Lizard Sketch Walk Art Retreat
Two night stay exploring the wild and rugged Lizard peninsula Cornwall
Dear Reader,
I’m fast realising that January is the month of admin, announcements and updates so do bear with me as I appear in your inbox once again!
But this piece of news I couldn’t wait to share with you…
I’m delighted to announce my first mini art retreat at the Lizard, Cornwall is ready for booking.
The dates, time and place
24th-26th April 2024
Arrival 3pm Wednesday 24th
Departure after lunch on Friday 26th
Penmenner House Lizard, Cornwall
Here is what you can expect from the stay:
Luxury en-suite accommodation with stunning sea views from the house
Cream tea on arrival day
Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
2 Light lunches
2 Evening meals with local produce and talks
3 Art Technique sessions
4 Sketch walks with handmade sketchbooks
Opportunity to explore, connect, understand and capture the Lizard landscape within a small intimate group
A bit about the Lizard
The Lizard Peninsula is a special place. Often referred to as the foot of Cornwall, the southern part of the peninsula is dominated by serpentine and the oceanic rock that was pushed up from the earth’s crust 350 million years ago.
Lizard point where we will be is right at the base of the peninsula and you’ll get to experience the rugged coast line and wildlife that inhabits the area. Lizard Lighthouse dominates the skyline and you’ll see sheep and cattle grazing on the slopes leading down to the sea.
From late April the entire area starts to burst into life with wildflowers coming into bloom along the coastal areas and hedgerows, making it the perfect time to come and see the area and experience its wild beauty.
Who is involved?
I’m partnering with several local businesses to bring you an authentic and meaningful experience. Here’s a little about them and what they will be contributing to the retreat:
Penmenner House is run by Lizard based couple Susan and Geoff and over the last 7 years they have created a beautiful, calming space to retreat to. They are literally nose to nose with the sea making it the perfect spot to adventure from and be inspired by.
They will be providing all the en-suite accommodation for your stay, a cream tea on arrival and the first evening meal using locally sourced produce. Each morning they will cook your breakfast and will be providing light lunches for each day. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be made available throughout your stay.
Accommodation limited to 5 rooms -4 double and 1 twin. Guests are welcome to bring non-sketching partners for a room supplement and join for meals.
See the choice of rooms here.
Spaces are limited and provided on a first come, first served basis. Susan and Geoff will deal with all your accommodation and dietary enquiries directly.
Robin Bates a local writer will be our guest speaker at our first meal of the retreat. Robin has authored many local books on wildflowers and walks around the area. He has seasoned knowledge on the land beneath our feet and loves to spend time rambling and talking to the birds.
Tregullas Farm is run by the Amiss family and they manage the National Trust farmland all around Lizard point. They will be hosting us for our second evening meal, providing a hearty dinner using their own grass fed lamb and produce. You’ll get to hear about their farming methods, products and how they steward the most southerly farm on the Lizard peninsula.
Melanie Chadwick - that’s me- artist and illustrator and lover of sketching on location around the Lizard Peninsula. I will be leading you in daily sketch walks (morning and afternoon), art techniques and demos.
Whether you are seasoned artist or just a beginner my emphasis will be on drawing from observation on location, capturing the essence of the Lizard landscape, playing and working with a range of materials. It will be a time of exploration and experimentation and I hope you will enjoy the thrill of sketching on location and being outside.
A list of art materials, sketching kit and retreat schedule will be provided beforehand and there will be paper and art materials on hand to use during your stay. We will also be making sketchbooks as we go. There will be time spent inside to demo techniques and of course you will be free to draw anytime outside the schedule.
The Cost
The retreat will be open to full board guests primarily although should there be demand a couple of slots may be available for day guests to join which will be advertised at a later date.
Prices start from £510 which includes all meals, lodging and art tuition and go up to £610 depending on single/double occupancy and room type.
To book you will need to follow this link on my site to pay the first initial deposit payment which secures your place and then Penmenner House will be in touch with you within 24 hours to sort your accommodation and remainder of the retreat fee which will need to be paid within 24hrs to secure your place.
I hope this has whet your appetite to come explore and experience everything the Lizard has to offer.
If you have any further questions please read the handy FAQ page which also includes the art retreat terms and conditions.
This sounds amazing! 🤩
This sounds so so great Melanie! Unfortunately I really need to focus on finishing my doctoral dissertation this year but I would love to participate to something similar next year! I even looked at accessibility from London (I live in the Netherlands), you can go quite far into Cornwall by train.