Sketching and painting botanicals in Bali

Upon arrival at Denpasar, Bali’s international gateway, we’ll meet and greet before settling into our accommodation. The first day is deliberately left free, giving everyone time to unwind after the journey, take a refreshing dip in the pool and ease into the relaxed pace of island life.
There’s nothing planned and nowhere you need to be. Just time to rest, settle in and let the holiday begin.

-- Included: dinner, airport transfer

-- The retreat is open to all levels

We’ll begin our creative journey with a workshop dedicated to sketching flowers realistically. Taking inspiration from Bali’s extraordinary tropical flora, we’ll explore the shapes, details, textures and structures that make each flower unique. Through careful observation and guided drawing exercises, you’ll learn to capture the character and beauty of flowers on paper.
Whether you’re a beginner or already enjoy drawing, this is an opportunity to slow down, look more closely at nature and develop your confidence as an artist.

Afternoon — Time to yourself
The afternoon is free to enjoy at your own pace. Relax by the pool, explore your surroundings or spend some quiet time at the beach near the hotel.

An enchanting evening featuring a fabulous dance performance at Uluwatu Temple.
As the sun begins to set, we’ll visit the spectacular Uluwatu Temple, perched high on a dramatic cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. Here, we’ll experience the mesmerising Kecak dance, a traditional Balinese performance featuring rhythmic chanting, expressive movement and a retelling of an episode from the Ramayana epic.
Performed in an open-air amphitheatre approximately 70 metres above the ocean, the experience is made even more magical by the sweeping coastal views and the colours of the setting sun.
It’s an unforgettable introduction to Bali’s living cultural traditions — and a wonderful source of inspiration for the days ahead.

Morning — Exploring Bali’s Botanical Garden

Today, we’ll travel to the cooler highlands of Bedugul and visit the beautiful Bali Botanical Garden, Indonesia’s largest botanical garden. Surrounded by lush mountain scenery, towering trees and an extraordinary variety of tropical plants, this peaceful setting offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in nature.
We’ll spend the morning exploring the gardens, discovering fascinating plants and flowers, and finding inspiration for our sketchbooks. Through guided observation and drawing, we’ll learn to capture the distinctive shapes, patterns and delicate details of the botanical world around us.
We’ll also explore how to take photographs that work as useful reference material for future artwork. You’ll learn to look for interesting compositions, notice the play of light and shadow, and capture the details that might otherwise be forgotten once we leave the garden.

Afternoon — Rest & Rejuvenation
After a morning immersed in nature, the afternoon is yours to unwind. Return to the pool, enjoy the peaceful surroundings or spend a little time looking through your photographs and sketches. There’s no rush — just time to relax, recharge and let the morning’s inspiration settle in.

Morning — Developing Your Botanical Artwork

We’ll begin the day with a creative workshop, returning to the sketches and photographs gathered during our visit to the botanical gardens. Using these as reference material, we’ll explore how to transform individual observations into a balanced and engaging composition.
We’ll look at how to arrange flowers, leaves and botanical details on the page, considering scale, movement, negative space and the relationship between different elements. Step by step, you’ll develop your sketches into a more considered composition, creating the foundations for a finished piece of artwork.
This is a chance to build on the skills you’ve been developing while discovering your own artistic approach, with guidance and time to experiment along the way.

In the afternoon, we’ll bring our sketches to life with color during a delightful watercolor session.

Morning — A Visit to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

We’ll begin the day with a visit to the enchanting Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, the iconic water temple that sits on the shores of Lake Beratan in Bali’s cool central highlands. Surrounded by misty mountains and calm waters, this 17th-century temple is one of the island’s most recognisable landmarks.
We’ll take time to wander through the temple grounds, admire the traditional architecture and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this remarkable setting. With its reflections on the lake, intricate details and beautiful natural surroundings, it’s a wonderful place to gather inspiration and capture a few memorable photographs.
Late Morning — A Botanical Hideaway at Rumah Gemuk
Next, we’ll enjoy a coffee break and an early lunch at the beautiful Rumah Gemuk, a unique venue with a spectacular two-storey glasshouse filled with lush greenery and colourful flowers. Surrounded by manicured lawns and abundant botanical displays, it feels like stepping into a whimsical garden.
This is the perfect place to pause, enjoy something delicious and soak up the beauty of our surroundings. For anyone who loves flowers, plants and photography, there will be plenty of inspiration in every corner.

Afternoon — Onward to Ubud
After lunch, we’ll leave the highlands behind and travel to Ubud, Bali’s cultural and artistic heart. Known for its creative community, traditional crafts, lush rice fields and peaceful tropical landscapes, Ubud will be our next base for exploration and artistic discovery.
We’ll settle into our new surroundings and look forward to the next chapter of our creative journey.

We’ll begin the day with a peaceful watercolor session, bringing your previous sketches to life as beautiful botanical artworks. Explore a variety of styles, colors, and techniques, from delicate, true-to-life studies to expressive, painterly interpretations.

Batik painting workshop: Discover the traditional art of batik and create your own unique artwork, inspired by flowers, botanical motifs, or any theme that captures your imagination.

Spend the rest of the afternoon at your own pace: indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment at the resort, unwind by the pool, or wander through Ubud’s vibrant streets, discovering charming boutiques, local markets, art galleries, and hidden cafés.