The Lizard Art Retreat Review
Open to find out how it went and what the participants thought!
Dear reader,
For those of you who are interested to hear a bit more about what went on during my Lizard Art retreat I’ve put together this informative post which features mini interviews with each of the participants. Read on to find how what they thought, what they did and what they gained from the experience!
About the Art Retreat
This is the second time I have run this type of retreat here on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall. This time it ran for one extra night and day, from the 22nd April -25th April, so in total 3 nights and 4 days.
The aim of the retreat is the switch off, explore the beauty of the Lizard landscape, immerse yourself in nature through walks and sketching enplein air, pick up some art techniques, tips and confidence, relax, eat and converse whilst learning about and connecting with this beautiful area.
Who I worked with
I worked closely with Penmenner House, a BnB run by Lizard based couple Geoff and Susan Negus who over the last 8 years 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 provided all the en-suite accommodation for the retreat, treating guests to a cream tea and cake on arrival and the first evening meal using locally sourced produce. Each morning they cooked a sumptuous breakfast (if desired) and provided our light lunches for each day. Tea, coffee and refreshments were also available throughout the stay.
I invited Robin Bates a local writer to join us and on our first evening he ate dinner with us and shared about the many characters that he has met during his time on the Lizard researching and writing books. Robin has authored many local books and walks around the area and as such has a seasoned knowledge on tales, legends and history of the Lizard and is fascinating to listen to.
I also worked with Tregullas Farm which is run by the Amiss family who manage the National Trust farmland all around Lizard point. They hosted us for our second evening meal, and provided a hearty dinner using their own grass fed lamb produce.
We got to hear about their farming methods, products and how they steward the most southerly farm on the Lizard peninsula. We ate in the barn which had been strung up with fairy lights and everyone enjoyed the rustic charm of this working farm.
The final evening meal was held in another local establishment, Chimichangas, a family run Tex Mex restaurant a short walk away from the BnB. We were served an abundance of delicious dishes and it was a great time to catch up with everyone and relax.
Finally a special mention to my husband Tony who helped with transport picking up and dropping off guests who required it, to and from the train station at Redruth and Penzance. He also joined us for our first evening meal and it was lovely to be able to introduce him to the party.
Meet the participants and hear what they have to say…
We had four wonderful ladies join me for the retreat Wendy, Joanna, Lisa and Julie. I asked them to share their experiences of the retreat, read on to find out what they said!
Meet Wendy…
I am based near the coast in Norfolk which is a great area for walking & cycling, two of my favourite activities. Being able to stop and capture what I see in a sketch book has been something I have been trying to do for years but hadn’t found either a way to do it or be confident at trying.
I have taken a lot of courses over the last 10 years but mainly textile based, so sketching for these has been more around mark making to develop into stitching, but always involved keeping a sketchbook . I love using a sketchbook book but have always found it difficult to find my way sketching.
I have been following Mel online for a couple of years now and saw the retreat on her Substack site last year but talked myself out of it because it was a 10 hour drive away.
What helped you make the decision to come?
Speaking to Mel about anxieties regarding my level of skill reassured me that the retreat was suitable for me. My husband encouraged me to go way out of my comfort zone and drive the distance and hopefully gain some confidence on route. I am beyond glad that I did
What were your expectations?
If I am honest, my main expectation was to be able to navigate my way to the Lizard ;0). What I was hopeful for was that Mel would give me the confidence to have a go at just sketching what I see, I just wanted to be confident at trying and stop finding reasons why not to do it.
Favourite bits/memorable/ surprising moments?
I found my most perfect sketching group in every way. I didn’t expect to go home with new friends who understand where it is I am trying to get to.
What did you gain?
The confidence to keep sketching and enjoy it at the same time.
Overall review of retreat
Absolutely wonderful, it really is a retreat. I switched off completely from the outside world for a couple of days and invested in myself. Mel has created something very special.
Meet Joanna…
I’m an Interior designer based in Valencia, Spain.
My hobbies are painting, drawing, animal rescue, travel, reading, vintage markets and walking. I’ve been painting & sketching for about 5 years.
I heard about the retreat from Substack and I follow Mel on You tube.
What helped you make the decision to come?
The location and wanting to meet Mel in person.
What were your expectations?
The retreat was far better than I expected
Favourite bits/memorable/ surprising moments?
I loved meeting Mel & seeing her artwork in person.
I also loved the walks and joked about it being like a mini bootcamp!
The locations we sketched were stunning.
What did you gain from the experience?
A lot of new techniques and a new group of friends.
Overall review of retreat
The retreat was really well organised every detail was taken care of to ensure all our needs were met.
The accommodation at Penmenner House was very comfortable and Susannah & Geoff are fantastic hosts.
Meet Lisa…
Based north of Boston, MA in the USA, I am a computer science teacher. I have had a life long love of art who could draw/color/create for hours as a child. But as I went off to college and then life happened it fell by the wayside.
Decades later, in 2019 I reignited my interest and started taking classes. Falling in love with creating again got me through the pandemic.
I love all things color related, drawing, watercolor and mixed media. An early teacher said, “I create because of the way I feel when I am creating”. This thought has sustained me when my inner critic gets uppity.
I’ve been following Mel for a while now and am drawn to her ability to connect her love of art with the natural world. I learned of the retreat from her substack email announcement. The timing was perfect for me as she had reawakened a childhood dream of visiting Cornwall with all her musings about the Lizard Peninsula.
What helped you make the decision to come?
For me the timing was perfect as it coincided with my school vacation schedule, so the logistics were in my favor. It was Mel's special brand of connecting deeply to the places she sketched - her ease with sketching in public, her thoughtful preparation and her quiet confidence. I wanted all those things.
She made the practice of sketching outside feel both accessible and, in a way, sacred, especially how she immersed herself fully into nature. I love listening to her podcasts - she has such a genuine and gracious way of relating to people and nature. I felt like I could learn a lot from this accomplished woman who was much younger than me. And I did.
What were your expectations?
I expected Cornwall to be beautiful—and it was, in a storybook kind of way. I expected the people to be kind—and they were—but what I didn’t expect was just how welcoming, inclusive, and quietly inspiring it would all feel.
The landscape opened up something in me, and the group felt like a serendipitous gathering of kindred spirits. I went to build confidence sketching outdoors, and I did—but I also fell in love with a lamb, developed a fondness for hedgerows, and found myself quietly moved by the dawn chorus of birdsong.
Climbing over stone walls, learning what a stile was, and feeling free to wander across fields alongside grazing animals made the whole experience feel adventurous and alive.
And though I had modest expectations for English food, I was happily proven wrong—every meal was gourmet, the tea was perfection, and don’t even get me started on the clotted cream. Why it isn’t on every American table is a mystery for the ages.
It was the kind of experience that stays with you—not loud, but lasting.
Favourite bits/memorable/ surprising moments?
The retreat was so well scheduled with some very lovely events; hearing stories from a local author and meeting a farmer and being so close to the village and the ocean. Food at the Penmenner House was gourmet quality and Suzannah and Geoff (the innkeepers) were delightful. Having tea in fancy cups while sitting at a picnic table.
A surprising moment came on the last day when we were sharing our work from the week and I noticed a sketch I really liked. The surprise came when I realized it was my own sketch!!!
What did you gain/learn?
I developed a deeper appreciation for the idea of PLACE in my art- how the environment, mood, surroundings and even the weather can shape the creative process and the final piece. (Hello, rain looks cool on your sketch - I never would have thunk).
I became more comfortable experimenting with layers, realizing the impact they can have on a sketch. Playing around with prepared backgrounds is not something I had done a lot with and this is something I want to explore further.
I also discovered that you can actually finish a sketch in 20 minutes if you put your mind to it.
Another big takeaway was learning to pack lighter when heading out to sketch—choosing supplies based on the location and season (which seems obvious now, but I’d been fixated on creating a “perfect” travel kit).
Melanie’s approach was especially inspiring—she treated our art-making and our packing as play, which made the whole process feel more open and joyful.
How has it changed or helped you with your sketching moving forward?
An appreciation of value, of chunky art supplies, of getting right to work, of using the materials you have, backgrounds and not being afraid to work outside. I hope to tie in some knowledge of nature in my little corner of the world like Mel has with the Lizard.
Overall review of retreat
I came a long way and it was worth all the effort. I feel like I have more of community now and a deeper understanding of Mel’s process which I love to see in her videos.
Don’t miss it if you are thinking about going, you won’t be sorry.
Meet Julie…
Living in Essex, my artistic journey began in retirement. It's wonderful to finally have the opportunity to pursue sketching and painting, something I've always aspired to do. Alongside this, I'm also passionate about textile art, embroidery, knitting, crochet and patchwork quilting as well as the simple pleasure of walking, yoga and connecting with nature.
What helped you make the decision to come?
I came on the Art Retreat last year. It was such a positive and enriching experience that I was really keen to do it again this year.
What were your expectations?
Although I had been on last years retreat with Mel which was fantastic, this one felt fresh and new. Mel adapted the program, taking us to different locations and encouraging us to experiment with a wide range of mediums.
Favourite bits/memorable/ surprising moments?
Sketching in the hedgerows, surrounded by flowers and feeling completely immersed in nature, was wonderful. The image of the Spring lambs playing in the fields as we walked along the footpath is a memory that really stands out for me. I also really enjoyed the creative process of making the concertina sketchbook and discovering the possibilities with liquid acrylic backgrounds. Spending time with a lovely group and the joy of those unexpected "happy accidents" added so much to the experience.
What did you gain/learn?
I have learned how to create texture in the landscape with simple mark making techniques using a range of mixed media. I created my own concertina sketchbook. Also learned how to experiment with acrylic inks and watercolour to make backgrounds and how to build on a sketch using acrylic gouache.
How has it changed or helped you with your sketching moving forward?
I have gained confidence to sketch outdoors, learned valuable skills in simplifying complex scenes and approaching subjects with more freedom.
Overall review of retreat
Amazing experience.
I thought the retreat was so well-planned, with perfect timings and plenty of valuable tuition. The balance between outdoor sketching and studio work was just right.
Penmenner House was extremely comfortable and elegant with beautiful views, set in a very tranquil and calming location. Susan & Geoff were the perfect hosts, very friendly and welcoming.
The talk by Robin Bates on the Local Tales and Legends of The Lizard and the special evening meal at Tregullas Farm in the old barn lit with fairy lights, where the Amiss family shared their farming experiences really helped me connect with the history and life of the area, which I particularly enjoyed.
Being back on the Lizard Art Retreat was a joy – Mel's enthusiasm and creativity are infectious! I truly cherished connecting with the breathtaking beauty of the Lizard and being part of such a lovely group, where we all encouraged each other's artistic exploration. I feel so fortunate to have created such lasting memories that I'll always treasure.. The extra day this year was a real treat, and the meal at Chimichangas was a fun addition.
Anything else you'd like to mention?
I felt the extra day made quite a difference this year. It provided valuable time to process and absorb all the new information and techniques, and the more relaxed pace made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
I hope you enjoyed hearing from our retreat participants and it has given you more of an idea of what happens on my Lizard Art Retreat. It is certainly is a special time and I hope to continue to run these for future years. If you are interested in attending do let me know and make sure you are subscribed to this newsletter to receive news of future retreat announcements!
Mel’s tuition was 10 out of 10 the whole experience at The Lizard was fantastic.
Looking forward to joining you again.
I wanted to be brave enough to sign up for your retreat...next time. Peace.