# Greek Watercolor Botanicals Art Retreat with Artist Harriet de Winton in Greece Immerse yourself in a week of watercolor and botanical inspiration with artist Harriet de Winton on the sunlit island of Zakynthos, Greece. With sea air in your lungs and views of golden cliffs stretching along the horizon, you’ll step into a space designed to support creativity and connection through nature. Harriet will guide you through the art of painting plants and flowers in watercolor, using the landscape and native flora of the island as your source of discovery. This retreat is open to anyone drawn to botanical art, whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or returning to it with fresh energy.Work each day in a bright studio that opens to the sea, where Harriet shares her approach through live demonstrations and personal support. You’ll build confidence in color mixing, explore shape and detail, and develop the flow of your own artistic style. Beyond the studio, your inspiration will continue in Zante Town, where climbing vines and sun-aged walls catch the eye at every turn, and during a boat trip to Navagio Beach, where a rusted shipwreck rests beneath high cliffs and shifting light.Stay in a peaceful Greek villa surrounded by island stillness and open skies. Meals are prepared daily by a local chef using fresh ingredients. Evenings offer space for whatever you need, whether continuing to paint, reflecting in solitude, or enjoying the company of fellow artists. You’ll leave the island with a body of watercolor work shaped by your time in Greece and the creative energy to carry it forward. ## Details - **Dates:** October 3 - 10, 2026 - **Location:** Planos, Zakynthos, Greece - **Starting Price:** $4,650 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Greek Watercolor Botanicals Art Retreat Join a rejuvenating art retreat with artist Harriet de Winton on the breathtaking island of Zakynthos, Greece. Throughout the week, work closely with her in daily watercolor workshops, receiving individual feedback to help you develop and refine your painting practice. Spend time in the villa’s sunlit studio or settle into the open terrace, painting pieces shaped by the island’s coastal plants and textured land. Two art-centered outings will spark your imagination. Walk through the streets of Zante Town, where architecture, color, and culture blend across time. Travel by boat to Shipwreck Beach, where limestone cliffs rise above clear water and light plays across every surface.This retreat welcomes artists with a wide range of experience, whether you're starting fresh or returning to your practice with new curiosity.With Harriet’s guidance, you’ll focus on watercolor techniques that draw from the surrounding plant life and scenery. Each session opens space to explore composition, build a more intuitive use of color, and blend natural elements into your work. Harriet will be available throughout to support your process and help you step more confidently into your creative rhythm.During your workshops, you'll cover:The fundamentals of watercolor painting How to study a plant or flower and knowing where to begin painting it How to choose a color paletteHow to compose an arrangement on the page How to create beautiful pieces of art that you can hang on the wall and be proud of An appreciation for observing natureThe therapeutic calm that watercolor painting can bring How to paint watercolor in different settings To enjoy the pure joy of creation...and much more!Your venue, a stunning Greek villa perched high above the sea, offers the perfect setting to reconnect with your creativity. Paint every day in a sea-facing studio, connect with fellow artists in inviting shared spaces, and relax by a serene infinity pool. Delight in chef-prepared Greek cuisine and local wines, form lifelong friendships, and taste the wealth of Greek hospitality. As you slow down and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Zakynthos, you’ll find your artistic voice strengthened and your perspective renewed.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 trips 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 Harriet and the group and plan out the week ahead. ### Day 2: Art at the venue Begin your morning with a nourishing breakfast and ease into the day with the group over coffee, sharing thoughts and setting the tone together.The day opens with a hands-on session led by Harriet, diving into the fundamentals of botanical watercolor painting. She’ll demonstrate essential techniques and show you how to work with watercolors to highlight the intricate beauty of flowers and foliage. You’ll explore washes, layering, and expressive brushwork to bring out the subtle textures of leaves and petals. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Zakynthos, you’ll paint outdoors in the soft morning light, inspired by fragrant citrus trees, silvery olive groves, and bursts of color from the garden.After a satisfying lunch, the afternoon invites you to explore your creativity even more freely. With the Greek sun above and the vibrant garden around you, you’ll continue working in watercolor, playing with color blending and brushstrokes as Harriet offers thoughtful feedback and encouragement. The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive, making it easy to stay present with your work.As the day winds down, take time to recharge however you like, whether by dipping into the pool, enjoying time with fellow artists, or continuing to paint at your own pace. Then gather once more for a shared evening meal, enjoying good company and the glow of sunset over the Zakynthos countryside. ### Day 3: Boat trip to Navagio Beach Enjoy a refreshing breakfast and a warm cup of coffee out on the terrace, taking in the fresh sea air and the calm of the morning.Set out on a boat ride along the coast of Zakynthos, departing from Porto Vromi. Drift over clear, gentle waters past sea-carved caves and towering cliffs. Wild coastal plants cling to the limestone, softening the rugged rock with flashes of green. As you move through this dramatic landscape, take note of the way light touches the cliffs, how the sea shifts in color, and the details of the flora that thrive in the salt air. Arriving at Navagio Beach, you’ll view the MV Panagiotis shipwreck from the boat, resting quietly in the cove with rusted textures and sun-bleached tones that contrast against the bright blues of the sea and sky.Return by boat to Porto Vromi, then enjoy a relaxed lunch at the venue before settling in for an afternoon of painting.In the afternoon, Harriet will guide you through a painting session inspired by the coastal journey. You’ll work from your memories, sketches, and photographs of the plants, textures, and colors that stood out to you during the boat ride. With Harriet’s guidance, explore expressive ways to capture botanical elements from the shoreline, playing with brushwork, color mixing, and compositional choices that reflect your personal response to the morning’s experience.Afterwards, take time for yourself. Swim, wander, or rest as the afternoon light shifts around you. As the sun begins to set, come together again for an evening meal and enjoy the ease of a day well spent on Zakynthos. ### Day 4: Art at the venue After a nourishing breakfast, join Harriet and your fellow artists for a relaxed morning check-in.The morning invites creative exploration with watercolors. Draw inspiration from the natural elements gathered during your sailing trip along the Ionian coast, along with the coastal flora unique to Zakynthos. Work with color blending, observe the delicate textures of petals, and study the forms of plants shaped by sea and wind. Harriet will guide you through techniques that help bring these botanical subjects to life, supporting you as you develop confidence and refine your brushwork.After a satisfying lunch, shift your focus to simple landscapes inspired by the surroundings. The land, shaped by olive groves and hillside trees, offers scenes full of movement and atmosphere. Settle into an outdoor spot and observe how sunlight transforms the landscape in front of you. Harriet will demonstrate ways to reflect what you see in your work, using layered washes and thoughtful brushwork to build form and atmosphere.Spend the rest of the afternoon in your own rhythm. Continue painting, cool off with a swim, or find a comfortable spot to recharge. In the evening, gather again for a filling dinner and unhurried conversation as the day comes to a gentle close. ### Day 5: Trip to Zante Town Greet the new day with a delicious breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee. Prepare your materials, grab your sketchbook, and get ready for the second trip of the retreat.Take a short ride to Zante Town, the capital of Zakynthos. Wander through its shaded streets where stone buildings show their age with warmth and character. Balconies bloom with color, shutters fade in the sun, and textures shift with each corner. Sketch what draws your attention or gather reference photos for later. Venetian architecture offers visual rhythm, and the frescoed interiors of old churches hold beautiful details. You might also find yourself drawn to tucked-away houses or sunlit courtyards near the sea.Return to the venue for a nourishing lunch and take time to reset before diving back into your work.In the afternoon, join Harriet for a watercolor session shaped by the impressions of the morning. Use your notes and sketches to begin developing a piece that reflects your experience of Zante. Focus on the contrast between built structures and organic growth, the warmth of surfaces, or the color tones that stayed with you. Settle into an outdoor space where nearby plants and open air deepen your connection to the work. Harriet will offer guidance as you bring your vision to life.Close out the day in your own rhythm. Spend time in the water, continue painting, or rest before coming together again for dinner as the light softens across the sky. ### Day 6: Art at the venue On the sixth day of your retreat in Greece, begin with a hearty breakfast and a relaxed coffee check-in with your fellow artists.Spend the morning returning to the pieces you’ve created during the retreat. Focus on refining your color choices and incorporating botanical elements you’ve observed into a seasonal study. With Harriet’s guidance, explore ways to mix and layer pigments that echo the richness of local flora. Use your earlier sketches as a starting point and develop compositions that feel rooted in your experience. You might build a loose bouquet or paint individual elements as a series of small studies. Work outdoors if you feel drawn to the light, where the warmth of the island helps bring out subtle tones in your palette.After a satisfying lunch, continue developing your pieces during an open afternoon session. This is your chance to reflect on what you’ve made so far and take your work further. You can focus on depth, build contrast, or follow a new direction. Harriet will be present throughout, offering thoughtful support as you shape your final touches.As the light changes, spend the rest of the day in your own rhythm. You might return to your painting or step away for a while to recharge. In the evening, gather again for a shared dinner and enjoy the ease of being together as night falls. ### Day 7: Art at the venue Kick off your final day with a delicious breakfast, taking a moment to enjoy the morning light and the calm atmosphere of Zakynthos before stepping into a day of creativity and reflection.The morning is dedicated to short one-on-one sessions with Harriet, giving space for focused attention on your individual artistic path. You’ll have the chance to refine your style, ask any questions still on your mind, and bring thoughtful finishing touches to your watercolor pieces with Harriet’s guidance.After a satisfying lunch, the day’s highlight begins with a mini-exhibition. Share your completed paintings, see the work of others, and take time to appreciate how each artist interpreted the island’s landscape and plant life. This gathering is both celebration and inspiration, offering a meaningful close to the week and planting ideas for what might come next in your creative journey.As the sun begins to set, come together for a final farewell dinner. Live Greek music fills the space, and the evening unfolds with food, dancing, and a feeling of joy that carries through every moment. ### 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 - **Harriet de Winton** - Artist and watercolor teacher ## Accommodation ### Stunning Greek Estate ### Shared standard ensuite room ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Shared penthouse ### Single standard ensuite room ### Single superior ensuite room ### Single ensuite room - shared villa with private pool ### Single deluxe suite ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/greek-watercolor-botanicals-art-retreat-artist-harriet-de-winton-greece](https://uptrek.com/retreat/greek-watercolor-botanicals-art-retreat-artist-harriet-de-winton-greece) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*