Creative Workshops
Find out more about the workshops that will be part of our June 2025 Jane Austen Creative Retreat.
Writing + Storytelling
Just like the Romantic era writers, you can be inspired by the locations that we visit to create pieces of writing that reflect your own experiences.
This series of workshops will take you through a variety of exercises to cultivate your voice and produce pieces worthy of an audience.
Sketching + Painting Onsite
There's something transcendent about taking time to sit in a place and capture it with your own mark making.
This series of art workshops will teach you the basics of sketching + painting on location as well as how to translate your own experiences into beautifully illustrated memories.
Writing + Storytelling
with Nicole Jacobsen
Workshop 1 / Chawton House
In our first writing workshop, we will do a few close readings of Jane Austen's prose and Romantic era poetry, pulling out our favorite aspects of each.
Each participant will then begin work on a piece that emulates these styles, inspired by the country setting and surrounds.
Workshop 2 / Royal Crescent, Bath
In the shadow of one of the most iconic streets in England, participants will do character work, indulging in a bit of people-watching as research.
A mix of guided exercises and open-ended prompts will prepare each writer to develop their individual pieces further.
Workshop 3 / Lyme Park
The series of workshops will culminate in a pressure-free peer review, where participants will have the chance to share their work with the group and receive ideas and inspiration from each other.
Sketching + Painting Onsite
with Lexi K.
Workshop 1 / Stourhead House and Gardens
In our first art workshop, we will review the basics of sketching + painting from life and on location with a demonstration by Lexi K.
Each participant will then explore their own sensibilities and what kinds of themes, scenes, and subjects they are drawn to with a guided sketching + reflection exercise.
Workshop 2 / Royal Crescent, Bath
With its diverse array of landscape, old architecture, and passersby for subjects, participants will practice capturing the essence of a busy scene with a series of gouache paint studies.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn different painting techniques through brief demonstrations
Workshop 3 / Lyme Park
Our last workshop will recall the skills we've developed throughout the workshops as each participant will be guided in making a painted postcard to send home. We will explore composition