Friday 15th – Wednesday 20th May 2026
Join Birgitta at the Inky Larks studio: you’ll sketch in beautiful Roman piazzas and make picturebooks on the roof-top terrace together!
A glimpse of the retreat:
You’ll learn how to storyboard your dummybook – exploring narrative themes and structure.
As your story begins to take shape, you’ll learn how to develop engaging, believable characters and experiment with a range of artistic mediums in a friendly, inspiring setting.
You’ll also sketch around sunny Rome, gaining practical approaches to drawing both from life and from imagination.
Throughout, you’ll receive thoughtful, one-to-one feedback from Birgitta, and a ton of support from the whole group!
By the end, you’ll head home with:
- your dummy book tucked under your arm,
- a rich toolbox of picturebook-making skills,
- and a clear sense of how to keep developing and sharing your work beyond the retreat!
Meet your tutor:
Birgitta’s award-winning picturebooks are “aglow with warmth and welcome” (Kirkus Reviews) and are published all around the world. Her most recent book “Wherever You Go, My Love Will Follow” has been translated into 18 languages!
Birgitta is an inspiring and passionate teacher who’s been a lecturer on the Masters program in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art since 2015.
Birgitta has won many awards, including the Bologna Children\s Book Illustration in 2024!
Her book “Oliver” is endorsed by Amnesty International for its messages of freedom, self expression and equality.
A delightful tale about a boy who is different and his discovery of a kindred spirit, gracefully written to celebrate dreamers and readers—and those who need not change to find friends.”
– Kirkus Reviews
What’s included:
- 5 and 1/2 days at the Inky Larks studio to delve deep into your picturebook project and complete your dummy book with Birgitta’s guidance and support
- 5 Hands-on Picturebook Making sessions, as well as a super fun bonus workshop on monoprinting!
- Welcome drinks at our family home on the first night
- Group Feedback Sessions where we share our work – supporting and inspiring each other. Birgitta gives super helpful daily personal guidance on your story, and support with your creative practice.
- Breakfast every day on the roof terrace: freshly baked cornetti, fresh fruit, coffee and tea.
- Daily Sketching Outings around Rome in which you practice observational drawing, as well as building your skills for drawing from imagination!
- On the last day we read out our completed dummy books and celebrate the great work done and all the progress made with drinks and a festive dinner!
N.B. Please note that accomodation is not included. If you’d like a list of b&bs, hotels, rentals etc. which are walking distance to the Inky Larks studio, fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page. We’ll be very happy to send it to you!
Cost:
The retreat is 715 € (599 £). Check out the box below to find all the goodies that are included!
What People Love About Birgitta’s Retreats:
from the retreat in 2024:
“Birgitta gave expert guidance on my picturebook dummy text by skilfully asking questions (rather than just telling me) which helped my process enormously… I came away with a much stronger layout and text, as well as being inspired by her sensitive and humorous illustrative work. On top of her excellent teaching skills, she is a lovely all-round human being and the sense of community she fostered in the group was a joy to be a part of. I heartily recommend her as a tutor and illustrator, and would love to work with her again.” – Annaliese
“As a newcomer to the world of picture books, I am still amazed by how much learned in just a few days. Birgitta is not only a highly accomplished author and illustrator but also an exceptionally thoughtful and inspiring educator. Her kindness created a supportive environment that led to lasting friendships in our group. I deeply appreciate her insightful feedback, and I’m eager to build on the invaluable foundational knowledge I gained during the retreat.” – Lori
“I had the pleasure to have Birgitta as a lecturer of children’s book illustration twice. In 2015 as a student in the Children’s book illustration summer school in Cambridge school of art, and nine years later in 2024 in Rome at Inky Larks Studio. Both times she has been great teacher, l’ve learned lots about how to design, paginate, how to work on my story to make it more understandable and appealing. Birgitta is sensitive and has a good eye for design, heartwarming characters and stories.” – Claudia
“I highly recommend Birgitta as a teacher and mentor. She shared her passion, insights and knowledge about picturebooks and the publishing industry. It was an incredible experience! Birgitta is a great teacher – she offers careful and directed guidance, humour and an abundance of creativity!” – Mieke
“Birgitta’s sessions were fun, thoughtful and inspiring, and she really helped to nurture a memorable sense of community within the group. Her 1:1 feedback skills were incredible – she seemed to know exactly which questions to ask to prompt learner reflection, helping me uncover how to improve my work (rather than just telling me). Although I know Birgitta’s teaching will stay with me, I sincerely hope I will have another opportunity to learn from her again!” Sue
From the retreat in 2023:
“I’d just begun to form an idea of the book when I came. I struggled to convince myself that this simple idea could become a book. But during the retreat, not only was I able to create a clear storyline, but also make preliminary sketches for a dummy. I enjoyed the retreat very much, from the morning chats to the fun activities Birgitta brought to the outdoor sketching and to the intensive working sessions at the studio. What I liked the most is the small group – we got to know each other well and we were able to listen to everyone’s story and give suggestions.” – Mimi
“After the retreat I felt 100% satisfied with the guidance and tuition. I was now at the point where I could realise my project and prepare it to present to publishers/ agents. In fact one of my stories has now been submitted to publishers. Writing can be a solitary experience. But the Inky Larks retreat has brought me together with like-minded, talented people from around Europe. I enjoyed the breakfasts on the terrace overlooking old Rome, the camaraderie, gathering each morning round the big work table strewn with children’s books!” – Cheryl
I’d love to hear from you:
English 
Italian