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Art master class with Beya Rebaï
23-28 September 2026
Crete, Greece

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The travel sketchbook is an ever-evolving format, open to many possibilities. It’s a companion that grows with you, collecting fleeting moments, impressions, and discoveries along the way. Each page is a small journey in itself, where sketches, notes, and observations come together to tell a story only you can tell.

Since childhood, it has been one of my favorite mediums, allowing me to bring together my two passions: drawing and travel.

Sketching in a museum, jotting down a sentence overheard in the street, capturing the silhouette of a mountain or the movement of the sea—this medium has always accompanied me on my journeys. In a sketchbook, I feel freer to experiment, to explore without pressure, to let go of the idea of a “finished” drawing, and to embrace risk, spontaneity, and imperfection.

During this workshop in Crete, we invite you to immerse yourself in this practice through a multi-day creative retreat. Surrounded by sun-drenched landscapes, the rhythm of the sea, and the richness of Mediterranean scenery, we will take the time to observe, feel, and create.

This will be a space to slow down, to reconnect with your creativity, and to explore the endless possibilities of the sketchbook—between light, textures, memories, and intuition.

THE ARTIST

Beya Rebaï is a visual artist born in Paris, France in 1995. She studied illustration in Brussels, Belgium, for three years. She proceeded with a master degree in Paris. Fascinated by color, especially by the modern artistic currents, she builds her pastel drawings with a narrow and carefully selected color palette. She works for the international press like The Guardian, The New York Times, The New Yorker or The Washington Post but also for iconic brands and institutions such as Illy, Rimowa, Nike or Gran Meliá,among others.

You can see her work here.

Who is

this

retreat

for?

For designers, artists, visual creators or just curious travellers eager to experiment, play, unlearn and connect with their wildest and most symbolic imaginary. We welcome beginners as well as professionals alike.

Day 1 Welcome

Upon arrival, you'll make your way to the charming village of Kaliviani, nestled on the island's northwestern coast. In the evening, we will gather for a welcome dinner with Beya and your fellow participants.

Day 2  Arrive & Begin

Ease into the rhythm of the retreat with a warm welcome and introduction. Through intuitive exercises with colour, materials, and sketchbooks, we will begin opening our creative eye.

Day 3  Everyday Life & Sketching

We wander through a local town, capturing architecture, street scenes, and everyday life in our sketchbooks. Back in the village, we develop our visual storytelling through guided experimentation.

Day 4  Nature & Light

 

​A gentle hike into the Cretan landscape invites us to draw greenery, textures, and shifting light. If the weather turns, we move to a museum finding inspiration in quiet observation indoors.​​

 

Day 5  Create & Taste

 

​A day of freedom and inspiration. We develop our personal project at our own pace, then gather for a Cretan cooking class, with time to enjoy local flavours and olive oil tasting.

 

Day 6 Share & Reflect​

A slow final morning. We close the retreat with a relaxed group sharing of sketchbooks, celebrating our progress, our perspective, and the experience of creating in Crete.​​​ We enjoy breakfast together before departures at 11am.

Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site.

THE VILLAGE

THE LANDSCAPE

THE FOOD

DATES

23-28 September 2026 (6 days/5 nights)

 

PRICES

  • private room with double bed & private bathroom €2,100 (4 available)

  • private room with single bed & shared bathroom with 2 others €1,700 (1 available)

  • shared room with double bed & shared bathroom with 2 others €1,700 (1 available)

  • shared room with single bed & shared bathroom with 2 others €1,600 (4 available)

Non-participating partner: €590 (VAT included)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 4 full day art masterclass with Beya Rebaï

  • accommodation 5 nights

  • full meals (5 breakfasts, 5 dinners, 4 lunches)

  • art materials

  • daily activities, transfers included

  • visit to Chania Old Town

  • entrances to sites

  • Organic olive oil tasting

Things to note:

  • The masterclass will be held in English. Transfer from/to the airport can be arranged either by public transport and/or taxi.

  • If you are interested in extending your stay in Crete, we are happy to assist.

Contact us

info@dearislandretreats.com

+30 697 7575 080 

Kaliviani, Crete, Greece

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