There is something truly special about spending time immersed in creativity. At Big Raven Farm, we believe that art is more than just painting, it is an experience that reconnects you to your senses, sparks joy, and encourages exploration. This year, we are thrilled to introduce a brand-new Watercolor Retreat designed to do exactly that. This retreat is on October 22 to 25, 2026. Whether you have never picked up a brush or you are looking to refine your skills, this retreat provides a welcoming, supportive environment to explore watercolor in all its beauty and versatility.
Watercolor is a medium loved for its ability to capture light, movement, and emotion in ways that feel almost magical. Unlike other art forms, it allows for spontaneity, experimentation, and playful discovery. At Big Raven Farm, we take that spirit and craft a retreat that is both nurturing and inspiring. Over a weekend, you will learn foundational techniques, explore specialty methods, and leave with a collection of artworks you can proudly display or gift to loved ones.
A Retreat Designed for All Skill Levels
One of the most exciting things about this watercolor retreat is that no prior drawing experience is required. We meet each student where they are and provide all the tools and guidance needed to succeed. Templates are offered for select projects so you can focus on the painting process without worrying about sketching every line. The goal is to remove barriers and make creating accessible, fun, and stress-free.
From the first brush stroke to your final painting, our instructors guide you through a carefully curated set of exercises and projects. You will learn to master fundamental techniques such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, layering, lifting, glazing, dry brush, splatter, masking fluid, salt textures, gradient washes, and more. Each technique is explored in the context of a creative project so you gain both practical skills and artistic confidence.
Meet Your Instructor
This retreat is a hands-on instructional workshop designed to help you truly understand watercolor, making it an ideal experience for beginners as well as those looking to strengthen their skills.
Your instructor, Emily, is a professional watercolor artist based in Madison, Wisconsin. Before becoming a full-time artist, she spent a decade as an elementary school teacher. That background shaped the way she approaches teaching today, with a focus on clarity, patience, and building confidence in every student.
Emily is known for her detailed custom pet portraits and vibrant botanical paintings. She regularly leads watercolor workshops and creates tutorials and watercolor kits for artists who want to develop real, lasting skills. Her teaching style blends technical expertise with a warm, encouraging approach that helps students feel comfortable experimenting and learning at their own pace.
Throughout the retreat, Emily and Joleen will demonstrate each technique step by step, offer personalized feedback, and help you feel confident as you paint. You will have structured instruction, practical guidance, and plenty of encouragement and fun along the way.
Explore a Variety of Subjects
During the retreat, you will create a series of paintings that range from delicate miniature butterflies to crisp white daisies, dreamy birch trees, and a vibrant door scene adorned with bougainvillea. Each project is designed to build your technical skills while keeping the process joyful and approachable. By the end of the weekend, you will have a collection of finished works that demonstrate your growth and celebrate your unique artistic voice.
We encourage experimentation and personal expression which means no two paintings are ever the same. You will be surprised at the results you can achieve when you embrace playfulness and curiosity. Whether your strokes are bold and vibrant or soft and subtle, every piece you create contributes to your artistic journey.
Professional Tools for a Professional Experience
At Big Raven Farm, we understand the importance of high-quality materials in the creative process. Every student has access to professional-grade paints from Daniel Smith, luxurious brushes from Silver Limited (Black Velvet), and archival paper from Arches. Using premium supplies ensures that your paintings not only look stunning but also stand the test of time.
In addition to the materials you use during the retreat, you will leave with written instructions for each project. These guides allow you to recreate the techniques at home and continue your watercolor practice with confidence.
Learning in a Supportive, Small-Group Community
One of the most enriching aspects of a Big Raven Farm retreat is the community you join. Our workshops foster a supportive environment where curiosity, experimentation, and growth are encouraged. To keep the experience personal and meaningful, we limit each retreat to a maximum of 16 participants. This small group setting ensures individualized guidance and plenty of time for questions, feedback, and one-on-one instruction.
You will have the chance to connect with fellow artists, share insights, and celebrate each other’s progress. Learning watercolor in a group has a unique energy. Inspiration is contagious. As you witness other participants exploring and trying new techniques, you may find yourself pushed to expand your own boundaries. It is this combination of guidance, collaboration, and creative freedom that makes our retreats so memorable.
Techniques You Will Master
Watercolor is a versatile medium that can feel unpredictable at times. Our retreat is designed to teach both foundational techniques and specialty methods that will empower you to take control of your paintings while still embracing the natural flow of water and pigment.
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Wet-on-Wet: Achieve soft, dreamy blends by applying paint to damp paper, allowing colors to flow naturally
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Wet-on-Dry: Create sharp, defined shapes with control over edges and color saturation
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Layering and Glazing: Build depth and luminosity through transparent layers of color
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Lifting: Remove pigment to create highlights or correct mistakes
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Dry Brush: Add texture and detail with a minimal amount of water
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Splatter Techniques: Introduce playful, dynamic effects to your compositions
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Masking Fluid: Preserve areas of your painting for bright highlights and intricate details
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Salt Textures: Create organic patterns and textures in washes
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Gradient Washes: Transition smoothly from dark to light tones for dramatic effects
By practicing these techniques in the context of guided projects, you will gain confidence and develop your own style. Each exercise builds upon the last, giving you a sense of accomplishment and a growing toolkit of watercolor skills.
A Weekend of Relaxation and Creativity
Our Watercolor Retreat is not just about learning techniques, it is an invitation to slow down and connect with your creativity. The setting of Big Raven Farm provides a tranquil backdrop for reflection and inspiration. Surrounded by nature, you can step away from the distractions of daily life and immerse yourself fully in your artistic practice.
Time is structured to balance instruction with personal exploration. You can spend quiet moments observing the world around you, experimenting with color, or engaging in open studio time. Each day blends guided lessons, hands-on practice, and opportunities for playful experimentation. The result is a weekend that feels both enriching and rejuvenating.
Take Your Skills Home
One of the key benefits of this retreat is that learning does not end when you leave. Each participant receives written instructions for every project, allowing you to recreate the techniques and artworks at home. With professional paints, brushes, and paper, you can continue your watercolor journey beyond the retreat and expand on the skills you have learned.
Many participants find that the confidence gained during the retreat translates into a deeper sense of creative freedom. You may start experimenting with new subjects, styles, or approaches to painting. The tools, techniques, and inspiration you gain at Big Raven Farm become a foundation for ongoing artistic growth.
Why Big Raven Farm Retreats Are Unique
What sets Big Raven Farm apart is our emphasis on connection, creativity, and care. Our retreats are designed to be welcoming to all skill levels, ensuring that every participant feels supported and encouraged. The combination of professional instruction, high-quality materials, and a nurturing environment creates a unique space for exploration and growth.
Every retreat is infused with intentionality and thoughtfulness. We carefully select projects that are both accessible and inspiring, offer guidance without pressure, and create a rhythm that encourages learning at your own pace. This approach allows you to leave not only with a set of beautiful paintings but also with a deeper appreciation for your own creative potential.
Who Should Attend
The Watercolor Retreat is perfect for anyone looking to explore watercolor in a relaxed, hands-on setting. It is ideal for:
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Beginners who have never painted before but want a supportive environment to start learning
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Intermediate painters who want to refine their technique and try new methods
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Artists looking for inspiration, creative connection, and a chance to experiment without judgment
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Anyone who wants a rejuvenating weekend immersed in nature, creativity, and community
No matter your experience level, you will find yourself challenged in exciting ways while having fun with the process.
Join Our Brand-New, Small-Group Watercolor Retreat
Watercolor is more than a medium; it is a journey of exploration, patience, and joy. Our brand-new retreat at Big Raven Farm invites you to step away from the ordinary, try something new, and connect with your artistic voice. We limit the retreat to just 16 participants, so each student receives personalized attention and support throughout the weekend. Over the course of the retreat, you will leave with a portfolio of completed works, a set of new skills, and memories of a supportive and inspiring creative community.
Spaces are limited to ensure a high-quality experience for every participant. If you are ready to embrace the beauty of watercolor, experiment with techniques, and nurture your creative spirit, we invite you to join us today.
Reserve your spot now and be one of the first to experience this brand-new, small-group retreat at Big Raven Farm.
Embrace Your Creative Journey
Art has a unique power to transform our perception, calm our minds, and connect us to the world around us. At Big Raven Farm, we are passionate about creating experiences that cultivate creativity, confidence, and community. Our Watercolor Retreat is designed to provide all of these and more.
Whether your goal is to start a new hobby, build on existing skills, or simply spend a weekend immersed in creative joy, this retreat offers a safe and inspiring space to grow. You will leave not only with beautiful paintings but also with a renewed sense of possibility and connection to your artistic self.
Discover the magic of watercolor and let your creativity flourish at Big Raven Farm. We cannot wait to welcome you.
For more creative inspiration, explore our past retreats and tips for bringing art into your daily life.