Sketchbook Art Retreat

Clear background with the text 'Sketches n Scrubs' written in cursive font.

Summer 2026 Retreat

Monday 22nd June - Sunday 28th June 2026

Devon, UK

Join me for relaxed, joy-filled days of painting with your favourite art supplies in your sketchbook in the beautiful Devon countryside. In this 6-night sketchbook retreat you’ll have catered meals, inspiring surroundings, beautiful accommodation, no chores, curated art demonstrations by me (Sketches.n.Scrubs) and 5 full days of painting.

Ideal for people of all skill levels looking to dedicate quality time to creativity, sketchbook practice, experimenting with materials, exploring ideas, and evolving sketches into finished artworks.

To book, please complete the form & return it to Westcott Barton with your deposit to confirm your place.
Our first retreat sold out during pre-launch!! So due to popular demand, I’m excited to announce a second retreat!

Update: My June 2026 Art Retreat has sold out too! Join the waitlist if you’d like me to let you know should there be extra space.

Sold Out - Join the Waitlist

This Retreat is Designed For

- Artists of all levels, from curious beginners to professionals looking to refresh their practice.

- Art supply lovers who want to spend days using, exploring and talking about art supplies. As a mixed media artist, my enthusiasm stretches across many medias, with watercolour & gouache being at the centre.

- Anyone who wants to make their sketchbook a more joyful and consistent part of their life.

- People who want a supportive, friendly, and pressure-free environment to make art.

- Those seeking time away from daily demands to recharge through creating art.

Idyllic picture of an art retreat location with a wooden fence along a green, grassy field with rolling hills in the distance and wind turbines on the horizon, under a lavender sky with pink clouds. Reference by Sketches.n.Scrubs

What Makes This Retreat Special

- A sketchbook-first focus – instead of chasing perfection, this retreat is about exploration, process, and joyful mark-making.

- Support & freedom with structure – a balance of demos, guided sessions, and open creative time ensures you can both learn and play. with a small group size, you’ll receive gentle guidance that meets you exactly where you are.

- A nurturing environment – surrounded by peaceful countryside, nourishing meals, and fellow artists who share your passion.

- Mixed media encouragement – discover how watercolour, gouache, pencils, pens, and Neocolors can work together.

- Lasting inspiration – leave not only with finished pieces, but also with sketchbook habits and ideas to keep you inspired long after the retreat is over.

-You !

What We'll Explore

- Building and mixing expressive colour palettes

- Watercolour and gouache fundamentals, layering, and texture

- Sketchbook techniques for idea development and finishing pieces

- Using references from observation, photography, or memory

- Combining mixed media playfully with pencil, pen, and water-soluble materials

- Q&A and personalised support

Sold out - Join the waiting list
Open sketchbook by Sketches.n.Scrubs with a vibrant landscape painting of a river, rocks, and trees in bright colours. Surrounding art supplies include watercolour paints, gouache, coloured pencils, markers, and paintbrushes.

What to expect

You’ll be surrounded by like-minded creatives, nourishing food, and inspiring views—indoors and out. By the end, you’ll leave with artwork and a renewed sense of creative direction.

  • Arrive at 3pm on Monday 22nd June 2026

  • Paint for 5 days: Tuesday 23rd June - Saturday 27th June 2026

  • Leave on Saturday 28th June 2026 at 10am (after breakfast)

I share more information about the retreat below, booking is facilitated by Westcott Barton and spaces are limited. The price includes accommodation, all meals, art demonstrations and creative course for the 6-night retreat is available, while spaces last.

Introductory Offer

Single occupancy & own private bathroom: £1290 per person. This option is subject to availability.

Single occupancy room or shared room (twin or double), sharing bathroom facilities: £1245 per person (minimum booking for two and both must be participating in the retreat).

Non-participating partners sharing a course participant's room are welcome: £850 per person (includes meals). Non-residential participants are welcome - please enquire for further details.

To book, please complete the form & return it to Westcott Barton. The retreat is sold out but you can join my Waitlist to get a place should more space be available!

Get a last minute spot!

This Retreat Includes:

- 6 nights stay at Westcott Barton (Monday 22nd – Sunday 28th June 2026)

- All meals provided – including dinner on arrival day and breakfast on departure day; and three course dinners. Tea, coffee, and snacks.

- 5 full days of sketchbook-focused tuition and demos

- Daily studio access, open for you beyond teaching hours

- A countryside art trip (weather permitting, transport included)

- A supportive, small group setting with personalised guidance

The Details

  • A woman with long black hair holding several colourful watercolour paintings of boats near a coastline with cliffs and water in the background.

    The Host

    I’m the artist behind Sketches.n.Scrubs - a Christian mixed media artist based in the UK with a fond love (and understanding) of gouache, watercolour and the fun process of making art with a range of mediums. I’ve spent the past few years growing a thriving art community through my Youtube channel and membership; sharing sketchbook sessions, painting adventures across Europe, and the joy of playful creativity.

    My teaching style is gentle, supportive, and personal — whether you’re completely new to painting or returning to your practice, I’ll help you explore materials, build confidence, and reconnect with the fun of making art just for you.

  • A scenic view of a stone house on a hill surrounded by greenery, with a small pond in the foreground and a bright blue sky with some clouds overhead.

    The Logistics

    Date: 22nd - 28th June 2026

    Duration : This is a 6 night retreat - we will arrive in the afternoon of day 1, paint for 5 days (until day 6) and check out in the morning of day 7.

    Accommodation: An idyllic place in North Devon. Single and shared occupancy options available

    The Art Supplies: You’ll need to bring all your own art materials. A suggested list will be sent before the retreat, but the main essentials are watercolour and/or gouache paints, sketchbook, mixed media brush and supplies that you enjoy using with them.

    Meals: All meals included

    Skill Level: This retreat is suitable for all levels, from total beginner to professional.

    What’s not included: Air fare, travel insurance, transport, art materials

    What’s included: Accommodation for 6 nights, all meals and curated art demonstrations

  • Paintings of coastal landscapes laid out on the pebble beach near the water's edge, with boats visible in the distance and cliffs in the background. Paintings by Sketches.n.Scrubs during art retreat.

    The Plan

    Arrive from 3pm to settle in, meet your fellow artists, and enjoy a relaxed three-course dinner at 6:30pm.

    From Day 2 to Day 6, we’ll dive into five full days of painting with morning demos, creative sessions, and plenty of free painting time. Each day includes a delicious breakfast, lunch at 12:30, and a cosy group dinner at 6:30pm.

    One day (weather permitting), we’ll head outdoors to sketch the stunning Devon countryside for fresh inspiration.

    The retreat is structured but relaxed, with gentle guidance, lots of painting time, and space to rest, recharge, and connect. Tea, coffee, and snacks are always on hand.

    We wrap up with breakfast and goodbyes on Day 7.

    Retreats are limited in size so you get personalised support throughout.

Be the first to know!

FAQs

A woman, Sketches.n.Scrubs, with long hair smiling at a wooden table with colourful artwork she painted in front of her, with a beach and boats in the background.

  • This retreat is for you if you want to spend some dedicated time creating art in your sketchbook.

    It is for artists of all skill levels whether you are seeking to start your art journey or are well versed in painting and seeking a fun retreat with like-minded artists to focus on your creativity.

    The focus is on enjoying the process, experimenting in your sketchbook, building a regular creative practise, learning and spending time with other artists while being catered for.

  • Your accommodation, all your meals, daily art demonstrations and curated extras are all included.

    The effect of this experience and impact on your art - indescribable.

  • Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, art supplies are not included.

    You will need to bring your own art supplies and a list of suggested supplies will be provided ahead of time.

  • Yes, there are single occupancy rooms available. That said, there are some shared room options available at a reduced rate too.

  • Absolutely — most guests come solo, and leave with new art friends. You’ll have your own space to unwind, and plenty of opportunities to connect.

  • Yes! This retreat is for all skill levels and provide an excellent opportunity to start your art journey in a beautiful place, with kind guidance and lots of fun.

  • This retreat is primarily indoors. That said, some demos may take place in the beautiful gardens onsite. Weather permitting, there will also be a day trip to a stunning place in Devon - an opportunity to paint outdoors, gather references and enjoy the scenery.

  • Yes. Non-participant guests are welcome for an additional fee.

  • CAR
    If you are travelling to Westcott Barton (Devon) by car, please refer to their Location page for directions.

    Please enter our full address and not just the postcode.

    TAXI / TRAIN
    The nearest train station is Barnstaple which is 15 minute drive/taxi away.
    It is possible to pre-book a taxi from Barnstaple station. Please contact either VIP Taxi on 07868 311 773 and speak to Martin, or B-Line Taxis on 01271 322117.

    INTERNATIONAL
    If coming from London, there are trains from London Paddington to Exeter, then Exeter to Barnstaple (the closest train station) which is a 15 minute taxi ride away.

    The nearest international airport is Bristol (2 hour drive away if renting a car, or 3-4 hours by public transport via Exeter, then to Barnstable)

    ADDRESS & CONTACT
    Westcott Barton, Middle Marwood, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX31 4EF
    01271 813206
    Howard Frank - 07831 235 640
    enquiries@westcottbarton.co.uk

    OTHER / NEED HELP?
    More details on this page but if you are planning to travel by another means of transport or need help, please contact Westcott Barton ( enquiries@westcottbarton.co.uk ) for assistance. They are local and know the area well and thus can be of assistance and answer all your questions so you’re reassured about your jouney.

  • Please share your dietary requirements in the space provided in the booking form so the venue can liaise with you.

  • I’m happy to answer them! If your question is art related, please get in touch via the contact form or email me via sketches.n.scrubs@gmail.com

    If your question is about the accommodation, dietary requirements & logistics please contact Westcott Barton through their site or email: enquiries@westcottbarton.co.uk

  • I’m so happy you’re coming! Bookings and payments for this retreat are taken by Westcott Barton, by completing this form (click to download), emailing the completed form to enquiries@westcottbarton.co.uk and paying the deposit.

    You can get more information on my retreat page here.

    The non-refundable deposit on booking confirms your spot, and the full payment is taken closer to the retreat.

    I’ll see you soon! I’m so excited!

Sketches.n.Scrubs is watercolour painting on paper, sitting at a wooden dock by the water with boats in the background. Art supplies, including watercolour paints, gouache, mixed media, brushes, and a palette, are on the dock.

Glimpse of Devon Retreat

  • A quaint stone house surrounded by lush greenery and a small pond, with a bright blue sky and scattered clouds overhead.

  • Open sketchbook displaying watercolor paintings and sketches of pink roses and leaves, surrounded by paint supplies and markers.

  • A wooden fence along a green grassy field with trees to the right and wind turbines on a hill in the background, under a partly cloudy sky at dusk.

  • Close-up of a vibrant pink rose in full bloom with a rosebud nearby, surrounded by green foliage in a garden setting.

  • A stone house with a slate roof sits on a grassy hill surrounded by trees, with a small white-flowered tree in the foreground and a clear blue sky in the background.

  • An outdoor scene with watercolor paints, a palette, and a sketchbook resting on a white surface. In the background, there is a lush green yard with a large tree, a potted plant, and a sunny sky.

  • Pink flowers with water droplets in the foreground, blurred stone house with greenery in the background.

Our Sponsors