Our Corfu art retreat began in the grounds of the beautiful villa that was our accommodation. The air was crisp, the light kept shifting, and the sky couldn’t decide between cloud and blue. Yet one by one, six artists — Barbara, Jeni, Janell, Kristi, Susan, and Judi — set up their easels, breathed in, and began. That moment of quiet determination marked the start of a week filled with courage, laughter, and discovery.

We started with me reminding them that plein air painting is never about perfection. It’s about beginning — even when the conditions aren’t ideal — and being fully present for the experience.

Why Plein Air Painting Is an Act of Courage

Painting outdoors can feel overwhelming: shifting light, curious onlookers, unpredictable weather, unexpected changes in the environment, and the sheer abundance of what there is to capture. That’s why my teaching philosophy for any plein air painting retreat focuses on two things — the experience and seeing deeply.

Being outdoors slows you down. It grounds you. It invites you to observe the subtleties — the way light hits olives, the violet in a shadow, the colour temperature shift where stone meets sun. When we paint from life, we see more — and we feel more.

When you look back at a painting done on location, you remember not just what you saw, but everything else: the smell of the air, the temperature, the sound of waves or cicadas. It’s visceral, unforgettable.

I always tell my students:

“Don’t chase the perfect scene. Paint what stops you in your tracks.”

Find that spark — the thing that makes you say oh! — and stay with it. Simplify the shapes, squint to see the values, capture that essence in a quick thumbnail, then respond with colour and determination. Because when you’re painting outdoors, time moves fast, and so should your pastel.

Six Artists, Six Journeys of Bravery

Everyone in our small, intimate group arrived in Corfu for the art retreat with their own purpose.

Barbara, who joined me last October for my Tuscany retreat, brought her quiet confidence and curiosity, ready to explore plein air painting in pastels (not just watercolour).

Jeni, one of my Accelerant members, came determined to push herself — to trust intuition and embrace the unexpected all while using a limited palette.

Janell, a beginner and IGNITE! Member, nearly didn’t come at all. Her nerves almost won. But she showed up — and by the second day, she was painting with energy and joy, her earlier anxiety transformed into fearless exploration.

Kristi, fresh from my Northwest Pastel Society workshop and a studio painter, dove into plein air painting, determined to be fearless.

Susan wanted to kickstart the plein air habit and use a limited palette. She also came for the fun and for the beauty of Corfu. 

Judi rounded out the group, delighted to be with a group of people on a similar journey and wishing to follow in her mother’s footsteps by painting en plein air.  

Every morning, they’d unpack their gear, find their spot, and start. That simple act — beginning — takes courage. And every time they did, they gathered more of it.

Letting Go and Leaning In

By midweek of our Corfu art retreat, we’d painted in forests, olive groves, and along the sea where the light shimmered and changed by the minute. The nerves of day one were long gone, replaced by laughter, curiosity, and bold, joyful strokes.

One afternoon, as we wrapped up, Jeni said quietly,

“I just have to let go.”

That became the theme for the rest of the week — letting go of expectations, of needing a perfect result, of overthinking. The paintings grew freer. Colours became richer. The process itself became the point.

And when someone had a wobble — as every artist does — another was always nearby with encouragement, a shared smile, or a gentle, “You’ve got this.” That’s what I love most about a destination art retreat: the way students hold each other up. 

By the end of the week, something had shifted in all of them — less hesitation, more joy. Less “Is this good enough?” and more “I love how that felt.”

Corfu Worked Its Magic  — Light, Laughter, and Connection

Every location had its own rhythm — the hush of the olive groves, the lapping of waves by the sea, the feeling of a time past in the hidden village of Old Peritheia. We dined at a taverna where we broke plates and watched a fire dance, marvelled at the sunsets, and even visited a family-run wine and olive estate where sounds of a delighted palette (Ahhhh, Ooooo, yum!) flowed as easily as the wine.

Each evening, we gathered for a show-and-share, paintings spread out with quiet contemplation and feedback. We reflected on the day, celebrated discoveries, and cheered one another’s growth. And then discussed it all over a fabulous dinner.

What Made Me Proud

As a teacher in these workshops, my goal is always to get students painting — to find their own way of expressing something about what’s in front of them. And that’s exactly what happened.

I loved watching them work through the challenges of plein air painting — the moving sun, the stray breeze, the rising frustration as they struggled and then the way they moved through it and kept going. I was so proud of their determination and the way they lifted each other up.

Whenever one person’s energy dipped, someone else’s encouragement lifted it up. That’s the kind of artistic camaraderie that flourishes in community.

The Heart of Our Corfu Art Retreat

By the end of the week, students had a collection of visual and heartfelt memories. We’d shared meals, challenges, breakthroughs, personal stories, and laughter. The week reminded me why I love teaching plein air art retreats so much: it’s not just about painting, it’s about connections and friendships, and the humanity of it all. 

It’s about being fully present.

That was  the true magic of our Corfu art retreat — bravery and belonging. So much so that there was an idea floated to do it again in two year’s time. And so, we are beginning those plans!

Have you experienced that same mix of courage and joy while painting outdoors? Tell me about it below — I love hearing your stories. 🌞

Until next time,

~ Gail

PS. Could you see yourself setting up your easel at a Corfu Art Retreat?  What part of a plein air painting art retreat appeals to you most?

One last photo – the prize for the most unusual place to set up goes to…