ways of seeing V
painting and drawing
Master Class Retreat 2027
June 13 - June 19 with Nathan Florence
Building on our amazing 2026 experience in Italy, in 2027 we are excited to be heading to a new location in Scotland, Inverness!
Join us for an immersive week of creative growth in the what is considered the “Gateway to the Highlands”. The long evenings of late June provide an extended ‘golden hour’ in this climate; perfect for painters. The retreat is based just outside of the Inverness city center, located at the edge of the Great Glen and Loch Ness. With beautiful mountains and waters, it is the perfect place to spend a week creating art. For added optional inspiration, we recommend a post retreat visit to Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobite Rising ended in 1746, and the 4,000 year old Clava Cairns with prehistoric burial monuments and a stone circle! Fun fact: Culloden Battlefield was featured in the hit show Outlander!
This retreat is about discovering and telling stories with your art, capturing a sense of place, and communicating your experience in the medium of your choice. Presentations and workshops will be in drawing and plein air oil painting (acrylic or watercolor are also welcome). For those interested in photography we will look at some tricks to get the best shots with your equipment. And to finish off the evenings, there’s a lovely garden hot tub, and our own little backyard bar!
Workshop Curious?
If you’d like to meet us before booking, visit our community coffee shop on Sundays! More information about Mo’s Coffee and Postum Break can be found here. Come say hi!
or just dive in and book your week of art below!!
Inverness, Scotland
June 13-19, 2027
2027 prices coming soon!
Price: $xxxx based on double occupancy. Limited single rooms available at various prices. Partner options below.
Single Rooms: add $xxxx (limited availability)
Includes: 5 days tuition, 6 nights accommodation, two meals per day.
Age: 18+ with exceptions for 15+ accompanied by parent.
Location: Inverness, Scotland
Courses of study: Oil painting and drawing.
Workshop size: 16 - 18 spots available
Experience: All levels welcome
About the Experience
The stunning location is ideal for an immersive, creative experience like no other. Participants will learn about narrative painting, the landscape, and how to think about composition and the use of color in your work. We will also talk about pursuing a personal vision and visual story-telling. We will be working alongside each other and sharing feedback in nightly group discussions as well as one on one instruction with the opportunity to discuss personal goals and direction in your work.
The Laird’s Lodge is perfect for sharing our experiences in the evening. Over plates of local fish and chips and a glass of whisky, it is a place to pin up drawings and paintings, hear an impromptu performance of a new song, poetry or story reading, etc. This is the creative circle; where the air crackles with passionate conversation!
Breakfast and lunch are included in the workshop experience, hosted at the lodge in one of the various dining rooms. Coffee, tea, and biscuits will be available as needed! In the evenings, we will explore the town and find a local pub to enjoy dinner, and perhaps music. In free time, participants will be able to wander to River Ness, local lochs, and explore the city center.
Did we mention the outdoor hot tub and the in house bar “The Tipsy Laird”?
The focus of the workshop is the creative community and working where we are, so if you’d like to visit some of the popular museums and sites we recommend adding a few days after the workshop to explore Inverness further and the rest of Scotland.
What People are Saying
“Helped me look more deeply at each scene and spend more time painting and not using a pencil before hand. Also helped me take advantage of and use contrasting light and contrasting colors. Even if you have abundant skills, this is a wonderful time to spend a whole week, practicing your skills in a supportive environment with supportive people.”
-Jackie
"Getting to see how an artist thinks and approaches tackling their own expression of the world around them has been very helpful. Working directly from life is something I haven't done much of since school and plein air is something I'd never really done."
-Dave
“The most meaningful part of the creative experience was painting alongside Nathan, seeing how he approached a scene, and “tips” he gave me on my work. The whole trip was well planned and worked well logistically. The venue was perfect, Nathan was patient, flexible, [there was] never a sense of feeling rushed.”
-Brian
“I have grown so much. I see the world differently by appreciating my environment around me in a creative light. While I learned about photography, I learned even more about myself, what I enjoy, and how I can continue to create in my day-to-day life. And most importantly…learn how to stop and be present and enjoy my surroundings.”
-Rebecca
Proposed Schedule
Instruction: Monday through Friday, morning daily painting sessions, presentations and evening group critiques/discussions are available to all participating artists.
Daily Local Destinations: We will begin by exploring our immediate environs of Inverness and its sublime views. We will paint/draw in the afternoon and then enjoy an early supper to take advantage of the long evening light for an evening session.
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delicious home cooked meals
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"Glen Achall" by Nathan Florence
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chatting with the artists
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beautiful landscapes
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"Red Tower" by Nathan Florence
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"view from Rhue Lighthouse" by Nathan Florence
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art in the garden
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"Blue Fields" by Nathan Florence
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Painting in Ullapool, Scotland
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views from La Pineta
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"Loch Broom" by Nathan Florence
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Painting at Achmelvich Bay, Scotland
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"Limone" by Nathan Florence
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amazing seafood
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"towards East Rhidorroch" by Nathan Florence
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Nathan Florence
PAINTING/DRAWING
I see everything around me in terms of how I would paint it. Everything can be used to make something out of and almost anything can be hacked to make it better.
I have been teaching people to see, draw, paint and create for over 20 years. Art is about communicating, and learning how to do that better makes life richer.
Follow me on Instagram/TikTok!
@picturesofflorence
FAQ and stuff.
What's included?
5 days tuition - 6 nights accommodation
2 meals per day - Tea, coffee - Solvents for painting
Prices
2027 prices coming soon!!
$xxxx-participating artist-shared accommodations
$xxxx-Participating Partner (or parent of 15+ yo.)
$xxxx-Bring a non-participating partner or friend
You are welcome to bring along a travel companion with you who will not be participating in the workshop. Partners can join all of our meals and activities and become a part of our group. Double rooms with Queen beds are available.
+ $xxxx for a single room
The location is just outside of town so any activities away from the group need to be self-supported. You may want to consider renting your own vehicle in this situation, but we are happy to advise.
The Food
We will be providing two meals a day, including breakfast and lunch at the lodge. Local restaurants are varied and delicious so plan to eat out for dinner! There is an in lodge bar and we will do a cream tea some time during the week. Coffee and tea will be available throughout the day!
Materials list, itinerary & more information
Participants are responsible for their own equipment according to course of study.
Materials list for painters is here.
Transfer Information
Artists are responsible for getting to Inverness from the airport and back, but we are happy to help figure out the best way for you.
Booking information
Click here to confirm your place on this retreat. You will be connected to a Google form and we will contact regarding best payment information for you. $750 deposit or the full workshop fee are required for reservation. Terms and conditions can be found on the booking page.