Sketching Bali – A Creative Retreat in Charcoal, Ink & Watercolor

Upon arriving at Denpasar Airport, you’ll be greeted by a private driver who will transfer you to the retreat, located about an hour’s drive away. Check in at Arma resort is after 2 pm.
As guests will be arriving at different times, no classes are scheduled on Day 1.
Begin your retreat experience with a welcome drink and tour of the estate, exploring the serene gardens that will serve as your creative sanctuary for the week.

In the evening, gather for a delicious welcome dinner — a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow artists and share in the excitement for the creative journey ahead.

Sketchbook Ceremony: Set your intentions for the week as you personalize your sketchbook and take part in a meaningful cultural blessing to mark the beginning of your artistic experience.

-- Included: dinner, airport transfer

-- The retreat is open to all levels

Morning Session:
We’ll begin by shaking off hesitation and overcoming the fear of the blank page — the first step in our creative journey. Using charcoal and pencil, you’ll explore composition studies and drawing techniques to capture the essence of your surroundings.

Afternoon Session:
Continue your exploration with ink and watercolor washes, bringing your sketches to life with fluidity and color as you deepen your connection to the landscape.

Evening:
Experience the rich cultural heritage of Bali with a traditional Balinese dance performance — a vibrant celebration of movement, rhythm, and storytelling.

Morning Session:
guided sketching of Balinese stonework featuring gods and mythical creatures.

Afternoon Session:
Draw inspiration from ARMA Museum’s rich collection to deepen your understanding of Balinese art. Take time to sit and sketch directly in the gallery, focusing on intricate details, line work, stylization, and composition as you reflect on the visual language of the culture.

Evening:
Ubud evening scene: After dinner, enjoy a leisurely evening stroll through the city center, followed by a refreshing cocktail to end the day on a relaxed note.

Morning Session:
We begin the day immersed in nature’s quiet beauty — studying the flowing movement of water, the textures of rocks, and the organic forms of trees. Using charcoal and pencil, you’ll explore light, shadow, and composition to bring these natural elements to life on the page.

Afternoon Session:
In the afternoon, we return to the same subjects with fresh eyes and vibrant color. With watercolor as your medium, you’ll learn to capture the fluidity, depth, and atmosphere of the landscape, blending technique with personal expression.

Evening options:
As the sun sets, choose how you wish to unwind: stretch and center yourself in a gentle yoga session, indulge in a soothing massage, take a peaceful walk beneath the stars, or explore your creativity further with a hands-on batik class.

Morning Session:
Our day begins with a visit to the renowned Neka Art Museum, where you’ll journey through the rich evolution of Balinese art — from traditional styles rooted in mythology and ritual to the dynamic influence of European artists who found inspiration on the island. Surrounded by masterful works, you’ll have the chance to create quick sketches in your sketchbook, capturing the essence of this artistic dialogue between cultures.

Afternoon Session:
In the afternoon, we step into the natural world with fresh perspective. Inspired by the Balinese approach to art — fluid, symbolic, and deeply connected to the land — you’ll interpret elements of nature using ink and watercolor. Emphasis will be placed on intuitive mark-making, balance, and rhythm, channeling the spirit of the island through your brush.

Evening options:
After dinner, take time to unwind in a way that suits your spirit: join a calming yoga and meditation session to ground your energy, enjoy a restorative massage, or simply bask in the peaceful ambiance of the evening.

Morning Session:
Sketching and Painting Flora. We’ll begin the day surrounded by the delicate beauty of tropical flora. Through close observation, you'll sketch the intricate lines, textures, and shapes of local plants and flowers. Focusing on both detail and overall composition, you'll learn how to translate nature’s elegance onto the page with pencil and watercolor.

Afternoon Session:
Exploring Mood Through Colour. In the afternoon, we’ll dive into the emotional language of color. You’ll create swatches and a personalized watercolor mixing chart, experimenting with tone, transparency, and harmony. This session is all about understanding how color can shape mood and atmosphere in your work — a foundational tool for expressive, intentional painting.

Evening options:
After dinner, unwind in the way that speaks to you: stretch and center yourself in a gentle yoga session, melt into relaxation with a soothing massage, enjoy a peaceful evening walk, or keep the creativity flowing with a hands-on batik class — learning the ancient art of wax-resist textile design.

Morning Escape: Kanto Lampo & Tegenungan Waterfalls
Begin your day with an unforgettable journey into Bali’s lush, tropical heart. We’ll visit two of the island’s most breathtaking natural wonders — the cascading, terraced flow of Kanto Lampo and the dramatic rush of Tegenungan waterfall. Surrounded by mist, jungle, and the soothing sounds of water, you’ll have time to sketch on location, capturing the raw beauty and movement of these sacred places.
Midday, we’ll head to Omma Dayclub, perched above the waterfall, where you can indulge in a leisurely lunch with panoramic views. Lounge by the pool, swim, or simply relax as you dine in this oasis of tranquility and inspiration.

Afternoon:
Enjoy the afternoon at your own pace — whether resting, exploring, or diving deeper into your creative practice.

Evening:
Balinese Dance Performance: As night falls, immerse yourself in Bali’s rich cultural tradition with a captivating Balinese dance show. Through intricate gestures, vibrant costumes, and hypnotic rhythms, you’ll witness storytelling at its most enchanting.

Morning: The Blanco Museum & Interpretive Drawing
Step into the whimsical world of Antonio Blanco, Bali’s most flamboyant artist, during a morning visit to his hilltop museum overlooking the lush Campuhan River valley. Wander through rooms filled with expressive, dreamlike works and take in the artist’s bold, imaginative vision. Then, in the tranquil garden space just outside the museum — surrounded by blooming tropical plants and birdsong — you’ll begin an interpretive drawing session. Choose one element or scene that resonated with you and reinterpret it through your own creative lens.

Afternoon Session: Myth & Motif: Reimagining Balinese Stories
In the afternoon, we dive deeper into the spirit of Balinese storytelling. Using your choice of ink, watercolor, or mixed media, you’ll reimagine a Balinese myth or traditional motif, transforming it into a piece that reflects your own visual language. This is a time for experimentation, personal expression, and honoring cultural themes through contemporary eyes.

Evening options:
As the day winds down, choose your ideal way to relax: join a calming yoga or meditation session, unwind with a soothing massage, take a peaceful evening walk, or tap into a different kind of creativity with a batik class — learning the intricate art of wax-resist textile design.

Morning Session:
Our day begins in the serene courtyard of the ARMA Museum, a space rich with traditional Balinese architecture and artistic detail. Surrounded by ornately carved pillars, temple-style rooftops, and sacred motifs, you’ll explore the elegance and symbolism of Balinese design through guided drawing exercises. This is a chance to slow down, observe the intricate craftsmanship up close, and translate it onto the page with line and texture.

Afternoon Session:
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Dtukad Coffee Club, nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Tagallaland rice terraces. With sweeping views of layered green fields and palm-lined ridges, it’s the perfect setting to enjoy a relaxed lunch and some quiet, contemplative sketchbook time. Whether you’re capturing the rhythm of the landscape or simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, this is a moment to reconnect with your surroundings and your creative flow.

Evening:
After dinner, we’ll come together for an evening of gentle reflection — a chance to share insights, discoveries, and creative sparks from the day’s experiences. This gathering invites connection, inspiration, and a sense of shared journey.

Today is a gentle pause — a full day dedicated to deepening your artistic techniques and refining the sketches that have filled your journey so far. With time and space to slow down, you’ll revisit earlier pages of your sketchbook, layering new insight over initial impressions. As you redraw, rework, or simply reflect, you’ll witness how your hand has grown more confident, your eye more attuned, and your voice more distinct.
This is a day to honor your evolution — to bring focus to what you’ve learned, both technically and personally, through line, color, and composition.
Evening – Farewell Dinner & Closing Ceremony
As the sun sets on our final evening together, we’ll gather for a heartfelt Farewell Dinner — a celebration of creativity, connection, and the shared experience that has brought us here. Over delicious food and warm conversation, we’ll mark the closing of our time with a simple Closing Ceremony — a moment of gratitude, reflection, and intention to carry the spirit of this journey forward, long after the pages of your sketchbook are filled.

Final morning together with a warm and nourishing farewell breakfast — a time to share stories, laughter, and one last moment of connection with the group. Surrounded by the beauty and calm of the setting that has held our journey, we’ll reflect on the memories made, the creativity sparked, and the friendships formed along the way.

After breakfast, transportation will be arranged for those heading to the airport.