Discover the essence of Southern Poland
With Iain Stewart
At Krakow & Zakopane- Poland
12 June - 21 June, 2026
Simply sitting down with my sketchbook and recording the world around me is perhaps the most enjoyable and rewarding thing I can think of when traveling. My cares drift away and I am in the moment observing. There is no pressure to perform or to allow my sketches to become precious. Sketches are simply a record of my day and where it has taken me. We all have something unique to say and my goal is to show you how to listen for that inner voice that only you own. I have designed a simple process to help you let go of the desire of accuracy in favor of interpretation and your impression of place. There is an honesty in a sketch that is hard to replicate emotionally or visually. Join me as we explore the riches of one of the worlds most beautiful and historically rich destinations. As an architectural illustrator and Professor of design drawing and presentation I will show you how to move past representation and embrace gesture and the suggested. Join me in Poland- Im very excited to discover it with you!
Course Highlights
- Sketching intruction by Iain
- Discover medieval streets of Krakow, the castle grounds and the old jewish quarter
- Be amazed by UNESCO site- Wieliczka, salt mine tour
- Visit stunning Tatry Mountains, learn about the warm hospitality and the most amazing local foods.
- Enjoy river gorge experince on traditional raft
- Best of Polish cousine cooked by your private chef
Day by Day Workshop Schedule
- Day 1: Arrival to Krakow airport, pick up by driver, check in the hotel in heart of Old town- Welcome dinner in traditional Polish restaurant with selection of local bears and best summer flavors ☺
- Day 2: Breakfast in the hotel, first sketching instruction and session with Iain (on the main square), break for group lunch, after lunch time to finish your sketches. Afternoon Krakow old town walking tour with the guide or free time to explore, group dinner in our hotel restaurant.
- Day 3: After breakfast in hotel, Wieliczka half day tour - the most incredible salt mine in Europe https://www.kopalnia.pl/zwiedzanie, group lunch inside the mine, afternoon session with Iain capturing one of the streets, meeting for dinner in hotel restaurant.
- Day 4: Breakfast in the hotel, sketching session in Jewish quarter – KAZIMIERZ. Group lunch , afternoon visit in Shindler Factory with the guide , back to hotel free time , dinner on your own that evening ☺
- Day 5: Breakfast in the hotel, transfer to Mountains villa near Zakopane, with stop for delicious lunch in a beautiful castle in Karolina and David home town, time to unpack in your Polish mountain home. Late afternoon time to sketch with Iain around gardens with stunning landscape. Dinner by our chef , with vodka tasting ☺-Yes that’s what Pols are good at☺
- Day 6: Breakfast home, trip to Chocholowska Valley – horse chaise ride thru the glade, picnic lunch. Painting sesion with Iain, on way back we will have local cheese tasting in ,, BACOWKA”. You will see how the cheese is produced but also we will have a chance to taste it☺ Dinner back home with our Chef.
- Day 7: Breakfast home, all day Trip to National park Pieniny, river gorge run-off, lunch of local speciality- River Trout! After lunch we will have time to sketch the river views with the Pieniny mountains in the background. Back home for dinner - Golonka, a traditional pork meat with local beer selection -a must try!
- Day 8: Breakfast home, session with Iain, lunch at home. Afternoon cooking class with Polish Chef- We will learn how to do Pierogi! For non cooks optional massage or time to relax and sketch. Dinner home. We will also learn about local honeys ☺
- Day 9: Last day of your Polish adventure – breakfast home, Zakopane centre tour for last shopping and exploring. Lunch on own. Back home, time to finish your artwork, gallery of art followed by gala dinner-with the bbq at open Air (lamb, local hunted wild boar, local river fish, beef from the local butcher and best selection off Local beers , and our Tuscan wines).
- Day 10: Departure day, after the breakfast group will be taken to the Krakow Airport (1,30h to Airport).
Course Cost: 4799 Euro
Iain Stewart is a Scots born watercolor artist and a signature member of the American and National Watercolor Societies among other state and international entities. He has also recently been inducted into the Whiskey Painters of America.
His work has received numerous awards in international competition and hangs in many corporate and private collections.
Iain is a sought after watercolor instructor and juror and has been published in numerous books and periodicals. He has just finished production of his 5th instructional DVD. In 2021 his first book on painting; En Plein Air- Light and Color, was published.
Iain maintains a studio near Auburn University in Alabama, and in addition to gallery work, is an Architectural Illustrator with an international clientele and has taught watercolor and design drawing at Auburn University where he received his degree in Architecture.
Iain is an International Brand Ambassador for:
Escoda Brushes
Daniel Smith Watercolors
Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks
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Polish culture has the place in history, but it is still evolving, combining old traditions with modern sensitivity. If you are interested in culture, art, you like to travel and discover new places or maybe you want to make contact with Polish roots, we invite you to a 10 day stay in southern Poland where we discover theessences of this region together with the opportunity to combine passion for travel with a passion for art.
We planned many attractions for You!
Get to know better Krakow and its unique architecture with warm hospitality from our polish friends. We will travel to Polish Mountines - Tatry, where you can experince the breathtaking views, the best of Polish food and vodka of course!
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This workshop is being arranged through followtuscany.com Karolina will follow up on all questions about the workshop, accommodations, activities, coordinate arrivals and departures, food issues and all other details.She will handle all booking arrangements, all enquiries, and receive the payments of deposit and balance from the students directly.
Contact:
Karolina Lenart
Email:followyoursensesintuscany@gmail.com
Web:followtuscany.com
Telephone: +39 3455809974
Included in the cost of your workshop in Poland:
*Accommodations
*All tuition fees
*All excursions
*All activities
*Airport transfers and local transportation including day trips and workshops.
*All breakfasts lunches and dinners in the program ( except 2 lunches)
*The use of folding stools
Exludes:
*Flights to and from Poland
*2 lunches (Krakow and Zakopane)
* 1 dinner in Krakow
* Painting supplies
Travel:
Departure is scheduled for 10.00am.Please make sure your flight back is coordinated with departure from accomodation.
Register: To sign up, a non-refundable deposit of 1000Euro is required. Reserve your place now, so you don't miss out!
Limited spaces - dont miss out:)
Contact Karolina to register:
Karolina Lenart