3-day Encaustic Painting Retreat

September 25–27
Take Flight!
A 3-day Immersive for Encaustic Painters
McGuffey Art Center, Studio 22B, Charlottesville

This intimate retreat is for encaustic painters ready to strengthen their technique, develop their visual language, work in a series, explore scale, and give sustained attention to their practice.

With just 6 spots available, this long weekend offers generous work time, individualized support, technical guidance, and time to pursue a cohesive series of works. (4 spots remain)

What experience is required?

If you are already familiar with the encaustic painting process and are ready to deepen your practice - this is for you! For those of you who are new to encaustic painting -  start with one of my all-level workshops first (register HERE), then come back for the Immersion Retreat! 

What you’ll leave with

• A clearer direction developing a body of work
• Meaningful progress on a series of 2–3 pieces
• Practical strategies for keeping a series visually cohesive
• A start on an encaustic sketchbook for musings and experiments
• Guidance on setting up your encaustic studio safely
• Renewed energy, clarity, and creative confidence

Retreat flow

Friday: Arrival, orientation, intention setting, studio setup, and first marks

Saturday: Exploration, demos, individual work time, and one-on-one feedback

Sunday: Refinement, finishing, closing group review, framing and polishing

What’s included

• Guided instruction and individual feedback
• Technique demos
• Daily intentions/mindfulness/stillness time
• Coffee, tea, and snacks throughout
• Encaustic medium and paint (excluding any specialty colors)
• Griddles, brushes, and collage materials
• Friday wine & charcuterie, Saturday coffee & treats, Saturday lunch, Sunday coffee & snacks. (Saturday group dinner not included. Optional)
• Full schedule sent upon registration
  

What to Bring

• 2-3 panels/substrates up to 20" x 20"
• Any specialty encaustic colors, including metallics or favorite custom color mixes
• Any favorite tools or collage materials
• A mixed-media sketchbook (medium to heavyweight paper)

A full list of optional materials will be sent upon registration.

Tuition + Registration

Tuition is $400 plus a $30 materials fee, for a total of $430.
Registration link is at top of page. 

Your spot is confirmed once you register and submit payment. Register above. 4 spots remain.

Cancellation Policy

Your $75 deposit or full payment of $430 is refundable until August 20. If you choose the deposit option, your remaining balance of $355 is due on August 20. Beginning August 20, payments are refundable only if your spot is filled from the waitlist or you transfer your registration to someone else.

A Closer Look at the Retreat

The schedule will unfold organically around the needs of the group, but here’s the general shape of the weekend:

Day 1 | Friday, September 25 | 1:00–4:30 PM
Arrival + Vision + Set Up

• Welcome, introductions, and studio orientation
• Conversation on working in a series
• Grounding and intention setting for the weekend
• Individual concept mapping
• Beginning your encaustic sketchbook
• Studio setup, panel prep, and first marks
• Wine and charcuterie at 4:00 PM

Day 2 | Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Concept Exploration + Creative Expansion

• Morning grounding and reflective journaling
• Technical demos as needed
• Individual work time
• Mixing encaustic medium
• One-on-one support and feedback
• Continued work time
• Group lunch included
• Optional group dinner at Monsoon at 5:00 PM (not included)

Day 3 | Sunday, September 27 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Refinement + Integration

• Coffee, water, and snacks available throughout the day
• Grounding and intentions
• Extended work session
• Closing group viewing and review
• Finishing, framing, and polishing