Drawing on the Edge

An Artists’ Retreat in the South Downs National Park

A coastal landscape featuring white chalk cliffs along the shoreline with grassy fields and hedges in the foreground, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A girl sitting on grass drawing pictures on paper with a scenic view of cliffs, grassy fields, and the ocean in the background.

What’s inside

This retreat is at Gayles Retreat Centre in the South Downs National Park, overlooking Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters. The secluded property and grounds are nestled in the landscape between Friston Forest and the sea.

If you would rather stay close to home, on a smaller budget, this is the perfect retreat for you. Take a break to breathe, walk, draw and write; let your thoughts meander freely as we wander and explore. The sense of this place is ever present here.

During the 4 days you will be immersed in this spectacular, expansive landscape. Working on a small, portable scale, you will be gently guided and supported throughout. Sketchbooks and basic materials will be provided, so you just need to bring along your favourites tools and a sturdy pair of shoes..

You will be offered guided meditation and simple qi gong exercises to lead into each drawing exercise and help you find your flow. There will also be plenty of time for you to follow your own direction and find a quiet place to work, or walk and explore. Armed with a pocketful of tools and a sketchbook we will set off each day to respond, notice and connect with our self and our surroundings. We will find out as we go, celebrate the beauty, the physicality, the surprises; taking time to rest and reflect along the way.

For further information and photos of Gayles Retreat Centre, and surrounding landscape follow this link: https://www.retreattogayles.co.uk

Landscape view of a coastal area with green rolling hills, winding waterways, and the ocean in the background under a clear blue sky.
Scenic view of green grass-covered cliffs overlooking the ocean with a few walking trails and four people walking along the path.
Open grassy field with rolling hills and a partly cloudy blue sky.
People walking on a grassy hill overlooking a beach and water under a cloudy sky.
A scenic coastal landscape with grassy hills, a sandy beach, calm ocean waters, and a partly cloudy sky with people walking and enjoying the view.
A group of people hiking along a grassy coastal trail with cliffs and the ocean in the background.
A person sitting alone on a wooden park bench in a grassy, wooded area.
Open grassy field leading to white chalk cliffs, with a blue sky and ocean in the background.
A grassy path leading towards a coastline with white chalk cliffs and a blue ocean under a partly cloudy sky.
A dormitory bedroom with multiple wooden beds, some with ladders, and large windows letting in natural light, with white walls and wooden flooring.
Cozy indoor dining area with a fireplace, wooden tables, and chairs, with artwork and a kitchen area in the background.
Bright bedroom with wooden beds, a dresser with a tray, flowers, and a white blanket on the bed. Large windows and a door leading outside, with a wooden ceiling and exposed beams.
Collage of three bedrooms with different bed styles and a house exterior in greenery, with a grassy yard and steps leading to the house.
Group of people drawing abstract art with black charcoal on a large white paper spread on a table.
A beach with sandy and pebbly shore, overcast sky, and an abstract, colorful painting or fabric spread on the sand in the foreground.
Group of people sitting in a field taking notes or sketching during a sunny day.
People engaged in painting or calligraphy on large sheets of paper laid on a blue tarp, with brushes and art supplies around.
A group of women sitting at a long outdoor wooden table, engaged in a meeting or discussion, with papers, notebooks, and writing utensils in front of them, surrounded by a white picket fence and lush greenery.
Three women are standing around a wooden table looking at colorful art projects and sketchbooks in a rustic room with stone walls and large windows.
Table with various sketches and colored artwork near a window overlooking a forested mountain landscape.
A group of people standing in a grassy field on a hill, listening to a woman in front who is taking notes, with a partly cloudy sky overhead.

Basic Daily Timetable

Friday 10th July - Arrival around 4pm

• Settle in and get familiar with your surroundings, tea and biscuits available

• 5pm Introductions, an orientation walk, a simple drawing exercise

• Supper at 6.30pm

Daily Timetable

  • 7.30am Option to use the studio for self practice - yoga, qigong, meditation, drawing etc

  • 8.30am Breakfast

  • 9.30am - 12.30pm Morning Teaching Session - including a walk on some of the days

  • 1-2pm Lunch/Rest

  • 2.30-5.30pm Afternoon Teaching session (or 2-5pm to be confirmed on the day) including

  • A walk if we haven’t been out in the morning

  • 6.30pm Supper

  • 7.30pm Possible evening session - discussion, walk, look at books

Teaching sessions will consist of:

  • Studio warm ups to familiarise with materials and introduce processes

  • Demonstrations of materials as required

  • Guided meditation

  • Walking in the landscape, in order to make drawings - as a group, and self guided

  • Where appropriate: time to reflect and write

  • Prompts for both drawing and writing throughout each day

  • There will also be time for you to be alone, to read, draw, relax, explore, swim (in their outdoor pool, or the sea, which is reachable on one of our walks)

Monday 13th July - Departure around 3pm

*NB We must all PACK UP and clear rooms before the teaching session begins

  • 7.30am Optional walk or yoga first thing (or use this time to pack)

  • 8.30am Breakfast

  • 9.30am - 12.30 Morning Teaching Session

  • 12.45-1.30pm Lunch and clear studio space, everything in the car

  • 1.45 - 2.45 Group Review and Goodbyes - ready to leave promptly at 3pm

  • 3pm Departure

People on a beach engaged in an art project with colorful painted papers laid out in a line on the sand, with the ocean and cloudy sky in the background.

Full Cost: £595

Early bird: £550 (if you book by 31/12/25)

Deposit: £100

All of your materials, vegetarian food and shared accommodation are included in the price.

The accommodation is based on sharing, with limited single/twin room availability on a first come first served basis with £100 supplement.

  • Friday 10 July: arrive 4pm for welcome tea and introductory session before dinner

  • Monday 13 July: depart 3pm after a days teaching and final review

*If you need to pay in instalments, please contact Katie personally.

BOOK HERE

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • The deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel the retreat one month before the date, you can get a full refund. After that date, the refund is no longer possible.

  • How do I get there? Is it possible share lifts? 

    Directions to Gayles Retreat: https://www.retreattogayles.co.uk/contact

    Gayles is situated off the A259, mid-way between Eastbourne and Seaford and just a mile from the picturesque village of East Dean.

    Being an hour and a half from central London and just over half an hour from Brighton, whether driving or taking public transport, it is easy to find and access is excellent.

    The Coastliner Bus between Brighton and Eastbourne stops just at the end of the lane.

    Katie will help coordinate lift shares nearer the time for anyone coming by car, needing a lift, or local pick ups. 

  • What is the accommodation like? Can I have my own room?

    Most of the accommodation is in very comfortable light and airy dorms. There are 3 rooms available in the farm house for single or double occupancy for a £100 supplement.

    Other options are camping - they will provide and set up a tent for you, you will bring your own bedding.

    If you have a camper can you are welcome to set yourself up in the space where we park (between the studio and the donkey field) and use the studio bathroom.

  • What kind of food can I expect?

    All food is home cooked by Derry who runs the centre alongside his wife Roz, who grows much of the food on the land.

    There will be delicious simple vegetarian food for lunch and dinner, with eggs, porridge, musli, yoghurt, fruit, toast etc for breakfast.

    Some diets can be catered for, with alternatives of the main meal offered where possible.

    Derry will ask me to gather your dietary requirements nearer the time.

  • Will it be like a meditation retreat? Will it be silent?

    No, it will not be run as a meditation retreat, it will not be silent, although it will be encouraged that you take the opportunity to stay off your phone and have quiet contemplative periods throughout your stay.

    Meditation and qigong (mindful movement) will be part of the structure of the course, as a warm up for the drawing exercises and a way of tuning into your senses.

    There will be set times when you will be working quietly on your own, and other times when we meet together as a group. 

  • For your own comfort please bring a range of suitable clothes for English Coastal Summer!

    Including:

    • Walking boots

    • Rain coat

    • Sun hat, sunscreen

    • Swimsuit and towel - there is an outdoor pool

    • Slip on shoes for the house and rooms (no shoes indoors)

    • Check with Gayles if you are thinking of camping - they provide a tent, I think you have to bring the bedding

    • A map of the area if you have one

  • There will be one long walk on the Saturday along the coast path of the Seven Sisters to Cuckmere beach and river mouth (whatever the weather).

    The walk is approximately 1 hour 30 mins there and 50 minutes back.

    If the weather is agreeable we will take a picnic lunch and make drawings on the beach.

    If the weather is less agreeable we will just walk and make work in the studio space on our return.

    Adjustments will be made on the day.

    Other walks to be decided, all local and less than 2 hours. 

  • PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND MAKE YOUR OWN LIST BASED ON THE FOLLOWING

    I will provide:

    • Rucksack stools - you are welcome to bring your own lightweight chair/stool

    • Drawing boards A1 and A3

    • Bulldog clips and masking tape

    • Drawing paper A4, A3, A1

    • A5 concertina sketchbook and an A6 notebook

    • Rags, Kitchen Roll, Bin liners

    • Sheets of plastic for studio floor

    • Tables for the studio space

    • Books for Inspiration (literature and art books)

    • There are yoga mats and cushions there for us to use, but feel free to bring your own

    I will also be bringing basic drawing materials, including:

    • Charcoal, Pencils, graphite, charcoal/graphite powder, black and white chalks

    • Selection of coloured chalks and oil pastels

    • Posca pens

    • Inks

    • Brushes, water brush pens, water pots

    • Carbon Paper, coloured paper, tissue, tracing paper

    • Selection of coloured pens and pencils (water soluble are really good, combined with water brush pens)

    • erasers, scissors, pencil sharpeners, crafts knife (+ cutting mat)

    • pritt stick, masking tape, stapler and bulldog clips

    *You do not have to bring anything but if you have any of the above and want to bring your own, you are most welcome. There is no need to go out and buy anything specially. Whatever you bring will be enough.