Immerse yourself in the peaceful landscape of the Waldviertel – surrounded by forests, meadows, and castle ruins. Togehter with a small group of artists, you will work on your creative projects, find inspiration in nature, and take part in daily workshops guided by Elina Ellis.

Afternoons by the pond, evenings around the campfire, and sunsets during outdoor dinners make this week an unforgettable experience.

Practical Information:

Dates: Sunday 5 July – Saturday 11 July 2026
Format: 7 days / 6 nights
Location: Krug, Waldviertel (Austria)
Participants: maximum 8 places
Teaching days: Monday to Friday
Daily Structure: morning – creative practice & experimentation; afternoon – focused workshops & project development
Accommodation: shared rooms
Meals: full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Facilities: indoor & outdoor workspaces, sauna, pond, garden areas, campfire spot
Transfer: private shuttle from/to Vienna (airport or main train station).
Price: £1260 / €1450 (all inclusive)

What This Retreat is about

This retreat is for illustrators and visual storytellers who want to develop a personal project and understand how visual storytelling actually works.

You may arrive with:
– a picture book idea;
– a rough concept;
– or no clear idea yet.

During this week, you will work on one project, approaching it from different angles each day. The focus is not on finishing, but on building a solid, workable structure you can continue developing afterwards.

This is an intensive working week. You will draw every day, think a lot, make decisions, change your mind, and learn practical ways of moving a project forward.

How the Programme Works

Mornings

🚀 Mornings are used to open up thinking and drawing.

🎨 Observation, sketchbook work, experimentation, drawing from life and surroundings. These sessions feed directly into the project work later in the day.

Afternoons

🐝 Afternoons are structured workshops. We work on:
– visual storytelling principles;
– narrative structure & sequencing;
– character & atmosphere;
– visual language & consistency.

🎨 Everything is applied directly to your own project, with individual quidance.

Evenings

🤝 Some evenings include informal group conversations about being an artist – creative work, doubt, the industry, an long-term sustainability.

🐝 Participation is optional

What you will leave with

By the end of the retreat, you will have:
– a clear defined project idea;
– exploratory drawings and visual material;
– a basic narrative or visual structure;
– practical tools to continue developing the project at home;

You will also have a better understanding of your own process and how to approach future projects more consciously.

Who is delivering

 

The Artist Retreat will be guided by Elina Ellis, an award-winning illustrator and author based in the UK, whose books are published worldwide.

Elina brings years of experience teaching drawing and illustration, with a gentle and encouraging approach that helps people reconnect with their creativity in a natural, unpressured way.

During the retreat, she will lead daily workshops while also giving you space to explore your own projects. She will share her creative process, sketchbooks, and insights—supporting you individually as you develop your ideas.

With her playful yet professional guidance, you’ll not only grow your artistic skills, but also feel more confident expressing yourself and trusting your creative voice.

Elina Ellis
Children's Book Illustrator

How to join

 


Step 1:
Complete the Sign-up form.

Step 2: After you register, we will send you an email with all the details on how to confirm your place with a deposit of £820 / €950. The remaining balance is payable to the organiser upon arrival (contact details below)

Step 3: Once your place is reserved, we’ll stay in touch and support you with everything you need before your arrival.
You’ll receive practical details, travel guidance, and a gentle introduction to the retreat experience.

SIGN-UP FORM

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General Information & Accommodation

Krug, a small and picturesque village in the Waldviertel region – surrounded by forests, meadows, rivers, and a castle ruin. The perfect place for a creative retreat in nature.

Private shuttle service from Vienna Airport (Schwechat) and Vienna Main Train Station. Departure from Vienna on 5th July at 1:30pm – arrival at the retreat around 3:30pm.

Creative Workshops at 10am – 1pm and 2 – 5pm.

Teaching Days: Monday to Friday

Language: English

Level: mixed (Illustrators & Visual storytellers).

Large outdoor workspace under a gazebo + additional indoor workspace

  • Castle Ruins of Schauenstein – historic ruins overlooking the Kamp valley;
  • River Kamp – ideal for walks and quiet inspiration in nature;
  • Forest & Wildflower Meadows – directly accessible from the retreat – perfect for painting, meditation, or simply breathing deeply;
  • Sunset – enjoyed daily right in front of the main house.

Outdoor dinners with sunset views in front of the main house, evening sauna sessions. Meaningful (soulful) conversations by the campfire.

Shared rooms for 2–3 people – equipped with double beds

Two large shared bathrooms (showers & washing facilities)

Full board – homemade & seasonal – breakfast buffet, warm lunch (main dish with salad), and 2-course dinner

Hairdryer, washing machine, beamer/projector, towels provided

Shared sauna (separate women’s/men’s sauna sessions possible)

Private pond, campfire area (marshmallow roasting evenings!), fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, flower meadows, fields, and hiking trails

Private shuttle Service from Krug to Vienna Airport (Schwechat) and Vienna Main Train Station on 11th July. Arrival at Airport at 3:30pm.

Have questions? We're happy to help

If you’d like to know more or need support with your booking, feel free to reach out to the organiser of the Artist Retreat in Austria:

Anna Just-Kunrath

Tel: +43 676 4514522
Email: Click to see the email (protected from spam)

Language: English and German

What Participants Say

 

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