# Botanical Watercolor Exploration Retreat with Artist Kelly Ventura in Greece Join artist Kelly Ventura for a life-changing art retreat on the sun-kissed island of Zakynthos, "The Flower of the East." Dive into exciting watercolor explorations alongside your favorite artist and create a vivid catalogue of botanical paintings, inspired by the island's rich flora.The retreat welcomes artists of all experience levels. Kelly will teach daily classes filled to the brim with demonstrations, one-to-one guidance, tailored advice, and fun exercises. Overcome the fear of the blank page and rediscover your playfulness and curiosity.In addition to improving your technical skills (like color mixing, creating backgrounds, painting complex pieces as well as a mini-series, and planning composition and arrangement), Kelly will encourage you to set your creativity loose. Paint in the dedicated sea-facing studio and get inspired by two exciting art trips: to the vibrant town of Zante, plus a boat trip across the waves to a mysterious shipwreck.Stay at a breezy Greek villa, soak in the sun at the nearby beach, enjoy authentic Greek cuisine bursting with flavor, and make lifelong friendships with a like-minded group of artists. ## Details - **Dates:** May 9 - 16, 2026 - **Location:** Planos, Zakynthos, Greece - **Starting Price:** $4,550 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Watercolor Botanicals Retreat Experience a transformative art retreat with artist Kelly Ventura on the sunny island of Zakynthos. Over the course of the week, work closely with your favorite artist in daily watercolor workshops, receive individualized feedback, and enhance your painting skills. This retreat also features two enriching art trips, where you'll explore Greece’s breathtaking sights and vibrant botanical treasures. Open to artists of all levels, this retreat is perfect for those looking to become more experimental in their watercolor painting, get over creative blocks, and paint beautiful floral subjects.Under Kelly’s attentive guidance, you’ll explore a looser painting style, painting botanical snapshots inspired by local flowers, plants, and herbs. Your backdrop is the vibrant island of Zakynthos, known as the "Flower of the East" by the Venetians, thanks to its over 7,000 native species of plants. Kelly's dedicated one-on-one guidance will help you fine-tune your skills and foster confidence in your artistic journey. By the end of the retreat, you'll have created multiple mini-paintings as well as larger pieces documenting the diverse flora of Zakynthos.During your classes, you’ll cover:Developing confidence in color mixingBuilding a balanced compositionCreating from natural elementsCrafting a mini-botanical seriesBecoming looser and more experimental in your styleFeeling comfortable creating larger, complex floral piecesGetting over the fear of the blank pageCharting a solid painting plan...and many more!The venue, a stunning Greek villa perched on a cliff with sweeping views of the sea, will be your creative haven. The villa offers exclusive access to a sea-facing studio, welcoming common areas, and a refreshing infinity pool, providing plenty of space to work and relax. You’ll enjoy two exciting trips: one to the historic Zante Town and another to the renowned Shipwreck Beach—both of which offer inspiring cultural experiences that you can translate into your artwork. Outside of your art sessions, unwind by the pool, savor Greek cuisine prepared by a private chef, and bond with an intimate group of fellow artists over a glass of local wine.Please note: The retreat venue is located on terraced grounds, with access to the studio, common areas, and accommodations requiring the use of stairways. The beach can be reached by descending a steep stairway of approximately 50 meters (164 feet). Additionally, the excursions involve moderate walking, so this retreat may not be ideal for those with limited mobility. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Zakynthos Airport for your 3:30 PM transfer to a breathtaking seafront venue overlooking the Mediterranean. Settle into your elegant room and take a moment to recharge before joining a guided tour of the grounds. Discover the inviting pool, the shala art studio, and thoughtfully designed communal areas. In the evening, savor a delightful three-course welcome dinner in the lively company of your fellow artists. Enjoy a glass of wine with Kelly and the group and make plans for the week ahead. ### Day 2: Art at the venue Start your morning with a delightful breakfast and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Join a brief check-in with Kelly and the venue hosts, then get ready for the first class of the retreat.In the shala studio, spend the morning getting familiar with your materials. Kelly will explain the fundamentals of watercolor, color mixing, palette setup, and brush techniques. Learn the different ways of tackling large versus small paintings, and figure out which brushes, paper types, and colors you like using best.Break for lunch with a light meal, then return to your watercolor exploration in the afternoon.Moving on from theory to practice, Kelly will demonstrate some simple exercises meant to get your creative flow going. Play with color layering, dry and wet techniques, color lifting, controlling transparency, and a suite of other watercolor basics. Using flowers at the venue as your reference, work on small botanical studies and widen your repertoire of techniques. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Kelly for help.Wrap up the day with leisure time followed by a delicious dinner prepared by the private chef. Reflect on the day’s discoveries and chat the evening away with your fellow artists. ### Day 3: Boat trip to Navagio Beach Enjoy a refreshing breakfast and a warm cup of coffee on the terrace. Prepare for the first trip of the retreat, pack your camera, and welcome the spirit of adventure as you head toward the sea.You'll spend the morning exploring the Zakynthian coast aboard a boat taxi. Depart from Porto Vromi and ride across crystalline waters, passing silent caves and jagged cliffs that echo with ancient stillness. Let the rhythm of the boat, the salt in the air, and the colors of the sea awaken your senses. You'll soon arrive at Navagio Beach, where the bones of an old shipwreck rest in the sand, rusted and storied. Take photos or make quick sketches from your boat as you hear more about the vessel's past as a (rumored) smuggling ship for the Italian mafia way back in the 1980s.After returning by boat to Porto Vromi, enjoy a nourishing lunch and some time to rest and reset before returning to the studio.In the afternoon, continue working on the paintings you've started a day prior, or sort through your reference photos from the trip. Choose your favorites and select a color palette to use in a later botanical painting. Using loose strokes, you'll create a shadow study of the flower after building a background layer. This exercise will help you abstract your subject and focus less on minute details.Spend the rest of the afternoon dipping in the pool, lounging in the sun, or going for a walk on the nearby beach. As the sun dips low, gather for a filling evening meal, perfectly paired with a glass of wine. ### Day 4: Art at the venue Ease into the day with a relaxed breakfast and a steaming cup of coffee, letting the quiet rhythm of the morning ground you.Settle into the studio with Kelly and begin working on a series of new botanical studies. You'll spend the first class creating multiple types of washes for your backgrounds. While they dry, Kelly will show you how to block out the main areas of your painting using masking fluid. You'll learn more about building a balanced composition (whether it's for a flower arrangement or a landscape), how to find the focal point of your artwork, and experiment with various floral arrangements.After a refreshing lunch, return to the studio and continue developing your pieces. Incorporate all the techniques you've tried out so far and assemble a more complex floral scene. Kelly will demonstrate her methods of building layers and creating contrast, removing the masking fluid and painting on top of it. Work at your own pace, asking your instructor for one-on-one feedback whenever you wish.Spend the rest of the day as you wish. Wander the venue grounds, float in the pool, catch some sun by the beach, or sit quietly with your thoughts. The day ends with another mouthwatering dinner prepared by the private chef. ### Day 5: Trip to Zante Town Begin the day with a gentle breakfast and fresh coffee, prepare your materials, and then get ready for the second trip of the retreat.Take a short ride to Zante Town, the lively capital of Zakynthos. Wander the streets lined with Venetian arches, sunlit balconies, and shifting shadows. Collect inspiration in the form of quick sketches or reference photos for your later studies. This time of year, you'll likely see colorful bougainvillea, often found draping the balconies of traditional Greek houses alongside roses and oleanders. Scribble, gather color inspiration, or simply shop for a souvenir as you explore Zante.Return to the venue for a nourishing lunch, then leverage the inspiration from Zante during your next class.Return to the studio after lunch for a class focused on creating intricate floral frames. Kelly will show you how to create a dense pattern inspired by the bougainvillea or other plants encountered during your trip to Zante. Take this opportunity to go even deeper into creating details and playing with color values while you work on a larger study.Evening will offer quiet time to rest, swim, or simply be. As the day closes, gather with the group for a nourishing dinner and relaxed conversation, perfectly paired with a glass of wine. ### Day 6: Art at the venue Refuel with a tasty breakfast and a cup of coffee, then get ready for another full day of classes at the venue.You'll continue exploring the diverse flora native to the island of Zakynthos. Spend the morning studying the shapes of local herbs, such as thyme, lavender, basil, or rosemary. Guided by Kelly, you'll craft a mini series of watercolor paintings, documenting the botanical diversity unique to this part of Greece.Your afternoon classes will start after a well-deserved lunch break. This is the time to mix all techniques you've covered so far, from background washes, masking fluid techniques, composition types, and value studies. Starting with the herb studies you worked on in the morning, challenge yourself by completing a new, complex piece.As the sun begins to dip, take time to rest, reflect, or keep painting at your own pace. Enjoy a delicious dinner in good company, and let the conversations flow as freely as the wine. ### Day 7: Art at the venue Share a quiet breakfast and take time to reflect on your creative journey. Return to the studio for one final morning class under Kelly's guidance.This last session is freely structured, giving you the opportunity to polish your paintings and add any final touches. Kelly will offer one-on-one guidance and give you invaluable pointers. The class ends with an open Q&A session. Ask any lingering questions, get advice from Kelly about the next step in your artistic journey, and reflect on how you'll apply what you've learned in your practice back home.After lunch, take some time to wrap up your paintings if necessary, then prepare for a special event: a celebratory mini-exhibition. This gallery showing is not compulsory, but it's a fantastic chance to discuss your favorite pieces, offer constructive feedback to your fellow artists and Kelly, and just take in the amazing progress you've made over the week.As the light softens, come together for a joyful farewell dinner. Enjoy delicious food, live Greek music, and the kind of dancing that doesn’t ask for permission. Laugh. Toast. Let the evening carry you gently through this closing moment, full of gratitude, color, and connection that will linger long after the week ends. ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy breakfast with your art group and get ready for your transfer to Zakynthos Airport (ZTH). Check-out is at 10:00 AM, and you'll arrive at the airport at around 10:30 AM. ## Instructors - **Kelly Ventura** - Fine artist, designer, teacher ## Accommodation ### Stunning Greek Estate ### Shared standard ensuite room (female only) ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Shared penthouse ### Single standard ensuite room ### Single superior ensuite room ### Single ensuite room - shared villa ### Single deluxe suite ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/botanical-watercolor-exploration-retreat-artist-kelly-ventura-greece](https://uptrek.com/retreat/botanical-watercolor-exploration-retreat-artist-kelly-ventura-greece) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*