Everything revolved around creativity, community, and inspiration. It was a mix of travel, learning, and painting that made me realise how powerful this format could be.
How It All Started
In 2023, I began receiving proposals from well-known retreat companies. Since I have an online audience from many places, it felt like a good chance to meet my students in person and move from the online world to real life. I loved the idea of teaching outside the screen, so I accepted right away.
We went to France, which was a new adventure for most of us. We explored cities and museums, tried new foods, and spent days surrounded by art and good company. I still smile when I remember that first group. They trusted me to try something new together.
I taught as much as I could about painting and color, but I also learned a lot about myself. The experience made me realise that teaching art is not only about technique. It is about connection, rhythm, and emotion.
Although everything went well, I couldn’t help imagining how I would change things next time. Working with a retreat company has many advantages because they have structure, experience, and contacts to make things happen. But they also have to manage many instructors and many different retreats at once.
When you work within a big company, your retreat is part of a much larger system. That efficiency helps them offer variety, but it can also limit the creative flexibility of each program. That’s when I decided I wanted to build something more personal.
I wanted to create my own painting retreat. It will be designed for artists. Every detail will help painters and support their creative experience.
San Sebastian: My First Independent Creative Retreat
In 2025, I finally made it happen. I organised my first independent creative retreat in San Sebastian, a place that holds a special meaning for me. I am from the Basque Country, and I wanted to share it with others, to show them the places I know and love. Unlike in France, where I couldn’t even remember my high school French, this time I was at home.
I knew where to go, what to see, and how to plan a week. It would really be a deep dive into painting and culture.
San Sebastian offered the perfect setting. We had beaches, forests, mountains, and the sea all within minutes of each other. Every location inspired a new color palette, a new perspective, and a new painting session.
My first test group, which I called my guinea pig team, was amazing. We bonded quickly, we laughed a lot, and their feedback confirmed that I wanted to keep doing this again and again.
Choosing the Right Place
When I planned the structure, I used ideas from big retreat companies and added my own tastes as an artist and educator.
I chose to host the retreat at a small boutique hotel instead of a rented venue. That decision changed everything.
Having a hotel as a base provided safety and comfort. The staff was available at all times, which gave everyone peace of mind. It also allowed us to keep the environment intimate, quiet, and organised.
There were no large groups of tourists or distractions, and we had the chance to focus fully on the creative process. The hotel included a spa, pool, and gym, which turned out to be wonderful additions to the week.
Even though these were art retreats, I wanted to emphasise rest and wellbeing too. Painting for several hours a day requires focus and energy, so the balance between work and relaxation was essential. Another important decision was that everyone had their own room. As an introvert, I know how valuable it is to have privacy and a space to recharge after long creative days.
The Classes
Our classes took place in a large, bright room with beautiful natural light. We painted indoors and outdoors, moving between the studio and the surrounding nature. I wanted to keep the lessons dynamic and immersive, so I hired a videographer and editor to document everything that was also projected on a big screen.
Having someone film each session allowed participants to focus on painting instead of taking notes. It also meant that every student would receive a complete video collection of all the lessons after the retreat.
Inside our atelier, we had a coffee corner for hamaiketako, the traditional Basque mid-morning snack. It became a ritual that everyone loved. People also brought food from their countries, creating small shared moments around sweets and coffee. We had dried mango from the Philippines, Swiss chocolate, and many other treats.
One of the highlights was a secret surprise visit from my friend and artist, Ale Casanova. I invited him for a day and he offered a portrait painting demonstration. Watching him mix skin tones and capture light was inspiring for everyone, including me. It was truly amazing. Everyone was in awe. We recorded the entire session so everyone could revisit it later.
All materials for the classes were included. Trekell Art Supplies and Gamblin Colors supported us by providing products, and ArteMiranda offered amazing prices and discounts for my students. Having everything prepared and accessible helped everyone stay focused on painting instead of logistics.
Activities and Daily Life
The schedule balanced structured painting sessions with moments of rest and exploration. We wanted to paint, but also enjoy where we were. Some people choose to spend quiet afternoons by the pool or at the spa.
Others went for walks through the forest or along the river near the hotel. A few even climbed to the amusement park on the hill to enjoy the view of San Sebastian from above.
In the evenings, we often gathered to share a drink or explore the Old Town. Pintxo pote, a Basque version of bar hopping with small tapas, became a favorite activity for many. It was a time to relax, talk, and simply enjoy being part of a creative group.
In the middle of the week, we took a trip to Bilbao. It was a long day full of art and culture. We visited San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, wandered through the old town, and of course, spent time at the Guggenheim Museum.
The hotel prepared our hamaiketako to go, so we could enjoy a picnic during the trip. By the end of the day, we were tired but full of new ideas and inspiration.
Highlights and Reflections
After the retreat, I took some time to reflect on what worked best and what I could improve. I loved the location because it perfectly combined nature and city life. The studio space was large, bright, and adaptable to any weather. The mix of structured classes, shared meals, and relaxed free time created a strong balance.
The biggest success was the group itself. Everyone came with an open heart and a love for painting. We created a community of support and creativity that I will never forget.
For the next edition, I plan to make a few adjustments. Meals will follow a schedule that fits our international rhythm a bit better, a couple of activities will change order for a smoother flow, and I will bring an extra camera to build a shared photo album for everyone.
The best
- Location surrounded by forest, yet close to the city and the beach
- Spacious and luminous studio, perfect for painting
- Included materials, videographer, and supportive sponsors
- An amazing group that trusted the process completely
To Improve
- Meal arrangements adjusted to international eating habits
- Reorder of some activities for better flow
- Extra camera for group photos and a shared album
What’s Next
It was an incredible experience to organise a full week of painting workshops entirely on my own. We painted, learned, shared, and definitely ate a lot. After taking some time to reflect, I decided to repeat the experience.
The next San Sebastian Painting Retreat is already planned for June 2026. It will follow the same structure as this first edition, but with all the improvements in place. I am also considering a second creative retreat in Mallorca later that year. The island’s light and landscape would create a completely different experience that I cannot wait to share.
If you would like to join the San Sebastián retreat, you can now reserve your spot by purchasing the “Save My Spot” ticket through this link. I have prepared a dedicated page with all the details about the retreat, what is included, and how to join. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly.
For those who just want to stay informed, you can join the waiting list and receive the news before anyone else. The feedback from this first retreat confirmed that this is something I want to continue building. Art connects people, and there is nothing more rewarding than watching that connection grow in real life, through color, laughter, and creativity.
These retreats have become more than just trips. They are a way to step away from everyday distractions and focus entirely on painting. Whether you have joined one of my art workshops before or this will be your first time, I can promise that the next painting retreat will be a week of learning, inspiration, and connection that you will never forget.