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Renee Walden

🎨 Sketch, paint & travel with me in 2025

Published 4 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,

Paint your travels – join me for a watercolour retreat in 2025!

FRANCE : June

FULLY BOOKED

The charming villages, sun-drenched landscapes, and inspiring locations make this retreat an absolute dream… and it filled up fast! With full days of sketching, exploring, and painting on location, this retreat is always an incredible creative adventure.

Drop me an email to be added to the waiting list.

ITALY : October

Golden light, rolling hills, and historic streets—Tuscany is a sketcher’s paradise! This retreat is all about capturing the essence of travel in your sketchbook, learning to simplify complex scenes, and gaining confidence painting on location. We’ll explore charming villages, soak in the atmosphere, and fill our pages with the beauty of Italy.

PORTUGAL : September

A hidden gem in Portugal, Monsaraz is a medieval hilltop village with whitewashed streets, centuries-old stone walls, and sweeping countryside views. This retreat is perfect for those who love quiet beauty, nature, and a sense of history.

INSPIRATION WALL

Whether you’re new to travel sketching or looking to deepen your practice, these retreats are all about learning, exploring, and connecting with like-minded creatives in breathtaking locations.

I would love to have you join me!

📩 Spots are limited—secure yours here:

Looking forward to painting with you,
​Renee

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PS ​
Please forward this email on to anyone you think might be interested. Thank you!

Drake Place, Lake Hawea, Otago 9382
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Renee Walden

Artist . Plein air painter . Watercolour teacher

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Read more from Renee Walden

Hi Reader, I'm just back from France, or should I say Cloud Nine! How do you sum up ten unforgettable days of painting, exploring, and connecting in just one blog post? You can’t — so I didn’t! I’ve written two posts you might enjoy: A day-by-day peek at what we got up to And some thoughts on why painting holidays feel so special France 2026 is filling up fast! We have just 4 rooms left at Perigord Retreats for next year. Click the button below if you'd like more details. MORE DETAILS Italy...

6 days ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader, Bookings are now open for my next European painting holiday in 2026, and I couldn’t be more excited to finally share this with you! We’ll be based at Hotel Leone, a beautifully restored 500 year old palazzo. It's now a boutique hotel nestled between the Sibillini Mountains and the Adriatic coast. Each day, we’ll explore quaint villages, sketch sunlit piazzas and landscapes, and enjoy amazing local food and wine. We’ll paint on location and in the hotel’s private studio, with...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader, Exciting news! My 2026 painting retreat in France is now open for bookings - just for my email subscribers! ✨ This year’s retreat filled up quickly, and I expect 2026 to be no different. If you’ve ever dreamed of sketching in the stunning French countryside, exploring charming villages, and sharing meals with fellow artists, this is your chance! We’ll spend nine unforgettable days at Perigord Retreats, where our wonderful hosts, Harrison & Katel, make the experience truly special....

3 months ago • 1 min read