Watercolor Workshops, Fine Art Paintings & Prints

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Poster promoting a Scotland watercolor journaling retreat: 'Paint Your Next Chapter' over a castle and valley landscape on the left.] (concise version)
White-washed farm buildings along a gravel driveway with a stone wall, under a blue sky with trees in the background.
Open hallway leading to a bright gathering space; blue doors frame the entrance and a long geometric rug sits at the threshold.
Hands forming a heart frame around a snow-capped mountain and pine forest.
Stone tower rising from a dense forest on a hill, with rugged mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
Close-up of a bagpiper playing outdoors, wearing a green plaid kilt and white shirt.
Stone fortress gate with round towers, archway, and blue sky above; cobbled foreground.
A gray plate holds a bean and grain salad with edamame, feta, herbs, and a lime wedge on the side.
Boathouse with a green roof sits on a still lake, surrounded by autumn trees and their reflection in the water.
A bottle pours white wine into a glass over a spread of bread, olives, and cherry tomatoes on a table.
Open-plan living area with a pastel pink kitchen wall, turquoise retro fridge, black cabinets, and a hanging macrame chair by a glass door.
Hotel bedroom with a bold pink tropical wallpaper, green velvet headboard, and a king-size bed dressed in white linens with pink-green accents.
Pink-walled bathroom with white subway tiles, round backlit mirror, and a wooden vanity with vessel sink beside a glass, black-framed shower stall.
Watercolor illustration of a tall stone house with multiple windows, greenery at its base, and handwritten text on the right side.
Watercolor illustration of a seaside cottage with a winding path, stone wall, and lush hedges under a blue sky.
Watercolor illustration of a house with a blue gate, stone wall, and lush greenery, plus cursive text about Inis Oirr, Ireland—September 2022.
Watercolor illustration of a gray corner house with red-trimmed windows, a tree on the left, and a blue sky with handwritten text across the top right.
Colorful row houses with a Gothic cathedral on the right and a bright blue sky, in a watercolor-style illustration of Cork, Ireland.
Purple front door framed by an arched doorway, with green ivy covering the right side and decorative wrought-iron railings.
Watercolor illustration of a rocky island with ruined castle ruins on the right, calm blue sea at the bottom, and large cursive text overlay on the left.

About the Artist

SWPortrait

Sarah Whyte is a dual Canadian-American citizen, former teacher, and current watercolour artist and instructor based in western Canada. She finds her greatest joy in painting the beauty around her and sharing her knowledge and passion with fellow creatives. After years of teaching her craft, Sarah is moving on to her next dream: taking small groups of students to learn and paint and explore in beautiful new places around the world.

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Poster promoting a Scotland watercolor journaling retreat: 'Paint Your Next Chapter' over a castle and valley landscape on the left.] (concise version)
White-washed farm buildings along a gravel driveway with a stone wall, under a blue sky with trees in the background.
Open hallway leading to a bright gathering space; blue doors frame the entrance and a long geometric rug sits at the threshold.
Hands forming a heart frame around a snow-capped mountain and pine forest.
Stone tower rising from a dense forest on a hill, with rugged mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
Close-up of a bagpiper playing outdoors, wearing a green plaid kilt and white shirt.
Stone fortress gate with round towers, archway, and blue sky above; cobbled foreground.
A gray plate holds a bean and grain salad with edamame, feta, herbs, and a lime wedge on the side.
Boathouse with a green roof sits on a still lake, surrounded by autumn trees and their reflection in the water.
A bottle pours white wine into a glass over a spread of bread, olives, and cherry tomatoes on a table.
Open-plan living area with a pastel pink kitchen wall, turquoise retro fridge, black cabinets, and a hanging macrame chair by a glass door.
Hotel bedroom with a bold pink tropical wallpaper, green velvet headboard, and a king-size bed dressed in white linens with pink-green accents.
Pink-walled bathroom with white subway tiles, round backlit mirror, and a wooden vanity with vessel sink beside a glass, black-framed shower stall.
Watercolor illustration of a tall stone house with multiple windows, greenery at its base, and handwritten text on the right side.
Watercolor illustration of a seaside cottage with a winding path, stone wall, and lush hedges under a blue sky.
Watercolor illustration of a house with a blue gate, stone wall, and lush greenery, plus cursive text about Inis Oirr, Ireland—September 2022.
Watercolor illustration of a gray corner house with red-trimmed windows, a tree on the left, and a blue sky with handwritten text across the top right.
Colorful row houses with a Gothic cathedral on the right and a bright blue sky, in a watercolor-style illustration of Cork, Ireland.
Purple front door framed by an arched doorway, with green ivy covering the right side and decorative wrought-iron railings.
Watercolor illustration of a rocky island with ruined castle ruins on the right, calm blue sea at the bottom, and large cursive text overlay on the left.

REGISTRATION OPENING SOON!

Paint Your Next Chapter – Scotland 2027

Class Details

Something new is coming. Next October, I’ll take a group of women to the Scottish countryside for a week of watercolour journaling, painting by Loch Lomond, wandering through Stirling, and plenty of room to learn, connect and explore. All skill levels welcome. If you’d like to be the first to know, request retreat details at the link.

Description

Watercolour Journaling in the Scottish Countryside

October 10–17, 2027 · Buchlyvie, Scotland

What if your next chapter began with a paintbrush, a journal, and a little adventure?

Imagine a week away from everyday routines, surrounded by the beauty of the Scottish countryside, with time to explore, create, and discover the joy of capturing life’s moments through watercolour journaling. We’ll paint, wander, laugh, learn, and fill our journals with the colours, stories, and memories of our time together.

Whether you’re beginning a new chapter in life or simply longing for a little more creativity and adventure, I’d love for you to join me.

Paint Your Next Chapter is more than a holiday. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in watercolour, explore somewhere beautiful, and enjoy the company of women who share your curiosity and love of learning.

This is a hands-on art retreat, with daily instruction, demonstrations, and plenty of individual guidance. All skill levels are welcome, whether you come on your own or with a friend. There’s room to learn, explore, and enjoy the experience at your own pace.

Space will be limited to a small group.

WHY I’M CREATING THESE RETREATS

Over my years of teaching, I’ve noticed that women often arrive at class carrying more than just their paints. Sometimes they’re looking for a creative outlet, sometimes for connection, and sometimes they’re simply curious about what might come next.

I recognize a little of that in myself, too. I’m at a stage in life where making time for the things that bring me joy, challenge me, and help me grow feels more important than ever.

One of my favourite parts of teaching is watching someone surprise herself. A colour mix that finally works. A journal page she didn’t think she could create. A conversation over the paint water that turns into a friendship.

That’s what inspired Paint Your Next Chapter. I wanted to create something that brings together meaningful art instruction, the inspiration of a beautiful destination, and the opportunity to share it with other women.

You’ll go home with a journal full of paintings, stories, and memories. What else you discover along the way is entirely up to you.

 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

This retreat is all about watercolour journaling: learning to capture how a place feels (not just how it looks), and the reaction it provokes in you. Each day includes focused instruction, demonstrations, and plenty of one-on-one feedback, with time to put it all into practice in the studio and on location.

Together, we’ll explore:

  • Creating a colour palette inspired by your surroundings
  • Noticing the small details that are easy to overlook
  • Capturing the feel and atmosphere of a place
  • Loose brushwork and expressive mark-making
  • Bringing pen and mixed media into your journal
  • Understanding visual hierarchy, so your pages feel balanced and intentional
  • Developing a journaling style that feels like your own

We’ll work in a fully equipped studio at the estate and sketch on location during our trips to Loch Lomond and Stirling. There’s no best painting in the room. We learn together, encourage one another, and each go home with a journal that is entirely our own.

No pressure to keep up with every technique. Take what’s useful, skip what isn’t, and paint at your own pace for the rest of the day.

IS THIS RETREAT FOR YOU?

If you’re drawn to watercolour, curious about journaling, and ready for an adventure of your own, you’ll fit right in.

  • All skill levels are welcome. Projects give newer painters clear support and experienced painters room to make the work their own.
  • Coming on your own? You won’t be the only one. There’s plenty of chance to connect, and just as much permission to enjoy a little quiet time when you need it.
  • Join in at your own pace. Connection is invited, never required.

YOUR WEEK IN SCOTLAND

Here’s a look at how the week unfolds. The exact schedule may shift a little with the weather and the group’s plans.

Day 1 · Arrival
Fly into Edinburgh, where a private transfer at a pre-arranged time brings you to the estate. Settle in, meet the group, and enjoy a welcome dinner together.

Day 2 · In the Studio
Our first full day of classes. We’ll start with the foundations of watercolour journaling and begin your first pages together.

Day 3 · Loch Lomond
A half-day art trip to the shores of Loch Lomond, with time to sketch and paint on location.

Day 4 · In the Studio
Back in the studio to build on what we gathered by the loch, with demonstrations and one-on-one guidance.

Day 5 · Stirling
A full-day art trip to Stirling. Wander the historic old town beneath Stirling Castle, visit the Wallace Monument, and sketch on location along the way.

Day 6 · Studio and Whisky Tasting
A day of classes, followed by an evening whisky tasting at the estate featuring local varieties.

Day 7 · Studio and Farewell
Our final classes, then a special farewell dinner and a campfire with Scottish ceilidh music and dancing.

Day 8 · Departure
A private transfer back to Edinburgh Airport, with a journal full of Scotland.
In your free time, you’re welcome to take an optional, self-guided walk to the village of Buchlyvie, about 15 minutes from the estate along a quiet country road.

YOUR HOME FOR THE WEEK

We’ll have a peaceful countryside estate all to ourselves for the week, surrounded by tranquil gardens and rustic Scottish scenery. There’s comfortable accommodation, a spacious art studio with professional lighting, and outdoor hot tubs looking out over the landscape.
Meals are prepared by a private chef, with wine served at dinner each evening, and every diet is catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and diabetic. Between classes, there’s time to relax, recharge, and get to know one another over a cup of tea.

GETTING THERE

Fly into Edinburgh Airport. A private roundtrip transfer between the airport and the venue is included and arranged at a prearranged time for guests.

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Daily art classes, demonstrations and individual guidance
  • 7 nights’ accommodation at a private countryside estate, with exclusive use of the property, studio, hot tubs, terraces and gardens
  • A fully equipped studio with tables, chairs, easels, table-top easels, artist stools, professional lighting, water cups and paper towels
  • All meals by a private chef: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners and 5 mid-morning fresh juices, including a special welcome and farewell dinner
  • Water, coffee, herbal tea and snacks throughout the day, and wine with dinner
  • A half-day art trip to Loch Lomond and a full-day art trip to Stirling, including the Wallace Monument
  • An in-house whisky tasting and a farewell campfire with ceilidh music and dancing
  • Private transportation and a chaperone for all trips and planned activities
  • Round-trip transfers from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) at pre-arranged times
  • A dedicated UpTrek retreat coordinator throughout the week
  • All local tourist taxes and fees
  • A private Facebook group with me and your fellow guests, opening four months before we go

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Travel insurance (recommended)
  • Art supplies. I’ll share a detailed list of recommended materials five months before the retreat.
  • Lunch on the Stirling day trip
  • Gratuities for staff
  • Personal expenses

PRICING & PAYMENT

From $4,800 USD per guest

Pricing depends on the room you choose, from a shared room for friends travelling together to a private villa. All prices are in US dollars.

Room option Price per guest (USD)
Shared rooms (two guests per room) $4,800 – $4,900
Single rooms $5,500 – $6,200
Deluxe ensuite room or private villa $6,400 – $6,500

When you reserve through UpTrek, you won’t be charged right away. Your payment is processed once the retreat is confirmed, and UpTrek will be in touch 48 hours before charging your card. If the retreat doesn’t go ahead for any reason, you won’t be charged.

 

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I’m a watercolour artist and instructor based in Alberta, Canada, and a former teacher. My own paintings are patient and detailed, but in class I love helping students loosen up, experiment, and find their own way of seeing.

Watching a group of women paint, explore and laugh together for a week in Italy this fall confirmed everything I hoped these retreats could be. I can’t wait to bring that same warmth, encouragement and real learning to Scotland.

 

Book Your Spot Now!
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